Tummy Tucks and pregnancies are two things that aren’t thought of in conjunction but, it’s important to know all the information you can between the two if you want to undergo a tummy tuck but still want children one day or whether you’ve had a tummy tuck but now want to become (or have become) pregnant. The following are some common questions (and answers) that are asked when these two areas intersect.
Is it possible to get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
Yes. Tummy Tuck procedures do not make women infertile. It is 100% possible to become pregnant after a tummy tuck, provided there are no previous or current fertility issues. While it isn’t advisable to become pregnant after a tummy tuck, it is possible.
What happens if I do get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
Essentially, nothing. Pregnancy after a tummy tuck procedure is a pregnancy nonetheless. Women will experience regular symptoms through pregnancy. Tummy tucks have almost no effect on pregnancies, women’s bodies are made to make and carry a child so the body will do just that; previous tummy tuck procedure or not.
Women who fall pregnant after tummy tucks might experience additional discomfort as their stomach grows and the muscles and skin stretch because the tummy tuck had originally stretched and repaired both. The body ultimately stretches to accommodate the growing baby and the mother throughout the pregnancy. Stretching of the abdominals muscles will be more likely in those who fall pregnant after a tummy tuck but they should go back into place after recovering from childbirth.
Is there a way to keep a tummy tuck even after pregnancy? Would I have to redo it?
No. There is no concrete way to tell how a pregnancy will affect the human body, nonetheless a tummy tuck procedure. Likewise, there is no way a surgeon can perform a tummy tuck procedure that will stay intact throughout and after pregnancy.
This being said, after the recovery process of childbirth, those who have had tummy tucks are able to see the results from their tummy tucks on their post-partum healed bodies. This result is obviously not the same result a patient would notice right after their original tummy tucks but, it’s comforting to know that that tummy tuck sticks with a person.
In the case the new mother wants to redo her tummy tuck because she isn’t pleased with her post-partum, fully recovered body, a touch-up is always an option. However, the touch-up procedure can only be done once a full recovery from childbirth is made since both pregnancy and childbirth have a massive toll on the body.
Do tummy tucks cause any complications during pregnancies?
Every pregnancy has the possibility of complications arising at any point, however, those who fall pregnant after a tummy tuck have nothing to fear. Tummy Tuck procedures do not affect pregnancies and it is highly unlikely that they will cause any complications for the pregnancy. If there are no pre-existing conditions or genetic factors, expecting mothers should be able to carry to full term healthily regardless of if they previously had a tummy tuck.
What if I need a c-section?
If you’ve had a tummy tuck and fall pregnant, you should let your OB-GYN know when you find out. If a c-section is needed (or is chosen) as the method of childbirth, the chances are that the scar from the tummy tuck will line up with where the doctor will need to make the incision for the c-section. C-section scarring and tummy tuck scaring are very similar both in location and scar tissue. For the doctor performing the c-section, this would essentially be like working with a previous c-section scar which is very common.
If you’d like to have the surgeon who performed your previous tummy tuck close up the c-section incision so that the scar can heal like your previous tummy tuck (and is closed in a cosmetic procedurally way) scar, just ask the surgeon and the OB-GYN who is performing your c-section to see if it’s possible
How long do I have to wait to get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
Generally, those who want to get a tummy tuck are advised by their surgeons from having children afterward because pregnancy does affect the results of tummy tucks.
There are cases where someone might’ve had a child very young and might have children in the farther future (5-10+ years) who wish to have a tummy tuck during the meantime, which is completely possible. If you are planning to get pregnant after having a tummy tuck, doctors heavily suggest waiting at least 5-6 years after the procedure but, a healthy pregnancy (for the mother and baby) can occur if a person falls pregnant 6 months after a tummy tuck so the body can completely heal from the surgery.
Can I get a tummy tuck right after pregnancy?
No. Pregnancy and childbirth take a massive toll on the body leaving it in desperate need of recovery time. Once a patient’s body is fully healed then, a tummy tuck is possible but, this process takes about a full year after childbirth to complete.
Have other Questions?
If you still have questions about pregnancies after a tummy tuck or are looking into getting a tummy tuck yourself, contact Avana Plastic Surgery to schedule a free consultation with one of our highly qualified and experienced surgeons!
