Tummy Tuck: Q&A

Ask a Question

Can I Get Pregnant After a Tummy Tuck?

Not that i'm planning, but what happens if I were to get pregnant after a tummy tuck procedure? Will it cause more harm or would the tummy tuck help? Would I need another tummy tuck?

Tags:

pregnancy

Comment on this

39 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

Doctor Answers (39)
Community Comments (0)

Tummy tuck pregnancy: wait until after children

The baby will make it's own space in a patient who has had a tummy tuck, but the surgery may need to be redone. If women are planning on having a baby now or soon, it is not advisable to have a tummy tuck. However, if they are "done" with children but can't rule out getting pregnant in the future, it is usually reasonable to have a tummy tuck. The safest way to avoid needing a major tummy tuck is to avoid excessively large weight gains during pregnancy-- easier said than done,... more

You can get pregnant after a tummy tuck

Yes, although not ideal...Most women undergo a tummy tuck after they've finished having children. Life plans do change, however. I have a patient who is currently pregnant after she had a tummy tuck 5 years prior. Her baby is healthy at 7 months...but she looks like she is about 4 months pregnant. I think the abdominal wall doesn't stretch out forward as much after a tummy tuck. That's one example! Will she need another tummy tuck? Less likely.

Pregnancy after tummy tuck is safe

This is a great question! There used to be concern that tightening the abdominal wall muscles would prevent the abdomen from stretching during subsequent pregnancy. We know now that this is not the case and you can expect a normal pregnancy after a tummy tuck. Having said that, you may require another tummy tuck to restore your shape. For this reason, plastic surgeons recommend you have this surgery only after you are finished having children. Good Luck!

If you are planning on being pregnant in the next year, you should hold off on the tummy tuck.

Roxy, During an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) the rectus fascia (the layer covering your six-pack) is tightened to flatten out your belly inside. The extra skin is then removed to flatten out your belly outside. If you were to become pregnant soon after having the abdominoplasty, then all of the tissues would stretch and you may well end up close to where you started. So, if you are planning on being pregnant in the next year or so, my recommendation would be to hold off on the... more

Pregnancy after tummy tuck

You may end up permanently stretching the tightened tissue out especially if you get real large or have twins. We do not recommend pregnancy after tummy tuck for this reason. I have taken care of several patients who became pregnant after tummy tuck (for whatever reason) and looked almost normal after pregnancy.

Pregnancy after Tummy Tuck is okay

The short answer: Yes, you can get pregnant after a tummy tuck. All plastic surgeons will advise you to be done with babies before doing a tummy tuck. Why? When we do a tummy tuck we tighten your muscles and your skin. When you are pregnant you loosen your muscles and stretch your skin. Whatever prompted you to do the tummy tuck in the first place, will recur: diastasis (loosening of the muscles) stretch marks hanging skin When you are already stretched out and want a tummy tuck, your... more

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) and subsequent Pregnancy

Ideally, a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) should be done AFTER you are done having children. During each pregnancy the tummy six pack muscles are separated and pushed to the sides. This separation (diastasis) is permanent and cannot be improved with diet or exercise. During a Tummy Tuck, the muscles are brought back together and the separation is corrected resulting in a flatter tummy. Although a Tummy Tuck will not prevent you from getting pregnant, ANY subsequent pregnancy will slowly... more

You may need another tummy tuck depending on how big the baby is and how much weight you put on.

Of course, I would not recommend planning on having a tummy tuck until you are finished having babies but sometimes babies arrive unpredictably! There is no danger to the baby and you will have a normal pregnancy. However the skin and muscle will stretch again and you may need another abdominoplasty.

It Is Safe To Become Pregnant After A Tummy Tuck, But You'll Most Likely Lose Your Results

You will be able to get pregnant and your body will adjust to the change without worry. Your baby will also be safe. Unfortunately, there is a good chance that the results of your tummy tuck will be "undone", and you'll develop the loose skin, excess fat and weakened abdominal muscles that you had addressed with your tummy tuck before pregnancy. Of course, you can never predict what happens in the future, but if you know you'd like children in the future, it's better to wait until after... more

Jerome Edelstein, MD

13 reviews

Toronto Plastic Surgeon