Pregnancy is one of the most defining times in the lives of both expecting parents. Amidst the excitement of picking out names and clothes and nursery furniture, it is natural to experience a moderate amount of stress. You worry about eating right, staying healthy, maintaining a safe exercise routine, and whether or not you will be the parent you hope to be.
Many women are also concerned about how their bodies will change, especially how their tummy may look after being stretched to accommodate a growing baby. After carrying a baby for nine months, changes to your body are inevitable. The skin around your stomach may stretch and loosen and abdominal muscles may separate and weaken.
While diet and exercise alone may help reduce fat in the midsection, no amount of sit-ups, crunches, or planking will eliminate excess skin or repair separated abdominal muscles. Fortunately, getting a tummy tuck after pregnancy will help achieve the tight and toned midsection you desire. This is why so many new mothers choose to get a tummy tuck or mommy makeover after having a baby.
On the other hand, for women who received a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty before they got pregnant, their concern is usually that their results will be completely undone by their pregnancy. No matter which scenario you are in, we’re here to answer your questions about getting a tummy tuck before and after pregnancy.
Tummy Tuck Guide
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Getting A Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy
First of all, congratulations on your bundle of joy. If amidst the sleep deprivation and happiness you are considering a tummy tuck, consider these important factors first.
- How soon can you get a tummy tuck after pregnancy? The answer is your body needs recovery first. Immediately after pregnancy, your body is performing an invisible magic dance to restore the uterus to its normal size and location, produce milk to feed the baby and restore its usual hormonal cycles. You should allow yourself the time to completely recover from pregnancy and lose any extra weight you may have gained. Since vigorous exercise is not recommended immediately after giving birth, you may need to ease back into your exercise routine.
- You can’t undergo anesthesia and take medications while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding keeps your hormone levels higher than normal and your body will not completely return to its normal function until after you have stopped nursing. Because of this, you will have to wait until you’re done breastfeeding to get a tummy tuck procedure.
A tummy tuck is a surgery that requires its own recovery time, and you want to ensure that your body is as strong and healthy as possible for optimum results. The general consensus in the medical community is that a woman should wait a minimum of three months after having a baby before having a tummy tuck procedure.
While diet and exercise play an important role in getting your body back after pregnancy, a postpartum tummy tuck is an optimal choice for achieving optimal results in your midsection. Learn more about one patient’s journey getting a post-pregnancy tummy tuck in the video below.
Getting Pregnant After A Tummy Tuck
Life does not always go according to plan. It is important not to worry about your or your baby’s health if you have previously had a tummy tuck then get pregnant. Pregnancy and childbirth after a tummy tuck procedure are safe for both you and your baby. Your baby will have plenty of room to grow and thrive.
That said, general recommendations are to wait until after you are finished having children before having a tummy tuck because a subsequent pregnancy can re-stretch the abdominal walls and skin, increasing the possibility of needing a follow-up procedure to restore the toned look you desire.
Everyone’s body is unique and responds differently. In most cases, women who become pregnant after a tummy tuck continue to enjoy the results of their surgery after their baby is born. Some women require a minor touch up, called a “mini tummy tuck” which is much less involved than a traditional tummy tuck, with a faster recovery time. Should you go through pregnancy after a tummy tuck, the best way to preserve your procedure results is to avoid gaining large amounts of weight during the pregnancy.
While diet and exercise play an important role in getting your body back after pregnancy, a tummy tuck is the only way to eliminate unwanted excess skin and tighten muscles in your midsection. For more information on tummy tucks, post pregnancy tummy tucks, or mommy makeover tummy tucks, call Belcara Health for a personalized consultation at 410.296.0414 or fill out our online contact form.