What If You Gain or Lose Weight After A Tummy Tuck?
When men and women feel like they look their best, they are generally more confident and much happier. That’s the conclusion reached in multiple studies, one of which comes from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). According to researchers, body dissatisfaction, which begins in one’s mind, triggers a spike in cortisol levels in the body, which leads to higher stress levels and the onset or worsening of depression. While that sounds incredibly scientific, it explains why many people undergo cosmetic procedures like a tummy tuck in the U.S. and elsewhere.
But what happens when you get a procedure like a tummy tuck and then gain or lose weight? How are the results affected? Let’s take a look at how prevalent the procedure is and then the consequences of fluctuating weight after surgery.
How Prevalent Are Tummy Tuck Procedures in the U.S.?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, an estimated 15 million cosmetic surgery procedures are performed in the U.S. annually. And of those, around 2 million are cosmetic procedures, such as tummy tucks.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 130,000 tummy tucks are performed every year in the U.S. That makes it the fifth-most-common cosmetic procedure behind blepharoplasty, nose reshaping, liposuction, and breast augmentation surgery.
Because of its popularity, some people are curious about what would happen if they gained or lost weight after their tummy tuck procedure.
The Consequences of Gaining Weight After a Tummy Tuck
For those unaware, a tummy tuck involves a cosmetic surgeon removing the excess tissue from a patient’s abdominal area, and tightening the abdominal muscles. This provides you with a tighter, toned, and more defined midsection.
Bearing that in mind, if someone gains weight after a tummy tuck procedure, the skin around their stomach will stretch, and their underlying abdominal muscles may separate, causing their stomach to look bigger.
That being said, it is worth noting that fat is distributed differently throughout the body when someone gains weight following a tummy tuck. For example, instead of their midsection, fat might accumulate in the following areas:
- Chest
- Arms
- Shoulders
- Neck
- Thighs
- Legs
- Buttocks
The Consequences of Losing Weight After a Tummy Tuck
While losing weight if you’re overweight or obese can be a cause to celebrate for many, it can be less triumphant if it happens after undergoing a tummy tuck. Although, the consequences really depend on the elasticity of your skin.
Some people will develop loose or sagging skin when they lose weight after a tummy tuck procedure. Others might be a bit more fortunate. Instead of loose or sagging skin, their skin may shrink when they lose weight, enabling them to maintain their tummy tuck results.
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Consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet is one of the best things you can do to keep your midsection looking tight and toned after a tummy tuck. That means eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, such as chicken breast, turkey, or salmon, and whole grains, like quinoa, brown rice, and oats. Regular exercise that raises your heart rate and generates a good sweat is also helpful.
To learn more about maintaining your tummy tuck results or undergoing a tummy tuck procedure, schedule a consultation with Berman Plastic Surgery & Spa today. Dr. Berman can answer any questions you may have.
Call our Boca Raton, FL office at 561.235.3208 or request a consultation using our online contact form.
Dr. Jonathan Ross Berman is a Boca Raton plastic surgeon who has been certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery with over 30 years of service experience specializing in Breast Augmentation, Rhinoplasty, Face Lift, Liposuction, and many other types of plastic surgery in Boca Raton, FL.
