Tummy Tuck: Prices, Photos, Reviews, Info, Q&A

A tummy tuck is intended to tighten up the abdominal wall. It is best to wait until you are done with your childbearing years before you undergo this procedure. A fully tummy tuck normally includes an incision from one hip to the other. The incision is carried through the skin and fat down to the muscle layer.

At this level, the skin and fat layer is lifted off of the underlying muscle layer up to the belly button. At this point, an incision is made around the belly button, allowing the skin and fat to continue to be lifted off up to the rib cage.

Usually, stitches are then placed in the muscle layer to further tighten the muscle layer. The skin and fat layer is then pulled snugly downward and the excess skin and fat are removed. A new incision is made for the belly button to come back out.

Pregnancy after abdominoplasty surgery

All of the wounds are then sutured closed. This operation comprehensively tightens the abdominal wall, both at the muscle and skin layer. It is likely that pregnancy after this would re-stretch the skin and muscle thereby undoing some of what had already been done.

Occasionally, patients have an unexpected pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery. The skin will stretch out as will the muscle and the pregnancy should be uneventful from this standpoint.As mentioned however, it is possible that some type of revisional tummy tuck may be needed to return the abdominal wall to its ideal contour. (John J. Edney, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)

Tummy Tuck Surgery and Pregnancy

Pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery images

Pregnancy is possible after a tummy tuck and is considered low risk, the body and muscles will stretch to accommodate any size baby. Some women can be more prone to stretch marks and many need revisional surgery to return their bodies back to pre-pregnancy shape. (Christopher J. Kovanda, MD, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Pregnancy after a Tummy Tuck Surgery possible?

Most women have a tummy tuck surgery once they are done having children. However, life changes and accidents can result in another pregnancy. The good news is there is no harm to mother or baby in getting pregnant after a tummy tuck. The abdominal wall will stretch to accommodate the baby with no issues.

Pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery image

The bad news is that the tummy tuck may have to be redone if there is a lot of weight gain or loose skin or muscle after the pregnancy. I have personally seen several patients of mine get pregnant after tummy tucks. Most of them needed nothing done afterwards since they didn’t gain that much weight and the stomach muscles did not stretch very much to result in a poochy belly. (Stanley Castor, MD, Tampa Plastic Surgeon)

Pregnancy and Tummy Tuck Surgery

It would not be the ideal scenario but tummy tucks might be damaged after a pregnancy. Usually after a pregnancy patients often seek another tummy tuck to fix the effects of pregnancy, it should be relatively safe for most cases. (Jonathan Fisher, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

Pregnancy after abdominoplasty surgery

Pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery photos

It is best to allow time for your tummy tuck surgery to heal properly before becoming pregnant. Average healing time should be between 8 months to 1 year. One thing that you should be aware of is that after the pregnancy you might need a revision tummy tuck. (Mel T. Ortega, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

Pregnancy and child birth after a tummy tuck surgery

I have had several patients that got pregnant after having had a tummy tuck. They could have a normal pregnancy and then undergo either natural delivery or a C-section. (S. Sean Younai, MD, FACS, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

It Is Safe To Become Pregnant After A Tummy Tuck, But You’ll Most Likely Lose Your Results

You will be able to get pregnant and your body will adjust to the change without worry. Your baby will also be safe. Unfortunately, there is a good chance that the results of your tummy tuck will be “undone”, and you’ll develop the loose skin, excess fat and weakened abdominal muscles that you had addressed with your tummy tuck before pregnancy.

Pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery photo

Of course, you can never predict what happens in the future, but if you know you’d like children in the future, it’s better to wait until after having children before getting a tummy tuck. (Jerome Edelstein, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

Can I Get Pregnant After a Tummy Tuck?

If you so choose, you should expect a normal pregnancy after a tummy tuck surgery. Most surgeons recommend as a general guideline to complete your family before having a TT, because another pregnancy will again stretch out the abdomen, and if the tissue don’t recover, you may find yourself back in surgery for a revision or new complete tummy tuck. But patients do have changes in life plans, and a pregnancy is possible. (Jourdan Gottlieb, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Pregnancy After Tummy Tuck May Result in Needing Revisional Surgery

Pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery picture

The vast majority of women who undergo tummy tuck surgery are done having children. Rarely, women who have undergone abdominoplasty change their minds about additional pregnancies or accidentally become pregnant. Under these circumstances, tummy tuck has no negative impact upon the pregnancy. Unfortunately, pregnancy has a negative impact upon the patient’s previous abdominoplasty. Pregnancy re-creates many of the patient’s original problems, including loose, saggy skin, weakened abdominal muscles, and stretch marks.Because of the significant investment in time, money, and effort, I strongly recommend that patients be done having children before proceeding with abdominoplasty.

Even when women don’t plan on having additional children, their life circumstances change and they become pregnant. Under these circumstances, revision of the original tummy tuck can be undertaken with success. (Richard J. Bruneteau, MD, Omaha Plastic Surgeon)