Ideal Timing for a Tummy Tuck
If you’ve lost a lot of weight, congratulations. You’ve set yourself on a path for healthy living and reduced your risk of countless health problems moving forward. Yet you may have noticed one drawback of losing a lot of weight: you may have a lot of loose skin around your abdominal area and other parts of your body.
That’s not uncommon, and thankfully you can undergo a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to tighten your stomach. The team at our Philadelphia, PA plastic surgery center would like to discuss the ideal timing of your tummy tuck procedure. As you’re about to learn, getting a tummy tuck at an ideal time can have a major impact on the results.
Why Timing Matters After a Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgery is performed to address the effects of major weight loss on a person’s abdominal area. When it comes to timing surgery, it’s important that the procedure is done when a person has lost as much weight as they intend to. This helps ensure the best possible cosmetic results.
What Happens If a Tummy Tuck is Performed Too Soon?
If a tummy tuck is performed too soon, a person could lose more weight. This leads to loose and sagging skin around the abdomen that could have been removed had the tummy tuck been performed a bit later.
Timing a Tummy Tuck After Major Weight Loss
After losing a lot of weight through a healthy diet and exercise, it’s customary to undergo a total body lift, which includes a tummy tuck in addition to other body contouring procedures. The tummy tuck should be performed after a person has lost as much weight as possible.
If a patient has a target weight or body fat percentage, we can use that as a way to determine the right time for the tummy tuck.
Timing a Tummy Tuck After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery can lead to dramatic levels of weight loss in a short amount of time. When planning a body contouring procedure after bariatric surgery, it’s generally a good idea to wait up to two years after surgery.
Bariatric surgery patients typically lose all the weight they will lose by the end of the first year, and then regain a little bit of weight by the end of the second year. Ideally, the tummy tuck and other surgeries should be performed after bariatric surgery patients hit a stable body mass.
Timing a Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy and Childbirth
A mommy makeover refers to body contouring treatments for women after giving birth. The procedure restores a trimmer and toned body contour. When timing a tummy tuck for mothers, there are two factors plastic surgeons must consider. First, the mother needs to be done having children so the benefits of the tummy tuck and mommy makeover are not undone. Secondly, the mother must achieve a stable body weight so the benefits of the tummy tuck will last as long as possible.
Is There an Ideal Time of Year for Tummy Tuck Surgery?
For most patients, the autumn and winter tend to be ideal times for tummy tuck. The weather is colder, which means more time is spend in doors resting comfortably after surgery. There are also many holidays in the fall and winter, allowing you to save on vacation time or sick days. By the time a patient recovers from their tummy tuck in the fall or winter, they’ll be ready for lighter clothing and warmer weather in the spring and summer.
Contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery
If you would like more information about body contouring procedures and how we can help you look your best, be sure to contact our skilled team of cosmetic plastic surgeons. Dr. Steven E. Copit, Dr. Patrick J. Greaney, Jr., and Dr. Matthew P. Jenkins are here to help you.