Question:
Is it necessary to reach my weight loss goal before having a tummy tuck? I have lost 90 pounds and would ultimately like to lose 25 more, should I wait?
Answer:
It is always better to be closer to your goal weight before proceeding with any surgery especially in this case of a tummy tuck where we would be doing liposuction in addition to removing excess skin and fat. It is best to be closer to your goal weight because ultimately the results will be so much better. If you have already lost 90 pounds and only need to lose about 20-25 more, then it would be a good time to move forward with the planned procedure. Losing 15 or 20 pounds after surgery would not make a significant difference in the overall results.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.