A tummy tuck will most likely give you the much-desired tummy that allows you to wear whatever you want. But what happens when you want to have a baby afterwards?
Many people fear that a tummy tuck will negatively affect their pregnancy following the procedure. Not to worry though, as in this article I will go over the question, “can you have a baby after a tummy tuck?” to clear all your doubts.
Keep reading to see if having a baby would be a good choice after a tummy tuck.
How Does A Tummy Tuck Work?
A tummy tuck basically works to improve the appearance of your abdominal area. If you have excess fat around your lower abdomen that doesn’t seem to respond to exercises or diet, then a tummy tuck may be in sight.
It is also called an abdominoplasty and it involves the removal of excess fat and skin around your abdomen as well as tightening your abdominal muscles. (1) So, it drastically improves your shape and gets you that irresistible body.
In most cases, doctors carry out a tummy tuck procedure in addition to liposuction and that is because liposuction focuses mainly on the removal of fat and doesn’t remove excess skin.
With all this abdomen tightening, it’s easy to start worrying that it may affect a pregnancy afterwards. We’ll take an indepth look at that soon.
Who Can Get A Tummy Tuck?
Ideally, anybody can get a tummy tuck as long as they are of good health. (1) However, the surest way to determine if you are a good candidate would be to schedule an appointment with a qualified plastic surgeon.
The surgeon will evaluate your situation and let you know if a tummy tuck would be the right choice. It’s worth noting that a tummy tuck can restore your shape postpartum so it may be perfect for you as a mom.
Asides from pregnancy, here are some other reasons you may opt for a tummy tuck.
- Significant weight changes
- Your natural body type
- Abdominal surgery such as a C-section
- Diastasis recti – a condition that causes weakening of the abdominal muscles
- Aging
Is It Safe To Get Pregnant After A Tummy Tuck Procedure?
A tummy tuck basically tightens your abdominal muscles so it is normal to worry that getting pregnant may be unsafe. Well, you should know that a tummy tuck in no way increases the chance of having a miscarriage or complicated pregnancy.
You will have just as much a chance as women who haven’t undergone a tummy tuck for a successful and healthy pregnancy. The only thing worth noting is that pregnancies after the tummy tuck may feel tighter than any pregnancy pre-surgery.
The good news is that the tightness is usually mild and barely discomforting. So, at the end of the day, you can safely get pregnant after a tummy tuck.
Risks Associated With A Pregnancy After A Tummy Tuck
Contrary to popular opinion, there aren’t any inherent risks associated with having a baby after a tummy tuck. In many cases, the pregnancy will not cause a specific change to your abdominal area. However, there is still a chance that your abdominal muscles will weaken again and the skin around there sags.
If that happens, you may want to undergo the tummy tuck surgery again. So, I would advise you to get a tummy tuck after you’re done having babies or let your surgeon know that you plan to get pregnant after the surgery so they can work with it in mind.
How Long Should I Wait To Get Pregnant After A Tummy Tuck?
If you still want babies after your procedure, it is recommended that you wait at least 6 months before hopping on the pregnancy train. Give yourself some time to recover.
Any patient that undergoes a major surgery in their abdominal area will need a minimum 6 months recovery time. Although this can vary depending on whether there were any complications during your tummy tuck procedure.
Pregnancy does take a toll on the body since it requires a good amount of strength and effort to maintain good health. However, a tummy tuck takes just as much a toll on your body since it is a major abdominal surgery.
So, taking your body from one major condition to another in a short time may not be the best option. Discuss with your plastic surgeon if you’re planning to conceive some few months after the surgery and if you get pregnant under 6 months post-surgery, still reach out to your doctor so that they can guide you through the process.
Will My Tuck Scar Be Visible After Pregnancy?
A tummy tuck may leave a barely visible scar on your lower abdomen after the surgery. However, pregnancy can stretch your abdomen and cause the scar to be much more exposed.
If you require a c-section during delivery, your doctor will likely make the tear across your tummy tuck scar. Anyhow you can expect to have a visible tummy tuck scar during your pregnancy.
How Does Pregnancy Affect My Tummy Tuck Results?
In most cases, a pregnancy will ruin your tummy tuck results significantly. This is because your womb expands during pregnancy and you may gain 20-25 pounds and after delivery, you lose excessive fat and the uterus goes back to normal but the skin doesn’t.
The pregnancy will likely result in stretched and saggy skin around the abdomen, pockets of fat and once again, weakened abdominal muscles. So, you may have to go for another tummy tuck procedure after the pregnancy.
Also, you want to give a minimum 12 months after delivery to allow your body recover from the pregnancy and to take care of your little one. Most things you do at this stage like breastfeeding can affect the whole body. So, you should wait to see how your body evolves before undergoing any abdominal procedure.
When Is It Best To Get A Tummy Tuck?
The best time for you to get a tummy tuck depends on your personal preferences. Although many experts encourage people to get the procedure done after they are through having babies.
But things may not always go as planned, and you may decide to have a baby long after your tummy tuck. Or in some cases, a woman who doesn’t plan on having kids soon may want to achieve a more attractive appearance.
So, there’s no hard and fast rule for the best time to get a tummy tuck. Just make sure to discuss thoroughly with your plastic surgeon when you are ready to get a tummy tuck.
Who Cannot Get A Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck may be a good choice for you depending on your health but it is important to go for a consultation with a plastic surgeon to see if you are a good fit. Here are some cases where a tummy tuck may not be advised. (2)
- If you intend to lose a significant amount of weight.
- If you smoke
- If you have a severe chronic condition such as heart disease
- If your body mass index is greater than 30
- If you have had a previous abdominal surgery that left significant scars.
Conclusion
A tummy tuck will in no way hinder your chances of having a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby afterwards. Just make sure you get enough time to recover from the surgery before hopping on the pregnancy journey.
Also, expect your tummy tuck to loosen up after your pregnancy so you can get it re done if you want.
So, did you experience a pregnancy after a tummy tuck? How was it? I would love to hear your stories. Just drop them below in the comments section.
References
- WebMD Editorial Contributors, (2021, Jul 26). Radiance by WebMD. Tummy Tuck https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-tummy-tuck
- Mayo Clinic Staff, (2022, Jan 20). Mayo Clinic. Tummy Tuck https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tummy-tuck/about/pac-20384892