Tummy Tuck After Weight Loss

The tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, (or panniculectomy) is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin around the abdomen. Many patients who have undergone significant weight loss will be left with sagging skin around their waistline that can obscure the figure and cause functional issues. By removing this excess skin, we help patients complete their weight loss journey and achieve a more sculpted body. More extensive tummy tucks can even repair abdominal muscles if they become separated during weight gain. Many patients complain of skin irritation, skin breakdown and other issues due to the rotation of the excess skin.

Dr. Sherman stands out among the many plastic surgeons in New York. His experience in medicine spans more than four decades, and in this time he has performed thousands of procedures. If you are struggling with excess skin after you have made progress with weight loss, then there are options available to help you achieve your goals.

Take the first step today by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Sherman. If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment by speaking to a staff member directly, please do not hesitate to call our Manhattan office at (212) 535-2300.

About After Weight Loss Tummy Tucks

Obesity is one of the biggest health issues in the United States. Weight loss is not an easy journey, and the traditional methods like exercise and dieting that may work for some people might not work for others. Some patients will receive bariatric surgery to remove excess fat or limit their food intake to assist in their weight loss. Recently, many individuals have successfully lost weight with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist injections.

These medications, more commonly known as semaglutide (brand names of Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) or tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro), mimic the release of hormones that cause feelings of fullness after eating smaller amounts of food. Additionally, these medications can give the metabolism a much-needed boost. These medications have become more widely used because of their proven results in weight loss.

Our skin has a natural elasticity. However, if a lot of weight is lost, it may not be able to retain that same elasticity. Dr. Sherman can help you rejuvenate your body after weight loss with a customized tummy tuck procedure.

Benefits

Undergoing an after weight loss tummy tuck can provide numerous benefits. Dr. Sherman’s patients typically experience:

Candidates

Any patient with excess and drooping skin around their abdomen may be eligible to receive a tailored tummy tuck treatment plan from Dr. Sherman. It is recommended that patients be at or near their stable goal weight before receiving an abdominoplasty procedure. Losing significant amounts of weight after the procedure or gaining weight after the procedure can reduce the desired body-sculpting effects. Patients should also be in good overall health, be willing to quit smoking for a period of time, have realistic expectations for their results, and be prepared to form healthy habits to maintain their results.

Personal Consultation

Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Sherman is the first step in your abdominoplasty treatment. At this appointment, you will discuss your weight loss history, your motivations for seeking a tummy tuck, and your goals for the procedure. You will also explore the various options that are available to you.

Your medical history will also be discussed at this appointment. With this information collected, Dr. Sherman and his team will create a customized tummy tuck plan that offers you optimal results without significant recovery.

Preparation

Tummy tucks after weight loss are helpful for any patients who have lost significant amounts of weight and are willing to adapt their lifestyles and habits to prevent future weight gain. If allowed, new fat cells can repopulate fat deposit sites and reverse the effects of tummy tucks and weight loss, so it is important to follow the proper steps to prevent this. ⁽¹⁾

Patients will also receive instructions on how to best prepare for their treatment. These are specific to each case, but you should plan to:

Procedure

The tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes excess skin that hangs from the abdomen. These procedures are typically performed with the use of general anesthesia. Dr. Sherman will make an incision below the belly button along the bikini line. ⁽¹⁾ He will then carefully dissect and remove any unnecessary tissue, body fat, and skin. Additionally, Dr. Sherman will be able to address the underlying muscular structures within the abdomen. ⁽²⁾ During a full tummy tuck after weight loss, he can correct diastasis recti, a condition where abdominal muscles separate.

Another key benefit of tummy tucks is their customizability. The state of each patient’s excess skin is different; some may have less excess skin after significant weight loss and others may have more. Depending on your unique situation, Dr. Sherman may recommend a mini tummy tuck, extended tummy tuck, or the standard tummy tuck. An extended tummy tuck is often ideal for patients who have lost a lot of weight, as it makes all of the necessary adjustments involved in a standard tummy tuck but also expands the treatment area to provide more comprehensive body contouring. ⁽²⁾

Recovery

Once the necessary corrections are made in your procedure, your incisions will be sutured and you will be monitored for a period of time before you are cleared to return home. We recommend that you rest in bed for a few days to prevent placing strain on your healing body. It is normal to experience some swelling, bruising, and soreness in the abdominal region after your procedure.

You will most likely be required to wear a compression garment while you heal. If you received prescriptions for pain medications and antibiotics, please take these as Dr. Sherman instructs. After a few weeks, you can begin to ease into some of your normal routines, but do so carefully and do not push your body further than you feel comfortable.

Results

Once your swelling has subsided, you will notice a smoother, more toned-looking abdomen. Instead of having excess skin hanging from around your belly and waist, you will see a smoother contour that defines your natural curves. Tummy tucks carry a high patient satisfaction rate, and Dr. Sherman’s patients are regularly happy with their results.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Many patients who have lost weight are still burdened with stubborn pockets of fat that do not respond to their efforts of dieting or exercise. These patients may want to incorporate a liposuction treatment into their tummy tuck procedure to sculpt their body further beforehand. Liposuction is not a weight loss treatment, but it can help patients reduce pockets that create bothersome bulging areas.

The abdomen is not the only area that is susceptible to excess sagging skin after weight loss. The thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts are all likely to sag after significant volume loss. Because of this, many patients will opt to receive a breast lift in conjunction with their abdominoplasty to revive breast fullness and remove redundant skin.

Cost of Tummy Tucks in New York City

The total cost of a tummy tuck varies for each patient. Pricing may change depending on the scale of the procedure, the patient’s goals, the necessary measures taken, and more. When you meet with Dr. Sherman to discuss your procedure, you will receive a quote for your treatment.

If you have any questions about payments, pricing, procedures, or more, please call our Manhattan office at (212) 535-2300.

FAQ

References

1. Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/
2. Klinger M, Klinger F, Giannasi S, et al. Aesthetic and Functional Abdominoplasty: Anatomical and Clinical Classification based on a 12-year Retrospective Study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2021;9(12):e3936. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000003936