Q. I’m in my 50s now and have always struggled with my weight. I have been slowly shedding the pounds but still have a long way to go. Would a tummy tuck help the process?
A. Although you may lose several kilograms of abdominal fat and skin with an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck should not be regarded as a weight loss procedure.
To get the best results from abdominoplasty, you should be close to your ideal weight before proceeding with surgery. The only way to get rid of the fat that lies within your abdominal cavity (visceral fat) is through weight loss. This fat can make the tummy bulge even after abdominoplasty, and cannot be directly removed with any form of surgery.
If you are struggling to lose weight you could always speak to your GP, as you may benefit from a review by a dietician or be a candidate for weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery).