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Can I Get Pregnant After a Tummy Tuck?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Douglas J. Raskin, MD
Question viewed 23,174 times
Tags: pregnancy

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?

33 answers to Can I Get Pregnant After a Tummy Tuck?

+4

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
Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+1

No health risks with pregnancy after tummy tuck

The best time to have a tummy tuck is after you have completed having all your children. If you happen to become pregnant after a tummy tuck, your abdominal skin may stretch to a point where the skin may remain loose after the delivery and your abdominal contour becomes compromised. There are no health risks to you or your fetus/child, however, from a cosmetic standpoint you may "undo" some of the benefit you had from the tummy tuck. If you do have loose skin after pregnancy,... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.williambrunomd.com

+3

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.
Rafi S. Bidros, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+2

Pregnancy after tummy tuck?

Yes you can but it will ruin the result. You should wait until the last ovum is gone unless you want to have another tummy tuck after the pregnancy. Dr Foster
Lawrence Foster, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon
+2

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
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Tummy Tuck and Pregnancy

Tummy Tuck surgery is best performed after your pregnancy (pregnancies). Weight gain associated with additional child bearing after a tummy tuck is likely to compromise the result. It is conceivable that a revision (second tummy tuck surgery) would be of benefit, if the abdominal tissues are stretched again, by pregnancy. In cosmetic surgery, timing of the operation is quite important to obtain a lasting result. Best Regards
Douglas J. Raskin, MD

Colorado Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy Possible After Tummy Tuck

Yes, you can get pregnant and have children after a tummy tuck but often you will have skin redundancy which may require a revision in the future. This is the reason the majority of women have a "mommy makeover" after their last planned pregnancy.
Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy after tummy tuck

Thanks for an excellent question. I personally will not perform a tummy tuck which involves muscle repair on anyone who tells me they intend on future pregnancies, period. However as many other surgeons astutely pointed out life plans change and a patient of mine and countless patients of other surgeons have had a tummy tuck and gone on to have uncomplicated pregnancies. The results of the tummy tuck may decay after the pregnancy and revision may be desired. more
Vishnu Rumalla, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy After A Tummy Tuck?

The short answer to your question is yes, you CAN get pregnant after a tummy tuck. Your baby will be fine and your abdominal wall will slowly stretch as the baby grows. Only time will tell what your abdomen will look like after you deliver. You may need another surgery to correct the changes from the pregnancy. The best advice is be as sure as you can about being finished with your family. However, we all know that plans change and accidents happen. Good luck. more
Douglas L. Gervais, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Pregnancy after a Tummy Tuck

We hear women say "my mother (or my sister) never even had any stretch marks!" So needing a tummy tuck in the first place is a combination of genetics and luck. After your tummy tuck you will have had some help from the surgery to keep the abdomen flat, but since experiences vary, you would just have to see. You might need just some skin tightening, but could need muscle tightening as well. I don't think you would cause any "harm". You would... more
Robert M. Lowen, MD

Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

www.enhanced-you.com

+1

Having a baby post tummy tuck.

Hello. It is safe to have a baby after a tummy tuck. However, the purpose of having the surgery is to fix the abdomen from previous weight gain and or pregnancy. You will lose your results and more then likely will need another procedure to fix your abdomen again.
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.jaimeperezmd.com

+1

It is safe to get pregnant after a tummy tuck

It is safe to get pregnant after a tummy tuck. Pregnancy may however, change the appearance of your tummy tuck result. Some of my patients who have gotten pregnant after a tummy tuck come back years later for a small revision to tighten their abdomen. Best.
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

+1

Pregnancy after tummy tuck

Tummy tuck should follow pregancy--and not the other way around. The purpose of tummy tuck is to reduce or eliminate the changes caused by pregnancy: excess skin, abdominal wall laxity, and excess fat. If you have another baby (which you can do quite safely after tummy tuck), you may undo many of the benefits of the tummy tuck procedure. I recommend that you not have a tummy tuck until you feel reasonably certain that you are done having children.
Ronald Friedman, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy is possible after tummy tuck but the results might be ruined.

An abdominoplasty often is indicated to fix aesthetic problems resulting from pregnancy. Getting pregnant after the operation is possible, but might undo many of the cosmetic improvements the operation yields.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy after a tummy tuck

The impact of a pregnancy on your abdomen after having a tummy tuck is that you may need to have a revision of your tummy tuck. This is due to the stretching of the muscles, skin and fat that happen naturally with pregnancy. It is important though to wait at least a year or so to allow your body to recover from the pregnancy and for your weight to stabilize before looking into any revision.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

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.
Michael L. Workman, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy after tummy tuck may mean revision

Technically speaking, yes you can become pregnant again. But the pregnancy will result in stretching of your abdominal muscle and tissue again. Thus you may need a revision to re-tighten the muscle and possibly remove more skin and abdominal fat after the pregnancy. If you are planning to become pregnant, it may be better to hold off on the tummy tuck for now.
Siamak Agha, MD, PhD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy will likely undo a tummy tuck

Having a tummy tuck will not prevent or cause complications with pregnancy. If you are even considering more children I would advise against having a tummy tuck. Further pregnancies would likely undo the results of the tummy tuck.  
Irvin M. Wiesman, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Am I able to get pregnant after a Tummy Tuck?

Hi there- Pregnancy is indeed possible after a tummy tuck, and should be safe for you and your baby. It's probably not advisable, however, as the pregnancy will likely cause the same changes that led you to pursue tummy tuck surgery in the first place... In other words, you may feel like you need your tummy tuck re-done after a subsequent pregnancy. I usually advise my patients to wait until they are confident their families are complete before having a tummy tuck.
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

+1

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
Lauren Greenberg, MD

Palo Alto Plastic Surgeon
+1

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!
Jeffrey Horowitz, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

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
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck is compatible with pregnancy but it may jeopardize your cosmetic results.

I had a patient who got pregnant after her Tummy Tuck, done elsewhere. She delivered a healthy baby, at full term but "lost" the improvements of her Tummy Tuck, as the abdominal wall laxity returned and the skin stretched further. She had a secondary tummy tuck and got the results she wanted. As a PS, I generally counsel all patients considering Tummy Tucks to optimize their health beforehand and this includes not subjecting yourself to a repeat procedure because of unplanned... more
Lavinia Chong, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy tuck and pregnancy

Ideally, you want to do the Tummy Tuck when you had your family and finished with your pregancies. Still, a Tummy tuck does not affect your ability to get pregnant. I have many patients who got pregnant after a Tummy Tuck and had normal course of pregnancy and normal delivery. Pregnancy can make your skin lax again and may separate the muscles that a revision may be needed.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

You can get pregnant after a tummy tuck

Some people want to live and not be left with the ravages of pregnancy. A tummy tuck is a great option. While having a pregnancy after a tummy tuck is not advisable, it should not affect your ability to have a child. However, your initial result may be destroyed requiring an adittional procedure.
Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Children after Tummy Tuck

What if you get pregnant after an abdominoplasty? Not long ago, if you had your abdominal walls tightened, it was recommended that you not get pregnant again because of the increased risk (wholly speculative) of miscarriage. While it doesn't make much sense to tighten things only to have pregnancy loosen them again, you can, post-tuck, become pregnant and bring a healthy baby to term. But if you are fairly certain that you want to have more kids, you should discuss this issue with your... more
Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pregnancy after a tummy tuck

It is ideal for you to wait till you are done having children before considering a tummy tuck procedure. However, if pregnancy occurs after your surgery, there is no negative impact on you and your baby besides that you may have changes to your body and may need a tummy tuck revision. More than likely, your body will go through the same changes leaving you with loose stretched skin and stretched rectus muscles.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Pregnancy after tummy tuck is safe but may lessen the benefit of the procedure

Your tissues will stretch during pregnancy and it is unlikely that a prior tummy tuck will harm you or the baby. However, it is likely that the weight gain and skin stretching will leave you with loose skin and possibly fat and thus your original tummy tuck result will need revision
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Is pregnancy possible after tummy tuck

Yes, this is not ideal but it has happened to 4 patients in my 16 year career so far. I went back to repair this in two paitents. see video
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

No harm to you or the baby from pregnancy after tummy tuck

While it is best to be done with pregnancy before tummy tuck, it is important to know that having a tummy tuck does not impart any risk to you or your baby. The reason we recommend waiting is because another pregnancy after tummy tuck will likely ruin the results. You may need another tummy tuck to get back to the way things were.
Robert B. Pollack, MD

La Jolla Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wait Until After Pregnancy For A Tummy Tuck

A "Tummy Tuck" is performed to recontour the abdominal area. This procedure is most commonly done to reverse changes that occur to the abdominal wall following pregnancy. Other reasons include large weight loss and aging, but the most common reason is to reverse the effects of pregnancy. An abdominoplasty, tummy tuck), does not prevent you from getting pregnant. A pregnancy following an abdominoplasty will distend and streach the abdominal wall tissues and you will loose most or... more
James H. Schmidt, MD

Sarasota Plastic Surgeon
+1

It is better to wait till you are done with kids before a tummy tuck

The main reason for getting a tummy tuck is having had a child. The tummy tuck reverses the changes of childbearing, and it is a major surgical procedure. While it does not prevent future pregnancy, pregnancy after a tummy tuck will again "stretch out" the abdomen. It is much harder to get a great result the second time around, as the skin is even thinner and you will likely have more extensive stretch marks. I have done tummy tucks for patients who will likely have kids in the... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tummy Tuck ideally done after all pregnancies are completed

I instruct my patients to avoid getting a tummy tuck until after they have completed having all the pregnancies that they want. It doesn't mean that some do not go on to have a pregnancy after a tummy tuck. I don't recommend it because the tissues will stretch out again and will ruin the results. I personally do not think that it would impact pregnancy and the ability to carry to term. There have been published reports of breast reconstruction patients that had tummy tuck tissue used to... more
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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