Should I wait until I am done breastfeeding to get a tummy tuck?

Question

Hello All, My baby is five (5) months old and I'd like to get a tummy tuck soon. I wanted to breastfeed for two (2) years at least but I'm concerned that I will not be able to breastfeed post-op due to pain meds or whatever else comes with post-op territory. Can I still breastfeed my baby after having surgery or should I wait until I am done breastfeeding to get a tummy tuck? Thanks!

Ashley N. Amalfi, MD · Answer

As a mommy who breastfed two kiddos, I would recommend waiting until you are done breastfeeding for the surgery.  First, you would have to 'pump and dump' after surgery due to the anesthetic and pain medications that you get during surgery.  Second, your body will change! After breastfeeding some women lose more weight, and some gain a little.  Breastfeeding burns a lot of calories, and your body and fat distribution will continue to change with the cessation of your milk and the hormone changes.  For the ideal result, I would recommend waiting until you have been done breastfeeding for 3 months to get the optimal result of your surgery.

Michael Chiaramonte, MD · Answer

Thank you for your excellent question. This is one I hear often at my office in Maryland. It is best to wait to have a tummy tuck or any invasive plastic surgery procedure until you’re done breastfeeding because your body and breasts need time to return to normal. It’s recommended to wait at least three months after you’re done breastfeeding to have a tummy tuck. Additionally, if you plan on having more children, you run the risk of losing your results and may need another procedure later.
Best of luck! 
  
Dr. Michael Chiaramonte, ASPS board-certified plastic surgeon

Germán Newall, MD, FACS, FICS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Be sure you are done having children because during surgery, the vertical muscles are tightened and future pregnancies can divide those muscles. You may want to wait until you are done breast feeding until you have a tummy tuck. Speak with your board certified plastic surgeon about your options.Hope this helps,Dr. Newall

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear firefly2017,
if your are planning to breastfeed, you should consider postponing a surgery. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, woman's body changes a lot. It is the best wait until your body recovers from the pregnancy and then consider a surgery. Always look for a board-certified plastic surgeon for a consultation.
Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Robert Applebaum, MD · Answer

My recommendation is to discuss any breast feeding issues with your pediatrician and gynecologist. I tend to agree that you should not be breast feeding with anesthesia and pain meds in your system. The answer you will likely get is to wait until you are done breast feeding.

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

Your concerns are valid. Your tummy tuck will require general anesthesia and post-operative pain medications. You should not be breast feeding during and for a period after your surgery and after you finish your last medications. It may be easier on both your baby and you to do the tummy tuck after you are done breastfeeding. It will also give your body time to adjust in terms of weight and skin laxity prior to your tummy tuck. Hope this helps!!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear!Thanks for the question and provided information as well and congrats for the baby and breastfeeding.I personally recommend to wait until you are done breastfeeding, but certainly you can have a tummy tuck even you are breastfeeding, just have to keep taking out the breast milk and discard it until you have 48 hrs without medications.Hope this could help and good luck :)

David S. Rosenberg, MD · Answer

i'm thinking you would at least want to take a hiatus from breastfeeding from the date of surgery until at least 4 days after your last pain pill to  give time for the pain medicine to be out of your system.  You will have discomfort from the surgery for at least 3 weeks.  Therefore I'm thinking you may want to wait on surgery until after you are done breastfeeding. Good luck!DSR

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

There are several factors to consider; first, the baby comes first, and you will have to interrupt the breast feeding for probably two weeks during surgery and while taking your pain pills; the second, you want to loose all of your pregnancy weight prior to surgery; My recommendation is to wait until you are done breast feeding; your breasts might deflate as well and you may just want to fix both at the same time; this will save you time, recovery, and money.

Jon A. Perlman, MD (retired) · Answer

You are best advised to avoid breast feeding after anesthesia and surgery to allow the medicines to leave your system and not be a risk to your baby.  I've heard of patients storing and freezing breast milk to enable procedures.  You'd need to discuss this with a breast feeding expert.  Keep in mind that it's best to have a tummy tuck once you've returned to a healthy and maintainable post baby weight.  Also, your surgical results will be partially reversed by future childbearing so that's another thing to give some thought to in your planning.Best wishes,
Jon A Perlman MD FACS 
  
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
  
Member, ASAPS, ASPS
  
Extreme Makeover Surgeon ABC TV 
  
Best of Los Angeles Award 2015, 2016 
  
Beverly Hills, Ca

Should I wait until I am done breastfeeding to get a tummy tuck?

Answers (10)

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