How to Lose Weight before Plastic Surgery

How to Lose Weight before Plastic Surgery

There many ways that can help you lose weight before surgery and maintain a healthy weight after it.

Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of complications associated with surgery such as poor wound healing, higher infection rates, and postoperative clots. If you are overweight, losing weight before your plastic surgery can help decrease these risks.

A healthy diet, a regular exercise routine, weight-loss medications, and bariatric surgery are all options that can help you reach a healthy weight before undergoing any kind of surgery, especially plastic or cosmetic surgery.

Dr Jeremy Hunt is a specialist plastic surgeon in Australia who has performed many surgeries on patients following massive weight loss and pregnancy.

Is It Necessary To Lose Weight Before Cosmetic Surgery?

It is often necessary for patients with a high body mass index (BMI) to lose weight before surgery. Being overweight or obese puts you at a higher risk of developing complications related to your surgery.

Overweight and obesity can increase the risk of several health problems, including:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Type II diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Many types of cancer (e.g.: Endometrial, liver, and kidney cancer)

Additionally, having a High BMI at the time of your surgery can:

  • Prolong your surgery time
  • Increase your risk of wound healing problems
  • Increase your risk of postoperative infections
  • Increase your risk of developing blood clots

Moreover, cosmetic surgeries, such as a tummy tuck/ abdominoplasty, liposuction, or body lift torsoplasty surgery, remove excess skin and fat from different areas of your body to reshape and sculpt your body.

That’s why weight loss is important before body contouring surgeries- it allows your plastic surgeon to remove as much extra fat and skin as possible. Therefore, the closer you are to your ideal weight, the more likely you are to get a satisfying outcome from your cosmetic surgery.

To sum it up, reasons to be at your goal weight before plastic surgery include less surgery time, less risk of surgery complications, and aiding the success of cosmetic outcomes.

Ways to Lose Weight before Surgery

Losing a significant amount of weight can be challenging, especially if you’re starting from a high body mass index.

There are several things that can help you lose weight before plastic surgery. The journey toward a healthy body weight almost always starts with a method we all know – dieting.

1. Diet

Following a low-calorie diet can help you start losing weight before your abdominoplasty or post pregnancy surgery in a healthy way. A way to reduce your calorie intake is to focus on eating more:

  • Vegetables
  • Fruits
  • Food rich in lean proteins

And limit your intake of foods rich in:

  • Added sugar
  • High levels of salt
  • Refined carbohydrates
  • Saturated fat

A healthy diet usually consists of:

  • Plenty of vegetables, fruit, and whole grains
  • Fat-free or low-fat milk and other dairy products
  • Sources of lean proteins such as fish, peas, beans, lean meats, nuts, and seeds
  • Food low in added sugar and sodium

Eating healthy is all about balance. You should still be able to enjoy your favourite types of food, just keep the servings small. Sticking to a balanced diet even after your surgery can help you keep the weight off and maintain your aesthetic results.

2. Exercise

Regular exercise is one of the ways to lose weight and maintain weight loss before your thigh lipectomy or breast reduction mammoplasty surgery.

Combining a healthy diet with regular physical activity can help you improve your overall health, reduce your risk of serious disease, and improve the outcome of your cosmetic surgery.

You can start by exercising moderately and then move on to a more vigorous workout routine.

Examples of moderate-intensity physical activity include:

  • Brisk walking
  • Light bicycling
  • Dancing
  • Recreational swimming

Examples of more vigorous physical activity include:

  • Running
  • Fast bicycling
  • Hiking
  • Competitive sports (e.g.: basketball, football)

3. Weight loss medication

Sometimes, no matter how hard you exercise or how long you go on a diet, you’re still not able to lose enough weight before your body contouring surgery.

In these cases, your doctor might prescribe a weight loss medication or pills to help you lose weight and keep it off before your liposuction procedure or abdominoplasty.

Most weight loss meds work by decreasing your appetite, increasing your feeling of fullness, or both.

You may be prescribed weight-loss medication in case:

  • You have a body mass index (BMI) > 30
  • You have a BMI > 27 and you have a serious health condition associated with obesity such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes

In general, weight-loss pills or injections are not recommended if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant.

Studies show that if you combine weight-loss medication with a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine, you can lose up to an extra 7% of your total body weight.

4. Weight loss surgery

Weight-loss drugs don’t work for everyone. Some people are able to lose some weight with diet pills and exercise, but they’re still not able to get close to their goal weight.

Sometimes bariatric surgery is the only way to lose enough weight before your body reshaping surgery.

Different weight loss surgeries, known collectively as bariatric surgery, can get rid of extra fat that couldn’t be lost by workouts, diet, or weight-loss meds. These include:

  • Gastric bypass: gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y, is one of the most commonly performed weight loss surgeries that creates a small pouch in the stomach. The new stomach pouch is then directly connected to the small intestines. Consequently, the food you eat will go directly into the small pouch and then into the small intestines, bypassing most of the stomach
  • Sleeve gastrectomy: a sleeve gastrectomy is another weight loss surgery during which around 80% of the stomach is removed laparoscopically. This will help restrict the amount of food you consume
  • Gastric balloon: during an intragastric balloon placement, a small saline-filled silicone balloon is placed in the stomach. This will help you feel full faster and reduce the amount of food you can eat
  • Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS): this is a less common type of weight loss surgery that involves two steps. The first step is a sleeve gastrectomy. The second step connects the end portion of the intestine to the duodenum near the stomach. A BPD/DS reduces the amount of food you can eat and decreases the amount of fat and proteins absorbed by your body

Weight loss surgery can help you reduce your total body fat and decrease your calorie intake. After bariatric surgery, your body will start using your stored fat as a source of energy.

What Is the Right Way To Lose Weight Before Surgery?

The right way to lose body weight before plastic surgery is different from on person to another depending on:

  • Your body mass index
  • How your body responds to diet, exercise, and medication
  • Whether you have pre-existing health conditions or problems
  • Your preferred method of weight loss

If you’re close to your ideal weight but you still need to shed a few extra pounds, a healthy diet and a regular workout routine can be a great way for you to lose weight before your plastic or cosmetic surgery.

In case diet and exercise don’t work out for you and you still need to get rid of extra body weight, diet pills or injections can help you lose weight and keep it off before your body lift or tummy tuck/ abdominoplasty surgery.

If diet pills don’t work for you, bariatric weight loss surgery can offer you a way to reach a healthy body weight before undergoing plastic surgery.

Whether it’s by diet, exercise, diet drugs, or weight-loss surgery, losing weight can significantly improve your health, protect you from serious health problems, and set you up for the recovery period after plastic surgery.

FAQs about Losing Weight before Plastic Surgery

Is it better to lose weight before or after an abdominoplasty?

  • An abdominoplasty is not a weight loss surgery. It can reduce excess tissue on the stomach by removing extra fat and skin following significant weight loss. Hence, it’s better to lose weight and get as close as possible to your goal weight before your tummy tuck/ abdominoplasty surgery. That way, your plastic surgeon will be able to remove the maximum possible amount of excess skin and fat. Moreover, if you lose a lot of weight after your abdominoplasty, you’ll have loose belly skin again which can compromise your cosmetic results. Therefore, it’s important that you lose the weight that you need before your abdominoplasty and maintain a healthy weight after your surgery.

What happens if you don’t lose weight before surgery?

  • Not everyone needs to lose weight before surgery. People with a high BMI may be at a higher risk of infection, slow wound healing, and other complications from their surgery. Moreover, being obese or overweight before your cosmetic surgery can lead to poor aesthetic results. However, if you’re at a healthy weight or close to your ideal weight, you probably wouldn’t need to lose any before your surgery. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to speak to a qualified surgeon such as Dr Hunt who can let you know whether you will need to lose weight to be a candidate for surgery.

Do I need to lose weight before a Post Pregnancy Surgery?

  • It’s always best if you’re at a healthy weight before getting any type of surgery, especially cosmetic surgery. A post pregnancy surgery addresses different areas of the body (the tummy, breasts) that were affected by weight gain especially after pregnancy. Being close to your goal weight before your post pregnancy surgery will help your surgeon create a surgical plan that suits you and your goal outcomes.

Further Reading about Body Procedures

Medical References

About Dr Jeremy Hunt – Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Jeremy Hunt

Dr Jeremy Hunt is a specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery in Australia. He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing cosmetic and plastic surgery in Sydney.

Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is suitable for your body and your lifestyle. Every patient is unique and requires a personalised approach to reach their goals.

Dr Hunt has provided his one-on-one service and attention to detail to thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia.

Dr Hunt’s qualifications and education

Dr Jeremy A. Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of ASPS – the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. He completed a Fellowship at the University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from well-established and experienced plastic surgeons.

Next Step – Make an Enquiry or Request a consultation with Dr Hunt

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

If breast reduction mammoplasty is something you’re considering, Dr Hunt can thoroughly explain all the options to you in a one-on-one consultation.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health professional.

What is a Good Weight before your Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty Surgery? – BMI impact on Abdominoplasty Surgery Results

What is a Good Weight before your Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty Surgery? – BMI impact on Abdominoplasty Surgery Results

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures after weight loss or pregnancy. It removes loose skin and fat from the abdominal area for either functional or cosmetic reasons. Surgeons recommend being somewhere near your goal weight or BMI to be able to undergo the surgery. Patients who are classified as obese or overweight are at higher risk and less likely to get their desired results.

The Australian Government has a NEW Medicare Item Number for a Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty for some eligible post-pregnancy patients with 3cm+ Diastasis Recti (Split Tummy Muscles) if you are eligible and meet the new medical criteria. This new 30175 Medicare Item Number – is effective from 1st July 2022. Read the 30175 Medicare Item Number factsheet.

If you qualify for the 30175 Medicare item number you may also get a subsidy from your Health Fund. There will still be a significant out-of-pocket GAP as Private Tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery is NOT FREE.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Jeremy Hunt has completed hundreds of body procedures in Australia. Dr Hunt is a Sydney plastic surgeon who practices in Sydney and Wollongong NSW.

About Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty Surgery

A tummy tuck/ abdominoplasty addresses concerns such as excess or lax skin on the abdominal area in a way that strict diet and lifestyle schedules fail to reduce. A protruding stomach, excess skin, lax abdominal muscles can be simultaneously surgically treated with the help of a tummy tuck/ abdominoplasty procedure. All the effects are common in patients post-pregnancy or a massive weight loss transformation.

Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty can help improve these concerns. However, you should note that Abdominoplasty isn’t a weight-loss procedure. In fact, good candidates for tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery are the ones who are already at or close to their goal weight and don’t intend to lose a significant amount of additional weight post the surgery.

Understanding Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI or Body Mass Index is a way to measure the body’s overall fat in an individual relative to their height. This measurement provides a technical classification as to whether an individual is at a healthy weight, underweight, overweight, or obese. If you are considering a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty, Body Mass Index evaluation will be a determining factor when it comes to your candidacy for the treatment.

Here is a BMI CALCULATOR for Metric and Imperial measurement

Does BMI Affect My Ability to Undergo Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty Surgery?

There is some discussion in the medical community whether BMI is the best measure. For some patients, body shape and where your fat is stored is also an important factor.

While a number of issues will be taken into consideration, your BMI may be one of the deciding indicators of whether you are a candidate for tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery or not. Being mildly overweight doesn’t automatically exclude patients from candidacy; however, a BMI showing excess weight that could affect the overall safety of the procedure or the success of results after treatment may indicate that it is not a good idea to undergo tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery until the weight is brought down.

You may be deemed a good candidate for the procedure by Dr Hunt after he evaluates you during the consultation. Other factors besides BMI play a key role in determining your eligibility for the procedure include: age, health, expectations, and current state of your skin.

If your surgeon asks you to lose weight before surgery, then you should put in an effort to achieve a good outcome from the surgery. Here are some tips for losing weight before surgery.

Guide to Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty

Tummy Tuck

Why is BMI Important in Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty Surgery?

The most important reason that you should have a generally healthy BMI before a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty is that it can reduce risks associated with surgery and the anaesthesia used during the procedure. A person with a higher BMI and individuals who are classified as obese also may have other health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and joint concerns that could increase the potential for complications during surgery. Additionally, patients who are not at a healthy weight prior to the procedure may be more at risk of aesthetic outcomes that fall below their expectations.

Safety is certainly the most common goal in determining your eligibility for the treatment. Individuals who have a healthy BMI of 30 and above are at a much higher risk of developing complications such as blood clots, abdominal fluid collection, wound separation, excessive blood loss, infection, pneumonia, and slow wound healing.

Some Ways in Which BMI Impacts the Results of the Surgery

Before you decide to go ahead with the surgery, it is important to keep in mind the following facts:

  • Your immunity is not at its best when you have a higher BMI. Having a healthy BMI will help you heal and recover after tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty and reduce risks
  • Your BMI is directly linked with inflammation levels and healing responses of the body. Unhealthy weight and chronic inflammation can impact your safety during and after the surgery
  • Excess fat is linked to fatty liver which is a dangerous condition and can lead to serious complications post tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty
  • A healthy BMI can help increase the longevity of results
  • An unhealthy BMI will increase the chances of post-operative pain, inflammation and infections
  • A higher BMI will often equate to fluid retention, swelling, bruising and increase the risk of bad scarring post a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery
  • A healthy BMI can help recovery, results and overall experience with the surgery

On the other hand, potential abdominoplasty patients should understand that there are risks involved in any surgery. Although having a healthy BMI can definitely help set you up for a good experience, it won’t guarantee good results or completely eliminate your risks. You should always speak to your surgeon about the risks before going ahead with your desired procedure.

What Can I Do if my BMI is too High for a Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty Surgery?

Just because your current weight or BMI is too high, doesn’t mean that you will never be a good candidate for the surgery. If your BMI is the factor preventing you from being a good candidate for the surgery, it is time to start a weight loss program that is designed to bring your BMI to a healthier range. Don’t forget, the closer you are to a healthier body weight, the better the results of the surgery will be.

Will My BMI Be the Deciding Factor?

The answer to this varies from patient to patient and can be decided after your initial consultation. As a general rule of thumb, BMI results aren’t the sole indicator of the fact that you are a good candidate for the procedure or not. Other factors that come into play include your age, expectations from the procedure, overall health, the proportions of your body, muscle mass and a variety of other things. Moreover, sometimes the BMI isn’t the most accurate way to determine the amount of fat in a person’s body and other methods are taken into account.

The best way to determine whether you are a good candidate for tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery or not is to book a consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon for a detailed evaluation.

Dr Hunt will evaluate all your unique needs during a consultation, take all factors into account and give you a clear idea about your options.

FAQS about BMI for Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty Surgery

Here is a list of frequently asked questions we get regarding the tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty procedure:

What is the best BMI for a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty?

  • A BMI of less than 30 is considered good for a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty procedure because it lowers (but doesn’t eliminate) the risk of complications. A BMI of 30-35 is the maximum when it comes to a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty. Few plastic surgeons will perform abdominoplasty on patients with a BMI higher than 35.

What weight should I be for a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty?

  • Ideally, your BMI needs to be less than 30 to be able to undergo tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery. The weight differs based on your height. As a general rule of thumb, you should be at your goal weight or near it before undergoing the surgery.

Does BMI matter for a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty?

  • Yes, BMI plays a very important role in tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery. A BMI of less than 30 is considered to be good for a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty. The greater the BMI, the higher the risk of complications is.

How overweight can you be for a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty?

  • Well, it is recommended that you should be within your goal weight range or as close to it as possible. If you are overweight, you should consider losing weight first and then get the surgery done.

Which is better lipo or tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty?

  • They are completely different procedures. No one is better than the other and both can be suitable in different cases. Lipo is responsible for extracting stubborn fat from your body and can be done on any part of your body. On the other hand, a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty is performed on the abdominal area and targets excess skin. Liposuction is NOT considered a weight loss solution.

How many sizes will I lose with a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty?

  • Most women can drop around 2 to 3 sizes with a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty but some drop even more. It varies from person to person.

Can you gain belly fat after an Abdominoplasty?

What is excess skin on the stomach called?

  • The scientific name for the tummy skin that overhangs below the waistline is abdominal panniculus.

Will an Abdominoplasty get rid of back fat?

  • A regular Abdominoplasty will only target the abdominal area. If you get a circumferential abdominoplasty, Belt lipectomy or 360 Abdominoplasty, it will also address excess skin and fat on the hips, flanks, and lower back area.

Is it OK to lose weight after an Abdominoplasty?

  • Surgeons recommend sticking to your pre-surgery weight. Weight fluctuations post-surgery might give you excess skin again requiring a revision tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty surgery.

What does your stomach look like after a tummy tuck/ Abdominoplasty?

  • You may begin to notice a difference in the way your abdomen looks after surgery. However, it will still be quite swollen and you will have to wait for weeks before you can see the final outcome.

Further Reading about Tummy Tuck/ Abdominoplasty and Post Weight Loss Surgery

For more help losing weight pre surgery

We suggest you visit the New Body Specialists Weight Management Resources & Weight Loss Surgeon Directory. You can also find downloadable materials for losing weight on Dr Arun Dhir’s website (he’s a Bariatric Surgeon for Weight Loss Surgery in Melbourne).

About Dr Jeremy Hunt – Specialist Plastic Surgeon

dr jeremy hunt

Dr Jeremy Hunt is a specialist plastic surgeon performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He is a member of FRACS & ASPS and has over 20 years of experience providing plastic surgery in Sydney.

Careful, considerate and honest, Dr Jeremy Hunt works with you to find a solution that is suitable for your body and your lifestyle. Every patient is unique and requires a personalised approach to reach their goals.

Dr Hunt has provided his one-on-one service and attention to detail to thousands of women and men from the Sydney & Wollongong NSW area and across Australia.

Dr Hunt’s qualifications and education

Dr Jeremy A. Hunt MBBS FRACS graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Sydney University in 1990 and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and member of ASPS – the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. He completed a Fellowship at the University of Texas in the United States, where he learnt from well-established and experienced plastic surgeons.

Next Step – Make an Enquiry or Request a consultation with Dr Hunt

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

If breast reduction mammoplasty is something you’re considering, Dr Hunt can thoroughly explain all the options to you in a one-on-one consultation.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health professional.