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How Long Should I Wait to Get a Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy?
asked 3 years ago by proudnavyaowife in Fallon, NV
Latest answer by Douglas S. Steinbrech, MD
Question viewed 15,332 times
Tags: after pregnancy, pregnancy
45 answers to How Long Should I Wait to Get a Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy?
+4
Wait 6 months for tummy tuck surgery, for many reasons
There are many reasons to wait six months before having a tummy tuck.
The deep layer, or fascia is both ripped and stretched. The stretching is largely recovered by 6 months; the ripping of course is not. That is what the deep layer of the tummy tuck improves. The hormones that cause the deep fascial layer to soften to accommodate the baby are no longer active by six months. The tissues literally hold stitches better. This is one of the many reasons most plastic surgeons won't perform...
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+1
Wait more than three months after pregnancy for Tummy Tuck
In general, you should wait about three months after your pregnancy to consider an elective procedure such as a tummy tuck. You must also consider where your body weight is after pregnancy, as it may sometimes take longer than three months to return to your pre-pregnancy body weight. Once your weight is stable it is reasonable to consider a tummy tuck procedure. There are no definite time lines for this, but you should certainly consult with a board certified plastic surgeon prior to...
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+5
Wait until your weight is back to normal, at least 6 months after pregnancy to have tummy tuck
The most important thing is to loose most or all of the pregnancy associated weight gain before a tummy tuck.
Your body needs at least 6 months before considering tummy tuck surgery.
+4
Tummy Tuck after pregnancy
First of all, congratulations on your new baby! While you are enjoying the new addition your body will be returning to its normal state. I will occasionally get a call from a patient that wants to have a tummy tuck immediately after having a baby. This is not a good idea since the hormones will affect the elasticity of skin not to mention the increased risks of bleeding including from the uterus.
The best amount of time to wait depends upon whether you are breast feeding or not. Breast...
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Adam Rubinstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+4
Waiting for a tummy tuck after pregnancy
Thanks for the great question Fallon - In my San Francisco area practice there are several things we look for when performing a tummy tuck after pregnancy in order to insure a great result. The first is that you are at or close to your ideal body weight. Many times pregnancy pounds take some time to come off. Patients get a better result when most of this weight is gone.
Second - a new baby can be a big strain on the household. Surgery can make that more difficult. Issues like having...
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+4
Wait a year before tummy tuck
I tell most of my tummy tuck patients to wait at least a year until they have surgery. This allows your weight to normalize and stabilize, and it also allows the abdominal skin time to naturally retract as much as possible.
I have had patients who had either abdominal or breast surgery 6 months or so after having a baby, and although they thought that they were down to their "pre-pregnancy" weight, they continued to lose weight after the surgery, and it definitely led to worse...
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+4
It is important to wait 6 months to have a tummy tuck as...
It is important to wait 6 months to have a tummy tuck as your body is still adjusting from the pregnancy.
If you plan to lose weight, do it before you have a tummy tuck.
Always go to an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon (certified by the American Board of Plastic surgery) and have a full consultation with evaluation.
Gregory A. Wiener, MD, FACS
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+3
Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy
I generally advise patients to wait until after having children to get a tummy tuck. I usually have them wait at least 6 months after pregnancy to let the abdominal wall muscle structure absorb and a year would be preferable before getting an abdominoplasty. This will allow for normal restoration of the abdominal wall and this will allow for the patient to lose a lot of their pre and post partum fat and get in optimal shape for abdominoplasty.
+3
It is important first to be as sure as possible that...
It is important first to be as sure as possible that this is going to be your final pregnancy.
Secondly, at least 6 months are necessary to have your body reach its own final improvement after delivery.
Finally, remember that while a tummy tuck in the hands of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is an excellent way to improve your abdomen, there are risks involved, even the very rare fatality. So while it is great to do this operation, do not take it lightly and go to the right doctor!
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+2
Dr. Steinbrech's 5 things to know about the waiting period after pregnancy and having a tummy tuck.
1. After pregnancy all the energies for your body need to be focused on child.
2. Tummy tuck can be performed after 3 months from the delivery date. These will alllow the tissues to settle properly.
3. Abdominioplasty post pardum will most likely require liposuction around the love handles for a more contoured superior result.
4. I find that a tummy tuck after pregnancy is an excellent way to boost self-esteem after a long...
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+2
Tummy Tuck Following Pregnancy
Being a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a mother of three, I remember the days of looking at my body and wishing for plastic surgery immediately! In most cases, I require my patients to wait 10 months to lose their baby weight and for their bodies to adjust. Consult with a reputable Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for an examination and advice. Congratulations on your baby. Best wishes!
Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy Tuck after Pregnancy Waiting Period
I would recommend waiting until your post pregnancy weight has stabilized and you are back to your normal exercise routine and at least 6 or more months after your delivery for a Tummy Tuck.
+1
Post partum tummy tuck
Congratulations1 You should wait at least six months to allow your body to readapt after the pregnancy. If you have gained weight, you should try to lose it prior to undergoing surgery. And, finally, if you plan to have more children, I recommend that you delay the surgery until your family is complete unless you are prepared to have additional surgeries after later pregnancies.
+1
How long after pregnancy to get a tummy tuck.
Congrats on the baby. I am assuming you are done. Otherwise I would suggest waiting till you are before you get your tummy tuck. There's no magic time. It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for your body to get back to normal.
+1
How long should I wait after pregnancy to have a tummy tuck?
I usually suggest waiting at least 6 months after a pregnancy, and certainly as long as it may take to get back down to your pre-pregnancy weight. This gives your skin and tissues a chance to improve as much as they will on their own, and you don't want to have an abdominal skin tightening and then lose a significant amount of weight, possibly causing more skin laxity.
+1
Tummy after pregnancy
There are many changes to the body after pregnancy (as you know). The skin and muscles get stretched and there is usually a fairly significant weight gain. It is best to wait until all of these changes have resolved and any effects that hormones may have on your healing have resolved. For most women this takes about 6 months, but for others the weight may not come off so easily, and it may take longer.
I also agree with another surgeon that you should wait until you are...
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+1
The amount of time varies but generally 3-6 months is average.
Hello,
Each individual and therefore the amount of time they should ideally wait before a tummy tuck will vary. You generally want to:
1) lose any weight you have gained during pregnancy and get back to your pre-pregnancy weight or as close to it as you can.
2) wait until you see no further improvements in your body's ability to recover and bounce back from the pregnancy
3) wait until you have decided to not have any more children
4) wait until you and your...
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+1
How long to wait after pregnancy before Tummy Tuck
There are several variables before you should consider having a tummy tuck after your pregnancy.
1. You should wait until you are no longer breast feeding
2. You should consider the possibility of future children and the effect this would have on your cosmetic surgery
3. You should wait until you have lost most of your pregnancy weight to maximize your result and tightening
4. You should also consider ensuring you have support with your newborn during your recovery.
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Ankit Desai, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+1
Wait at least 3 months for best results
After a pregnancy, a woman's body and abdomen go through significant changes.
To obtain the best result and for your safety, it is best to wait AT LEAST 3 months, before considering such a surgery.
Also keep in mind that after a tummy tuck, you will have a 10-14 day recovery and will not be able to lift heavy objects (like a child older than a yr old) for several weeks. Keep this in mind when planning out the time best for you to receive your surgery!
Best.
+1
Wait 6 months after pregnancy for a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
An abdominoplasty is physiologically stressful for the patient. Before undergoing an operation of this magnitude, the patient should be fully recovered from the pregnancy (also physiologically hard on the mother).
One must also factor in the convalescence, which is formidable, and the responsibilities as a mother. Certainly assistance in care of the child will be necessary at least for a few days after the operation.
+1
Several factors have to be considered to answer this question
There are a variety of factors that must be considered to answer this question and consequently the answer is different for each individual. Of primary importance is for your weight to have stabilized at or close to you normal level. Continued loss of weight after the Tummy Tuck could negatively influence the result.
A second consideration is the care of your newborn. While you are recovering from a Tummy Tuck you will be unable to effectively participate in this care and nursing will...
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David A. Ross, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy tuck after pregnancy
Wait a minimum of 3 months and you should be within 10 -15 pounds of your long term weight to obtain the best result.
Michael L. Workman, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon
Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1
How long to wait for a tummy tuck after pregnancy
This is a very common, and a very good question. While arbitrary waiting times or guidelines, such as six months, can be helpful, these should not be considered absolute. Because with this, as in all things, it depends upon you, as an individual. To me, the most important considerations are: the health and well being of your new baby, whether further pregnancies are planned, and when you are back to your desired weight.
We can't forget about what is going on at home...
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+1
Wait at least 6 months after pregnancy before having a tummy tuck
It is important to wait about 6 months after pregnancy before undergoing a tummy tuck or any other type of mommy makeover procedure. There are several reasons for this. First is for the safety of your child. Anesthesia can be passed through breast milk to you child after surgery. It is important to be sure that you are no longer breast feeding before undergoing surgery. Second is for achieving your desired results. It takes about 6 months for your body to recover from pregnancy. Until...
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Tarick K. Smaili, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy tuck after pregnancy
Ideally, you should wait 6 weeks or longer before having your tummy tuck after childbirth. This allows your hormones to return to normal levels which reduces your risk of post operative deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, (blood clots) which can be a much higher risk if you have surgery sooner than 6 weeks. If you are still not sure if you have achieved your "end point", then waiting longer, dieting and exercise, will help you get as close to your optimum before surgery....
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+1
How long should I wait after pregnancy to have my Tummy Tuck?
Hi there-
As in so many other things, there is individual variability in the rate at which women recover from pregnancy and childbirth.
It is important that in order to achieve a safe and pleasing outcome from your Tummy Tuck, that it be done only after your body has indeed stabilized and returned to it healthy, non-pregnant condition.
This is not to say that you have to look the way you did before pregnancy, or be at your pre-pregnancy weight, as this may never happen, but simply that your...
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+1
Tummy Tuck after pregnancy
You should wait till you are finished breast feeding.
If you did not breast feed, then you should wait about 3-6 months, when hormonally you are back to normal and the venous congestion, size of uterus, etc all are normal.
Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1
Be physically and emotionally prepared for Tummy Tuck after pregnancy
From a physical point of view, your body should have stopped changing and you should be as close as possible to your ideal weight. Several months should pass to make sure you can tolerate the blood loss and stress of the surgery.
From an emotional point of view, make sure you are prepared to not be able to lift your little one for at least 4 weeks and have help around the house while you are recovering. You should strongly consider whether you are done having children.
The "mommy...
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Jeffrey Horowitz, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1
At least 3 months post-pregnacy wait prior to tummy tuck
In general, I tell patients they should wait at least 3 and as long as 6 months after delivery. Every patient is an individual and as such multiple factors are involved (how many other children at home, ages of children, whether they will help or hinder your recovery, other medical issues, breast feeding or not). Also depends on what procedure you and your surgeon are planning.
Also remember that you will need help during your recovery, lifting, cooking, cleaning, etc.
Your Board Certified...
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John Philip Connors III, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1
Timing for abdominoplasty after pregnancy
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.
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Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy Tuck after Pregnancy
From an anesthetic standpoint, you are considered to have "pregnant physiology" for 6 weeks after delivery, so you would not consider any elective surgery until 6 weeks have passed. From an anatomic standpoint, I personally prefer that you wait 6 months. Additionally, I would not consider doing a tummy tuck if you are still breast feeding. Although it can be done, the bonding that your child is used to would be hard to break over night, and having a little one clinging to you...
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Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy Tuck after pregnancy
First, make sure you do not have any plans for any more kids. A future pregnancy will potentially reverse the benefits of your tummy tuck. I generally recommend waiting at least 3-6 months. I would like my patient's weight to stabilize to get her the best results.
+1
Tummy tuck after pregnancy
Anyone who has been pregnant knows their body is not normal at the end of pregnancy. During pregnancy your blood volume grows by 50%. If you labor hard, everything down south is swollen. Your body has been dedicated to creating a healthy baby. If you breastfeed, that continues, so your nutrition and ability to heal is impaired. Your weight is not normal. You lose blood with delivery.
Tummy tuck is a big surgery. It requires drains; you must stay bent at the waist; you cannot lift heavy...
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Lauren Greenberg, MD
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+1
Waiting for tummy tuck after pregnancy
Every Plastic surgeon would more or less look for the same group of criteria.
If you are not planning on having any other children, you are otherwise healthy and your weight has been stable for at least 3 months, I would recommend a 6 months wait after your pregnancy. This should allow for shrinkage of any skin that was stretched out and for the resolution of any other pregnancy associated deformities.
Good Luck.
+1
How long to wait for tummy tuck after pregnancy
The most important thing is to be done having babies. After that, remember that it took 9 months to stretch out with your pregnancy, so it is important to give your body some time to bounce back. If you have had multiple pregnancies and had loose, stretched out skin after the first pregnancy, it is not likely that the skin will tighten with subsequent pregnancies. If this is the case, you do not have to wait very long after the birth. Timing of the surgery then becomes based on your...
more
+1
Tummy Tuck after pregnancy
The best thing to do is to achieve your baseline weight prior to a tummy tuck. After having children, it may take 6 months to 1 year to lose the pregnancy weight (of course, each patient is different).
The best tummy tuck results are achieved when the patient is not planning on having any more children and they are at their baseline weight.
+1
3-6 months after your last pregnancy.
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.
+1
I prefer to have my tummy tuck patients wait three months.
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...
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Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1
Timing of Tummy Tuck after pregnancy
Pregnancy is a significant event - not only emotionally but also physically. I know there are rumors about having a tummy tuck at the time of your c-section or delivery. That is not a safe practice and will put yourself at undue risk when you should be paying all your attention to your new baby and healing from delivery.
Like most surgeons have stated 6mo after stopping breast feeding, being stable at your weight, being able to accept another healing period and obviously knowing that you are...
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Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy Tucks after Pregnancy
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...
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Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1
Tummy Tuck following Pregnancy
3-6 months is a good estimate as to when you might plan to have your tummy tuck after pregnancy. There are several factors that should be considered in addition to the absolute number of months.
You should no longer be nursing.
You should have reached an ideal or reasonable weight following the pregnancy. While it is not absolutely necessary to reach her prepregnancy weight you should be at a comfortable weight.
You should be comfortable with the decision not to have any more pregnancies...
more
+1
I have my patients wait 3 to 6 months
Usually three to six months is enough, provided you stopped breast feeding and have returned to you pre pregnancy weight. A tummy tuck is designed to tighten the abdominal wall and get rid of excess skin. You need to get rid of the excess weight first.
+1
Tummy Tuck after pregnancy
As suggested by my colleagues, your health is the most important factor.
However, there are many variations in opinion when it comes to this.
Of course, you should not be nursing.
It is also generally felt that you be at a stable weight.
As plastic surgeons, we undertand the desire to take advantage of the downtime after having a child and there are a few plastic surgeons who perfrom tummy tucks at the time of delivery but this is not the norm. Typically this type of tummy tuck tends to be...
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Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Timing Abdominoplasty after Pregnancy
Our protocol for timing after pregnancy is based on several factors:
Whether or not you have had a C-section
Are you breast feeding
Are you planning to have any more children
I ask patients to wait approximately 6 months after ending breast feeding, as the circulating hormones will continue to stretch out and loosen the abdominal skin. Timing after pregnancy does not take breast feeding into account.
During that time, exercise is encouraged.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
I usually have patients wait 6 months to a year after...
I usually have patients wait 6 months to a year after their pregnancy. Patients should get back to their pre-pregnancy weight first.
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