What Happens If I Get Pregnant After A Tummy Tuck?
While many women are able to get their pre-baby bodies back after giving birth, most all mothers experience at least some amount of permanent physical change as a result of pregnancy. Whether it is a loss of breast volume or a few stubborn extra pounds, the changes in your body after pregnancy and childbirth can be frustrating. One of the most common complaints from women after pregnancy is excess skin, fat, or a “pooch” on their abdomen. This is usually the result of the skin having been stretched out for a prolonged period of time during pregnancy, and a separation of the abdominal muscles – called diastasis recti – can also contribute to this problem. Fortunately, cosmetic surgery offers patients the opportunity to finally rid themselves of this excess skin with a procedure called the tummy tuck.
Double board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Marisa Lawrence, founder and sole surgeon of her private practice, Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery, performs tummy tuck procedures for Atlanta, GA patients interested in improving their body contour through the removal of excess abdominal skin and fat. The tummy tuck is often performed on women as part of a larger mommy makeover procedure, but a tummy tuck can be beneficial for both men and women, particularly those who have lost a significant amount of weight and are left with excess, sagging skin.
As with any procedure, it is only natural for patients to wonder how long they will be able to enjoy their new look and what future occurrences may impact or compromise their results. One of the most common questions from women considering a tummy tuck is what will happen if they get pregnant at some point after the procedure. To help better understand how a future pregnancy may impact your tummy tuck results, it is important to have established some of the basics about the procedure itself, including what the surgery entails and what you can expect afterward.
What is a tummy tuck?
Formally known as an abdominoplasty, the tummy tuck is an invasive surgery used to remove excess skin from a patient’s abdomen in order to create a smooth, even, more appealing contour. In many cases, Dr. Lawrence will combine liposuction with a tummy tuck in order to remove stubborn fat deposits and further enhance the patient’s results. Another application for the tummy tuck is in cases where a patient’s abdominal muscles have separated. This condition, called diastasis recti, is common after pregnancy or significant weight fluctuation, and it can be corrected during a tummy tuck. In these instances, Dr. Lawrence will surgically tighten the abdominal fascia, bringing the separated muscles back together.
Are tummy tuck results permanent?
While a tummy tuck can produce dramatic and stunning outcomes, it is essential that patients have realistic expectations about the results of their procedure and understand that those results can be compromised. Some of the most common scenarios that negatively impact the results of a tummy tuck are:
- Poor diet
- Inconsistent exercise
- Weight fluctuation
- Pregnancy
Even after excess skin is excised during a tummy tuck and fat is removed using liposuction, patients must maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine – and avoid significant weight fluctuations – in order to maintain their results. A person’s skin is elastic and capable of stretching out over and over again, so future weight gain after a tummy tuck can result in the need for a second or subsequent procedure once the weight has been lost again. For this reason, it is also advised that women be certain that they are done having children before pursuing a tummy tuck.
What if I get pregnant after a tummy tuck?
The kind and caring staff at Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery understand that life may not always go according to plan or that your plans may change. Many women have concerns about how a pregnancy will impact their previous tummy tuck results and/or how a tummy tuck may or may not impact a future pregnancy. While it is recommended that women wait until they are done with pregnancies to have a tummy tuck in order to avoid the need for a revision, it is certainly possible – and perfectly safe – to carry a baby after a previous abdominoplasty. Some women report a feeling of tightness during pregnancy after a tummy tuck, but in general it is very mild and well tolerated.
If you are considering a tummy tuck but aren’t sure about your future family plans, or if you are already pregnant after a previous tummy tuck, Dr. Lawrence can help advise you on a surgical and/or lifestyle plan that will help you best achieve and maintain your long-term goals.
How do I find the best tummy tuck surgeon in Atlanta?
The first step toward obtaining a beautiful physique via tummy tuck is to consult with a qualified, certified, and highly experienced plastic surgeon. Call the convenient Atlanta, GA office of Marisa Lawrence Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation with double board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Marisa Lawrence today, and learn more about how a tummy tuck can enhance your look, boost your confidence, and change your life!