Tummy Tuck

I worked my butt off the past 4 months, lost 50 pounds. I feel great but don't look to great. I notice my skin is all stretched out all over the place and looks awful. I'm thinking of getting a tummy tuck. Is it normal to have all this extra skin? Do a lot of you end up getting tummy tucks after loosing this much weight?

It depends on the person, their age and genetics. 

Losing 50 pounds in 4 months is really quick.  Most likely your skin has not had a chance to recover and shrink. 

I have heard that generally plastic surgeons would like for people who have lost a lot of weight to wait a year or so in order to give the skin a chance to recoever before they will do a tuck. 

Hey,

After my mom lost 80 pounds she ended up getting a tummy tuck. I think that if you have lots of skin left from losing that there is nothing wrong with the surgery.

However, my mom chose the tummy tuck too soon and ended up not changing her lifestyle and years later, all the weight is back and the money for surgery gone.

Look, you should be SO proud of yourself...50 pounds WOW! but it's only been the last 4 months. Please please please consider doing this first before your tummy tuck:

• Concentrate on maintaining the weight loss for the next 6-12 months and get used to this lifestyle (don't worry, after losing 50 pounds, 6-12 months in your new body will fly by).
• During that time, strength train and tone your body through workouts. You'll be surprised how much you could help yourself.  Of course, you may still need the surgery after (if it's "that" bad) but at least you'll have your entire life to keep it off. 

You've been overweight this long, why not enjoy your accomplishments now and consider the surgery next year.  I don't want you to make the same mistake my mom did. After you've done this, I don't see why you shouldn't get the tuck.

First, Congrats on losing 50lbs!!! I'm open for tips, it has taken me 3 months to lose 26lbs and I've hit a plateau.  I've been at 164 for a week and I'm swimming, jogging, Turbo Jam, and about 1350 cals a day.  Anyway, back to your question:  I think it depends on your skin type and where you gained your weight.  I've had four children, and with the last 2, my belly has gotten huge,(even post pregnancy).  I could tell even before I started my fitness plan that I would need a tummy tuck once I lost the weight.  One the other hand, my best friend started off 10lbs heavier than me, but she gained alot if weight in her hips, butt, breast, and some around the middle . She has lost 5 more lbs than me and her skin isn't sagging at all.  And depending on your age, good luck to "your skin going back", maybe if you are in your 20's, but if your older than that if your skin is sagging it usually does not tighten up or "go back".  I've got 35 lbs to go and believe me, I'm going for the "tuck". Best of wishes!!!

3 or 5 months or even a year post weight loss in not a long enough weight to have plastic surgery.

I have a lot of sagging skin and am contemplating eventually having some surgery. I've had 2 pregnancies and planning another. Having a tummy tuck if you plan on having kids is pointless. (don't know if you are. just thought I'd mention it.

Also, I'm 32 and will wait for at least 3 years of maintained weight before surgery. During this time I will do my utmost to "fix" the skin.(i, fluids, reducing body fat percentage, weight training, and time). Most of the time, I hear people complain about saggy skin, but when you look at it there is a lot of fat under there too. Saggy skin is just a few centimeters in thinkness. If you can grab an inch, there is fat there and you could stand to lose some more fat.

Surgery is very serious...I won't do it unless I feel I absolutely have to. (And by have to, I'm talking about skin that is still visible with clothes on) I'm a mom with 2 kids, how can I take all the risks for vanity's sake?