When do I do it? After I reach ideal weight or during my weight loss?

Thank you for your question. When you are considering a tummy tuck procedure, it is highly recommended that you lose weight before doing the procedure. It is important to understand that for every liter of fat and pound of skin that is removed from the body, also 20 is removed as well. There is only so much fat and skin that can be removed safely in the surgery. Also it is very important to maintain the weight after the surgery to conserve the results. If you gain and lose weight after surgery, the results can be compromised. Weight loss will not get rid of the loose skin that you have on your abdomen. The tummy tuck procedure will eliminate this excess skin on the abdomen but weight loss is the first step. Good luck!

You can go either way. Your best result will come from waiting until you are at your goal so your skin doesn't loosen up again after surgery and additional weight loss. We try and avoid working on a moving target. On the other hand, if the extra rolls of skin are an impediment to your exercise, feeling good about yourself, and achieving your goals then removing the extra skin now may help motivate you to make it across the finish line. You will have to be prepared that you may need a minor touch up procedure down the road if your skin does loosen a bit after you reach your final goal weight. In my practice, I will often provide free touch ups in the office at no charge as an incentive for patients to attain their goals.

In a perfect world we would be at our perfect weight but as you continue to lose sometimes some selective liposuction can speed up the process and enhance your self esteem and motivation ie your lower abdomen and once at your ideal weight then get your tummy tuck.