There are several reasons that patients seek tummy tuck, and weight loss after gastric bypass, and skin laxity after pregnancy are two leading causes. The root cause of the skin skin laxity however may not be the same in each instance. Most women after pregnancy will not need tummy tuck, especially if they maintain a fit pregnancy. Some patients because of their unique skin type will lose elasticity, develop excessive stretch marks and lose abdominal tone making tummy tuck a very desirable procedure. Patients who have suffered from obesity and were fortunate to have sustained weight loss through diet and exercise, or through gastric bypass have developed skin excess by a different mechanism. The skin has grown as the body fat has expended and responded to growth factors during the period of obesity. The skin envelop is not merely stretched with obesity, it has become too large and body contouring procedures such as tummy tuck are desirable to enhance quality of life and life style. For some these procedures may be the means to maintained health and fitness, allow a full life, and permit a focus on friends, family, and pregnancy.
After weight loss, a tummy tuck before will not interfere with pregnancy, and will not necessarily 'ruin' the result that you have invested in. You may develop some laxity as some women do, but perhaps not. If tummy tuck now will enhance your life, intimacy and acceptance, and improve the chances of a family in the future, it may be an important part of your recovery plan after gastric bypass.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd
