Patients often ask if the fat will return after a tummy tuck or liposuction is performed. The answer is no; however, if the patient continues to gain weight, it will go where the fat cells are. This could be the arms or legs, or buttocks, or even inside the abdomen to the fat that surrounds the organs.
Where do patients gain weight after a tummy tuck? During body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, fat cells are eliminated from the body and cannot return. Because of this, patients may gain weight in other places like the buttocks, legs, arms, and breasts.
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is cosmetic surgery to improve the shape of the tummy area (abdomen). It can involve removing excess loose skin, fat and stretch marks and tightening the abdominal muscles.
Even in most normal weight and extremely fit women, the abdomen may not be completely flat following abdominoplasty. It is realistic for patients to expect improvement in the flatness of the stomach, but should not immediately assume that their abdomen will be entirely flat.
It is important to note that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery, so you may still want to lose weight after. You may be wary of if you can still lose weight after the procedure, and the simple answer is yes.
The physical factor: Since tummy tuck surgery removes excess skin and fat, and can correct diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation), patients often feel lighter and more mobile after their procedure. As a result, physical activity is often easier and more enjoyable, which can encourage further weight loss.
A traditional tummy tuck doesn't make your waist smaller. It removes saggy skin on the stomach. However, when combined with liposuction, we can remove fat from your love handles, lower back, or around the waist. With stubborn fat removal techniques, you can achieve a shapely, voluptuous waistline.
A Flatter, Firmer, Slimmer Waistline With Abdominoplasty
You will notice a change immediately following surgery, but if you still have a small belly in the weeks after surgery, do not worry. Swelling can take several weeks and up to one year to fully resolve. You will have the waistline you desire, in no time at all.
Additionally, the skin, muscles, and fat of the abdomen were all repaired or altered during the procedure. These structures need time to heal and settle into their new positions. This causes inflammation, swelling, and other temporary side effects that can contribute to the look of the stomach.
Why Do Our Bodies Swell After A Tummy Tuck? Once surgery is complete, your body sends white blood cells and other healing compounds to the surgery site to jumpstart the recovery process. Increased fluids will cause the area to grow larger during the initial stages of healing.
While there are no standard weight requirements for a tummy tuck, there are some guidelines most cosmetic surgeons follow. If your BMI is not over 35 and you are within about 30% of your ideal weight and in overall good health, you should be a viable candidate for plus-size tummy tuck surgery.
Troy Pittman, a board-certified Washington D.C.-based plastic surgeon, patients who have obesity, a lot of visceral fat (located near vital organs), underlying medical conditions or blood-clotting disorders should refrain from having tummy tucks.
Tummy tuck results are considered permanent, insofar that the fat cells and skin removed during an abdominoplasty cannot grow back. Likewise, the internal sutures placed to repair abdominal muscles are designed to remain in place indefinitely.
Gaining a handful of pounds after your procedure won't compromise your final tummy tuck results. You can usually fluctuate within 10 to 15 pounds of your goal weight without any significant issues. However, weight gain over the 15-pound mark can cause skin and abdominal muscles to slowly stretch out of place.
Choose complex carbohydrates from vegetables and fruits. Keep track of your caloric intake and make sure you do not exceed amounts that are necessary to maintain your current weight. Overeating will result in a weight gain after your tummy tuck procedure.
Unfortunately, it is possible to gain weight after abdominoplasty. Note, the procedure permanently removes fat cells from the abdomen and your body cannot replace them. However, not all fat cells are removed.
Full tummy tucks help patients lose clothing sizes and inches in their midsection, but weight loss is usually not more than a few pounds. The average woman can expect to lose two to three dress sizes after a tummy tuck, while men can expect to drop several pant sizes.
Applying a specialized suturing pattern
Both of these procedure techniques can dramatically enhance body proportions, not only helping to create a more noticeable “hourglass” shape, but also helping your breasts and buttocks look a little fuller in comparison, without any additional procedures.
After your tummy tuck, make sure you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats. These foods can help you maintain a healthy weight and provide the nutrients you need to help your body heal.
Once your Tummy Tuck procedure is complete, and you are fully healed, you will be left with a more slimmed contour and firm midsection. However, to ensure the longevity of your results, we recommend keeping a steady exercise regime and sticking to a healthy diet.
Tummy tuck surgery results will vary depending on a person's age. For example, a younger patient can expect to see very smooth abdominal skin after abdominoplasty. However, an older patient's skin is typically less elastic than that of a younger person and won't automatically “snap back” to fit the body's new contours.
There will be some discomfort after a tummy tuck, with the worst discomfort experienced within the first week. On a scale of 1 – 10, pain is often estimated at around a 6-7 for the the first few days to a week, reducing to around a 3 – 4 in the second week. This would, of course, depend on the individual.
Whether you're contemplating a Mommy Makeover package or just want to undergo a tummy tuck, you'll be relieved to know that any pain from this cosmetic procedure is far less than that experienced after a C-section.