How Much Weight Should I Lose Before Body Contouring Surgery?

scale and measuring tape

Patients seeking to improve body profile through body contouring procedures should consider working toward getting close to their ideal weight. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Dreyfuss recommends your body should be below the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30. To determine your BMI divide your height in meters into your weight in kilometers. If necessary, there are plenty of free online BMI calculators for conversions.

It is crucial you complete your weight loss goal before surgery. You should also stay at a realistic weight, and you can maintain for the foreseeable future. Restricting yourself of calories to improve your outline, then gaining back the weight is not healthy. Each patient has a unique body structure making an evaluation necessary to determine how much weight you should lose before surgery.

The amount of weight you lose before body contouring is vital not only for safety but to enhance your aesthetic results. A BMI under 30 will decrease the risk of blood clots and wound healing issues. This measure will also make the abdomen and waist look smaller because of a decrease in mass in those areas. These results will help any patient seeking a tummy tuck, liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift or post-bariatric surgery.

There are particular situations when patients have reached their plateau in their weight loss journey, and body contouring surgery can help. These procedures can assist the patient in achieving their long-term goals and encourage them to maintain healthy lifestyle choices for continued body contouring benefits.

Will My Skin Get Loose?

When you lose considerable weight (over 10% of body weight), this decrease in body mass can reduce significant volume in areas like the breasts, butt, and face. With this volume loss skin laxity in these areas is possible. Because excess skin is often unsightly and uncomfortable, its removal will be a consideration for your surgery if necessary.

Will Dieting Affect My Healing After Surgery?

All surgical procedures cause trauma to the body. During your healing process, additional protein intake is necessary for proper healing and reduced risk. We recommend a healthy diet (not starvation) with daily supplements (at least 80 grams of protein) to aid healing for healthy patients with no kidney issues. Dramatically reducing calories during recovery could starve the body of necessary nutrients which help the body to heal. This could lead to excess fluids, infection, slow healing, and wounds opening. We recommend you follow a healthy diet and maintain a stable weight during your recovery.

Will I Gain Weight After Surgery?

You may notice your weight does not change or slightly increase after body contouring surgery. This is normal. Any increase in weight is from fluid retention, not increase in fat or protein intake. Fluid retention is a natural consequence of surgery because the body experiences a shift in hormone production which signals the body to begin the healing process. Also, any fluids administered during surgery may stick around for a period. Another reason for fluid retention is inflammation (swelling). As your swelling goes down so will the amount of fluid revealing your surgical results and providing you an optimal contour. This process will take a few weeks to several months with continuing improvement realized.

Next Steps

To learn more on how you can improve your body contour after significant weight loss, contact board-certified Dr. David Dreyfuss today.

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