Hello Lizj88, Thank you for your question in regard to pregnancy after a body lift and whether pregnancy will affect the results of a body lift. Pregnancy will affect the results of a 360° circumferential lower body lift. With pregnancy there is weight gain. In addition, there is distention of the abdomen, specifically the lower abdomen. The distention comes from the fetus inside the uterus in the pelvis behind the rectus abdominis muscle. This is the baby pushing against your lower rectus abdominis muscle, and the abdomen becomes distended. Additionally, the skin overlying the abdomen is stretched to accommodate the growing baby. During a 360 circumferential lower body lift, excess torso skin and fat are removed. Almost always in patients who have lost a significant weight like you have, 90 pounds, the rectus abdominis muscles are plicated. That means the abdominal muscle is sutured back together to correct for rectus diastasis and abdominal distention in profile. This is typically sutured with permanent sutures from the sternum to the pubic bone. All these areas would get altered with pregnancy. However, it is extremely rare that you will need a revision of your body lift after a pregnancy, even with twins. Usually, after pregnancy and delivery, the body recoils and returns to "normal" in terms of skin and muscle plication. On a side note, the rectus abdominis muscle plication and tightness of the abdominal wall after a 360 circumferential lower body lift do not compromise your pregnancy. The muscle plication and tightness of the abdomen do not squish the baby's head or lead to premature deliveries. In regard to timing your body lift with pregnancy, most plastic surgeons go by a general rule. The general rule is if you’re planning to get pregnant in the next year, postpone your 360 body lift and get pregnant. If you don’t know when you’re going to get pregnant, but it will be at least a year or more (or never, as you wrote), you can go ahead and proceed with the 360 circumferential lower body lift now. The benefits of having a 360 circumferential lower body lift before your pregnancy are that you can enjoy your new body before your pregnancy. After pregnancy, you may not have the time or energy to consider a 360 circumferential lower body lift while taking care of a child. Of course, before any surgical procedures are initiated, medical clearance will need to be established, labs drawn, EKG done, and chest X-ray taken. I hope I’ve answered your question regarding pregnancy after a body lift and if pregnancy will affect your body lift results. To get an accurate assessment of what exactly you need, schedule a free virtual consultation. Most plastic surgeons offer free virtual consultations. If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, please contact an experienced plastic surgeon. Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Make sure they have performed at least 150 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS, FASMBS, ASBPS (President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons; certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery; Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery; and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)
