If you are considering getting pregnant in the near future, I think you ought to consider delaying your abdominoplasty.
You won’t complicate the pregnancy, but the likelihood is you’ll compromise the aesthetic result. Part of an abdominoplasty is tightening your abdominal fascia, the strength layer of the abdominal wall.
Obviously, this is for naught if you go through nine months of abdominal expansion. (Robert Frank, MD, Munster Plastic Surgeon)
It is best to wait until after all pregnancies before tightening the fascia.
We have seen successful pregnancies in women who have had tummy tucks, but why take the chance? Also the procedure may have to be redone if further pregnancies occur. (Brent Moelleken, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)
A Tummy Tuck is best done After having had Children
There is not much point in having a tummy tuck and then expanding it with one or more pregnancy. Although the pregnancy itself is not likely to be affected by a previous Tummy Tuck , a revision or re-do Tummy Tuck will be more challenging. You should seriously considerthis advice. (Peter A. Aldea, MD, Memphis Plastic Surgeon)
Effects of pregnancy following a Tummy Tuck
Although most plastic surgeons feel it is safe if you become pregnant following a tummy tuck, it is advisable to wait until you are finished having children. The risks involved if you become pregnant following a tummy tuck include: the development of stretch marks, developing a hernia or a rectus diastasis (weakening of your abdominal muscles) and the return of sagging abdominal skin. If any of these conditions were to occur, you may require a redo of your tummy tuck or a hernia repair. My advice would be to wait until you are finished having children before undergoing tummy tuck surgery. It is not worth the chance of developing any of the risks I have mentioned. (David A. Robinson, MD, Munster Plastic Surgeon)
Pregnancy after tummy tuck
Looks as though you have two separate questions, the first related to the effects of pregnancy on the results of your tummy tuck and the second related to the effects of tummy tuck on your pregnancy.
1) Although possible, it is not probable that the results of your tummy tuck will be maintained with future pregnancy. Future pregancies will result in weight gain and expansion of your intraabdominal contents, stretching your abdominal wall muscles. It’s very likely you will develop bulging of the abdominal wall, stretch marks and extra, loose skin.
2) Tummy tuck will probably not affect your ability to get pregnant, nor will it likely affect the growth and development of your baby. That being said, nothing is 100%, so if you think it’s likely you’ll get pregnant, virtually all plastic surgeons would advise you to hold off on tummy tuck until you’re done having kids. (Sam Jejurikar, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck and pregnancy
I highly recommend you re-think the decision of having a Tummy Tuck and than becoming pregnant. I would not do your surgery if presented with the scenario you have posted. Are you using a boarded plastic surgeon? And have you discussed this postsurgery possible pregnancy with him? I wonder? This is an important issue between patient and surgeon. You must be prefectly honest before doing this surgery. The major risk to the tummy tuck result is a pregnancy will stretch the abdomen out again. Thus causing a possible look as if you never had the first operation. In some cases the tummy does rebound back but there is always the risk it will NOT. (Darryl J. Blinski, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)
Will Tummy Tuck affect future pregnancy?
While most surgeons believe that it is possible and safe for you and your baby if you were to become pregnant after a tummy tuck, most would also agree that if you are certain you want more children you would be best served deferring your tummy tuck until after your last pregnancy. This will allow you to avoid the concerns you are expressing now, as well as avoiding the risk that your tummy tuck will need to be revised after the pregnancy. (Armando Soto, MD, FACS, Orlando Plastic Surgeon)
Hold off on the tummy tuck if you are thinking of having more children
Most women who undergo tummy tuck surgery, do so as a consequence of the detrimental effects on their body due to a previous pregnancy. Studies show that you are able to become pregnant and carry a baby after a tummy tuck, however, why not just wait, as you may ruin the results of your surgery and have to consider a repeat operation. It would be best to wait, unless you are certain you are done having children, especially if you will have your abdominal muscles tightened. (David Rankin, MD, Jupiter Plastic Surgeon)