10 Jun Should You Wait Until After Pregnancy for a Tummy Tuck?
A lot of women find themselves in a tough predicament: you want a tummy tuck, but you also may want to get pregnant in the future. Does this mean you have to wait? Not necessarily. At Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center, the surgeon has worked with several women who get a tummy tuck but still plan to get pregnant in the future. You do not necessarily need to wait until this major milestone (having all the biological children you want) is complete to enjoy the massively self-esteem-boosting benefit of abdominoplasty. However, there are some things to keep in mind if plastic surgery and pregnancy are part of your future plans.
First, consider what exactly a tummy tuck is because it’s much more complex than simply trimming away excess skin. Abdominoplasty is a major surgery that removes excess skin while also repairing the abdominal muscles. This part of the tummy tuck is the same (non-cosmetic) procedure some women require to address diastasis recti post-partum. In most cases, a full tummy tuck will also require the “creation” of a new belly button. Most clients who get a tummy tuck also opt for liposuction to ensure a taut, youthful belly.
A Tummy Tuck Before Pregnancy
Tummy tucks are almost always part of a “mommy makeover” because pregnancy is one of the major causes of excess skin on the stomach that cannot be addressed with diet and exercise alone. There is no diet or workout that can force moderate to severe skin laxity to “snap back.” A tummy tuck is the only option to address moderate to severe skin laxity in the abdominal area—a condition that can also be caused by weight fluctuations and weight loss. There is also a genetic component, as skin elasticity (or lack thereof) is informed by age and genetics, too.
It is not unusual for quite young women, perhaps in their early 20s, to struggle with skin laxity on the stomach (perhaps from rapid weight loss). Those who undergo weight loss surgery, like bariatric surgery, are especially prone to this condition. The patient might be far too young to want children yet, but they also don’t want to spend the next several years feeling too self-conscious in bikinis, midriffs, and naked. In these cases, a tummy tuck might be in order. But what happens in the future if these patients get pregnant?
Tummy Tucks During Pregnancy
The vast majority of post-tummy tuck patients have a perfectly safe pregnancy. A reputable surgeon does not tighten the stomach as much as possible, as doing so can lead to an undesirably completely flat outcome. A real, natural-looking “flat” stomach actually has intricate swells and concave areas. Look at the cover of Swimsuit Illustrated and you’re not going to see the so-called ideal stomach being totally flat. That’s why the best tummy tucks aren’t as tight as can be, but rather athletic-looking and reveal the muscles below the surface.
A healed tummy tuck does not interfere with pregnancy. However, the key word here is “healed.” It is recommended that women wait at least six months after a tummy tuck to get pregnant because this will allow the recti muscles to be strong enough to bear the pregnancy. Otherwise, you risk the chance of them separating and re-stretching even more, causing striae and skin that is worse than before the surgery. Bear in mind that diastasis recti is a common condition that can affect any woman, whether she has had a tummy tuck or not. However, those who got a tummy tuck are at an increased risk of more severe diastasis recti if they do not wait an adequate amount of time after their surgery.
Second Tummy Tucks
And what if the skin stretches out again after pregnancy? A second tummy tuck is not that unusual. Removing excess skin, repairing separated abdominal muscles, and ensuring healthy self-esteem can make a world of difference for post-partum women. Some patients are also interested in a breast lift or breast augmentation after pregnancy, but may worry about issues with breastfeeding post-surgery. This is rarely an issue. Working with a reputable plastic surgeon is the best way to get the results you want, not only aesthetically but also in terms of healing.
If you are interested in a tummy tuck, the first step is scheduling a consultation with a leading plastic surgeon. Connect with Dr. Shaun Parson Plastic Surgery & Skin Center today to schedule a consultation for a tummy tuck or mommy makeover by calling the office or filling out the online contact form.