Obgyn to Perform Partial Tummy Tuck During C-section?

Thank you for your question regarding combining a partial tummy tuck with a C-section. While it might sound like a convenient "two-for-one" procedure, combining these two surgeries is generally not recommended by most board-certified plastic surgeons or OB/GYNs. This is because the body undergoes significant changes during pregnancy and childbirth, and healing from a C-section alone can already be extensive. Adding a tummy tuck at the same time would increase the complexity of the surgery and could potentially lead to higher risks of complications, including infection, poor wound healing, and prolonged recovery time.

A C-section focuses on delivering the baby and closing the incision quickly, while a tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that requires meticulous attention to muscle repair, removal of excess skin, and fat sculpting. These goals are not typically aligned, which is why most surgeons advise against performing both at once. It’s better to wait until after your body has had time to fully recover from childbirth before considering a tummy tuck.

If you still want a tummy tuck after having a C-section, I recommend waiting at least 6 to 12 months to ensure that your body has healed completely and your weight has stabilized. At that point, you can safely undergo the procedure and achieve optimal results.

While I understand that your previous OB/GYN offered this service, it's rare to find one who would perform a partial tummy tuck during a C-section. I would recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon after your pregnancy to get the best and safest results for your tummy tuck.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Surgeons specialize for a reason. Clearly, you have had a favorable experience in the past and most likely had an excellent surgeon. However, an OB-Gyne is trained to focus on the health of you and your child and to perform an efficientl and safe delivery. It is less likely that they are concerned with performing a layered repair. In fact in most instances this is the least important part of their operation but the most important part of our procedure. Our priorities are different and typically reflected in our surgical outcomes.

A tummy tuck should never do done at the time of a C-section. The C-section is designed for safe and efficient delivery of your child. The main focus of that operation is to ensure the safety of both mother and child.
Tummy tucks are elective procedures designed to remove skin and fat excess from the lower abdomen and to tighten the abdominal muscles. Women should wait until they are near their prepregnancy weight and their bodies have fully recovered from the trauma of childbirth.
It is also advisable for this procedure to be done by a board certified plastic surgeon.

I agree with my colleagues here. A tummy tuck should NOT be done at the time of a C-section. The priority of your OB/GYN should be the safety of you and your baby. It is a bad idea to perform any abdominal contouring procedure (mini-tummy tuck or tummy tuck) at time of C-section. In addition to issues associated with your safety, cosmetically you will not get the best results. Remember, it takes several weeks to months for your enlarged uterus to "shrink" In addition, you will lose weight. If you opt to proceed with a mini-tummy tuck at the time of c-section, guess what - you'll be looking at residual excess skin and stretch marks in a few months after you have lost your pregnancy weight. Finally, we have specialists in medicine for a reason. Would you have your dentist do open heart surgery? Opt for a ASPS member surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. I hope this helps.

How many tummy tucks does an ob/gyn do in his/her training? Exactly zero.
If you want a tummy tuck, why don't you seek out a specialist who has been properly trained in this procedure: a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Moreover, I NEVER perform a tummy tuck at the time of a C-section. A post-partum abdomen will frequently shrink significantly--on its own. I delay "mommy makeovers" for a minimum of 6-12 months.

"I'm looking for an OB/Gyn who will do this" - Keep looking and you will find one. But - why stop there, why not let your Ob-Gyn perform your heart surgery or back surgery as well - surely all surgeons are inter-changeable?
In a nod to 1700 era medicine, BY LAW, anyone with a medical degree can PRACTICE any branch of Medicine he/she wishes to DESPITE any formal training or certification they really had.
Great for plaintiff lawyers and sellers of medical equipment - really bad for the average, uneducated deal-shopping American patient.
The VAST MAJORITY of Plastic surgeons completed training in 5 years or more of General Surgery and then trained in Plastic Surgery, making Plastic Surgery training among the LONGEST in American surgical training. Yet despite our training - very few if any of us practice general surgery. What makes you think that a GYN (4 years of TOTAL training), or a Family Practice doctor (3 years of training) are as qualified to do your tummy tuck as a REAL Plastic surgeon?
I truly wish you luck in your search . You will REALLY need it.

First of all, your OB GYN should be concerned only with your and your babies health - not cosmetic surgery. If anything happened as a result of the cosmetic surgery, your doctor would not have a legal leg to stand on. Save the cosmesis for later.

As the other plastic surgeons have stated, there are a number of issues here. First, you have not lost the post-baby weight, therefore if a tummy tuck is done, the belly can loosen up again with weight loss.There is also a higher complication rate when the tummy tuck is done at the time of a C-section, including the dangers of a blood clot in the legs or pelvis travelling to the lungs.The most important issue is training. Just as you wouldn't want me, a board certified plastic surgeon, doing your C-section, you don't want your OB/Gyn doing your tummy tuck. The training is completely different, and an issue that patients often don't think about is what happens if there is a complication after the cosmetic surgery- does the doctor have the training to help you through a complex situation, and we as board certified plastic surgeon do have the training.Wait for your tummy tuck until you have completely healed from the C-section and have lost all the weight that you are planning on losing.This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for a consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

First of all, you got a little lucky the first time. Ob-gyns are not trained in tummy tucks and I have just seen a patient who had one done that is a mess. Secondly, at the time of the birth of a child, your and your doctor's only concern should be about your health and your baby's health. Wait for 6-9 months, then go to a real palstic surgeon for a proper evaluation if you are done having children.