Weight Loss After Mommy Makeover in Raleigh, NC

Should I Lose Weight Before a Mommy Makeover or Afterwards?

Hi, I’m Dr. Glenn Lyle, a board-cert ified plastic surgeon in Raleigh, NC. One of the most common questions I hear from patients considering a Mommy Makeover  is whether they need to lose weight before surgery or if it’s okay to proceed at their current weight. 

Let’s dive into this topic and explore what’s best for your health and achieving your desired results ASAP.

Do You Need To Reach Your Ideal or Goal Weight Before Surgery?

Many people feel pressure to hit an “ideal weight” before surgery. But let’s face it, losing those last stubborn pounds is one of the hardest parts of any weight-loss journey. Your body may resist as you get closer to your goal, making it feel like an uphill battle. As long as you’re within a safe range and healthy, it’s not always necessary to reach your goal weight before a Mommy Makeover. Here’s why:

Excess skin removal can boost your confidence. Many patients find that getting rid of loose, sagging skin inspires them to stay active and lose more weight.

Weight stability is more important. If your weight has been stable for six months or more, that’s a stronger indicator of long-term success than trying to lose those last 10-15 pounds.

→ What are the Oversized Abdominoplasty Options?

 I can safely perform abdominoplasty for patients with a BMI up to 35 in my office-based surgery center and for those with a BMI between 35 and 40 in a nearby hospital. This is provided the patient is in good overall health. These options make surgery accessible for a broader range of patients who are ready to transform their 

→ Diastasis Repair May Help Restrict Food Intake: 

I have noticed that diastasis repair ( a routine component of abdominoplasty) will temporarily reduce your ability to eat as much. My patients tell me they get full earlier and thus take in less calories. I believe this is because the stomach can’t stretch as much with a tightened abdominal wall. So when you eat too much or too fast you may feel bloated or less hungry. It is temporary but might be beneficial to change your habits and help you lose more weight post operatively.

"I often tell my patients, it’s about progress, not perfection. Surgery can help you take the next step in your journey," I explain more during consultations.

How having Surgery Can Inspire Further Weight Loss

For many patients, a Mommy Makeover is not the end of their transformation but the beginning of a new chapter. When you see how surgery can reshape your body, it can be incredibly motivating to stay active and keep pushing toward. Think about it, you’ve invested time, money and some discomfort to have a Mommy Makeover. You should protect your investment by maintaining proper weight and healthy habits to preserve or even enhance the result.

Having a trimmer figure often motivates patients to improve their health and physique even further. You will feel better in workout clothes and once recovered fully, able to be more efficient when do cardio or exercising.

Jamie's Weightloss Journey

Take Jamie’s story, for example. Jamie, a 44-year-old mom, came to me after losing 60 pounds. Her BMI was 32, and she still wanted to lose more weight but felt stuck. Loose skin made her self-conscious at the gym and made it difficult to exercise.. 

Together, we developed a staged surgery plan tailored to her needs. We started with an abdominoplasty and mastopexy, then moved on to brachioplasty and finally a thigh lift and posterior lower body lift. Over time, Jamie lost additional weight through her renewed motivation and commitment to exercise and healthy living. (See the full story below)

Skin Retraction and Tightening Techniques

Depending on your skin quality, there can be some natural skin tightening during surgery. With tools like VASER liposuction and Renuvion, we can enhance these results:

·  VASER Liposuction: This advanced technique uses ultrasound energy to break up fat for more precise sculpting, minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues and enabling smoother results.

·  Renuvion Skin Tightening: This cutting-edge device combines helium plasma and radiofrequency energy to contract skin, providing additional contouring benefits for areas with mild to moderate laxity. It’s particularly effective in areas like the abdomen, thighs, and arms.

"With the right technology and approach, we can help you achieve a firmer, more youthful appearance even if you’re not at your goal weight," I often tell patients.

Staging Surgery for the Best Results

Another important consideration is the possibility of staging your procedures. Not every concern needs to be addressed in one operation. Starting with your highest priority—whether that’s a tummy tuck, breast lift, or liposuction—allows us to tackle your goals step by step.

Jamie’s case is a perfect example. By spacing out her surgeries, we ensured she had time to heal and could maintain her focus on weight loss between procedures. This personalized approach ensures the best results without overwhelming your body.

Jamie's Real Patient Story - Staging A High BMI Mummy Makeover

Jamie is a 44-year-old woman fed up with her body. She had a scare at age 40 when she had a mild heart attack. She started a diet and exercise program and lost 60 pounds. At 197 lbs, her BMI was still 32 but she was anxious to rid herself of the excess skin. She intended to lose 30 more pounds but found it increasingly hard to lose weight and her loose skin made it embarrassing to go to the gym or go jogging outside. 

After a thorough consultation, she required several procedures. Each was done 6-8 weeks apart, including mastopexy and brachioplasty at the first and then tummy tuck at the second stage . Then thigh lift and posterior lower body lift on the third. She meanwhile lost the additional weight- both through surgery and continued diet and exercise.

While I generally like to wait until my patients are at a BMI of 30 or so, decisions have to be individualized, and exceptions can be made.

I believe that the best results after body contouring occur with patients that maintain their weight or even lose weight afterwards.  Patients who are motivated to get into shape and lose weight often wish to have surgery to" jump start" their new body shape.  In some instances, especially patients that are at reasonable body weight- this is not a bad strategy as some of the extra skin from the abdomen or things like loose skin of the arms or saggy breasts will not improve with additional weight loss.  

Certainly, it is best to get to as close to your goal weight as possible, but the timing of surgery based on your body mass index should be discussed with your surgeon.  Weight loss after body contouring can improve the final results but can also lead to loosening of the skin and need for additional touchups or revisions. All of these things need to be taken into account.

I have seen a number of patients recently GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Ozempic who had lost weight and then underwent body contouring procedures like tummy tuck, breast lift and thigh lift.  When they continue on these drugs to lose weight-it does sometimes have an unfavorable effect on previous surgical outcome.  

Although there are some skin tightening devices that are either used during surgery like Renuvion or are noninvasively applied like Sofwave- none of them will address major skin laxity. 

There is no such thing as an ideal body mass index for body contouring.  I have even seen patients who are quite underweight in the present different challenges.  Generally, I prefer to operate on people whose body mass index is below 35 with a few exceptions.  Patients with higher BMI I advise to lose weight and now more than ever there better ways to do that such as physician directed weight loss programs with GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery.  Good old diet and exercise, of course is the best way.

Medical References   

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "Body Contouring After Major Weight Loss." ASPS.   
• Matarasso, A., et al. "Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of the Abdomen." Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018.   
• Hoyos, A. E., & Millard, J. A. "Vaser-Assisted High-Definition Liposculpture." Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 2014.

About Dr Lyle - Plastic Surgeon in Raleigh NC 

Dr. Glenn Lyle is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving the Raleigh, NC community at Lyle Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Center since 2002. With over 30 years of experience, he specializes in breast surgery and body contouring, to enhance patients' appearance after weight loss, pregnancy, and aging.  

Dr. Lyle completed his medical degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts and a plastic surgery residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.  

Throughout his career, Dr. Lyle has contributed to the field through research, publications, and presentations at national meetings. His practice emphasizes patient safety and personalized care to achieve natural results. 

Next Steps 

If you’re considering a mommy makeover surgery in Raleigh, NC, and want personalized advice about your suitability, recovery, risks and results, I’d be happy to meet with you for a consultation. Let’s work together to help you achieve your best results—safely and beautifully. 

To book a consultation please fill in the contact form or phone the office on 919 307 85 85.