Woman touching her abdominal area

A tummy tuck, especially when combined with liposuction, can significantly reduce abdominal fat that does not respond to diet or exercise. The procedure helps you obtain a slimmer, fitter waistline by tightening excess skin around the stomach. It is often done after pregnancy or extreme weight loss. While a tummy tuck can flatten your stomach and create more tone, it’s not always a permanent solution. Many people wonder if they face weight gain after a tummy tuck ; That depends on a lot of factors, including the amount of weight gained and how long you take to lose that weight. Significant, long-term weight gain after undergoing a tummy tuck can diminish your results, which is one of the main reasons exercise after a tummy tuck is important.

Weight Gain After A Tummy Tuck: The Consequences

The good news is, gaining a small amount of weight gain after a tummy tuck is unlikely to have a substantial impact on your results. People’s weight often fluctuates throughout the year, and it’s not uncommon to gain 5 or 10 pounds over the holiday months or after a long vacation. This weight will not have a noticeable effect on your tummy tuck and will likely come off once you resume your regular diet and exercise routine.

However, gaining a significant amount of weight can have more serious consequences. Fat must be deposited somewhere in the body, and tends to return to the same genetically and hormonally predetermined areas as before. If you tend to gain weight in your abdomen, you are likely to gain weight there again after your tummy tuck. If you keep that weight on for a long time, once you lose it, you may end up with the same issues with sagging, loose skin that your tummy tuck initially corrected.

How Can I Prevent Weight Gain After A Tummy Tuck?

The best way to prevent weight gain after a tummy tuck is the same way anyone would prevent weight gain. A good diet and regular physical activity is key to maintaining a healthy weight long term.

Directly after a tummy tuck, you will have to wait until you fully recover to resume regular physical activity. Most patients who do not experience major complications can get back to their normal routine after seven weeks, including vigorous cardiovascular exercise and heavy lifting. However, make sure to talk to your doctor about your precise timeline before starting a post tummy tuck exercise routine. Every patient’s path is unique.

In the long term, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends healthy adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. Adding in strength training at least twice a week is also helpful to maintain weight. When combined with a healthy diet, this can help your tummy tuck results last.

In fact, physical activity can actually improve your results after a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck can help you get past the plateaus you reach from diet and exercise alone, but patients often reach their ideal results by adopting a good workout regimen following the procedure, including exercises that focus on toning the abs.

Is A Second Tummy Tuck Possible?

If you do regain weight after a tummy tuck and end up with loose skin and sagging, you may be able to get a second tummy tuck done to correct these issues. However, this will depend on a variety of factors and will only be done at your practitioner’s discretion.

Before a second tummy tuck, you will need to undergo the same consultation and exam you underwent before. Your practitioner will assess things like fat accumulation levels, skin laxity, and your overall health.

A second tummy tuck is sometimes more difficult. A combination of scar tissue, aging, and other factors may make it harder to achieve your desired results. If you have gained weight since your last tummy tuck, your practitioner may recommend you lose that weight prior to undergoing a second tummy tuck.

In some cases, your practitioner may recommend diet and weight loss before resorting to a second tummy tuck to address your concerns. While a tummy tuck is a low-risk procedure overall, every surgery carries inherent risks. It is much better to maintain your weight and your results than to undergo a second surgery.

Weight Gain After A Tummy Tuck: The Bottom Line

Regular exercise and a good diet can prevent weight gain after a tummy tuck This is vital for maintaining your results long term. While small fluctuations in weight are unlikely to have a substantial effect, gaining significant weight post-tummy tuck may leave you dealing with the same issues you had before surgery.

Ready to get started? Leif Rogers, MD is an Ivy League-educated, board-certified plastic surgeon. If you’re interested in a tummy tuck, get in touch with his team to schedule a consultation.


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