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Do I Need to Lose Weight Before Having a Tummy Tuck?

Woman wearing yellow bikini on the beach

For patients with either loose abdominal skin or stubborn pockets of fat, a tummy tuck can be a great option when dieting and exercise alone cannot substantially improve upon the appearance of your abdominal region. A tummy tuck can be a great choice for those who have experienced changes to their bodies such as after achieving significant weight loss or losing elasticity in your skin due to aging or pregnancy. 

A tummy tuck is designed to give you a flat, slender midsection. It should not be considered part of a permanent weight loss solution. In fact, patients who are closest to their ideal weight are more likely to achieve the best aesthetic outcome.  For some, that may mean losing weight prior to your tummy tuck procedure. Being overweight escalates the risks of surgery from both the anesthesia and the procedure itself. If you are clinically obese, you are at a higher risk of complications including poor wound healing, DVT, and infection. 

At Cold Spring Plastic Surgery we use a variety of factors to help us determine your candidacy for a tummy tuck.  BMI (body mass index) is a quick and simple way to determine if you are underweight, overweight, obese, or at a healthy weight for your height. A BMI less than 30 is ideal; however, this number does not factor in age, sex, ethnicity, muscle mass, or body proportions.  Because of this, in-person consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons will help determine if a tummy tuck is right for you. 

The best candidates for plastic surgery are patients who are closest to their ideal weight and want to sculpt their bodies into a more toned, contoured shape. Yet many patients with a higher BMI can still achieve a great result with reasonable expectations.  A tummy tuck can be a life-altering surgery for both women and men who desire the removal of excess skin and fat and wish to restore the appearance and function of their abdomen.  The less excess fat you have pre-procedure, the more dramatic the results you can expect to achieve.    

Please contact us to schedule an appointment with one of the physicians at Cold Spring Plastic Surgery to learn more about a tummy tuck and what it can do for you. Our board-certified professionals are dedicated to providing you with the highest quality care. Please call us at 631-470-9650 or click here to schedule an appointment.

Posted in: Body, Cosmetic Procedures, Latest News, Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgeries