Hello,
I advise waiting until you are complete with childbearing. Wait 3-6 months at least or until you have reached your "stable maintenance weight." You want to avoid losing or gaining much weight following a tummy tuck to limit your chances of changing the result.
I prefer to have my patients wait three months following childbith before undergoing an abdominoplasty. During pregnancy, a woman's blood volume will increase 40-50%. This generally will go back to normal 3-6 weeks following childbirth. These changes can lead to worsening anemia (low red cells or hemoglobin). Additionally, there are many hormonal and psychological changes that can occur following childbirth. One should also consider the fact that they won't be able to take care of their newborn immediately following surgery. Of course, one should be avoid breast feeding during this time and post operatively.
Great question!
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.
With all due respect to my colleagues, I'll say if your weight is stable, I would recommend waiting only 6 weeks after delivery. The stretched and damaged skin and muscle layers are about 80% healed at this point. I also believe that pregnancy creates a "delay affect" by stretching the skin and soft tissues and thus allowing for an improved reconstruction. I am not sure what are these "adjustments" that happen after 6 weeks. I do agree that it is important to go to an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for this type of abdominal surgery.
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