Can I Get a Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy?

Do you plan to have more babies?

Although you may be excited about seeing your old self in the mirror again, a tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a major surgical procedure, so you want to make certain the results last as long as possible.

If you have more children after your tummy tuck, your muscles and skin will stretch again and ruin the work you’ve had done to tighten them up.

A tummy tuck doesn’t interfere with your ability to reproduce in the future, but the effects will likely diminish significantly if you get pregnant again, which is why we recommend waiting until your family is complete.

Are you still losing weight?

A tummy tuck isn’t a weight loss method, and it’s most effective on those whose weight is stable. If you gained weight during your pregnancy, and you’re still working on losing it, it’s best to delay your tummy tuck procedure until you’re closer to your ideal weight.

If you gain considerable weight after your tummy tuck, it may reduce the effect of your surgical procedure in the same way a subsequent pregnancy does.

Are you breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do to ensure your baby’s health, but it also keeps your hormones — and therefore your weight — fluctuating, so now is not a good time to get a tummy tuck.

Also, the medications and anesthesia used during a tummy tuck procedure can easily pass into your breast milk and potentially harm your baby.

We recommend waiting at least three months after you’ve finished breastfeeding so your body can normalize its systems and your baby will be out of danger.

Have you healed from delivery?

Some births are quick and simple, while others require episiotomies and C-sections. Either way, your body needs to recover from the process before you undergo a tummy tuck.

Although every woman is different, Dr. Polavarapu typically recommends waiting at least six months after delivery before getting a tummy tuck to ensure your body has healed and is strong enough to withstand surgery.

Types of tummy tucks

Depending on your age, overall health, and aesthetic goals, Dr. Polavarapu develops a personalized tummy tuck treatment just for you.

Mini tummy tuck

If your main complaint is the fat deposit and extra skin located just below your belly button, you may only need a mini tummy tuck. This procedure is minimally invasive and can be performed as an outpatient treatment.

Complete abdominoplasty

If pregnancy altered more than just your lower tummy, you’re a good candidate for a full abdominoplasty to shore up sagging skin and reattach loose muscles. We often combine this with liposuction to restore the contours of your hips and thighs, as well.

Mommy makeover

If you’re looking to improve your post-pregnancy body from chest to pelvis, you might want to consider a mommy makeover. Dr. Polavarapu custom designs this multi-procedural surgery to address all your concerns. Depending on your particular needs, this may include:

• Abdominoplasty
• Liposuction
• Breast reduction
• Breast lift
• Breast augmentation

To find out which procedure will help you get closer to your pre-pregnancy body shape, schedule a consultation with Dr. Polavarapu by booking online or calling us at 817-615-8576.