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How Much Weight Is Usually Lost With A Tummy Tuck?

How much excessive skin and fat is removed with a tummy tuck, will I need one after liposuction, and will I need revision surgery?

Tagged: Weight Loss

Author: Mr. Bryan Mayou, MB ChB FRCS

Date: 26th April 2023

A tummy tuck is a popular cosmetic operation used to address issues with extra or loose abdominal skin or loose, sagging abdominal skin. In this article, we discuss what results you can expect from a tummy tuck, as well as the predicted weight loss and what you can do to maintain the best results. 

What is the different between a tummy tuck and a liposuction?

Tummy tucks often go hand in hand with lipo procedures. A quick and safe surgical treatment called liposuction, also referred to as "lipo," can be used to remove stubborn or undesirable body fat deposits and give the body a more contoured form.


In liposuction, fat cells are liquefied with the help of vibrations or high-pressure water jets, and then a cannula is introduced to remove the liquid. Patients who are a healthy weight, have supple skin, and tight abdominal muscles respond well to liposuction. Although liposuction is incredibly effective at removing fat deposits from the belly, it does not address problems with the stomach muscles or skin.


On the other hand, a tummy tuck focuses on strengthening the abdominal muscles and removing extra, sagging skin. This procedure is also known as an abdominoplasty.


After significant weight loss, excess skin is a common problem for many people making this treatment a popular choice. Even a slight weight loss in older people can leave behind extra skin around the abdomen. Women who have undergone pregnancy and had C-sections, which frequently leave them with extra skin and weak stomach muscles, are especially popular candidates for tummy tuck surgery. Stretch marks may also look better after a tummy tuck because the stretch marks are often removed along with the extra skin.


The stomach tuck mainly targets extra skin and loose muscles; it does not address additional fat, and therefore it cannot be used to lose lots of weight. However, an abdominoplasty can be paired with liposuction to remove excess fat.


Even though liposuction and abdominoplasty are popular cosmetic procedures for women, men can also benefit from having these procedures. Additionally, your surgeon will be able to discuss with you if you are a good candidate for both treatments.

 

How much weight is usually lost with a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck may cause a 1.4kg to 2.3kg weight loss. You can anticipate losing about 1.8 pounds of extra skin and fat if you choose to undergo a mini tuck, often known as an apronectomy. You can expect to lose about 2.3kg of extra skin and fat if you choose to have an extended tuck, which is a more traditional tummy tuck.


The weight you lose after your tummy tuck usually isn’t the same weight you’d lose through exercise, it’s mostly a combination of excess skin and fat.

 

Will I need a tummy tuck after weight loss?

After achieving your weight loss target, you might not be happy with the stretched-out or sagging skin on your stomach, which, regrettably, cannot be treated with food and exercise alone. A great approach to sculpting the physique and shaping the body is a tummy tuck. The medical technique, however, cannot take the place of weight loss. Before having a tummy tuck, it's critical that you are close to your goal weight.

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Will I need a tummy tuck after liposuction?

Patients with localised areas of persistent fat and somewhat elastic skin may benefit from liposuction alone, whereas those with lax abdominal skin after dramatic weight reduction or childbirth may benefit more from a tummy tuck. A combination of liposuction and tummy tuck, also known as a Brazilian tummy tuck, may be the best way to address a patient's specific concerns and get the best result.


Patients with moderate to severe skin laxity and intractable fat, for instance, may benefit from liposuction to eliminate the fat cells, and subsequently a tummy tuck to remove the remaining loose skin. After losing weight, patients may also have a lot of extra skin and stubborn fat pockets that did not respond as quickly or equally to diet and exercise as the rest of their body, therefore both procedures can be requested. 

 

How long does a tummy tuck last?

Results from tummy tucks are considered to be permanent because the skin and fat cells removed during the procedure cannot regrow. Similarly, any internal sutures used to restore the stomach muscles are intended to last permanently.


Significant weight changes, however, may result in the remaining abdomen skin losing its flexibility and resuming its sagging appearance. Significant weight gain can also induce the body to produce new fat cells in the treated area as well as other areas, causing the body to produce new fat cells in this area. 

 

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How to maintain your tummy tuck results

Exercise is essential in helping you keep your tummy tuck results. Running, swimming, kickboxing, and other cardio sports are excellent strategies to increase heart rate and maintain weight loss. Exercise can also speed up your recovery time and tone the abdominal muscles around them.


A good diet can significantly impact keeping tummy tuck results. Choose foods that are packed with fruits and vegetables and stay away from those that are loaded with preservatives. Aside from preventing weight gain, controlling your portions will help you keep track of your daily caloric intake.

 

 

Will I need revision surgery for my tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck revision may be requested by patients for a variety of reasons, such as postoperative weight gain or loss, pregnancy after the initial treatment, poor healing, abdominoplasty scarring, or unhappiness with the final results. Although, you will most likely not need a revision for your tummy tuck if you exercise regularly, eat well, and keep any excess weight off. 

 

Considering a tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is a perfect way to remove unwanted weight from the stomach area. It can be combined with liposuction for those who want to remove additional fat. It takes two to three hours for the actual treatment to be completed while under general anaesthesia. In order to avoid obvious scars, an incision is made at the underwear line. The abdominal skin is then raised, allowing the surgeon to tighten (and, if required, repair) the weaker muscles underneath. The skin is then sutured back to the original incision line with increased tension after the skin is pushed down over the wall again and any extra skin is removed.


Your surgeon will discuss with you the different options (Full, Mini, and Extended) and help you decide on the tummy tuck procedure which is best for you. You will also discuss any risks and complications, as well as talk about what is to be expected after the procedure and during recovery. If your surgeon determines that you are a good candidate for surgery, you will be given the opportunity to decide whether you want to proceed.  You are free to return to the Cadogan Clinic as often as you like during this time to speak with your surgeon about your future procedure(s).


Tummy tucks are regularly performed at the Cadogan Clinic and our surgeons are leading experts in their respective fields. If you’re considering undertaking any of the procedures mentioned, get in touch with us today for a consultation with an experienced surgeon. 

 

 


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