How Much Weight Do You Lose With A Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery—or an abdominoplasty as it is formally called—is a procedure that typically involves meeting two goals. First, correction of diastasis recti is frequently completed during an abdominoplasty. Diastasis recti refers to when the two sides of the abdominal muscles become separated from each other. This is a benign condition, but it can have side effects that lower quality of life. A tummy tuck can tighten the muscles and correct diastasis recti.Second, a tummy tuck reviews extra skin from the lower abdomen. Often, it will also involve liposuction or naturally removing some additional fat based on the surgical techniques. Since patients who undergo tummy tuck surgeries may appear larger or have some weight to lose, patients often ask, “How much weight do you lose with a tummy tuck?”
Ultimately, most tummy tuck patients lose little to no weight with a tummy tuck. Any weight loss that occurs is usually after surgery when a patient can begin working out again. So, how does the stomach look flat now, but a patient has not lost weight? There are several possible reasons based on the patient’s anatomy and initial reasons for undergoing the surgery.
Several tummy tuck patients will have already successfully undergone a weight loss journey. Losing significant weight can leave patients with loose, extra skin that disguises the true results of the patient’s hard work. Removing this extra skin usually does not result in weight loss, but it does impact the shape and contours of the body.
Also, when diastasis recti occurs, the loosening of the muscles can cause the stomach to protrude or take on a “pooch” appearance. Thus, the abdomen may not appear flat, but tightening the muscles and repairing diastasis recti can flatten the abdomen without removing any tissue or weight. Usually, a combination of skin removal and diastasis recti repair provides the bulk of the tummy tuck’s results.
Even when a Sarasota tummy tuck surgery is paired with liposuction, the procedure typically does not remove more than about ten pounds. There are cases where more weight may come off during a tummy tuck, namely when a pannus removal is performed. However, categorically, a tummy tuck is not a weight loss surgery and should not be treated as such.
When considering a tummy tuck, patients should understand what the procedure achieves and have realistic expectations about the results. Consulting with an expert such as Dr. Alberico Sessa at Sarasota Surgical Arts can help patients learn if they are a good candidate and what to expect from tummy tuck results. Dr. Sessa is one of Florida’s foremost cosmetic surgeons and he has nearly two decades of experience performing tummy tuck surgery and other body contouring surgeries. He aims to help patients achieve their goals and see the results they want using a tummy tuck or other procedures. To learn more and schedule a consultation appointment, patients can call 941-923-1736. They can also reach out online via chat, contact form, or Price Simulator.
