A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure designed to firm and tighten the midsection. Stellar results after a tummy tuck may motivate some patients to lose additional pounds once they recover from their surgery. Is weight loss after a tummy tuck likely, and is it even a good idea? This blog will cover what you can expect if you lose (or gain) weight after abdominoplasty.
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Is a Tummy Tuck for Weight Loss?
No, tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) is not used for weight loss; it is used for body contouring and designed to do the following:
- Remove excess skin
- Eliminate stubborn fat
- Tighten abdominal muscles
- Create a smoother, more defined stomach
- Reposition the navel when necessary
Although the result is a leaner, trimmer midsection, the weight actually taken off during the surgery only averages about three to five pounds. Dr. Boll recommends that patients achieve a stable weight before considering abdominoplasty, either through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery.
Do You Lose Weight After a Tummy Tuck?
Although the goal of a tummy tuck is not to facilitate further weight loss, one small study found that some patients lost additional pounds after surgery and kept them off. Long-term weight loss was observed in patients who were overweight or nearly overweight as defined by their body mass index (BMI). A small number of patients in the study also experienced weight loss after surgery, but regained the weight one year later.
Researchers chalked up the trend to various factors, including reduced hunger due to increased satiety and hormonal changes that occur with the removal of fat cells. Patients who have abdominal muscles retightened may also find physical activity easier, making it more likely they will stick with a regular workout routine. In addition, the positive results patients see in the mirror after their tummy tuck could further motivate them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Weight Loss After a Tummy Tuck: What You Need to Know
Patients who lose up to 10 pounds will likely see little impact on their tummy tuck results, as skin can easily conform to a slightly leaner body contour. However, greater weight loss could strain the skin’s elasticity, leading to greater skin sagging. For these patients, a revision abdominoplasty may be necessary to remove excess loose skin and restore the positive results of the initial tummy tuck.
If you decide you want to lose additional weight after your abdominoplasty surgery, it’s best to wait until you are fully recovered before beginning a weight loss program. During your tummy tuck recovery, your physical activity will be limited, which can make it challenging to exercise. You will also need adequate nutrition after your surgery to support your body’s natural healing process, which may be difficult to achieve if you are restricting your caloric intake.
Can You Gain Weight After a Tummy Tuck?
Some patients may gain weight after a tummy tuck, which can also affect the results of your surgery. Additional pounds can stretch the skin, resulting in skin laxity and the formation of stretch marks. You can also experience separation of the abdominal muscles again if you gain a significant amount of weight after your procedure. Abdominoplasty may also affect where you gain weight, with fat likely to accumulate in areas such as the arms, back, and buttocks rather than the midsection.
Ready to Discover Your Options in Tummy Tucks in Phoenix?
A tummy tuck is not a weight loss treatment, but it can produce dramatic improvements in your midsection that are long-lasting as long as you maintain a stable weight. Dr. Jennifer Boll is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in body contouring procedures like tummy tucks.
To learn more about this procedure, call our Phoenix office at (480) 833-5200 or complete our contact form to schedule your consultation.