It is important that you be close to your desired weight for six to twelve months before undergoing a tummy tuck. Most surgeons will recommend patients be between 10-15 pounds from their goal weight. This is important as gaining or losing additional weight can undo the contoured shape achieved through your surgery.
Most women lose between 2 and 3 pants sizes after a tuck, but there are patients who lose even more. If you had a lot of loose skin before the procedure, for example, you could go down 4 more pants sizes.
In most procedures, the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdominal area will result in weight loss of about 2kg-5kg, and there can be a significant improvement in the size and shape of the abdomen after the surgery. So while minimal weight loss occurs, physically, you will look like you've lost weight.
A BMI of less than 30 is ideal for a tummy tuck candidate. Of course, you CAN still have a tummy tuck if you are overweight and get still good results.
What BMI Is Good for Tummy Tuck? BMI below 30 considered as an ideal BMI for tummy tuck, but you can have a tummy tuck with good results even if you are overweight. BMI 35 is the maximum acceptable BMI for tummy tuck.
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.
A properly performed tummy tuck can reduce your waist size and help you feel confident about your curves again. Some patients may lose many inches off their waist, while others will see more subtle results. It all depends on how much tissue can be removed safely.
Having said this, most women after a tummy tuck will go down a size or two. Some will go down even more! However, some patients will not have a change of size, and rarely, some will actually wear a larger size. Most women will go down a size or two after an abdominoplasty and be very happy with their new appearance.
The tummy tuck is very useful when exercise and diet have failed to tighten the abdominal muscles. However, a tummy tuck is not really designed to make you look “thinner.” Rather, the tummy tuck improves the muscle profile of the abdomen, which in turn can have the effect of making you look more fit and toned.
If you have a “mini tummy tuck” with a smaller incision, you'll likely need between one and three weeks of elevated sleeping. On the other hand, full-tummy tuck patients require about four weeks, with six weeks of limiting any strenuous exercise or lifting.
Will fat come back after liposuction and tummy tuck? The fat cells that are removed via liposuction during a tummy tuck will not return, but this doesn't necessarily mean the cosmetic results are permanent. Weight gain can generate new fat cells and cause the remaining fat cells to become enlarged.
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.
Obese or overweight. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. Any previous clotting issues or surgical complications. Currently taking any medications, anticoagulants, or supplements that might interfere.
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess skin and fat, and, in most cases, can restore separated or weakened abdominal muscles. By removing loose belly fat or skin, patients are left with a smoother, firmer abdominal profile.
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.
In the first week after tummy tuck surgery, Dr. Patronella recommends patients take short walks of 10 minutes, gradually increasing this to one mile, twice daily by days 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
Tummy Tucks & Clothing Size
A tummy tuck inevitably decreases the size of the body by eliminating excess fat and skin from the abdominal region. Generally, patients lose about one or two sizes on their clothing following a tummy tuck procedure.
When can I wear jeans after a tummy tuck? Most patients after tummy tuck surgery feel comfortable wearing jeans about 3-4 weeks after surgery. This gives time for the drains to be removed (if they were used), the incision to heal and some of the swelling to go down.
While minor weight fluctuations among adults are normal, significant weight gain (generally over ten pounds) after a tummy tuck can lead to the accumulation of excess fat in the stomach once again. In addition, stretch marks and loose skin may return, all of which can impact your tummy tuck results.
Tummy tucks flatten the patient's stomach but they don't necessarily give them an hourglass silhouette. To achieve that, patients also need targeted liposuction.
In general, mommy makeovers and other cosmetic surgeries are performed at BMIs of 30 or lower. Talk to Dr. Jean about your options if you have a BMI over 30. As for your overall body weight, you'll need to be close to your ideal weight, preferably within 10-20 pounds of your ideal weight.
A tummy tuck can result in a weight loss of approximately four pounds. If you opt for a mini truck, you can expect to lose around three pounds of excess skin and fat. If you opt for an extended tuck, you can expect to lose around five pounds of excess skin and fat.
There is no upper age limit for abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery), but there are some considerations that will need to be made regardless of your age. The best candidates for tummy tuck surgery are: Nonsmokers. In generally good health.