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How Long Should I Wait to Get a Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy?

Asked 38 months ago by proudnavyaowife in Fallon, NV

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after pregnancy pregnancy

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 The hormones that cause the deep fascial layer to soften to accommodate the baby are no longer active by six months.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... more

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Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

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William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

Adam Rubinstein, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

Eric Chang, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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! more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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. more

Ankit Desai, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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

ASPS

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.

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B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy tuck timing after pregnancy [with video]

I recommend weighting at least 3 months (and perhaps closer to 6 months) after pregnancy before undergoing tummy tuck. Reasons for waiting: 1. You want to lose all your "baby weight," as your surgical results will be better if you lose weight before surgery, rather than after surgery. Why? Because tummy tuck is a tightening procedure, and excess weight will reduce the degree to which your abdomen can be tightened. 2. You will not be able to breastfeed following tummy tuck as the... more

Ronald Friedman, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

David A. Ross, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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

ASPS

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... more

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David B. Reath, MD

Knoxville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

Tarick K. Smaili, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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.... more

Amy T. Bandy, DO

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

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Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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

ASAPS ASPS

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... more

Jeffrey Horowitz, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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... more

John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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. more

Michael A. Jazayeri, MD

Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

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... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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.

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