Tummy Tuck after Pregnancy

There is no question that new mothers will have a great deal of change in their lives following pregnancy. Starting with the actual delivery, to breastfeeding, to lack of sleep, to possible postpartum depression, it should not be surprising that new mothers may feel overwhelmed by the changes in their lives.

One of the biggest areas where moms may feel frustrated and unhappy is when it comes to how they look after the pregnancy - especially in the stomach. The abdomen was stretched out for nine months in order to accommodate the growing fetus. Once the baby is born, the abdominal skin and underlying tissue may not return to the contours the woman had before the pregnancy. There may be stretch marks, along with sagging, excess skin. The surgeons at Jefferson Plastic Surgery can help these women regain the figure they had before the pregnancy with a tummy tuck surgical cosmetic procedure.

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

In a tummy tuck procedure, the abdominal skin is tightened. This procedure does not remove any excess fat from the body, but can be combined with a liposuction procedure to reduce the amount of fat in the stomach. The surgeon will make a set of incisions around the abdominal area. He will then gently lift up the skin and underlying tissue and pull it tight. Underlying muscles will be pulled together and sutured to create a flatter surface for the skin and tissue.  Any excess skin and tissue is then removed.

Recovery can take anywhere from one to two months. In most cases, patients can start to see the final results one month after the procedure, although the body may still be adjusting to its new shape. It is very important for new mothers to have help available as they are recovering from a tummy tuck procedure, since they should not be bending over or picking up their infant.

How Soon after Pregnancy Should a Tummy Tuck Be Performed?

Most surgeons recommend waiting until several months after the baby is born and the mother is no longer breastfeeding. If a mother is still breastfeeding when undergoing a surgical procedure, any antibiotics or pain medication she takes will be transmitted to the baby through her breast milk. Waiting will also give the mother’s body time to readjust after birth.

Patients should also wait to undergo the procedure until they have lost the baby weight. Patients should be in good health and near their ideal weight when undergoing a tummy tuck procedure.

Women who undergo a tummy tuck after pregnancy should do so after they are finished having children. Although women can get pregnant after a tummy tuck, the pregnancy will cause the abdominal skin to stretch out again.

The time right after a new infant arrives can be hectic. In the midst of figuring out how to care for the baby, adjusting to disrupted schedules, and simply lacking enough hours in the day to keep on top of things, new mothers may forget to take time to care for themselves as well. A tummy tuck procedure can be a good option for those women who want to get back to the shape they were in before the pregnancy.

To schedule a tummy tuck consultation, contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery today.