2 months postpartum. Is this fat or loose skin? (photo)

Question

Hi, I am two months postpartum after having my 4th child. However this time I am noticing a lot of dimpled skin especially towards the bottom. Also it looks worse when sitting down. It feels like fat is just sitting on top of my muscles.. But I could be wrong and it’s just loose skin? Could this go away with exercise or would a mini tummy tuck be the only thing that gets rid of this? When I pinch the sides of my stomach it does give it that smooth appearance again… Thank you!

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

I would recommend liposuction with skin excision an umbilical transposition. The loose skin around the belly button will be improved with umbilical transposition. The liposuction will help to flatten your tummy. But, you will need to be assessed for diastasis because you will need a tummy tuck if that is a significant aspect of your exam. Otherwise better off without a tummy tuck.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Thank you for your photos. I don’t see any hanging skin of your abdomen. If you do have a little bit of extra weight, which you have not lost since you’re pregnancy, my recommendation would be to get a excellent diet and exercise regiment and get yourself down to your best body weight that you can and reevaluate the contour of your abdomen at that point. You’ll probably see a lot of what is bothering you now, disappear as you become more fit.  Then you can have a detailed consultation with your plastic surgeon to decide what’s best for you or if anything needs to be done at all.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Nice153977,

based on your photos, you look like a good candidate for a TT. Full tummy tuck should tighten your abdominal muscles and remove the excess skin. Flanks liposuction would give you a better shape. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon because only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Congratulations on the birth of your fourth child!

Your skin seems to be loose, which is natural after having multiple children. Please allow about a year or to allow your body to return to as close to your pre-pregnancy shape as possible. If at that time you’re still concerned, you can consider talking to a board certified plastic surgeon about a tummy tuck.

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

After pregnancy, it takes time to for the uterus and skin to contract.  Additionally it takes awhile to lose pregnancy weight.  Restarting healthy diet and exercise program is first line for restoring one's abdomen.  If skin changes and excess fat persist six months later, one could consider mini-tummy tuck or liposuction if only excess fat.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

Hello
After childbirth, the body continues to eliminate edema and the uterus undergoes involution for 3-4 months. It is too early to assess right now, but it is highly likely that there is subcutaneous fat accumulation. Additionally, there is stretch-marked skin in the lower abdomen. Therefore, simply removing fat will not resolve the issue. A mini tummy tuck will also be necessary.

John LoMonaco, MD, FACS · Answer

You have a small amount of fat in the central tummy, and perhaps the hips/waist.

There's  a bit of muscle laxity from pregnancy called diastasis recti.

Skin elasticity is OK, not great, based on texture irregularity io can see in these photos.

If you want a tight, athletic, sculpted result and are not planning more kids, a tummy tuck is the gold standard.

Lipo alone will help your shape however there is evidence of skin laxity in the central tummy area that could get worse of too much fat is removed.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

From submitted photos, your abdominal wall and skin have endured four full term pregnancies very well.  Fitness (strengthening core, leaning out by diet) should always be the first choice, my recommendation would be to maximize that first.  If you cannot overcome the effects of multiple pregnancies, hormonal effects, age, etc. to your satisfaction, then YES, modified tummy tuck will definitely tighten skin but trade-off is lower abdominal scar, recovery time, uncertainty of result, etc.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Since you are only two months post partum, you may still have more changes. Once you have reached 6 months, then visit with a plastic surgeon to see what your options are.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

The answer to your question if you have fat or loose skin creating the contour on your abdomen is that it is probably a bit of both.  At two months post partum your body is still changing from the pregnancy.  You will want to wait at least six months before considering any procedure.  Until then give your body the best opportunity to heal by eating a healthy balanced diet and getting regular exercise as approved by your OB/Gyn.

2 months postpartum. Is this fat or loose skin? (photo)

Answers (11)

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