This is a question that we have been asked enough that we thought an article might be well-received. Is pregnancy safe after getting a tummy tuck? With the internet being a collection of both good and bad information it is possible that you have heard some horror stories or maybe even pictures taken from when pregnancy occurred after a tummy tuck. In this article we’ll discuss the reality of this scenario so that we can hopefully ease your worries up a bit. Let’s discuss having a baby after a tummy tuck!
So, can you even have a baby after a tummy tuck?
Getting pregnant after a tummy tuck is just as possible as it was beforehand. That said, many doctors recommend that you finish building your family before the procedure. If you have already had a tummy tuck and want another baby you can certainly still have one. There are a few caveats which we will discuss further so that you will know what you are getting into.
What is a tummy tuck anyways?
For those of you who haven’t heard of a tummy tuck or have only heard the term we can explain the actual process. A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure wherein excess skin and fat are removed. Muscles are also repaired in this process (the linea alba is focused upon specifically), producing a new and trimmer you. Now, while you can still get pregnant there is no guarantee that this will not have an impact on the tummy tuck. On the good side, women who become pregnant that have had a tummy tuck tend to show a bit later than those who have not, due to the increased musculature of the abdomen. As far as how pregnancy will affect the tummy tuck results, this can depend on a number of variables, including elasticity of the skin, age, and how much weight is gained during the pregnancy.
Is it safe to be pregnant after having a tummy tuck?
While you can certainly get pregnant after a tummy tuck, is it safe for you and your baby? Absolutely. This is because those repaired abdomen muscles are completely healed 4 to 6 months after your tummy tuck. As far as baby is concerned, your tissue and your abdominal wall are going to stretch the way that they would before your tummy tuck so you should carry your baby to term with no issues. That said, the pregnancy may negatively impact the tummy tuck so it might be a good idea to consult with your cosmetic surgeon in order to have a better idea what the specific impact will be in your case.
Possible impact of a pregnancy following a tummy tuck
While impact will vary from person to person, there are some considerations that we will share. As your abdominal wall has a diminished volume of skin, there is going to be a higher probability of stretch marks. There is also going to be a little increased pressure on your bladder and other organs, so you may need to urinate more frequently during your pregnancy and there is a higher chance of the occasional ‘accident’. Your tummy tuck scar might move as well due to the weight gain and stretching that comes with pregnancy, as well. While these items will not affect your baby (baby is going to be just fine), these are certainly caveats to a post tummy-tuck pregnancy which you should be aware of.
Will I need to get another tummy tuck down the line?
It is possible, however, the good news is that your tummy tuck may well revert back to normal once you’ve lost the initial weight from the completed pregnancy. It will depend on a few factors, such as:
- Weight gain – Typically for a pregnancy it is recommended that you should only be gaining 25-35 pounds. Taking an aggressive stance to ensure that this weight-window is maintained is an excellent idea and can help to maintain your tummy tuck results post-pregnancy. Check with your doctor to see if they
” Your tummy tuck may well just ‘spring back’ into shape.”
- might recommend particular diets or low-impact exercise routines that can help you control your calories while keeping at a proper, healthy weight.
- Muscle density – The resiliency of your tummy tuck will also depend on how much muscle was manipulated during your procedure. If the muscles are strong enough then your tummy tuck may well just ‘spring back’ into shape. Consulting the cosmetic surgeon who performed the procedure is recommended so that you will know in advance what to expect with your particular tummy tuck and how it should respond during your pregnancy.
If you have not had a tummy tuck but are considering the procedure
If you have finished building your family and are considering a tummy tuck then you’ll be happy to know that experts abound in every major city. Some procedures also include optional sterilization if you are 100% sure that you have built your family to your satisfaction and want to avoid any future surprises. Just be sure to review your physician choices and for best results, consult your current doctor to see if there is someone that they might recommend.
Some final words
In this article we have described what occurs during a tummy tuck procedure as well as the concerns and caveats to a pregnancy after you have had this procedure performed. Happily, you can indeed still have a child and carry that child to term with no ill-effects and in all likelihood your tummy tuck procedure will come through this as well. While there are no guarantees to this, we do urge you to check with your personal physician as well as the cosmetic surgeon who worked with you previously in order to get more information that will be specific to you and to your actual procedure. While we can provide general information, everybody is different so consulting these professionals is simply the best way to get as much information as possible Until next time, we wish you the best!
