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Hate My Post Pregnancy Belly

It has been nearly 9 months since i gave birth. i hate my belly and really wish it'd go back down. do plastic surgeons have rules of thumb on when it's appropriate to say a belly is permanent after pregnancy and suitable for a procedure like tummy tuck + lipo?

Sort 39 expert answers by:
+2

When to have a tummy tuck

Stretched abdominal muscles and skin never goes back to original after a pregnancy. Here is my recommendation: 1. Complete your family. 2. Six months after your last child have a tummy tuck and claim back your pre-pregnancy body. That is... more
Vasdev Rai, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Post pregancy belly blues

Pregnancy does change the body permanently. However, there is hope! A tummy tuck is often the best procedure to restore a more attractive shape. Typically, this can be done once your body has reached a post pregnancy plateau. You will also do better if you are on a reasonable diet and are fairly active. Make sure your surgeon is board certified and has done many tummy tucks. Experience matters.
George John Alexander, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Tummy be gone: Post pregnancy tummy contouring

There is no exact time frame when it would be best to proceed with a tummy tuck + lipo procedure.    However, you ideally want to be done with having kids before considering definitive abdominal contouring.   A tummy tuck (also called abdominoplasty) is a very popular cosmetic surgery procedure. A tummy tuck can be an effective tool for shaping and sculpting the body for better body appearance and improved self esteem. Sometimes no amount of diet and exercise can... more
C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+2

Should wait 6 months after preganncy to do a Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck can tighten the muscles, Remove the excess skin, get rid of stretch marks and reduce the waistline. For best result, in our practice we wait for six months after pregnancy before operating on a patient. Also, for best result, you should be close to your ideal weight. Hope this is helpful.
Ali Sajjadian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recommend waiting six months following your pregnancy

Your abdominal skin and muscles will be stretched by your pregnancy. Over a period of time in the order of six months to nine months, the loose tissues will gradually contract back down to a certain extent. How much they shrink down depends alot on the individual. Exercises will also help. But after six to nine months, if you still feel that you have alot of loose skin and you do not plan on having any more children, you might consider a tummy tuck procedure to help... more
James Tang, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

When to perform Tummy tucks after pregnancy

Most Plastic Surgeons will consider waiting 6 months after the last delivery before considering an abdominoplasty and liposuctioning. This would be lengthened if you were nursing your child. The benefits of a tummy tuck are so beneficial to most patients. It is one of the most frequently performed surgeries that I do in my practice. The abdomen is firm, highly supported and frequently the procedure takes strain off of the lower back as well. The... more
+1

Post pregnancy tummy changes

I think after 9 months, you are not going to see many more changes, assuming you are back to your normal weight and level of fitness. At that point, it is appropriate to consider surgical improvement. If there is a reasonable chance you may still have another baby, it would be a good idea to wait for the surgery. If you have the surgery and have a later pregnancy, there will not be any problem with the pregnancy, but you may need the tummy tuck touched up. more
Ronald V. DeMars, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1

Your post pregnancy belly is due to a weakening and separation of the abdominal muscles and stretching of the abdominal skin.

As your baby grows, so does your abdomen. Your post pregnancy belly is due to a weakening and separation of the abdominal muscles and stretching of the abdominal skin. The stretching causes a breakage of skin collagen in essence, stretch marks. The good news is 9 months post delivery is just the amount of time needed to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure (6 months post breast feeding) and the Mommy Makeover also addresses this issue and can help reverse the... more
Alfred Sofer, MD
Fairfield Plastic Surgeon
+1

Belly after child birth

I think there are a variety of procedures that might help you, everything from a full tummy tuck to a mini tummy tuck to liposuction. Also there is muscle repair that might be required to bring the muscles back into their proper position. I usually have the woman wait at least 3 months after the baby to do the surgery. This is to allow at least most of the baby fat to go away and to see how much skin can shrink. Also, if you are not done having babies, I would wait as another... more
Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Timing of tummy tuck after pregnancy

Hello, There is no right answer on how long one should wait after delivery to have a tummy tuck. Obviously if you are in the process of loosing weight or otherwise getting in better shape with diet and excercise I would wait. If it is the appropriate time for you given your life, schedule, and preference, I would encourage you to start doing some research and set up a series of consultations with different board certified plastic surgeons. All the best, Dr Repta more
Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post Pregnancy Figure

As you are now nine months post delivery, it is doubtful any further changes Will occur and you should have a pretty good idea about what has happened to your figure. Depending on your height and weight and general health, mommy makeover surgery could be considered. Why go in for a consultation and get a better idea. Good Luck
Richard Linderman, MD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy after pregnancy

There is no exact time table when to get tummy tuck/lipo after pregnancy.  Women need to wait at least 3 months after giving birth for uterus to decrease in  size.  Also, you want to lose the excess fat prior to undergoing a body contouring procedure to get the most optimal cosmetic result.  Tummy tuck with or without lipo is a great procedure to contour the abdomen.  Tummy tuck removes lower belly skin and fat; at the same time, the stretched out muscle is brought... more
Sugene Kim, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post pregnancy bellies

My rule of thumb is to wait a year before surgery. the other thing to consider is whether you are done having children. there is no problem with the safety of pregnancy after a tummy tuck, however, there is no guarantee how things will hold up after a pregnancy either. i want my patients to be done having children prior to a tummy tuck. see photos
Eric Chang, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

I remember these days

Are you sure that you are not going to have more children? If you are not certain I would suggest that you not contemplate surgery until you have made this decision. As a mother of three as well as a board certified plastic surgeon, I remember very clearly seeing my belly months after delivery and being panicked. I advise my patients to give themselves at least a year to lose their baby weight, develop a routine with their children, and maintain an  exercise routine. It is very... more
Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

How long after pregnancy can I have a mommy makeover tummy tuck?

Because everyone heals differently there is no exact time for a mommy makeover tummy tuck.  Six months may sufficient if you have lost your pregnancy weight, and have returned to your pre-pregnancy exercises routines. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on the treatment options and the timing of your mommy makeover tummy   tuck.
Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

How long after pregnancy should you wait before tummy tuck

There is no set rule on how long a patient should wait after childbirth before undergoing a tummy tuck, it has more to do with getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight.  Once you have lost most of your pregnancy weight, you can consider a tummy tuck procedure.  This may be anywhere from six months to a year.  A board certified plastic surgeon will be able to examine you and help determine the best time for your surgery. Take your time and lose the weight gradually, there... more
William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post-Pregnancy Belly: When should I get a Tummy Tuck?

Pregnancy stretches the skin and the abdominal wall including the muscles. Recovery from this stretching is unpredictable but can be related to the amount of weight you gain and the size of baby (or babies) you carry. Stretch marks, sagging skin and a central abdominal bulge 9 months after giving birth are likely signs you have permanent damage. This can be corrected with a tummy tuck which can utilize liposuction, or any of the other body contouring procedures that can correct... more
Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Surgery after pregnancy

It is generally advisable to wait at least 6 months after delivery before undergoing surgery on the abdomen, such as a tummy tuck. In addition, you should be as close to your ideal weight as possible, and have finished breastfeeding, before considering liposuction.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post pregnancy surgery

I usualy have my patients wait at least 6 months to one year after having a child before undergoing a tummy tuck. This also means that they have returned to their prepregnancy weight and they are not breast feeding.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mommy Makeover after pregnancy

A Mommy Makeover is the perfect way to improve your body after pregnancy to address the changes to your breasts, tummy, and body.  You need time to recover and should not be breast feeding.  3-6 months should be fine, however.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

When is it safe to conclude the Mommy belly's appearance would benefit from a Tummy Tuck / Mommy Make Over

By 6 months after pregnancy it is largely safe to assume that the changes visible are the permanent changes you are left with. Every woman is changed to a different extent depending on your size, the size of your baby/babies, the rate of baby growth and your skin's compliance. As a rule, the most common appearance is a mild to significant sagging of the breasts, stretching of the tummy with 6 pack (Rectus) muscle separation (Diastasis), excess skin with/without stretch marks, some... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

A tummy tuck would help your belly.

A tummy tuck would most definitely help the appearance of a belly after pregnancy. A tummy tuck can address the extra skin, the stretch marks that you may have, the excess fat, and loosens the muscles. In our practice, we always perform liposuction at the same time as a tummy tuck. This is because liposuction is an excellent technique that allows us to access areas in your abdomen that normally would not be able to reach with a tummy tuck alone. At this stage it is best to consult with an... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post-pregnancy surgery

Patients vary when losing post-pregnancy weight. A picture would be very helpful to determine whether you are a good candidate for abdominoplasty. Sometimes the skin may bounce back or the quality of the skin may have been damaged from stretching. This may result in lose excess skin which may only be removed by a surgical procedure. A tummy tuck involves repair of the rectus mucles and removal of lose skin in the abdominal region. I recommend my patients to wait till after they have stopped... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Timing for Tummy Tuck after pregnancy

My general rule of thumb is to wait 6 months after pregnancy to let everything "settle in". However, if a patient is overweight and has thick fat under the abdominal skin, the result will never be as good as expected. My recommendation is to be as close to ideal weight as possible in order to obtain the best result. However, even if you are slightly (10-15 pounds) above your ideal weight but the abdominal skin is thin and loose, you will see a dramatic change after tummy tuck. more
Michael A. Jazayeri, MD
Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck timing

You say you hate your belly. What exactly do you dislike? Usually there are 3 things that can occur to women postpartum regarding their belly area. One is that the muscle wall stretches and sometimes despite exercise, the abdomen will protrude when you relax the muscles of the abdomen. Next you may have developed stretch marks and red striae lines. Lastly you may have a "pouching" of the abdominal fat below the belly button or even above and in the pubis and hip rolls. All... more
William Aiello, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
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