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!

The concept sounds so appealing but is really not a good idea. Your body will undergo many changes during pregnancy and you need to give yourself time to heal after giving birth. We recommend that you wait until you are six months post partum before considering a tummy tuck.

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.