Medically reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo MD, MS, EBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast) Pregnancy, rapid weight loss, or the natural process of ageing can lead to excess, sagging skin on the abdomen. A tummy tuck works to remove this excess skin, and while it is not a weight loss procedure, a small amount of weight can be lost due to the skin and tissue being removed.
This article explores how much weight loss can be expected after a tummy tuck procedure – it details all of the important information you need to know about weight loss after surgery and how it can affect your results.
The CREO Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Omar Tillo, is an expert in tummy tucks and many other body contouring procedures. His skill and experience in the field mean you can feel confident you are being treated by a surgeon with a proven record of high-quality outcomes.
Contact the CREO Clinic today to book a consultation with Dr. Tillo and discover the many benefits a tummy tuck can provide.
What Is A Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery that works to remove excess skin and tissue on the abdomen, as well as address the muscle separation (diastasis recti) that can form as a result of pregnancy. Different types of tummy tucks can be performed depending on your personal aesthetic goals and the severity of your lax skin and some people lose weight due to the procedure.
The most common tummy tucks are:
- Mini tummy tuck – Ideal for mild lax skin and removing hanging belly after pregnancy
- Standard tummy tuck – Ideal for moderate lax skin and muscle separation repair
- Extended tummy tuck – An extended tummy tuck is ideal for moderate to severe laxity in both the lower and upper abdomen, as well as muscle separation repair
- Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck – The fleur-de-lis tummy tuck is most appropriate for severe lax skin caused by drastic weight loss, as often occurs after a gastric bypass
Tummy Tuck vs. Weight Loss Surgery
It is important to note that a tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery and does not remove excess fat deposits. Instead, abdominoplasty is designed to flatten and contour the tummy by removing excess skin.
Bariatric surgeries such as gastric bypass are designed to help patients lose weight by making changes to the digestive system. In comparison, a tummy tuck surgery is best for patients who are already at their ideal weight but wish to remove excess skin around the abdomen.
What Happens To Tummy Tuck Results If You Lose Weight?
One of the common queries patients have about tummy tuck results is whether fluctuations in weight after the tummy tuck surgery can affect their outcomes. Improvements created by your tummy tuck surgery are permanent, but weight loss/gain can have some effect on the appearance of the abdominal muscles post-surgery.
Excess Skin
The improvements made by a tummy tuck can be altered by losing weight, but this depends on the person. For example, some people may find that losing weight doesn’t change their tummy tuck results, whereas others may find that losing weight can cause lax skin to return. For this reason, Dr. Tillo recommends undergoing a tummy tuck when you are at your ideal weight – this way, you can maintain your results, provided you maintain a stable weight.
How To Maintain Your Tummy Tuck Results
The loose skin and tissue removed during a tummy tuck is excised permanently, and the repaired muscle should join back together to create a strong abdominal core. There are a few key steps to take after your surgery that will help you maintain the results of your tummy tuck long into the future.
Balanced Diet
It is not always easy to keep a nutritious and balanced diet, but this is the best way to keep weight gain/loss to a minimum. Significant weight gain can affect your tummy tuck results by stretching the skin, potentially causing further excess skin in the abdomen.
Should you find maintaining a healthy diet difficult, speak with a dietician who can help you formulate a consistent nutrition plan.
Consistent Exercise
Regular exercise is the key to maintaining consistent weight, reducing excess fat, and strengthening the abdominal muscles to help fine-tune your tummy tuck results. Try to aim for a manageable but challenging amount of exercise every week, and stick to your exercise plan as diligently as possible.
Follow Recovery Instructions
The instructions provided to you after your tummy tuck are designed to help make your recovery as comfortable as possible and also to optimise your results. Following the steps set out by your surgeon will help ensure the longevity of your outcomes.
Schedule A Consultation With CREO Clinic Today
Book a consultation with Dr. Tillo today and discuss the ways a tummy tuck can smooth out and tighten up the excess skin in your abdomen. Dr. Tillo has performed countless successful tummy tucks and will use his experience to create a bespoke treatment plan to achieve your aesthetic goals.
Tummy Tuck FAQs
Can you lose weight after a tummy tuck?
There is no reason not to lose weight after a tummy tuck surgery. You can decide to achieve sustained weight loss through regular exercise or dieting – provided the weight loss is not drastic, it should not affect your results.
How much weight can you lose with a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery and is aimed at repairing the abdominal muscles and excess skin removal. However, some excess fat is removed alongside tissue and inelastic skin. The majority of weight loss during a tummy tuck will come from the skin and tissue removed, and the amount of weight you lose will depend on the quantity that is excised. Dr Tillo explains: “The weight loss could be between 300-500g in smaller patients, or when skin alone is removed. It can be as much as 3kg when significant amounts of fat and skin are removed, but on average, there is a loss of around 1kg of fat and skin.”
Is a tummy tuck worth it?
For patients with concerns about loose excess skin, a tummy tuck can be considered an immensely valuable and worthwhile procedure. Furthermore, the surgery also has significant medical benefits if combined with muscle repair. It can resculpt the abdomen completely, giving patients a more aesthetically pleasing stomach overall.