Tummy Tuck & Weight Loss

A Tummy Tuck, also called Abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that creates a firmer and smoother abdominal profile. It specifically addresses the excess skin and fatty deposits that persist after significant weight loss.

While a Tummy Tuck is not primarily a weight loss surgery, it indirectly supports weight loss by removing fat and excess skin. This is especially true when combined with Liposuction, which directly targets and removes stubborn fat deposits.

The procedure is more reconstructive than weight-reductive. The goal is to repair and reshape the abdominal area, reinforcing weakened muscles and removing excess skin to create a more toned abdomen area. 

A Tummy Tuck is a common procedure for people looking to refine their body shape after weight loss or pregnancy rather than a method for losing weight.


What Are the Goals of a Tummy Tuck Beyond Weight Loss?

A Tummy Tuck serves several goals beyond weight loss, focussing on cosmetic improvement, functional restoration and lifestyle benefits. Some of these goals include:

  • Cosmetic enhancements: The most evident goal of a tummy tuck is enhancing the appearance of the abdomen. It removes excess sagging skin and stretchmarks, especially those located below the belly button. The result is a more toned and contoured abdomen. 
  • Muscle tightening: Diastasis recti, or separation of abdominal muscles, is a common issue targeted by a tummy tuck after pregnancy or massive weight loss. The procedure tightens the abdominal muscles, restoring their position and improving your abdominal profile.
  • Functional improvements: A Tummy Tuck also improves the functionality of the abdominal muscles. A stronger abdominal wall achieved by Abdominoplasty supports better posture and alleviates some form of back pain attributed to a weaker core. Additionally, by removing excess skin, the procedure decreases skin irritation, infection and chafing.
  • Lifestyle and psychological benefits: Achieving a desired physical appearance with a tummy tuck improves self-esteem. Many patients report an increase in confidence and motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle following the tummy tuck procedure.
    Post-pregnancy recovery: A Tummy Tuck addresses issues like loose skin and muscle separation after pregnancy that can’t be rectified by exercise alone. 

How Much Weight Can You Lose with a Tummy Tuck?

Patients typically experience an average weight loss after tummy tuck of 1.4 to 2.3 kg. A Mini Tuck, also known as an apronectomy, results in an average weight loss of 800g of extra skin and fat. 

Weight loss after a Tummy Tuck mostly results from the removal of excess loose skin and fat tissue, and it’s not the same weight you would lose through exercise.

Please contact our experienced surgeons at Cadogan Clinic for personalised guidance throughout your Tummy Tuck procedure. Our expert team provides comprehensive care, from initial consultations to post-surgery support, ensuring safety, comfort, and results.

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. 


Why Are Tummy Tucks Common After Weight Loss?

Excess sagging skin and abdominal weakness after rapid weight loss cause people to seek Tummy Tucks. 

  • Significant weight loss results in sagging skin that lacks the elasticity to conform to the altered body shape. A Tummy Tuck removes this loose skin, offering a smoother, more contoured abdominal appearance.
  • Tummy surgery after weight loss tightens the abdominal wall muscles, restoring core strength and stability.
  • Excess skin after weight loss causes physical discomfort and infection due to friction and moisture. A Tummy Tuck removes this skin to improve comfort.
  • An Abdominoplasty can elevate self-esteem by removing excess skin and residual fat after weight loss, aligning your physical appearance with your weight loss achievements. 

What Are the Benefits of Having a Tummy Tuck After Weight Loss?

The advantages of a Tummy Tuck after weight loss extend beyond aesthetic enhancements and contribute significantly to your physical health and overall quality of life. 

  • A Tummy Tuck surgically repairs the muscles of your abdomen, restoring strength and stability. This helps correct muscle imbalances and address back pain issues people face after losing significant weight.
  • An Abdominoplasty removes excess loose skin after weight loss, eliminating chafing and discomfort during exercise and physical activity. It encourages an active lifestyle and helps maintain physical fitness.
  • Some patients notice that strengthening the abdominal wall with a tummy surgery after weight loss improves digestion.
  • A Tummy Tuck can also improve control over urinary function in women who have experienced childbirth. The procedure helps reduce stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a condition in which physical movement like coughing or sneezing triggers urinary leakage.

At Cadogan Clinic, our experienced and skilled surgeons offer customised support for your Tummy Tuck procedure, focusing on safety and optimal outcomes. From detailed consultations to comprehensive aftercare, our team supports you at every level, ensuring your satisfaction and smooth recovery.


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 ways to increase your 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.


Does a Tummy Tuck Cost More After Weight Loss?

The cost of a Tummy Tuck procedure varies based on your specific circumstances and weight loss history. While weight loss itself does not automatically increase the cost, related factors like the amount of loose skin and the extent of muscle separation do.

Individuals who have experienced substantial weight loss have more excess skin and require a more extensive procedure than those with minimal skin laxity. As the duration and complexity of the procedure increases, so does the cost.

Significant loose skin and separated abdominal muscles complicate the weight loss tummy tuck surgery, requiring more skilled surgeons and a longer operating time. Combining procedures like Liposuction to enhance the contouring effects of a tummy tuck also adds to the cost of the procedure.

The need for a customised approach to address unique challenges after weight loss adds to the cost of the procedure. Pre-operative planning and post-operative care involve more resources and time, adding to the overall expenses.


What is the Difference Between a Tummy Tuck and 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 inserted to remove the liquid. Patients who are a healthy weight, and 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.

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 they 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 as well. Additionally, your surgeon will be able to discuss with you if you are a good candidate for both treatments.


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.


FAQs

The average abdominoplasty weight loss is not substantial in terms of scale numbers, ranging from 1.4 kg to 2.3kg. The variation depends on the amount of loose skin and fat removed during the procedure. A Tummy Tuck is primarily designed for abdominal contouring and tightening rather than significant weight reduction. It is important that you have realistic expectations regarding weight loss from a tummy tuck.

An acceptable BMI for a tummy tuck is below 30. Surgeons at Cadogan Clinic recommend that you should be close to your ideal weight, with a BMI ranging between 25 and 30, to maximise the safety and effectiveness of the procedure. A lower BMI reduces the risk of complications and enhances the cosmetic outcome of a tummy surgery after weight loss. However, considerations may vary depending on your individual circumstances. It is crucial to have a thorough consultation with our experienced surgeons to determine your eligibility based on your health profile and surgical goals.

Bariatric surgery is the most efficient medical treatment if you need to significantly reduce your weight. It targets the root cause of obesity by changing the architecture of the digestive system to restrict food intake and nutrient absorption. Procedures like gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding facilitate substantial, long-term weight loss.

Liposuction complements a weight loss tummy tuck by removing localised fat deposits but is not intended for substantial weight loss. Combining tummy tuck with liposuction enhances body contours, but bariatric surgery is still the most efficient surgical procedure for 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.

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 follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions closely.


Treatments mentioned in this article



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