Can pregnancy possible after a tummy tuck? Although this surgery is aimed at patients who have gone through large increases and weight loss, with sagging skin, it does not present restrictions for a normal development of pregnancy.
It is common for women to undergo a tummy tuck when they no longer wish to have more children, but want to erase the traces that pregnancies have left on their body.
What is a tummy tuck?
The tummy tuck is an operation that removes excess skin and abdominal fat and strengthens the muscles of the abdomen to get a firm and flat belly.
The surgeon makes a U-shaped incision in the lower abdomen and removes excess fat, tenses and joins the abdominal muscles, then stretches the skin down to determine what extension to cut and finally puts the navel in a natural position and the incisions are sutured.
In a very high percentage of cases, the results are definitive as long as a balanced diet is followed and regular exercise is practiced.
Tummy Tuck and Pregnancy
Before the first question, about whether a woman can get pregnant after this operation, the answer is: yes, it is perfectly possible.
Both physically and biologically there is no impediment, or contraindication, for a subsequent pregnancy, since surgery does not affect the reproductive organs. So the odds remain intact and the pregnancy can be carried out completely, both for the baby and for the mother.
It is advised to wait, at least, one year after the intervention, so that the muscles of the abdomen are strengthened, the tissues heal completely and the skin can recover its normal elasticity.
Although specialists recommend this treatment when women no longer want to have more children, if there is no clarity in this aspect, it is best to consult with the surgeon to be able to weigh the available options, according to the personal characteristics of each patient.
Recommendations on tummy tuck before and after getting pregnant
The abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure in which excess skin and fat of the abdomen is removed. In addition, the abdominal muscles are reinforced to recover a flat stomach. Depending on the amount of fat and skin that needs to be removed, the surgery will be larger or smaller.
It usually requires epidural or general anesthesia and one night of hospital stay. After the intervention, it is normal for the area to swell and lose sensitivity in the first few days.
To facilitate a good recovery, it is necessary to use a modeling belt for about thirty days, in which it would be advisable to try to maintain a slight flexion of the body posture, to prevent the intervened area from tense and pull.
In 45 days, you can check the results of the intervention, with a flat, toned belly and the recovery of the silhouette. The results are definitive if you maintain a balanced diet and an active lifestyle, so as not to gain weight again.
With pregnancy, you return to the point before the operation, so that part of its results may be lost, or even require a new intervention, since the skin stretches again and the abdominal muscles lose their tone again, to leave room for the Baby’s growth.
If, as far as possible, it is intended to preserve the results of the tummy tuck before and after pregnancy, these recommendations can be considered:
- Use creams and cosmetic products during pregnancy, to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
- Be careful not to gain much weight during pregnancy, with a healthy and balanced diet.
- Perform physical exercise regularly, to reduce abdominal muscle strain. Always follow the recommendations that specialists specify for a gestational state.
- It is convenient to go to a specialized surgeon, to get personalized advice, since the circumstances of each woman are different.
What happens to the tummy tuck scar?
The main incision is made in the form of “V” or “U”, in the lower abdomen, just where the pubis begins, so that the tummy tuck scar can be hidden with a bikini. Although it is of great magnitude, another incision around the navel may be required.
The final appearance of this scar will depend on the skill of the surgeon who performs the operation, but also on the recovery process, in which the patient’s performance will be decisive to carry out a correct healing.
In general, the following recommendations can be taken into account:
- Follow medical instructions for postoperative and recovery.
- Apply moisturizers, or regenerators, on the scar.
- Do not smoke or consume alcohol, since these substances negatively affect the healing process, they can even make it worse.
- Avoid sun over the operated area, since the skin can change its tone and leave more difficult marks to remove over time.
Vitamin C is essential for rapid healing. In addition, it helps eliminate toxins and fight bacteria. Therefore, it is advisable to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables with a high content of this component.
In conclusion, it is possible to carry a pregnancy after a tummy tuck, in a completely normal way for the health of the baby and the mother. However, we must weigh the advantages and disadvantages, since the aesthetic results are risked. Therefore, specialized surgeons recommend waiting to fully satisfy maternity desires before undergoing this type of surgery.