Tummy Tuck May Help You Keep Losing Weight-Even Years Later, Study Shows

A new study published in the issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), suggests that many patients who undergo abdominoplasty, commonly known as a “tummy tuck,” continue to lose weight long after the procedure.

Abdominoplasty is typically performed to remove excess skin and tissue after significant weight loss, particularly in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery or other major body transformations. While some plastic surgeons have observed ongoing weight loss in these patients, little research has previously confirmed this trend.

To investigate further, researchers studied 188 patients 97% of whom were women who underwent abdominoplasty between 2018 and 2022. Most also received liposuction or lipectomy during the procedure. The average preoperative weight of participants was about 168 pounds with a body mass index (BMI) of 27.7. Patients were tracked for up to five years to monitor weight trends.

Findings revealed steady, long-term weight loss. At three to six months’ post-surgery, patients lost an average of five to six pounds. From one to four years, the loss held steady around five pounds. At five years, although based on a smaller sample size, patients had lost nearly ten pounds on average, representing more than a five percent reduction in BMI.

The study also noted that continued weight loss was more likely in older patients, non-smokers, those who underwent additional fat-removal procedures, and individuals with higher initial BMI. Some who used semaglutide, a newer weight-loss medication, experienced greater reductions.

Although the exact mechanism behind continued weight loss remains unclear, the researchers believe lifestyle changes may play a role. “We have found that patients who were able to achieve weight loss after their abdominoplasty succeeded in developing healthy habits that centered around nutrition and exercise,” they wrote.

The findings highlight the potential long-term benefits of abdominoplasty, beyond aesthetics, and point to the need for more structured research into the postoperative lifestyle changes that support sustained weight management.

Reference: Jonathan Bricker, Sarah Ferenz, Simon Moradian, Kareem Termanini, Brandon Jackson, John Y. S. Kim. What Happens to Weight following Abdominoplasty: An Analysis of 188 Consecutive Cases. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, 2025; 156 (1): 51e DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000011959