A BMI of less than 30 is considered ideal for a tummy tuck procedure because it lowers the risk of complications. A BMI of 30-35 is the maximum when it comes to a tummy tuck. Few plastic surgeons will perform abdominoplasty on patients with a BMI higher than 35.
What is the ideal body weight to undergo abdominoplasty?. In general, patients with body mass index equal or below to 30 are good candidates for abdominoplasty.
Up to five liters, or about 11 pounds, can be safely removed in a single liposuction procedure. Generally, there are no limits with tummy tuck surgery, but it is essential to leave behind enough tissue for safe closure and good cosmetic results.
A BMI of less than 30 is ideal for a tummy tuck candidate. Of course, you CAN still have a tummy tuck if you are overweight and get still good results.
If you are not finished having children and plan to get pregnant again, or are currently pregnant, you are not a suitable tummy tuck candidate. If you suffer from obesity, you are also not a good candidate for tummy tuck. Also, if you are a smoker who is not prepared to cease smoking, tummy tuck may not be for you.
Obese or overweight. Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30. Any previous clotting issues or surgical complications. Currently taking any medications, anticoagulants, or supplements that might interfere.
A properly performed tummy tuck can reduce your waist size and help you feel confident about your curves again. Some patients may lose many inches off their waist, while others will see more subtle results. It all depends on how much tissue can be removed safely.
The tummy tuck is very useful when exercise and diet have failed to tighten the abdominal muscles. However, a tummy tuck is not really designed to make you look “thinner.” Rather, the tummy tuck improves the muscle profile of the abdomen, which in turn can have the effect of making you look more fit and toned.
Like a regular tummy tuck, 3D tummy tuck surgery can be used to remove stubborn fat and loose skin on the abdomen. However, the 3D tummy tuck also addresses excess skin and fat on the hips, flanks, and lower back for a more complete transformation that can be enjoyed from any angle.
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.
That noted that a good surgery candidate will have a BMI of 30 or below. Some surgeons will operate on patients as high as BMI 35-39 but most will NOT operate on a patient of BMI 40 or above. If you are overweight or in the obesity BMI range of 30 or above, you're less likely to be a suitable candidate for surgery.
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.
In a C-section, an incision is made transecting the abdominal muscles. While a tummy tuck incision is similar to a C-section, the intra abdominal component of the operation is not there. This essentially means that a tummy tuck is less invasive procedure compared to the cesarean section.
The obvious solution to this “BMI barrier” is for the patient to lose weight before a tummy tuck. However, most patients in the 30 to 35 BMI range are too light to qualify for weight loss surgery—and too heavy to qualify for cosmetic surgery—placing them in a “Catch 22” type of situation.
Don't Fret Small Changes. If you gain or lose 5 to 10 pounds after your tummy tuck, don't sweat it. Small fluctuations in weight aren't likely to affect your results. But if you gain or lose a larger amount of weight, you may want to consider a revision procedure.
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.
Additionally, the skin, muscles, and fat of the abdomen were all repaired or altered during the procedure. These structures need time to heal and settle into their new positions. This causes inflammation, swelling, and other temporary side effects that can contribute to the look of the stomach.
When can I wear jeans after a tummy tuck? Most patients after tummy tuck surgery feel comfortable wearing jeans about 3-4 weeks after surgery. This gives time for the drains to be removed (if they were used), the incision to heal and some of the swelling to go down.
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.
In short, the tighter the abdominoplasty, the longer a patient may walk with a bend at the waist. I believe most should walk straight within 2 weeks. Most return to the office in a few days with a 10 degree bend at the waist. However, this resolves with adequate pain control and skin relaxation.
Typically the cost for a tummy tuck is anywhere between $9,000 (AUD) – $29,000. With no medicare rebates or private hospital cover typically the total out of pocket cost is between $18,000 and $29,000. If you have top private health cover, hospital fees of around $7,000 – $8,000 may be fully or partially covered.
Tummy tuck results are considered permanent in that the skin and fat cells that Dr. Greenwald removes during the procedure cannot grow back. Likewise, any internal sutures that he places to repair stomach muscles are designed to remain in place indefinitely.
There will be some discomfort after a tummy tuck, with the worst discomfort experienced within the first week. On a scale of 1 – 10, pain is often estimated at around a 6-7 for the the first few days to a week, reducing to around a 3 – 4 in the second week. This would, of course, depend on the individual.