There are many reasons why a woman would choose to get a tummy tuck procedure. Candidates for tummy tucks are typically those who have gone through weight loss or a previous pregnancy and have a lot of loose skin around their abdominal area. However, life is full of curveballs, plans change, and the possibility of pregnancy after a tummy tuck can be a concern for those considering the procedure.
What is a tummy tuck?
Also known as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure which repairs abdominal muscles that have been damaged or stretched, and removes extra skin and tissue around the abdominal muscles. Some tummy tuck candidates also receive liposuction to remove fat deposits in these areas as well.
What makes a good tummy tuck candidate?
It’s a frustration known by men and women everywhere. When it seems like no amount of healthy eating and physical exercise can shake the stubborn skin on your midriff, plastic surgery comes to mind. Candidates for tummy tucks procedures are those who have been pregnant or experienced drastic weight loss in a short period of time. Previously pregnant women may also have sustained damaged abdominal muscles from diastasis recti. To know if you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck, schedule a consultation with a certified plastic surgeon.
What you need to know about pregnancy after tummy tuck
If you’ve already had a tummy tuck and are thinking about pregnancy after, or you are considering undergoing a tummy tuck but not sure if you’re done having children, here are five things you should know:
- Safe for mother and child
A woman should be able to enjoy a safe and uneventful pregnancy and birth even if she has had a prior abdominoplasty. When a woman is pregnant, the skin stretches to accommodate the growing uterus and baby. If excess skin has been removed from a tummy tuck, the remaining skin will still stretch as the pregnancy progresses. - Communicate with your OB about your previous tummy tuck
When you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, inform your obstetrician you have previously had a tummy tuck and when the procedure was performed. The medical provider should know about your surgical history in case you experience heightened straining and stretching sensations as the baby grows, or your baby bump does not protrude as much as previous pregnancies. - Tummy tuck incisions could be utilized for c-sections
If your pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery results in a cesarean section (c-section) birth, the delivering doctor may be able to make their incision along the scar of your tummy tuck surgery low on the abdomen, avoiding the need for additional scarring. - Tummy Tuck results may or may not be compromised by a new pregnancy
It is important to keep in mind that if pregnancy was the cause of excess skin and the reason behind your first tummy tuck, the results could be the same from another pregnancy. The skin will stretch out again, or the abdominal muscles may be damaged, causing the results of the tummy tuck to be compromised. - Communicate your future plans with your plastic surgeon
If you plan on having more children in the future, or are unsure of your plans after your tummy tuck procedure, communicate that to your plastic surgeon during consultations. The plastic surgeon can try to make accommodations during the procedure for future childbearing, including repairing less abdominal muscle or avoiding repair to allow for more stretch to accommodate a developing baby.
Dr. Fischer and the team at the Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery have been performing tummy tucks and other life-changing procedures for women and men for over 30 years. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Fischer if you are considering a tummy tuck to help feel good in your skin again.
