How can I maximize my tummy tuck results?
- Achieve Your Goal Weight Before Tummy Tuck Surgery. ...
- Don't Use Nicotine or Alcohol. ...
- Add Movement After a Tummy Tuck. ...
- Avoid Lifting or Strenuous Activities. ...
- Select a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for Your Tummy Tuck. ...
- Schedule a Tummy Tuck Consultation Today.
- A tummy tuck requires significant downtime. ...
- Expect to be at a stable weight before your tummy tuck. ...
- A tummy tuck will leave a permanent scar. ...
- Surgical drains will be in place for the first week or two. ...
- Full healing can take up to a year.
Having said this, most women after a tummy tuck will go down a size or two. Some will go down even more! However, some patients will not have a change of size, and rarely, some will actually wear a larger size. Most women will go down a size or two after an abdominoplasty and be very happy with their new appearance.
The most likely reason your stomach is not completely flat following tummy tuck surgery is swelling. This tends to get worse in the days after surgery and then slowly go down. With a tummy tuck, it can take months for swelling to fully resolve. Though, visible swelling usually should resolve within about two months.
A traditional tummy tuck doesn't make your waist smaller. It removes saggy skin on the stomach. However, when combined with liposuction, we can remove fat from your love handles, lower back, or around the waist. With stubborn fat removal techniques, you can achieve a shapely, voluptuous waistline.
During body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck, fat cells are eliminated from the body and cannot return. Because of this, patients may gain weight in other places like the buttocks, legs, arms, and breasts.
Most experts agree that winter is the optimal season for having a tummy tuck. You can begin the consultation process in late fall. That will give you time to identify the most qualified plastic surgeons in your area and review their portfolios.
The potential downsides of a tummy tuck are that there's a large scar, it runs from hipbone to hipbone, right across the bikini line. Some women are not really prepared to accept the scar, in most patients it fades, but it never disappears, it's always there.
Swelling after a tummy tuck won't just affect how your clothing fits. It might also lead to some (temporary) weight gain. You might retain water for a few weeks after the surgery, which can mean that the number on the scale will be higher than usual.
A tummy tuck can result in a weight loss of approximately four pounds. If you opt for a mini truck, you can expect to lose around three pounds of excess skin and fat. If you opt for an extended tuck, you can expect to lose around five pounds of excess skin and fat.
How many inches off your waist after a tummy tuck?
On average, abdominoplasty helps women lose around five pounds as a result of removing the extra loose skin. The real visual results, however, happen around the waist in a loss of inches.
Height | Weight | |
---|---|---|
5′ | 97 to 127 lb | 153 to 199 lb |
5′ 1″ | 100 to 131 lb | 158 to 206 lb |
5′ 2″ | 104 to 135 lb | 164 to 213 lb |
5′ 3″ | 107 to 140 lb | 169 to 220 lb |

Because the fat layer is not addressed, some patients can end up having a boxy look after the tummy tuck. This means that the tummy is flat and firm, but they don't have any curves, and they look more or less like a box.
Now a tummy tuck only removes the skin and the fatty tissue in front of the muscle. The surgeon does not go deep to the muscle so the fatty tissue around the organs is never reduced surgically. Therefore, whilst the muscles are typically tightened to help tighten the waistline, the intra-abdominal fat will remain.
The key to maintaining good shape after your tummy tuck / abdominoplasty is to keep healthy, exercise, and maintain your weight. Additionally, you can use contouring garments to help you waist trim. I would recommend you discuss this with your plastic surgeon to have them help you optimize your results.
A tummy tuck will have no impact on your breast shape or position. The downward traction of the abdominal tissue that is performed during a tummy tuck is not significant enough to affect your breasts at all. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon prior to scheduling a tummy tuck procedure.
It is even harder to keep the weight at bay from your tummy once you've lost it. Recent studies are showing patients who undergo abdominoplasty – better known as a tummy tuck – are keeping the weight off and even losing weight long after their surgery. Learn more about the long lasting benefits of the tummy tuck.
As part of the recovery process, patients will need to hunch or bend over at the waist when walking for about a week after a tummy tuck.
Yes, a vertically stretched belly button oftentimes indicates that a person has had a tummy tuck.
It is not uncommon to have extra fat in the flanks (love handles) after tummy tuck, because the tummy tuck only addresses the anterior abdomen; not the sides. Most commonly the procedure done after tummy tuck is flank liposuction; occasionally a flank-pasty (liposuction and skin removal over the love handles).
What happens to back fat after tummy tuck?
Will fat come back after liposuction and tummy tuck? The fat cells that are removed via liposuction during a tummy tuck will not return, but this doesn't necessarily mean the cosmetic results are permanent. Weight gain can generate new fat cells and cause the remaining fat cells to become enlarged.
Take certain medications or adjust your current medications. Stop smoking. Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
Tummy tuck surgery results will vary depending on a person's age. For example, a younger patient can expect to see very smooth abdominal skin after abdominoplasty. However, an older patient's skin is typically less elastic than that of a younger person and won't automatically “snap back” to fit the body's new contours.
A tummy tuck can be done safely as an outpatient, and most patients will be able to go home the same day. In some cases, your surgeon may recommend that you spend a night in the hospital after surgery.
Both a tummy tuck and cesarean section are comparable in terms of mobility and rehabilitation. However, recovery after a tummy tuck is often said to be easier compared to recovery after C-section.
According to RealSelf's regularly updated tummy tuck patient reviews, 96% of patients report that the procedure is worth the cost, scarring, and downtime. Most women report having gotten their tummy tuck after losing a substantial amount of weight or after having children and losing pregnancy weight.
Sometimes people do not have a totally flat abdomen after tummy tuck even though the excess skin and fat is removed due to the fact that the intra-abdominal contents still remain intact and are still behind the tightened abdominal muscles.
Tummy tuck surgery has no direct effect on your hips. We address the abdominal region and flank area of the abdomen but not the hips. You certainly can still have some swelling 3 months out that may be affecting your clothing. Especially with whatever the leg lift part of the procedure was.
While minor weight fluctuations among adults are normal, significant weight gain (generally over ten pounds) after a tummy tuck can lead to the accumulation of excess fat in the stomach once again. In addition, stretch marks and loose skin may return, all of which can impact your tummy tuck results.
After a tummy tuck procedure constipation can be an issue, because opioid pain medications will slow down your bowels. After a muscle repair, there can be pain with straining if you are constipated.
What happens if you lose 20 pounds after tummy tuck?
Weight Loss After a Tummy Tuck
For example, if someone who has had a tummy tuck loses ten, twenty, or even thirty pounds after their procedure, their skin may shrink nicely enough to maintain their tummy tuck results.
Whether you're looking for a large tummy tuck at 150 pounds, 220 pounds, or even 250 pounds, Dr. LaBarbera can help you attain the desired results. Plus-sized abdominoplasties have become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for post-pregnancy women, as well as men and women who have a high body mass index.
During a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are removed from the abdomen. The skin is then draped back over the newly repositioned contours to create a smoother and more toned look. A tummy tuck — also known as abdominoplasty — is a cosmetic surgical procedure to improve the shape and appearance of the abdomen.
If you have a “mini tummy tuck” with a smaller incision, you'll likely need between one and three weeks of elevated sleeping. On the other hand, full-tummy tuck patients require about four weeks, with six weeks of limiting any strenuous exercise or lifting.
What BMI Is Good for Tummy Tuck? BMI below 30 considered as an ideal BMI for tummy tuck, but you can have a tummy tuck with good results even if you are overweight. BMI 35 is the maximum acceptable BMI for tummy tuck.
It's important to know that the tummy tuck is a higher-risk procedure compared to other kinds of cosmetic surgery. There is a 4% risk of major complications such as hematoma or infection after a tummy tuck.
The swelling in the immediate postop period will result in temporary weight gain of sometimes up to 10lbs. That will, however, resolve fairly quickly in the first couple of weeks once the swelling has subsided. Be patient and you will return to your preoperative weight.
A skilled plastic surgeon can enhance your natural proportions, not only achieving a more noticeable “hourglass” shape with a tummy tuck, but also helping your breasts and buttocks look fuller.
Most women lose between 2 and 3 pants sizes after a tuck, but there are patients who lose even more. If you had a lot of loose skin before the procedure, for example, you could go down 4 more pants sizes.
It's not uncommon for people who have a tummy tuck to have a smaller appetite for the first three to six months following their surgery. The tightening of skin and muscles in your abdomen may cause your stomach to feel constricted, encouraging you to eat less.
How do you get rid of a bulge after a tummy tuck?
- Wear Your Compression Garment Faithfully. ...
- Eat Healthy & Stay Hydrated. ...
- Work In Some Light Movement. ...
- Get Plenty of Good Sleep.
Liposuction to Contour the Upper Abdomen
As a result, some patients still have upper abdominal fullness following surgery. This area of concern can be addressed with liposuction three to six months after the tummy tuck procedure.
Answer: No Cut Muscles
During an abdomnioplasty, muscles which have separated from pregnancy or weight gain are sutures together. The suturing brings the muscles together, creating an internal corset, which narrows the waist and flattens the appearance of the abdominal bulge.
The corset training is an excellent idea and it might help to begin using it before tummy tuck, and we would suggest getting back to it four weeks after your procedure.
Two Months After Surgery
You can begin to increase cardio and also target the abdominal region with specific activities such as knee tucks, leg raises, oblique training, and planks. Cardio exercise and proper diet is the best way to maintain your results from a tummy tuck.
Generally, it takes two to three months to see results, depending on the tummy tuck technique that was performed, the extent of skin laxity, and the patient's general state of health.
- Follow your doctor's advice. As a dual board-certified aesthetic and plastic surgeon, Dr. ...
- Rest and recover. ...
- Monitor your diet. ...
- Stay active with low-impact activities. ...
- Add liposuction to your tummy tuck.
Not only does a tummy tuck not remove large amounts of stubborn fat, but losing a significant amount of weight after your procedure could leave you with more excess skin. Many people choose to combine liposuction with their tummy tuck to address excess fat and skin at the same time.
While minor weight fluctuations among adults are normal, significant weight gain (generally over ten pounds) after a tummy tuck can lead to the accumulation of excess fat in the stomach once again. In addition, stretch marks and loose skin may return, all of which can impact your tummy tuck results.
Most women lose between 2 and 3 pants sizes after a tuck, but there are patients who lose even more. If you had a lot of loose skin before the procedure, for example, you could go down 4 more pants sizes.
Is it easier to get abs after a tummy tuck?
Tummy tucks rejoin and tighten the sagging muscles in the abdominal wall, thereby giving your abs better definition. Part of this process is eliminating unnecessary abdominal fat and removing excess skin; excess fat and skin can mask your well-defined abs.
When Can I Lie Flat? One factor determining how long you'll need to sleep in an elevated position is the type of abdominoplasty you receive. Generally, mini tummy tuck patients require 1-3 weeks of elevated sleeping, while full-tummy tuck patients require 4-6 weeks.