Can You Get a Tummy Tuck if You're Overweight?

If you're like many people, your first question about tummy tuck surgery may be, "How much weight can I lose with a tummy tuck?" While a tummy tuck can certainly be useful for slimming and smoothing out your midsection, it's important to keep in mind that the primary goal of tummy tuck surgery is not weight loss. Instead, a tummy tuck aims to remove loose skin and address isolated areas of stubborn fat to create a more pleasing overall abdominal contour.

Generally speaking, patients considering a tummy tuck should already be at or near their goal weight. Here, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Marshall at Andre P. Marshall Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA shares important information about who is eligible for tummy tuck surgery, including what to know if you're overweight and thinking about the procedure.

Does a tummy tuck help you lose weight?

While many patients notice a difference on the scale after tummy tuck surgery — formally known as abdominoplasty — the more noticeable (and intended) outcome is the loss of inches from their waistline and the smoother, slimmer, more natural look of their midsection as a whole. This is primarily accomplished through the removal of loose skin on the lower abdomen, which is a common concern after significant weight loss, pregnancy, childbirth, or aging.

Does a tummy tuck include liposuction?

Oftentimes, Dr. Marshall performs liposuction as part of a tummy tuck procedure to reduce pockets of stubborn, diet- and exercise-resistant fat cells for a more complete and attractive new shape. However, patients should not look to tummy tuck surgery for large-volume weight loss. Patients who are currently overweight will need to reach their goal weight — or a healthy, stable weight near their goal weight — and maintain that weight for up to 6 – 12 months before surgery to achieve the best, longest-lasting results possible.

What happens if I lose weight after a tummy tuck?

Another reason to wait until you're at or near your goal weight before undergoing a tummy tuck is that significant weight loss after tummy tuck surgery can lead to loose, stretched-out skin that may require a revision procedure. Conversely, if you gain weight after tummy tuck, it can cause fat cells that remain in your midsection to become enlarged, which may "undo" or reverse your results and also require a revision procedure to restore your slimmer lines.

To set yourself up for the longest-lasting tummy tuck results possible, be sure to:

• Avoid weight fluctuation
• Eat a healthy diet
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid highly processed foods and sugary drinks
• Minimize alcohol consumption and other "empty calories"
• Exercise regularly
• Wait until you've reached your goal weight before undergoing the procedure
• Defer tummy tuck until you're done having children

With these healthy habits and a consistent lifestyle, you can join the many other men and women who have reimagined their figures and changed their lives for years or even decades.

A snatched waist and smooth stomach can be yours with a tummy tuck in Beverly Hills, CA

If you've already lost excess weight and are at or near your goal weight with stubborn areas of fat and/or loose, hanging skin that's stopping you from enjoying the results of your efforts, a tummy tuck may be the final step in your transformation. For more information about whether you're a candidate for tummy tuck surgery, contact our friendly team at Andre P. Marshall Plastic Surgery today to schedule your one-on-one consultation for Beverly Hills tummy tuck surgery with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andre Marshall.