The amount of weight you need to lose before a tummy tuck will depend on your individual circumstances, such as your body mass index (BMI) and the amount of excess skin and fat you have in the abdominal area. Your surgeon will be able to advise you on whether weight loss is necessary and how much weight you should aim to lose.
In general, if you have a BMI of 30 or higher, it’s recommended that you try to lose weight before the surgery. Your surgeon may recommend a weight loss goal of at least 10% of your body weight. This can help reduce the risk of complications during the surgery and improve your chances of achieving optimal results.
It’s important to remember that weight loss should be done in a healthy and sustainable way. Crash diets or extreme exercise regimens can be harmful to your health and may not provide lasting results. If you’re considering a tummy tuck and are unsure about whether weight loss is necessary, speak to a qualified plastic surgeon who can assess your individual needs and make recommendations based on your specific circumstances.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Tummy Tuck Before Weight Loss, how much weight do you lose with tummy tuck and lipo, bmi requirements for tummy tuck, and losing weight for tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Before Weight Loss
People get tummy tucks for different reasons. Women who struggle with a belly bulge after having children often find their best solution through abdominoplasty. People who have lost a significant amount of weight and are left with excess skin are often good candidates as well. Of course, each person’s anatomy is unique and not everyone is the best candidate for a tummy tuck. It’s important to learn as much as you can about the procedure before deciding if it’s right for you.
If you’re considering a tummy tuck, there are a lot of things you can do that will increase your chances of having an excellent outcome that stands the test of time. From choosing the right plastic surgeon near you to taking care of yourself after surgery, here’s exactly how to get good tummy tuck results.
Get to a Stable, Healthy Weight
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure and you should be at or near your ideal weight before having one.
If you plan to lose weight, do so before you have a tummy tuck. Your plastic surgeon will be able to remove more excess skin and you’ll get better results. It’s important, though, to lose the weight in a way that’s sustainable so you can keep it off. If you gain weight after your tummy tuck, it’s likely that your results will be compromised.
If you’re not sure whether you are near your best weight before having a tummy tuck, talk to a plastic surgeon about your concerns. If you need to lose a few extra pounds and aren’t having much success doing so on your own, your plastic surgeon may be able to offer some advice or connect you with experts who can help.
Request a Consultation
The first step in achieving your ideal figure is scheduling your consultation with Dr. Francesco. Contact us today to get started! We look forward to helping you feel great about your body.
Choose the Right Plastic Surgeon
One of the most important factors in getting the best tummy tuck results is choosing the right surgeon. Only select a plastic surgeon who is board certified. A board-certified plastic surgeon will hold the highest standards for health, safety and aesthetics. To maintain board certification, a plastic surgeon must not only undergo extensive training but also continue his or her education throughout the years. Check online reviews of plastic surgeons near you posted by patients to help you narrow down your search for the perfect surgeon to do your tummy tuck.
Add Liposuction
In many cases, a person will see their best results by having a combination liposuction and tummy tuck. While a tummy tuck is the best way to address excess skin or separated abdominal muscles, it isn’t a solution for stubborn belly fat. Liposuction, however, can be a great way to get rid of fat pockets that don’t respond to diet and exercise. Since many people suffer from a combination of excess skin and fatty deposits near the midsection, combining these two procedures is often the best way to help them reach their goals. A skilled plastic surgeon can use a combination liposuction and tummy tuck to sculpt your waist and really create the shape you want.
Before and After
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Wait until You’re Done Having Children
While you can become pregnant and have more children after getting a tummy tuck, it’s not recommended. This is because you run the risk of losing your results and ending up back where you started before you had the tummy tuck. Some women who get pregnant after having an abdominoplasty may choose to have revision surgery in order to recover at least some of their initial results.
Eat Right
Eating a healthy diet is a key part of how to get the best tummy tuck results, even before you ever have one. Maintaining a healthy diet before surgery helps get your body in top condition. You’ll need all those nutrients for recovery, too.
Post-surgery, it’s even more important to eat right. Not only do you need to fuel your body properly for your best and fastest recovery, you’ll need to keep up on the good eating habits in order to maintain your results over time. Being in great health can even help you heal faster. Here are some healthy eating tips to help you stay in shape and keep your tummy tuck results looking fabulous for many years to come:
Just because something has the word “diet” in its name doesn’t mean it’s good for you. “Diet” does not equal “healthy.”
Just because something has the word “diet” in its name doesn’t mean it’s good for you. “Diet” does not equal “healthy.”
So-called “bad” carbs, also known as simple carbohydrates, are found in foods such as white bread and pasta, baked goods and many processed foods. This kind of carb is broken down by your body very quickly and provides you with very little nutritional bang for your buck.
Complex carbs (the “good” ones) are found in foods such as whole grains and legumes. Your body breaks these down much more slowly, providing more sustained energy and usable nutrition. You can also get healthy carbs from foods like green vegetables, beans and potatoes.
Exercise Regularly
Along with eating right, regular exercise is a key component to getting and maintaining the best tummy tuck results. If you don’t pay attention to your physical fitness, it’s only a matter of time before your newly-slimmer midsection pays the price. Keeping a workout regimen will help you keep excess weight off so you can enjoy your new figure for many years. Regular exercise also has a host of health benefits and can help keep you looking great all over. Follow these tips to ensure that your exercise regimen is effective and enjoyable.
Have Healthy Expectations
If you enjoy your workout, you’re much more likely to keep doing it.
It’s not just what you do that affects the outcome of your surgery, but what you think. Another way to ensure you get good tummy tuck results is to have reasonable expectations. This means that you understand what can and cannot be achieved through abdominoplasty. For instance, you should be aware that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure and can’t remove stretch marks (unless they happen to be on the parts of the skin that are removed).
Communicate with Your Plastic Surgeon
A good relationship with your plastic surgeon is a huge factor in how your results will look. Beyond making sure they have the right credentials, you should feel comfortable talking to your plastic surgeon. Tell him or her about your particular goals and concerns. Talk to him or her about which things bother you most and what your best possible outcome would be. If you ever feel like a plastic surgeon isn’t listening to you, it’s time to find a new one. Be honest about your lifestyle and your goals—and don’t be afraid to ask questions. In fact, it’s advisable that you ask a lot of them. Here are some to get you started.
Just Say “No” to Smoking
Smoking stains your teeth and causes premature aging, not really great ways to complement your tummy tuck results.
Smoking is just a bad idea in general. Most plastic surgeons will require that you stop smoking for several weeks before having a tummy tuck. This is because smoking increases surgical risk factors, and can also inhibit your body’s ability to recover from surgery. As far as maintaining your results long-term, you’ll be working against your best interest if you choose to smoke.
It’s not that smoking will necessarily make you gain weight, but smoking can lead to health problems. Dealing with any one of them is definitely going to take your focus away from enjoying a slimmer figure. Plus, a smoking habit isn’t exactly conducive to getting those regular workouts you’ll need to keep your waist slender.
Follow Your Post-Op Instructions
It’s one of the most basic things you can do, and it’s also one of the most important. Your plastic surgeon will send you home from surgery with very specific instructions for taking care of yourself as you recover. Adhere to any activity restrictions and don’t overdo it by trying to get back to your normal routine earlier than advised.
Wear compression garments and take any prescribed medications as directed. If you have any questions about what you should or shouldn’t do during recovery, don’t hesitate to call your plastic surgeon’s office. Failing to follow your post-op instructions could result in a prolonged recovery time and could even end up affecting how your final results look.
There are very specific reasons behind each requirement and recommendation your plastic surgeon gives you. If you are unsure of why your surgeon has included a particular instruction, just ask. For instance, some people might think wearing compression garments isn’t really necessary. In fact, they can help to reduce swelling after a tummy tuck and they can aid in giving you a smoother, slimmer final result.
Go Drain-Free
One of the biggest complaints people have about recovering from a tummy tuck is dealing with the surgical drains that usually accompany it. Drains have traditionally been used to collect excess fluid that builds up behind the abdominoplasty incision and, until recently, it wasn’t an option to forego them.
how much weight do you lose with tummy tuck and lipo
Are sit-ups and crunches not giving you your desired taut tummy or the proverbial six-pack abs? Don’t be discouraged. It’s not you or the exercise routine you’re doing that’s wrong. The most likely culprit is excess skin, stubborn fat or both. If that is the case, you might want to consider getting a tummy tuck or a liposuction.
Both of these surgical body contouring procedures can help achieve a shapelier contour, but each serve a different purpose.
At a glance, a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a cosmetic enhancement procedure that removes extra skin and fat as well as tightens the muscles in your abdomen so you can have a flatter stomach.
Like the tummy tuck, liposuction will give you a svelte contour. The difference is this is strictly for fat reduction, particularly stubborn fat that just won’t budge no matter how hard you exercise or how strict you follow your diet.
How much weight do you lose with a tummy tuck and liposuction?
These procedures can really enhance your figure and make you lose fast post-surgery. However, they shouldn’t be viewed as a weight-loss option. In fact, Dr. Mussat would advise patients to lose weight before getting these procedures. You’ll get a much more optimized result if you do, and there is less risk of complications when your weight is at normal levels.
How much weight should I lose?
The best number is to be your ideal weight based on your age, height, and body frame. Your BMI is also a factor to consider. Here’s a chart that will help you determine your ideal weight.
As mentioned, there are several factors to consider when calculating your body weight. So if you’re confused or you need help, ask Dr. Mussat about your ideal weight. If you need to shed excess pounds, she can recommend healthy weight loss options that are right for you.
bmi requirements for tummy tuck
Guide to Using BMI To Select Best Cosmetic Surgery
You should know that BMI calculated in this way does not measure body fat directly. However, it has enough correlation with more direct measures of body fat that it can be a useful indicator. And the great news is that you didn’t have to see a plastic surgeon to figure it out. In fact, you didn’t even have to get up from the sofa!
And now, for the results.
If Your BMI Is Under 30:
Congratulations! If your BMI is below 30, you are a good candidate for any kind of cosmetic surgery. Again, this doesn’t mean a plastic surgeon will invite you into their OR sight unseen. He or she will still want to evaluate you personally to rule out possible complications based on health issues, medications, smoking, etc.
But generally, a BMI under 30 is good news. In addition, it is especially well suited for minimally-invasive procedures such as liposuction and skin tightening. With your BMI, you are likely to see good results from both procedures. Liposuction will take care of your extra fat pockets, and adding BodyTite will help you tighten that skin even more.
If Your BMI Is Between 30 and 40:
With a BMI between 30 and 40 you may still qualify for liposuction, but you are likely to see much better results from a tummy tuck. Your overall weight is still low enough that your’e not likely to experience too many complications during surgery. This is good news. But your weight is high enough to indicate that your abdominal skin has been stretched quite a bit. With those numbers, it is very likely that you will experience moderate to severe sagging after the belly fat has been removed. You might go down a pant size or two, but you won’t like the way your tummy looks.
Another route you could take is to first bring down your weight to get closer to your target weight, and then have liposuction. The Orbera Weight-Loss Balloon is an excellent option for this. It requires a little bit of time – 6 months, to be precise – but most patients see excellent long-term results from it.
If Your BMI Is Over 40:
Unfortunately, you are not an ideal candidate for either liposuction or a tummy tuck. In fact, most plastic surgeons are reluctant to take on patients with BMIs over 40 for any kind of procedure, due to the risk of complications discussed above. Even breast implant surgery could become more risky at such a high BMI.
What can you do? We advise patients with BMIs of over 40 to enroll in a weight loss program and contact us again when they’ve been able to get their BMI in the target range. However, we realize that not all patients are the same, and individual circumstances differ. If you are in a borderline range from 40 to 42, please contact us for a pre-screening. By asking a few more questions, our consultant can determine whether a meeting with a plastic surgeon is warranted.
We hope we’ve helped you understand how to calculate your BMI to get a better idea whether liposuction, a tummy tuck, or even a weight-loss balloon is the right procedure for you. Get started by scheduling a consultation with a plastic surgeon in Nashville or Memphis!
losing weight for tummy tuck
As obesity numbers continue to rise in this country, new treatments and procedures are needed to achieve weight loss. Bariatric surgical procedures or gastric bypass are among a few options to produce permanent weight loss but are limited to helping patients who are extraordinarily overweight or obese. In contrast, a tummy tuck is available to help a broader range of patients wanting to improve the appearance of their midsection. However, when patients are considering abdominoplasty, a common question often asked is, “How much weight can I lose?”
Dr. Nana Mizuguchi is a dual board-certified aesthetic and plastic surgeon who provides numerous body contouring options to women and men in the greater Louisville, KY area. Weight loss after a tummy tuck is minimal, leaving patients with the real benefits of a tighter, more fit-looking stomach area. Learn more about abdominoplasty and weight loss below or contact our Louisville, KY office to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Mizuguchi.
What can a tummy tuck procedure help?
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. It is a cosmetic procedure to achieve a smoother, flatter abdominal contour when liposuction alone won’t achieve a patient’s aesthetic goal. In most cases, an incision is made in the lower abdomen to remove loose skin and any fatty deposits (with liposuction). The underlying abdominal muscles are then tightened to create a more toned, tighter-looking appearance. Depending on which tummy tuck method is utilized, the belly button can be repositioned, providing more proportionate and natural-looking results.
What are the benefits of a tummy tuck?
Patients considering this body contouring procedure have experienced changes to the body due to significant weight loss, pregnancy, or loss of skin elasticity due to age. A tummy tuck can improve a patient’s quality of life by removing excess fat and sagging skin. Afterward, patients, typically, love how they look, which gives their self-confidence a boost. Abdominoplasty allows patients to feel more comfortable in their skin and feel better about how they look in their clothes or a bathing suit. Both women and men can struggle with their midsection for various reasons, so when the efforts of diet and exercise have been exhausted, a tummy tuck procedure can help. But, can it lower the number on the scale?
Will I lose weight with a tummy tuck?
The primary goal for a tummy tuck procedure is not about losing weight but providing a lasting improvement to a patient’s appearance. Patients who have lost a significant amount of weight generally deal with excess tummy skin. It is a surprising fact, but the extra skin does make the number on the scale go up. Abdominoplasty is not a weight-loss treatment. However, patients will lose some weight afterward with the removal of excess skin and fat. The amount of weight a patient loses after a tummy tuck will vary, depending on the extent of the procedure. In most cases, patients lose a minimal amount, typically under five pounds. Other patients with more extensive loose skin may lose between 5 – 10 pounds, and, sometimes, even more.
Should I lose weight, then get a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is an excellent body contouring treatment that removes excess fat and skin in the abdominal area. The ideal candidate has these issues due to weight loss, pregnancy, or the natural process of aging. When diet and exercise are not enough, patients struggling with their waistline can turn to this cosmetic procedure. A tummy tuck can help Louisville, KY men and women reach their aesthetic goals and have a flatter, more contoured abdomen. To maintain lasting results, patients should do the following:
Abdominoplasty is not considered a fat reduction procedure, but rather a popular body contouring surgery. As a by-product of removing excess skin and fat, most patients do experience some additional weight loss, but that is not the primary goal with this cosmetic treatment. If you are interested in a tummy tuck procedure or want further information, please contact Mizuguchi Plastic Surgery in Louisville, KY today.