Are you planning on getting a tummy tuck after weight loss? If so, we’ve compiled a list of what you need to know when planning for your surgery. Before we go over the main points, however, let’s discuss tummy tuck surgery in general.
What Is a Tummy Tuck Procedure?
Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, can remove excess skin from the abdomen while tightening the abdominal muscles. Most abdominoplasty procedures also include some liposuction to remove excess fat.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient will be fully asleep while their surgery takes place. Incisions are typically made within the belly button and below the bikini line, from hip to hip.
This lateral scar will allow your surgeon to access the abdominal muscles and tighten them before gently pulling down on the abdominal skin (somewhat like a window shade) and removing any excess skin. The belly button location will then be repositioned if necessary, and the incisions will be carefully closed.
Tummy Tuck After Weight Loss
Removing excess skin is part of many patients’ weight loss journey.
Gaining a significant amount of weight can mean excess skin and fat, separated abdominal muscles, and a loss of self-confidence. Fortunately, there are surgical and medication related options available to help you lose weight safely.
And once you’ve achieved this and are leading a healthy lifestyle, there are a number of plastic surgery options that can help you achieve your ultimate weight loss goals.
You’ll need to be at a stable weight before surgery.
Before your surgical procedure, we want you to be at a healthy stable weight. You certainly don’t have to be at your lowest possible weight or even at your ideal weight. But we do need you to be physically healthy before surgery.
You’ll need to wait an adequate amount of time if you’ve recently undergone weight loss surgery.
If your method of losing weight was through bariatric surgery or another weight loss surgery, we’ll need to ensure that you wait an appropriate amount of time between your weight loss surgery and your body contouring surgery (tummy tuck surgery).
This is so that your body can adequately heal from the weight loss procedure and so that you can adapt to the new lifestyle you’ll be leading as you drop weight from the procedure.
FAQ: Abdominoplasty After Weight Loss
Can I get a combined tummy tuck and breast lift after weight loss?
Certainly. Many patients who lose a significant amount of weight will get an overall body contouring surgery that includes a breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, lower body lift, and other body contouring procedures.
Is weight loss after tummy tuck surgery okay?
Yes, in most cases it’s totally fine to continue losing weight after a tummy tuck. In fact, with their renewed self confidence, many patients go on to lose more weight after a tummy tuck procedure. In some situations, if a significant amount of weight is lost following a tummy tuck, additional excess skin may need to be removed in a subsequent procedure.
What do tummy tuck scars look like?
Most tummy tuck scars are hidden beneath the bikini line. But if a large amount of skin had to be removed, sometimes, another incision will be placed vertically up the bottom half of the stomach
(from hip scar to belly button). Therefore, these patients would have two visible scars forming an upside down ‘T’.
Fortunately, with time, your scars from tummy tuck surgery should fade nicely with the skin that surrounds the scars. To help them look even less visible, some patients will also use silicone scar sheets and other scar minimizing techniques.
If you’ve undergone a weight loss tummy tuck before and after photos will be a good aid for visualizing your results. Check out these photos to see examples of scars after tummy tuck surgery.
Is there such a thing as a free tummy tuck after weight loss surgery?
Not that we are aware of. In rare cases, health insurance will cover a tummy tuck procedure, but this is uncommon. In most cases, the patient is liable for the full cost of surgery.
Contact Dr. Rachel Mason to Book a Consultation
Significant weight loss is a major achievement for anyone. However, in losing a large amount of weight, loose skin is basically inevitable.
Fortunately, we can help. After your massive weight loss, please contact our office to learn how we can help shape your body and improve your confidence by getting rid of the excess skin and giving you a more attractive silhouette on the outside — one that matches how you feel on the inside.
Contact the office of board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rachel Mason today to schedule your appointment.