I Have Had 2 C-sections and Am Getting a Tummy Tuck. What Happens if I Decide to Get Pregnant in 3-5 Years?

Question

I am 95% sure I do not want any more kids. My stomach is horrific after my first pregnancy and I want to feel happy about my body again. So I am for sure going through with a tummy tuck. But what if we do have 1 more in 3-5 years. I will most likely need another c-section. I still want to go through with the tt for sure, but there is always that what if I want another in a few years. Has this been done lots before? 2 sections, a tummy tuck, then a section?

Mathew C. Mosher, MD · Answer

Great question! Women should discuss the timing of procedures like tummy tucks and cosmetic breast surgery with their Plastic Surgeon. The important answer to your question is that it is safe to have another pregnancy after a tummy tuck. There are some specific details about how the muscle is repaired during a tummy tuck that Plastic Surgeons may debate when considering a woman who may have future pregnancies. In addition to these debates, you should know that it is very likely that many of the shape benefits achieved with a tummy tuck will be lost or diminished with a future pregnancies. Even with a healthy pregnancy, there will be stretching of the abdominal wall and skin as well as the possibility of a C-section. Waiting until you have completed having your family is generally the best policy.

	There are always exceptional circumstances that may make having a tummy tuck before completing your family reasonable. Similar issues need to be discussed for cosmetic breast surgery.

	Regards

	Dr. Mosher

David Rankin, MD · Answer

It is safe to get pregnant after a tummy tuck, however, it certainly may require an additional surgery in the future as your tissues once again get stretched out. It is best to wait until you have had all your children, however, many people do not always know they are done. Of course, try to keep your weight gain during your pregnancy to a minimum (As per your Ob/Gyn's recommendation). A C-section in the future would be safe.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Generally speaking, patients are able to have normal pregnancies after tummy tuck surgery.  C-section surgery should not be significantly more “risky” for a well experienced OB/GYN physician. Depending on the weight gain/loss,  changes in skin elasticity,  genetics etc.  revisionary surgery may be necessary after the pregnancy. This is a situation where only time will tell.
	Best wishes for a smooth pregnancy.

Robert Kratschmer, MD · Answer

You wouldn't be the first person to have this happen to herself if it occurs.  If the muscle tightening was done back to normal anatomy then the pregnancy should stretch everything normally.  Sometimes a surgeon is overly aggressive at this part of the procedure and the rest of the abdomen will have to compensate for this.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

There is no reason that after a TT you shouldn't be able to have a normal pregnancy, and presumably a repeat c-section. 

	After that pregnancy, you may find yourself in the position of wanting another surgery for your abdomen. That might be a repeat TT, or something less, but how much your abdominal wall will recovery is hard to predict.

	You will not be the first to have a pregnancy after a TT.

	Thanks for your question, best wishes.

I Have Had 2 C-sections and Am Getting a Tummy Tuck. What Happens if I Decide to Get Pregnant in 3-5 Years?

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Answer: Pregnancy after tummy tuck

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Answer: Tummy Tuck. What Happens if I Decide to Get Pregnant?

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I Have Had 2 C-sections and Am Getting a Tummy Tuck. What Happens if I Decide to Get Pregnant in 3-5 Years?

Answers (9)

Answer: Pregnancy after tummy tuck

Answer: Pregnancy after tummy tuck

Answer: Tummy Tuck. What Happens if I Decide to Get Pregnant?

Answer: Tummy Tuck. What Happens if I Decide to Get Pregnant?

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