One of the most common questions we hear from patients considering cosmetic surgery is: “Should I lose weight before my procedure?” The answer is actually fairly simple. Whether or not you are planning surgery, you should strive to eat healthy, stay active, and maintain a weight that is realistic and sustainable for you.
There is very little value in crash dieting down to an unrealistic weight before surgery, only to regain those pounds afterward. In fact, significant weight fluctuations after procedures such as tummy tucks, breast reductions, and liposuction can negatively affect your long-term results. Cosmetic surgery can help improve body contours and proportions, but maintaining those improvements requires maintaining a stable weight afterward.
Ideally, patients should be near a weight they can comfortably maintain through healthy lifestyle habits before undergoing surgery. This does not mean patients need to be “perfect” or reach an idealized number on a scale. We are far more interested in stability, overall health, and realistic long-term habits.
