How Pregnancy Affects Tummy Tuck Procedures

Tummy tuck surgery is a very popular cosmetic procedure among women because of its amazing benefit of flattening the midsection and achieving a trimmed and toned physique. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted for your lower abdomen, especially for women who want to get back in shape after pregnancy. 

If you’re curious about what happens if you get pregnant after a tummy tuck, this article is for you. We’ll discuss the benefits of tummy tuck surgery and explain pregnancy-related concerns after the procedure. 

Let’s dive right in!

What Is a Tummy Tuck Procedure?

Otherwise known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat, tightens the skin, and restores separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), commonly occurring during and following pregnancy. It effectively gets rid of the loose, overhanging skin in the tummy area.

There are different types of tummy tuck surgeries. Your surgeon will select a specific type depending on the amount of excess skin and fat you have and your abdominal muscles’ strength. These options will include:

• Complete Abdominoplasty: This cosmetic procedure involves the surgical removal of loose abdominal skin and tightening of the muscles on the front stomach’s wall, flattening the area and improving it. Dr. McLean will make an incision horizontally in the lower abdomen area from hip bone to hip bone, following the bikini line. Meaning, the incision will be strategically placed so that no one’s going to have a clue that you’ve gone under the knife even if you were cropped tops or revealing two-piece biking.
  
• Abdominoplasty with Liposuction: Liposuction can address belly pooch from pregnancy, love handles, and the excess fat in the thigh area. When abdominoplasty is combined with liposuction, it can also contour your curves on the side, giving you a sexy silhouette.
  
• Partial or Mini Abdominoplasty: A mini tummy tuck procedure is ideal for patients with minimal excess skin and whose fat deposits are limited to the part of the lower abdomen, under the navel. It’s less complicated compared to the complete tummy tuck with surgery getting done in as fast as a couple of hours.

A tummy tuck may be an invasive procedure, but most of our clients say it’s all worth it because it has worked tremendously in restoring their self-confidence. 

It’s an outpatient procedure performed in the comfort and privacy of our Mississauga clinic. It’s done with general anesthesia so that you will be asleep the whole time. You wake in the care of a kindly and expert nurse who will assist you as you prepare to go home. Arrange for your ride home in advance as you won’t be fit to drive yet.   

Am I an Ideal Candidate for Tummy Tuck?

Despite its undeniable benefits in bringing women’s pre-pregnancy body back, tummy tuck surgery is not limited to those who have given birth. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, aside from pregnancy, sagging skin in the abdominal region can also be caused by the following factors:

• A prior surgical procedure
• Fluctuations in weight
• Genetics
• Aging 

Anyone in excellent health condition who dreams of having a flatter and toned midsection is an ideal candidate for a tummy tuck. If you’ve got a bulging tummy and it bothers you, whether you’ve had a baby or not, go for it. 

The Tummy Tuck procedure at McLean Clinic is highly effective for both men and women who have lost a substantial amount of weight and are left with loose, hanging skin in the stomach area. Patients who want to fat deposits in their abdominal area despite a strict diet and exercise regimens can also benefit from this procedure.

Can I Get Pregnant After a Tummy Tuck?

One of the most frequently asked questions we get from our patients about it is, “Can I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?” To this, we say, of course. 

There are a lot of tummy tuck myths circulating online, but they are mostly only baseless rumours. The ones about pregnancy are the most widespread but there’s no truth to them. Technically, any woman can get pregnant after a tummy tuck. It’s a purely cosmetic surgical procedure and does not interfere with a woman’s fertility or capacity to bear a child. Nevertheless, we always suggest that clients wait for at least six to 12 months before getting pregnant after tummy tuck surgery to allow the body to heal completely. 

Does Pregnancy Ruin the Results of Tummy Tuck?

There are no safety risks for you or your baby when you get pregnant after a tummy tuck, but there are no guarantees that the procedure’s results can be preserved post-pregnancy. 

While there’s nothing wrong with getting pregnant after tummy tuck surgery, it is definitely not the most practical. The body goes through dramatic physical changes during this period, which involves gaining weight, expanding the midsection to accommodate the growing baby inside your womb. The muscles tightened by your tummy tuck surgery will again separate as a natural effect of pregnancy. As a result, there will again be stretching and sagging of the abdominal skin. It’s going to undo the results from your previous tummy tuck, which puts a lot of money to waste. 

When Is the Best Time to Get a Tummy Tuck?

Perfect timing plays a pivotal role in achieving your desired results with a tummy tuck surgery. Here are some of our recommendations. 

After Your Last Baby 

Generally, it’s highly recommended that women only get a tummy tuck procedure done when you have personally decided that you are done having babies and building your family. The beauty of this is that you will be able to enjoy the long-lasting results of the procedure. Plus, in some cases, surgeons can offer to do a tummy tuck surgery plus a tubal ligation in one operation. 

Postponing your plans to get a tummy tuck done after you conceive your last baby gives you the chance to effectively address other concerns that you may have obtained due to pregnancy through different types of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For instance, while getting a tummy tuck cannot correct visible stretch marks and deep scars from a Cesarean-section delivery, microneedling and other laser-based therapies are known to produce fantastic results in fading these pregnancy-related skin imperfections. 

Several Months to a Year Postpartum 

It’s encouraged that you wait after several months up to a year after giving birth before finally deciding to give tummy tuck surgery a go. Aside from providing the body with sufficient time to heal and recover from the gruelling demands of childbirth and breastfeeding, it also pays to wait for the body to shed the pregnancy weight naturally. By doing so, you’ll be able to maximize the results of the tummy tuck procedure because you’re closer to your pre-pregnancy body weight. 

Remember, a tummy tuck procedure isn’t a substitute or a shortcut for weight loss.

When You’re Finished Breastfeeding Your Baby 

Another significant factor why it pays to wait for a tummy tuck procedure is your baby. Like any surgical operation, there will be downtime involved. It requires anywhere from four to six weeks to rest and recuperate from this cosmetic procedure. Let’s be honest. It’s not something feasible when you have a newborn baby that you have to nurse round the clock. Chances are, you will also be put on antibiotics or pain-relieving medications, which may not be advisable for breastfeeding moms. Being on the mend from surgery at this crucial time will also hinder you from becoming a present parent for your precious little one. 

Bring Sexy Back with a Mommy Makeover!

Motherhood is a beautiful experience, but it also calls for a lot of hard work and sacrifices, both physically, emotionally, and mentally. At the end of the day, when you’re done giving birth to bundles of joy, reward yourself with perkier breasts and a flatter tummy.

The McLean Clinic Mommy Makeover typically includes the following procedures:

• Tummy Tuck – For tightening and flattening of the tummy and get getting rid of the overhanging skin.

• Liposuction – The perfect solution for stubborn fat deposits in problem areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, back, arms, and legs.

• Breast Lift – Addresses sagging breasts by removing excess skin and raises the nipples. 
• Breast Augmentation – Gives you perkier and younger-looking breasts by restoring the lost volume and definition in the area due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, and aging.

If you’re interested in a Mommy Makeover, we suggest that you wait for at least six months after giving birth before undergoing the procedure. If you are currently breastfeeding, we recommend that you only consider the treatment at least six months after you have weaned off your baby.

Book Your Post-Pregnancy Treatments at McLean Clinic

Whether you’re looking into a tummy tuck or a full Mommy Makeover, McLean Clinic can make it happen. Take the first step to getting the body you deserve by booking an appointment with our very own Dr. Hugh McLean. 

Spend an afternoon discussing everything you need to know about the latest cosmetic procedures and listening straight to Dr. McLean himself about the consequences of getting pregnant after a tummy tuck. During the consultation, you will be assessed based on the quality of your skin and potential treatment areas and be given expert recommendations on the best techniques to address each one while achieving your desired aesthetic results effectively. Rest assured that you’ll be well taken care of in our McLean Clinic office in Mississauga, Ontario.

Book your free consultation today!