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Posted on 07 Jan 2025
One thing that you need to know before you start trying to lose weight before body contouring surgery is that there is no exact amount of weight that doctors recommend you lose.
It is more about you getting as close to a more personally desirable body weight as possible than losing an exact amount of weight.
How Much Weight to Lose Before Body Contouring Surgery
One of the most common questions people ask when they’re considering body contouring surgery is, “How much weight do I need to lose first?”
It’s an understandable concern. After losing weight, especially when it’s a large amount, some people may be left with loose or sagging skin that is almost impossible to get rid of, even with diet and exercise.
Body contouring procedures help address this skin and improve your overall body shape, but it does matter when you have the surgery done.
There isn’t one ‘magic’ number that tells you the best time to plan your body contouring procedure. Instead of focusing on a number on the scale, plastic surgeons typically look at:
- How close you are to your goal weight
- How long has your weight been stable
- Your overall health and medical history
- What procedure are you considering
It’s important to know that body contouring isn’t intended to help you lose weight. It is meant to help reshape areas of your body once you’ve gotten close to your target weight.
WHY IS BMI THE BEST DETERMINING FACTOR FOR WEIGHT LOSS BEFORE BODY CONTOURING SURGERY?
While body mass index (BMI) is a useful tool for figuring out your own healthy body weight, it’s not always the most accurate measurement of healthy fats and overall body health. BMI does not take into consideration your muscle mass or fat distribution.
As a result, more muscular individuals with healthy eating habits and shorter heights might get misleading results from BMI calculators that tell them their body weight is unhealthy. If patients are otherwise healthy and close to their goal weight, they can be good candidates for surgery even if their BMI is slightly elevated.
That said, BMI can help surgeons assess:
- Surgical and anesthesia risk
- Healing capacity
- The likelihood of achieving optimal contouring results
Ultimately, your surgeon will consider your BMI alongside other health indicators to get a full picture of your health and decide if you’re a good candidate for body contouring.
Why Weight Stability is Important Before Surgery
Weight stability is one of the most important things to consider when you’re looking for the right time to schedule body contouring surgery.
Most surgeons recommend maintaining a stable weight for at least 6 to 12 months before you undergo body contouring. Waiting this long allows your body to adjust after weight loss and helps ensure your results will last.
If you lose a significant amount of weight after your body contouring procedure, you may experience more loose, excess skin, which could make the entire process feel futile.
What Happens If I Lose More Weight After Body Contouring?
It’s okay to lose a little bit of weight after your surgery– this shouldn’t affect your results.
However, if you experience significant weight loss after body contouring, you could experience:
- New loose or sagging skin
- Changes in body proportions
- Dissatisfaction with surgical outcomes
Some patients who lose a large amount of weight after surgery end up scheduling revision procedures. While this shouldn’t be a problem, you’d probably prefer to avoid recovering from a second surgery. For this reason, it’s best to complete your weight loss journey before you move forward with body contouring.
Am I Ready for Body Contouring Surgery?
The best way to decide if you’re ready for body contouring is through a personalized consultation with an expert at Neaman Medi Spa in Salem, Oregon. During your visit, your surgeon will evaluate your health, weight history, and goals to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan.
To schedule your appointment, book a consultation online or call us at 844-338-5445.
Frequently Asked Questions
Body contouring is best scheduled once you’ve completed your weight loss journey and maintained a steady weight for a while. Losing a significant amount of weight after your surgery will affect your results and lead to additional loose skin.
Yes, body contouring can be safe after weight loss injections or bariatric surgery once your weight has stabilized and your nutritional health is optimized. Your surgeon will evaluate your overall health, healing ability, and timing to determine when surgery is appropriate.
It’s normal for your weight to fluctuate a little bit. However, significant weight gain after surgery can impact your results.
Dr. Keith Neaman
Dr. Neaman is a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in surgical body contouring. He prides himself on being on the cutting edge of plastic surgery. He takes an informative approach to each consultation, and through open dialogue and communication, he helps his patients decide on a treatment plan that meets their needs.
