Designed to correct a protruding abdomen, a tummy tuck addresses unwanted excess skin and tightens the underlying abdominal musculature. The goal is a more toned and flatter midsection. Although a tummy tuck will slim your waistline, it is not a weight-loss tool.
At Dr. Fugo Plastic Surgery & Laser Skin Care Center, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Fugo is often asked by patients if they should lose weight before their tummy tuck. While the answer is unique to each patient, this blog from Dr. Fugo can shed light on how weight loss — and weight gain — will affect your tummy tuck.
Why You Must Be at a Stable Weight Before Your Tummy Tuck
Being at a healthy weight is vital to both the safety and success of your surgery. A tummy tuck is not a weight-loss procedure. While being thin is desirable, being at a healthy and maintainable weight is more critical. Significant weight gain or weight loss after your surgery could affect your results.
Dr. Fugo recommends surgery for patients who have been at a stable weight for 6 months without any upcoming dramatic lifestyle changes, such as if you’re trying for a baby. If you’re in the process of actively losing weight, Dr. Fugo suggests that you finish your weight-loss journey before you undergo a tummy tuck. That way, the surgery can eliminate post-weight-loss loose skin as the culmination of your efforts.
Weight Changes After a Tummy Tuck
Anxious to rid their midsections of the extra bulge, many patients are eager to schedule their tummy tucks as soon as possible. This works for many patients, but for others, it may be moving too quickly. Dr. Fugo understands that it may be difficult to wait, but it’s worth it to have your surgery at a stable and consistent weight.
During your consultation, Dr. Fugo will ask you numerous questions, such as:
- Are you done having children?
- Is your weight stable?
- Are there any other factors in your life that could affect your weight?
If your answers to these questions indicate that your weight may change in the future, Dr. Fugo may tell you to wait to get a tummy tuck until you can maintain a consistent weight. He doesn’t want to waste your time or money on a procedure if the results won’t last.
Have Realistic Expectations Before Your Tummy Tuck
Having realistic expectations is essential to the success of your tummy tuck. You must conduct a practical self-analysis of where you are in terms of your weight, where you’ve been, and where you’d like to be. Dr. Fugo recognizes that we all have an ideal body weight, or goal weight, we’d like to achieve. He also knows that, for many, actually attaining that goal proves to be difficult.
At Dr. Fugo Plastic Surgery & Laser Skin Care Center, we find that best results are seen when one is in good health, maintains a positive attitude, and has realistic expectations.
Schedule Your New Windsor Tummy Tuck Consultation Today
From your initial consultation onwards, our dedicated team will work with you and can even provide you with expert tips on how to lose those last few pounds. When it comes to your tummy tuck, it is worth being patient and waiting until you have achieved your goal weight.
We serve New Windsor and nearby areas of New York. Call (845) 565-7040 today to schedule a consultation.
The post Do I Need to Lose Weight Before My Tummy Tuck? appeared first on Fugo Plastic Surgery.
