If you’re struggling with skin laxity in your abdominal area after losing a lot of weight, then you should consider getting a tummy tuck after weight loss.
But there seems to be some confusion when it comes to tummy tucks. Will it help you lose weight? Are the results permanent? Can you get one even if you’re overweight?
To clarify matters, here are five facts about tummy tuck weight loss that you should keep in mind:
Tummy tuck after weight loss is necessary to get rid of loose skin.
The main purpose of a tummy tuck is to remove excess sagging skin in your abdominal area that usually happens after massive rapid weight loss.
For example, undergoing bariatric or weight loss surgery can lead to considerable weight loss in a short amount of time, leaving behind lots of excess skin that can be removed through abdominoplasty surgery.
Tummy tuck after weight loss also comes in handy after getting pregnant, as the procedure can also help tighten abdominal muscles that have been stretched during pregnancy.
Getting a tummy tuck without losing weight first can increase your chances of developing complications.
Before getting a tummy tuck, it is advisable to lose weight first and achieve your ideal weight range for safety reasons.
Tummy weight loss before abdominoplasty can help you get more aesthetically-pleasing results since you will only need a little bit of liposuction to trim out excess fat deposits and contour your abdomen.
Being overweight before your tummy tuck can increase your risk for complications, such as blood clots and wound healing delays.
Plastic surgeons recommend scheduling your tummy tuck once your weight has stabilized for six months to one year.
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure.
Most people have this misconception that tummy tuck can help them lose weight.
But the truth is, tummy tuck weight loss is negligible, as the removal of excess skin from the tummy may not register a big change on the scale. Even the removal of fat during the liposuction component of a tummy tuck won’t make a huge difference in your weight.
Since a tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure, you can expect only around three to six pounds of weight loss with tummy tuck.
However, women have reported long-term weight loss with tummy tuck.
Tummy tuck weight loss after surgery may not immediately happen, but studies show that abdominoplasty can help you with long-term weight loss.
According to a study published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal, weight loss with tummy tuck results from the increased feeling of satiety after eating. Sustained weight loss is more pronounced among women who had been previously overweight before undergoing abdominoplasty.
“Removing fat cells from the abdomen may lead to reduced levels of hormones affecting appetite, which are secreted by fatty tissues,” said Dr. Rex Edward Mouton-Barrett and his co-authors in the study.
Maintaining results requires a healthy lifestyle.
Tummy tuck results are permanent, but they can be altered when you gain weight. Thus, it’s important to be diligent in maintaining a healthy lifestyle after your abdominoplasty surgery.
Your lifestyle should focus on overall healthy eating and a regular exercise routine to keep your tummy weight loss intact. You should also try to stop smoking and drinking, as these can impede your healing process after tummy tuck surgery.
The rule of thumb is to keep your weight fluctuations less than 15 pounds to maintain your pleasing tummy tuck results.
Interested in getting a tummy tuck after weight loss? Schedule a Free Consultation with one of our double board-certified plastic surgeons so that we can provide you with personalized plastic surgery recommendations.
