Mini Tummy Tuck Straight After C-section?

I know it sounds convenient to have this all done and behind you.  However, you should definitely wait for at least 6 months after giving birth before having any procedure on your abdomen.  The skin an muscles need to contract so that a proper plan can be made.  Be patient...it will be worth it!

Thank you for your question. This question comes up frequently in my practice.I do not recommend any sort of tummy tuck procedures whether it is a full tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck at the time of childbirth or even immediately thereafter. It is best to wait several months to allow the intra-abdominal uterus to return to its normal size. Additionally, the skin will retract significantly on its own. My recommendation and the recommendation of a majority of my colleagues is to wait for months or even up to a year after having your last child before undergoing a tummy tuck operation.I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson Richards

To a great extent it depends what people call mini tummy tuck. It can be just removing some excess skin above the C-section scar and extending it. This can definitely be performed at the time of a C-section but it also means more time in the operating theatre which is not necessarily a good thing for the mother's health. It would also increase the risk of infection and antibiotic treatments can affect breastfeeding.A mini tummy tuck more frequently involves also tightening of the muscles which have spread out somewhat in pregnancy. It would be appropriate to do this at the same time with a C-section.In the balance of benefits and risks, separating the C-section and the me tummy tuck is an advantage because it can achieve more significant improvement to the shape of the tummy and keeps the risks lower. 

Having a mini-tummy tuck at the time of your C-section may seem convenient, but I would not recommend this approach. I advise my patients to wait 4-6 months following delivery to allow your uterus to return to normal size and allow your skin and muscles to bounce back.  Once you have reached a stable weight, a mini or full tummy talk, could be performed. I would recommend an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to help determine the best procedure for you. Best regards,Andrew Lyos MD, FACS

I would not recommend a mini tummy tuck at the time of your c-section. There is potential that muscle work would need to be done with your mini tummy tuck to give you the best results and this would not be apparent until you are at least a few months out from having the baby and your uterus has returned to its pre-pregnancy size. Also, there is an increased risk of infection and complications if these procedures are combined. Lastly, I recommend a board certified plastic surgeon perform your mini tummy tuck and not your obstetrician. 

Although it sounds like a great time and convenient way to get your abdomen back to its natural state, it is best to wait. The complication rate is higher when combining these procedures and the results aren't as good because your abdominal wall needs time for your uterus to return to its normal size before a real assessment as to what exactly needs to be done can be determined. I suggest waiting at least 3 months before doing the mini tuck. My preference is wait 6 months so I can assess the skin as well and your tummy will have recovered enough from the initial scar of the c section to make a good assessment. 

Mini tuck is a great way to rid of loose skin below the belly button
area. However, we DO NOT recommend any kind of cosmetic surgery of the abdomen during C-section. Its better to focus on your baby. After you have recovered from the pregnancy, look for a qualified plastic surgeon and book a paid consult. Experience, training, and results matters a lot during mini tuck. Non Plastic surgeons (cosmetic surgeons)
tend to charge less than Plastic Surgeon. Do your
research and find a real Plastic Surgeon and book a paid consultation.
Free consults are just a sales pitch and does not work in your best
interest. Below are other criteria to
use when selecting a Plastic surgeon.Questions to ask (Answering NO is a big red flag)1) Are you a plastic surgeon? (Do you know difference between cosmetic surgeon & plastic surgeon)2) Are you board certified in Plastic Surgery?3) Will the procedure be performed at a fully accredited procedure room or ambulatory surgery center4) Do you have hospital privilege to perform liposuction and tummy tuck? Which Hospital?5) Do you offer complication insurance (it does happen, it better to be safe)The
most important decision is to do your homework well. Good
luck.

This is a great question. It is a common question as well. It would seem that this is a good idea but there are many problems associated with the procedure. During pregnancy there are great number of changes in the skin and abdominal muscles. Nature's response after delivery is for the tissues to retract and recover, but this takes time. Performing the tummy tuck while the tissues are distorted is almost certain to result in a sub-optimal result and require revision surgery later.  It is like hitting a moving target and it is hard or impossible to determine how tight to pull the muscles or the skin. A better approach is to recover from the pregnancy, get back into shape with diet and exercise and then have your definitive procedure. You will have a much better result, less risk of complication.

Although this technically could be performed, it's best to wait to have a tummy tuck. Your body will undergo changes after the delivery and it's best to wait until your body has finished changing. Once you have reached a stable weight, a mini or full tummy talk, could be performed. In person consultation with a plastic surgeon will help determine the best procedure for you.

Performing a C-section and
abdominoplasty together is probably not advisable for a variety of
reasons.  The post pregnancy period
is characterized by rapid anatomic changes which make the analysis of the
abdomen very difficult.  Tummy tuck
surgery should therefore not be under taken until post pregnancy changes have
stabilized.  Proceeding prior to
six months after delivery might result in an increased incidence of revisional
surgery.

In addition, early abdominoplasty
is associated with higher complication rates for multiple reasons.  Immediately following pregnancy
patients may have enlarged blood vessels within the abdominal wall which might
increase the potential for bleeding. 
In some cases their metabolic status may be unstable and they may be
anemic due to blood loss at the time of delivery.  In other cases bacterial contamination might occur during
delivery and result in an increased number of infectious complications.

Finally, the emotional trauma of
delivering a baby and simultaneously undergoing abdominoplasty may be significant.  Caring for a newborn in the early
post-operative period would be difficult to say the least.

Based on these considerations we
feel that C-sections and abdominoplasty should be staged.  If you are considering abdominoplasty,
consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon would be an appropriate
next step.  Your surgeon will most
likely advise not having an abdominoplasty until you are fully recovered from
your C-section.

My recommendation would definitely be to wait at least 6 months following your C-section before having your tummy tuck.  Changes which normally occur following childbirth such as muscle tightening and skin retraction may impact the work which actually needs to be done.  While having everything done at once may sound appealing, ultimately a great result is what you desire.  Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has performed hundreds of tummy tucks and schedule a consultation.  Ask to see as many before and after photos as possible of other patients who are similar to you in size and weight.  Ask questions and make an informed decision.Best of luck,