If you’re considering getting a tummy tuck, you should know the importance of being at your goal weight before surgery and maintaining a stable weight after surgery to ensure the longevity of your results. Weight fluctuations can cause your tummy tuck results to change. This blog discusses what happens if you lose weight after a tummy tuck, how additional tummy tuck surgery can help, what your tummy tuck options are, and how to best maintain your tummy tuck results.
Weight Loss After Tummy Tuck
You’re pleased with your excellent tummy tuck results and are inspired to be even healthier than before, so what could go wrong? Excess skin and fat are removed during a tummy tuck procedure, and loose abdominal muscles are tightened. So what happens if you lose weight after your tummy tuck? At Town and Country Plastic Surgeons, we typically advise tummy tuck patients to reach their goal weight before surgery because any weight fluctuations after surgery, whether weight loss or gain, can alter your tummy tuck results.
If your weight fluctuates up to 10 pounds or less after your tummy tuck, your results will likely not change much. However, your results may be compromised if you fluctuate more than 10 pounds. Losing substantial additional weight may result in excess sagging skin that can only be addressed with additional surgery.
Additional Tummy Tuck Surgery
For those who have lost a significant amount of weight that has altered their tummy tuck results, additional procedures may be recommended to optimize your results. If you’re unsatisfied with how your skin sags around your abdomen after losing weight, an additional tummy tuck, sometimes called tummy tuck revision, can remove the excess skin and reshape the contours of your stomach for a smoother, slimmer waist. It is usually advised to wait at least one year after your initial tummy tuck before any revisions.
Tummy Tuck at Town and Country Plastic Surgeons
Here at Town and Country Plastic Surgeons, we offer the traditional full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, extended tummy tuck, Fleur De Lis tummy tuck, and reverse tummy tuck.
Full Tummy Tuck
The full tummy tuck is an excellent option for people wanting to correct excess skin and fat from the area between the ribs down to the pubic area.
Mini Tummy Tuck
For some patients, specifically those with sagging skin in the lower abdomen (below the belly button), a mini tummy tuck may be enough to achieve the desired results.
Extended Tummy Tuck
An extended tummy tuck is an excellent option for patients needing extensive belly and waist correction. A longer incision is created, going past the hip bones, so your surgeon can properly address the larger treatment area.
Fleur De Lis Tummy Tuck
While the Fleur De Lis tummy tuck is similar to other tummy tucks, it can more specifically treat the upper and lower abdominal regions. It utilizes both a vertical and horizontal scar to address the excess skin in these areas.
Reverse Tummy Tuck
The reverse tummy tuck is ideal for those with excess skin above the belly button and involves an incision under the breast folds. Reverse tummy tucks are often performed after an initial tummy tuck, with residual skin at the upper abdomen.
Maintaining Tummy Tuck Results
The most important factor in maintaining your tummy tuck results is to stay at a healthy and stable weight. Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet are great ways to keep your weight steady and avoid needing additional surgical correction. Tummy tuck patients should also not be planning any future pregnancies, as the weight gain and loss after pregnancy can dramatically alter your tummy tuck results.
Have More Questions About Tummy Tuck Surgery in Houston or Lake Jackson, TX?
To learn more about tummy tuck surgery, call (281) 645-0355 (Houston office) or (979) 217-2382 (Lake Jackson office), or fill out our online contact form to request a consultation.