Pregnancy After Tummy Tuck
Pregnancy After Tummy Tuck
For women everywhere, and particularly for mothers, the tummy tuck remains one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries each year. With the ability to achieve a trimmer, flatter, and firmer stomach through tummy tuck surgery, it is no surprise that many women begin considering the procedure after experiencing some of the changes associated with pregnancy and childbirth. However, the question of how a future pregnancy will impact the results of the tummy tuck often arises during this period. This is certainly an appropriate and worthwhile topic of discussion for women considering the tummy tuck.
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
Formally known as abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck is an invasive surgical procedure that is designed to give patients a tighter, slimmer abdominal contour. This is achieved through excess skin removal and tightening of the underlying muscles that may have become separated. Oftentimes, the surgeon will perform liposuction alongside a tummy tuck to remove stubborn pockets of fat from the area, further enhancing the results.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tummy Tuck?
The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for tummy tuck is to be evaluated by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. Though it is commonly associated with mothers, the tummy tuck can be useful for both men and women. Some of the situations that most often lead people to consider tummy tuck include:
. Weight loss – after losing a significant amount of weight, many patients are left with loose, excess skin around their abdomen.
. Pregnancy – arguably the most common reason that patients pursue tummy tuck is to restore their pre-baby bodies and trim away the excess skin and fat that lingers after childbirth.
. Diastasis recti – this common condition, a weakening and separation of the abdominal muscles, can occur naturally or can be caused by pregnancy or extreme weight fluctuation.
Tummy tuck candidates must be in relatively good health, be non-smokers, and have no contraindications to surgery or anesthesia. Patients should also have reached their goal weight, within about 5-10 pounds, and have maintained that weight for at least 6 months before surgery, as future weight fluctuations can compromise the results of a tummy tuck. This includes weight gain and loss associated with pregnancy, making it important for patients to be sure they are done having children before pursuing a tummy tuck.
What If I Get Pregnant After My Tummy Tuck?
Even with the best planning and intentions, life can be unpredictable. If you do end up getting pregnant after a tummy tuck, or if you change your mind after several years and decide to try for a pregnancy, safety mouray be your main concern, but try not to worry. Pregnancy after tummy tuck is not considered to have any inherent risk factors, though all pregnancies can have complications associated with them whether they occur before or after a tummy tuck or any other surgical procedure. Patients who get pregnant after a tummy tuck have an equally high chance carrying a healthy, full-term pregnancy as do women who have never had a tummy tuck. Some women report tighter sensation with pregnancy after tummy tuck as compared to a pre-surgery pregnancy, but this is not harmful and is usually mild and tolerable.
The biggest concern about getting pregnant after your tummy tuck is the potential negative effect the pregnancy can have on your results, which may lead to the need for a second or subsequent revision procedure in the future. With the significant weight fluctuation and abdominal stretching that will occur during the pregnancy, it is certainly possible that you could once again be left with loose, excess, sagging skin and a separation or weakening of the muscles, both of which would need surgical correction in order to restore your original results.
Is It Safe to Have a Baby After Tummy Tuck?
First of all, you can rest assured that your tummy tuck surgery should in no way increase your risks of having a difficult or unsuccessful pregnancy.
The most that you do risk is potentially feeling as though the pregnancy feels a little tighter than the ones that you may have had pre-surgery; however, it should not cause you any severe pain or discomfort. Your body will be just as capable of getting pregnant after a tummy tuck surgery and of having as much of a safe and successful pregnancy that you would have been able to have before the plastic surgery.
However, suppose you are considering having an abdominoplasty then during your first consultation. In that case, your plastic surgeon is likely to ask you whether or not you would like to get pregnant again. This is not because you would not be able to have a child in the future; it just means that you will likely have to go through more procedures than necessary. In some cases, having a child following a tummy tuck will not significantly change the woman’s body post-pregnancy.
However, complications can happen, and there is a likely chance that you will be left with excess skin around your abdomen following childbirth. This will be far more likely depending on your age and previous pregnancies.
Although this will not cause any medical issues, you will probably want to have another abdominoplasty. Naturally, this will mean having to pay for it again, taking the time to do it, and having to go through the surgical procedure all over again!
The best thing to do is to wait until you are done having children before considering having an abdominoplasty. Read more about tummy tuck and how much does it cost.
When Can I Get Pregnant After Tummy Tuck?
For some mothers, not having a child after an abdominoplasty isn’t an option. If you are not done having children but have already had plastic surgery around your abdomen, then it is essential that you wait at least 6 months after the surgical procedure before you get pregnant. Patients who have had plastic surgery on their abdominal muscles and tummy skin will need those six months to recover.
Of course, the recovery time may vary if there have been any complications during the procedure. You will need to consult your board-certified plastic surgeon before you decide to get pregnant, just be sure. As you know, a pregnancy takes a lot of effort and does take its toll on the body.
Should your body have just gone through plastic surgery, it would be unwise to put it through such an endeavor so quickly, as it will increase your risks of not completing a healthy pregnancy for both you and the baby.
If, however, you became pregnant before being able to consult your plastic surgeon, then you must inform your doctor as quickly as possible and the surgeon so that they can guide you as well as possible during your pregnancy.
Will Pregnancy Ruin a Tummy Tuck?
Having a tummy tuck pre-pregnancy isn’t wise. Although you will be as able (as before the procedure) to have a healthy baby and pregnancy, you are very likely to need yet another tummy tuck post-pregnancy. If you become pregnant after having plastic surgery on your stomach, then your skin will very likely stretch and sag, your abdominal muscles will separate, and you will be left with excess stomach fat.
Sadly, for most women who have had surgical procedures on their tummies before getting pregnant, this means having to have another tummy tuck after the birth. It is advised that you wait at least 12 months after giving birth before choosing to have another tummy tuck.
It is essential to understand that as much as the pregnancy may affect your body, your body will change a lot as you recover from the birth and take care of your child. Any scar from the birth will need time to heal, of course, but there are other things too. Your hormones will have adapted to the new member of the family. If you feed your child from your breast, for example, this will affect your entire body. You should therefore wait to see how your body evolves before having another medical procedure.
About Iranian Surgery
Iranian surgery is an online medical tourism platform where you can find the best plastic surgeons in Iran. The price of Tummy Tuck in Iran can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined by an in-person assessment with the doctor.
For more information about the cost of Tummy Tuck in Iran and to schedule an appointment in advance, you can contact Iranian Surgery consultants via WhatsApp number 0098 901 929 0946. This service is completely free.
Source:
https://www.liniacosmeticsurgery.co.uk/blog/can-you-have-baby-after-tummy-tuck
https://vipplasticsurgery.com/blogs/what-happens-if-i-get-pregnant-after-a-tummy-tuck