If you have loose or hanging skin after significant weight loss or pregnancy, you may choose to receive a tummy tuck to tighten up your abdomen. A tummy tuck is a fantastic way to create a sculpted, tight tummy and make you feel more comfortable after fat loss or childbirth. While a tummy tuck does provide long-lasting results, life happens. As many people know, as we go through the roller coaster of life, our weight can have its own ups and downs. Many tummy tuck receivers want to know what will happen if they gain weight after receiving a tummy tuck.
Your weight before you receive your tummy tuck
Tummy tucks are primarily designed to reduce excess skin, so even though some liposuction techniques may be used during your tummy tuck, the procedure is not a weight loss surgery. Before you receive a tummy tuck, you should be close to your ideal weight. It’s important that you’re willing and dedicated to maintaining this weight long-term. When you have your consultation for your tummy tuck surgery, you will be asked about your goal weight and your long-term aesthetic goals.
If you gain weight after your tummy tuck
Sometimes weight gain happens. If you gain a significant amount of weight or become pregnant after your surgery, it can affect the tummy tuck you’ve received. The skin on your abdomen will stretch out, and the muscles that lie underneath can become separated again. This can be corrected by receiving another tummy tuck.
Why people may experience weight gain
Weight fluctuations are completely normal, and as long as they are within a 10 to 15 pound range of your normal weight, they should not affect your tummy tuck. Some things that cause significant weight gain are:
- Unhealthy food choices
- Over-eating or eating unhealthy foods can contribute to weight gain.
- Lack of exercise
- Exercise is key in weight maintenance. After your tummy tuck, you will need to abstain from exercise
- for a bit, but when you are given the green light to work out again, regular exercise will help you keep
- your results.
- Hormonal changes
- If you have a hormonal imbalance, it can make you gain weight, even if you are keeping a healthy
- lifestyle.
- Stress and poor mental health
- When people are emotionally distressed or under pressure, they may over-eat or stop exercising.
Some things that can help you avoid weight gain after a tummy tuck
If you are concerned about gaining weight after your tummy tuck, here are some things that, in addition to keeping a healthy diet and exercising, can help you avoid putting on some extra pounds:
Adding more activity to your day
You can achieve a lot of extra passive exercise by adding more activity to your day. Instead of ordering food or items, you can go to the store. Or, you can take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Cook at home
When you cook at home, you know exactly what’s being put in your food, so it’s easy to make healthy decisions. You can also control your portions.
Practice self care
Good mental health is a key part of maintaining a healthy weight. Whether it’s through therapy, journaling, meditating, or whatever you do to keep a healthy mind, you are often contributing to keeping a healthy body as well.
Your tummy tuck at Richmond Plastic Surgeons
When you receive your tummy tuck from our expert doctors at Richmond Plastic Surgeons, you will be properly evaluated and guided through the tummy tuck process. Your concerns about your weight and weight gain will be addressed, and our doctors will provide you with the best recommendations on how you can maintain the beautifully sculpted abdomen you will have after your surgery. If you are interested in having a consultation for a tummy tuck, call us today to book an appointment.