How Much Weight Do You Lose with A Tummy Tuck?
The short answer to today’s question is that other than the weight of some hanging skin – somewhere between a few and 10 pounds – you should not expect any significant weight loss from a tummy tuck (also known as an abdominoplasty). The primary purpose of a tummy tuck is not to lose weight, but to improve abdominal aesthetics. In fact, you should consider a tummy tuck only when you know that your weight won’t fluctuate significantly.
It is important to explore why patients opt for a tummy tuck. For some, it is a post pregnancy procedure to tighten any loose or hanging skin that may have been stretched by pregnancy. For others, it is the final victory after significant weight loss either from a bariatric procedure or just focused dieting and exercise. It can also help one age more gracefully by tightening one’s loose skin. In all cases, excess skin is cut away and the abdominal muscles are tightened to create a flatter, more attractive mid-section and waistline. This is slightly different from a panniculectomy, which is simply the removal of the sagging skin.
Since the skin and musculature has been tightened, any significant weight gain or loss can make the results of the tummy tuck look less than ideal. It is for this reason that we try to ensure that you can maintain a similar weight into the future.
What if my weight fluctuates after an abdominoplasty?
Even after an abdominoplasty, your skin remains elastic to some degree. However, significant weight loss can produce more hanging skin while significant weight gain can stretch the skin past its elastic limit. We should fully expect some weight fluctuations throughout the course of a day, or even a month, due to changing eating habits, water retention and even menstrual cycles. It is sustained weight gain or loss that can be problematic. That said, there are always options to improve the appearance of your abdomen, even if you have gained or lost significant weight after a tummy tuck.
Can men have a tummy tuck?
While it is mostly women that choose to undergo tummy tucks, this procedure can be very effective in men as well. This is especially true for men who have lost a significant amount of weight and have sagging skin or those who have started a strength training program and want to improve the aesthetics of their abdomen. The surgical process is the same in both men and women and Dr. Szymanski is happy to discuss options on a patient by patient basis.
To learn more about the surgical options for improving the look of your abdomen, we encourage you to contact our office for a consultation with Dr. S to understand your options.
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