Should You Lose Weight Before a Tummy Tuck?

Abdominoplasty, better known as a ‘tummy tuck’, is a cosmetic procedure that creates a flatter and more toned stomach. As this procedure is complex and meticulous, there are certain prerequisites to receiving this cosmetic surgery. If you are wondering whether you need to lose weight before getting a tummy tuck, read on, as this article will clarify why weight is a factor and what you can do to tackle it.

Ideal BMI for Tummy Tuck

Generally, the maximum BMI for a tummy tuck is 30. This will ensure the best results and recovery after tummy tuck. A BMI higher than this will significantly increase risks during the procedure, which is why surgeons have a limit in place.

Why BMI Matters

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, which measures your body height against your body weight. This ratio will determine whether you are underweight or overweight. Knowing your BMI can help you stay at a healthy weight for your specific proportions.

Results

It is important to note that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss solution. However, getting a tummy tuck after weight loss means that getting rid of the mass from excess tissue will result in a more contoured and slimmer body. Instead, a tummy tuck to removes excess skin in the abdominal region and, in some cases, tightens the abdominal muscles. 

If you are overweight before a tummy tuck, the surgery will not be able to fully create the appearance of a flatter stomach that most patients are after. In some cases, patients with stubborn abdominal fat may be able to get the results they want by combining a tummy tuck with liposuction.

Risks

The risks during a tummy tuck are considerably higher for obese patients. The tummy tuck procedure requires the use of anaesthesia, and administering the right amount is essential for a safe surgery. For overweight patients, it can be difficult to give the right amount, and excess fatty tissue can complicate the full numbing of the intended area. Obesity can also make the insertion of a breathing tube more difficult.

You are also more susceptible to DVT (deep vein thrombosis), chest infection, and stunted healing after a complicated surgery like tummy tuck. These risks are better avoided before proceeding with the surgery in order to ensure the best results with minimum risk.

How to Lose Weight Before Tummy Tuck

Set Realistic Goals

Before losing weight, it is important not to overestimate your capabilities and set yourself up for disappointment. Instead, you should set yourself realistic goals over an attainable time period. You may consider creating a timeline and assessing your BMI to see how much weight you can realistically lose in a certain period of time. 

Don’t Use Fad Diets or Pills

It is important to maintain a stable weight before undergoing a tummy tuck. Although fad diets and pills appear to be ‘universal,’ they can often result in a fluctuation in your weight over a short period of time which can result in health complications. More so, a lot of diet pills available on the internet are not medically approved, which means they may not always be safe for consumption.

Get Enough Sleep

It may be easy to substitute intense schedules and workouts for sleep to lose weight, but your body burns calories even when you’re sleeping. Adequate rest is absolutely essential for weight loss as when you sleep, your body replenishes and reinvigorates its nutrients, cells, and muscles. 

Good sleep also results in a better metabolism, whilst a lack of sleep can increase your appetite in the search for energy when you’re awake.

Prioritise Exercise

A consistent exercise routine will ensure stable and maintainable weight loss over an extended period of time. There is a range of different exercise routes you can take, such as cardiovascular exercises like running and cycling, weight training, pilates, and yoga. 

Doing 30 minutes to an hour of exercise per day with a healthy balanced diet is ideal for steady weight loss. This will help you reach your ideal BMI before tummy tuck to provide the best results.

Work with a Nutritionist

Our nutritionists can help you devise the ideal meal plan to aid your weight loss journey. Losing weight requires a healthy diet that puts you in a calorie deficit, meaning you burn more calories than you consume. Nutritionists are food specialists, and will be able to tell you what macronutrients you need to best burn fat and get you in the best physical shape before a tummy tuck.

Is a Tummy Tuck Worth It?

If you have struggled with either aesthetic or functional issues due to excess skin and weak muscle around the stomach, a tummy tuck could be the procedure for you. As long as you are healthy with minimal health risk, a tummy tuck can be the answer to many of your insecurities. For a tighter, more defined stomach that shows off your body and weight loss, a tummy tuck may be worth it.

Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic Today

Dr. Omar Tillo is a board-certified surgeon with expertise in neck-down surgeries. Dr. Tillo has expertise in performing abdominoplasty for both men and women, having completed the surgery and its variations to the highest degree over a hundred times. 

Book a consultation with CREO Clinic to discuss tummy tuck surgery, find out if it’s the right cosmetic surgery for you, and get your journey towards a fitter body started.