Tummy tuck after giving birth
Ideally, you should wait 6 weeks or longer before having your tummy tuck after childbirth. This allows your hormones to return to normal levels which reduces your risk of post operative deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, (blood clots) which can be a much higher risk if you have tummy tuck surgery sooner than 6 weeks.
If you are still not sure if you have achieved your “end point”, then waiting longer, dieting and exercise, will help you get as close to your optimum before surgery. (Amy T. Bandy, DO, FACS, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)
As in so many other things, there is individual variability in the rate at which women recover from pregnancy and childbirth.
It is important that in order to achieve a safe and pleasing outcome from your tummy tuck after giving birth, that it be done only after your body has indeed stabilized and returned to it healthy, non-pregnant condition.
Tummy tuck after giving birth photos
This is not to say that you have to look the way you did before pregnancy, or be at your pre-pregnancy weight, as this may never happen, but simply that your body is no longer swollen and the weight of the pregnancy is gone.
While there is no set date by which all women will be ready to proceed, a good rule of thumb is 6 months – most women will be ready by then. (Armando Soto, MD, FACS, Orlando Plastic Surgeon)
You should wait till you are finished breast feeding. If you did not breast feed, then you should wait about 3-6 months, when hormonally you are back to normal and the venous congestion, size of uterus, etc all are normal. (Samir Shureih, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)
Be physically and emotionally prepared for Tummy tuck after giving birth
Abdominoplasty after giving birth
From a physical point of view, your body should have stopped changing and you should be as close as possible to your ideal weight. Several months should pass to make sure you can tolerate the blood loss and stress of the surgery.
From an emotional point of view, make sure you are prepared to not be able to lift your little one for at least 4 weeks and have help around the house while you are recovering. You should strongly consider whether you are done having children.
The “mommy makeover” is a powerful tool to restore your body image after pregnancy, but make sure you are physically and emotionally prepared for it! (Jeffrey Horowitz, MD, Bel Air Plastic Surgeon)
At least 3 months post-pregnancy wait prior to tummy tuck after giving birth
Tummy tuck after giving birth image
In general, I tell patients they should wait at least 3 and as long as 6 months after delivery. Every patient is an individual and as such multiple factors are involved (how many other children at home, ages of children, whether they will help or hinder your recovery, other medical issues, breast feeding or not). Also depends on what procedure you and your surgeon are planning.
Also remember that you will need help during your recovery, lifting, cooking, cleaning, etc. Your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will be able to answer all these and other great questions for you! (John Philip Connors III, MD, FACS, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
The answer depends on several factors. Most importantly, but not obvious to all, is if or when are you planning to have another child. If you are planning to have back to back children, then an abdominoplasty does not make much sense. I recommend the patient to wait at least 6 months from the time of delivery. This will give your body a chance to “return to normal”. Hopefully, this will also be enough time for you to return to a stable weight which you are happy with. (Michael A. Jazayeri, MD, Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck after giving birth picture
From an anesthetic standpoint, you are considered to have “pregnant physiology” for 6 weeks after delivery, so you would not consider any elective surgery until 6 weeks have passed. From an anatomic standpoint, I personally prefer that you wait 6 months.
Additionally, I would not consider doing a tummy tuck after giving birth if you are still breast feeding. Although it can be done, the bonding that your child is used to would be hard to break over night, and having a little one clinging to you right after surgery will be very uncomfortable. (Michael A. Bogdan, MD, FACS, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)
First, make sure you do not have any plans for any more kids. A future pregnancy will potentially reverse the benefits of your tummy tuck after giving birth. I generally recommend waiting at least 3-6 months. I would like my patient’s weight to stabilize to get her the best tummy tuck results. (C. Bob Basu, MD, FACS, Houston Plastic Surgeon)
