When Is the Right Time to Get a Tummy Tuck?

For anyone considering and planning a tummy tuck, it’s a major step to decide whether now is the right time to have the procedure. People visit my Northbrook practice for tummy tuck surgery from Glenview, IL, and throughout the North Shore, and many have questions about the timing of their surgery. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I am happy to provide guidance.

When is the right time for a tummy tuck? While your journey is a personal one, here are a few general guidelines.

When you are maintaining a stable weight

While a tummy tuck can remove the last bit of remaining stubborn fat—especially if you’re also having liposuction—it’s not intended to be a weight loss procedure. It should happen near the end of your weight transformation when your weight is stable or you are near your goal weight. This minimizes the risk of altering your results in the future by losing additional weight and causing more skin to sag.

When you are ready to take time to rest

After a tummy tuck, you will need to take a couple of weeks away from work and a few more away from intense exercise. You should be able realistically to take the necessary time away to fully recover without feeling rushed to return to heavy physical activity.

The same goes for mental rest. Taking a break from work as you recuperate will prevent you from experiencing too much stress and will allow you to focus on healing. That way, when you return, you will be fully recovered and ready to resume your routine with confidence. You can learn more about preparing for tummy tuck surgery and recovery in our related blog post.

When you are finished having children

A tummy tuck won’t change your ability to get pregnant; you will still be fully able to have children in the future should you desire. However, pregnancy will alter your tummy tuck results by causing the skin to stretch, abdominal muscles to weaken, and fat to accumulate. Many women choose to wait until their family is complete for these reasons.

When is it probably not the right time for a tummy tuck?

A few signs you may want to wait to pursue a tummy tuck include:

• You are at the beginning of your weight loss journey and are planning to lose a significant amount of weight.
• You are not at a healthy BMI or are actively smoking. These factors may increase your risk of complications.
• You are planning to have children in the future. It’s likely a better investment to wait.

You can read more about who is a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery on the American Society for Plastic Surgeons’ website. If you are unsure whether now is the right time, you may want to consult personally with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can advise you on your plastic surgery plans and help you decide on the best path forward.

To see examples of the results you can expect after a tummy tuck, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery.

If you would like to learn more about whether a tummy tuck may be right for you, please contact our North Shore cosmetic surgery practice online to request a consultation or call (847) 504-2333.