There’s nothing fun about having a growing midline after pregnancy or menopause. Many times, we find our waistlines getting wider without any explanation. 

The worst part is that once you’ve started building up belly fat, it can be extremely difficult to lose shed the extra inches. You can get demotivated and find yourself looking for a solution that leaves you with the flat abs you desire. 

One great way of getting rid of excess stomach fat is with a tummy tuck procedure. If you’re considering this procedure, you may be wondering if this is a permanent solution or if the weight will come back. 

We’ve put together a quick guide on what to expect from a tummy tuck procedure. Let’s dive in!

Tummy Tucks Are Not Weight Loss Procedures

One common misconception about tummy tucks is that these are weight loss procedures designed for people who are overweight. The reality is, however, tummy tucks are actually designed for people who are already a healthy weight. 

When you get a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are removed to help you feel more comfortable. It can help you to lose some weight as a side effect, but the weight loss will be fairly minimal.

If someone is overweight, they may want to lose weight first before undergoing a tummy tuck. In fact, most plastic surgeons will not perform a tummy tuck on patients with a BMI greater than 40. 

Following the surgery, you’ll need to make sure to follow portion and food recommendations to uphold the look of the tummy tuck. This can help you retain your new look and can make your results more obvious. 

A Tummy Tuck Doesn’t Guarantee You Won’t Gain Weight in the Future

Many people believe that getting a tummy tuck is the answer to all their weight loss problems. Once they get a tummy tuck, they think that they’ll be free from having to worry about weight gain permanently!

While that would be nice, this isn’t the case. Tummy tucks can give you the flat stomach that you’re looking for initially, but they won’t prevent you from keeping the weight off in the long run. 

It’s important to keep incorporating a healthy diet and exercise into your lifestyle after a tummy tuck. That way, you can maintain the aesthetic effects that your tummy tuck provides you. 

Some women also choose not to have more children after undergoing a tummy tuck. That’s because it can lead to more excess skin and fat, ultimately undoing the benefits of the tummy tuck procedure. In turn, that can make it seem as though you’ve gained weight again. That means that your belly fat may return or appear to return in some capacity, which can leave you unsatisfied with the results of your procedure. 

Tummy Tucks Only Remove Abdominal Stretch Marks

Once again, because people believe that tummy tucks are weight loss procedures, they often have misguided expectations. It’s important to remember that tummy tuck surgery is performed only on the abdomen. 

Following a tummy tuck procedure, you may still have stretch marks around your thighs and hips. In addition, you may still have excess fat or skin in those parts of the body. 

The tummy tuck will remove extra fat and skin on the abdomen, but that doesn’t mean that it will target fat and skin on other parts of the body. Having the right expectations for your procedure can help you better understand how your body fat will be impacted. 

Remember, while tummy tucks do remove fat from the abdomen, it doesn’t remove it from any other part of the body. You can still gain fat in other areas, even following the procedure. 

Liposuction or Bariatric Surgery

Tummy tucks aren’t the only method out there for removing additional belly fat. Another great choice for people wanting to lose a few pounds around the midriff may find that they’re better benefited by a liposuction treatment. 

While getting a tummy tuck is certainly a great way to reduce fat in the abdomen, it’s not the only method out there. When patients go into a tummy tuck expecting drastic weight loss results, they may be disappointed. This can lead them to feel as though belly weight returned even if that isn’t the case. And, for people who need to lose a lot of weight, bariatric surgery may be the way to go. 

One simple method for making sure that your tummy tuck procedure is the right choice is to speak with your doctor. A good plastic surgeon will be able to recommend the correct procedure for you. 

He or she will set expectations and will let you know what type of weight gain or loss you can expect to see after your trip. They’ll also suggest alternatives that may be a good choice for you. 

Does Fat Come Back After a Tummy Tuck?

The bottom line is that the results of a tummy tuck are designed to be long-lasting, but they aren’t foolproof. It’s up to you to follow post-procedural operations and to take care of your body so that you can enjoy the benefits of this operation. 

If you’re ready to schedule an abdominoplasty, the Advanced Institute for Plastic Surgery can help. Contact us today to speak with a physician about your potential tummy tuck procedure. Let’s get your appointment scheduled!