Ask a Surgeon - Tummy Tuck - I'm a 27 year old female. After years of struggling with obesity, I’ve lost...

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I'm a 27 year old female. After years of struggling with obesity, I’ve lost 100...

Q:

I'm a 27 year old female. After years of struggling with obesity, I’ve lost 100 pounds. I've maintained my weight for three years, but still would like to lose an additional 30 pounds (I'm now 5'5" and 170 pounds). How much more weight should I lose before having body contouring surgery to get rid of the excess skin?

A:

I believe you are a good candidate for this surgery now. Body contouring surgery in someone that originally weighed 270 pounds will remove a significant amount of redundant skin and underlying fat. As a result of the surgery, you will lose additional weight but more importantly, will see yourself in a different light and more than likely this will stimulate you to continue on a healthy diet with increased physical activity and possibly more weight loss.

Needless to say, this is major surgery and a full medical evaluation would be necessary to determine your ability to undergo extensive surgery. Body contouring procedures can be staged with different procedures being performed at separate times after allowing for healing and recovery. A thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon would be in order to determine the exact surgical plan.

James A. Matas, M.D. - View Other Answers by this Doctor

Orlando, FL

Practice Website

A:

Congratulations on your weight loss.

The closer you are to your goal weight, the better your results from plastic surgery will be. However, skin weighs quite a bit more than fat. Work with your primary care physician to help you determine a realistic weight based on your percentage of body fat.

Body contouring surgery following massive weight loss can include

Abdominoplasty Tummy Tuck

Mastopexy Breast lift

Brachioplasty Arm lift

Thigh lift, hip plasty or lower body lifts

These surgeries are staged so you may be ready for one surgery sooner than another.

Good luck to you.