How long after C-section is the ideal time to have a tummy tuck?

Generally, for optimal aesthetic result, the patient should: finish breast feeding, fight back as close to the ideal body weight as possible, andtry to recondition the abdominal wall as much as possible.  When you have done your best at those 3 things, you are ready.  Most take about 6 months to achieve these 3 goals, but it varies widely.  

Ideally you want to wait 9-12 months after your C-section to have cosmetic surgery, in particular a tummy tuck.  An abdominoplasty procedure, requires 2 weeks of downtime and a total of 6 weeks before you can resume full activity.  This means no heavy lifting or bending over to pick things up during this time.  It is a process and the "healing" time is 4-6 months, during this time your body will be going thru its process.  You will have days when the swelling peaks, usually by the end of the day and then subsides when you wake up in the morning.  This waxing and waning of the swelling will eventually subside at 4-6 months time and you will fully be able to enjoy your results.Hope that helps.

Hello and thank you for your question. I recommend waiting six months after a C-section before having a tummy tuck. 
Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of
real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate
their results.  The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Dear Patient: thanks for your question.  You whould wait at least 6 months before you have your Tummy Tuck done.  Remember to always choose a board certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in Abdominoplasty.  Hope this helps!

Thank you for your question. Your body has gone through an incredible process which has taken 10 months to complete.
The ideal time to proceed with surgery is after you have returned to your pre pregnancy weight. For some woman this is 6 months for others it is a year.
I encourage my new mom's to focus on their health. Resume a balanced diet and reintroduce exercise 6 weeks after delivery if all has gone well.
Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon as you approach your goal weight for consultation. This will give you time to educate yourself on the process and set the right time for your surgical procedure.
Good luck and I hope this was helpful

Dear octbaby88,most surgeons would recommend you to wait for at least 6 months before any surgery. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. You will get the best recommendations after a thorough examination.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Thanks for the question. As others have stated, the key factors here are:1. A newborn needs your devoted love and attention. Healing from one procedure (C-section) is enough added stress to the already tough process of raising a small child that you should not be thinking about additional elective surgery for a minimum of 6-9 months2. Your muscle layer needs time to heal to minimize risk of hernia3. Your weight is likely to fluctuate significantly after pregnancy before stabilizing out4. Breastfeeding? You don't want to be exposed to narcotics and other meds unnecessarily early in your child's life for elective surgery5. You need adequate support to take care of the baby while you recover from tummy tuck surgery, which is more painful than a C-section in general, so you need time to plan for these arrangements

I recommend patients wait on average a minimum of 6 months up to a year after a c-section for a tummy tuck. This will allow your body time to heal and the skin and muscle to contract back to a more stable baseline before a tummy tuck. Additional factors such as weight gain and loss, breastfeeding, and ability to take care of your newborn should also be factored into what would be the perfect time for you to have a tummy tuck after your c-section. An in-office evaluation can give you a better estimate as to when a tummy tuck can happen for optimal results. Hope this helps!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery@drjohnsonlee

Assuming patients have completed pregnancies I ask them to  achieve their long-term stable weight and be stable  physically, psychosocially, financially,emotionally... prior to any surgery (this may take 6 to 12 months after C-section).   Allow yourself time to heal after the c-section and enjoy your time with your baby.  Best wishes.

In general, most plastic surgeons recommend waiting at least 6 months after childbirth before undergoing a tummy tuck. There are several  reasons for this. You want to lose your pregnancy weight which will allow you to obtain a more significant and "permanent" result. This will also give you some time to recuperate from a variety of factors, recharge your immune system and regain a more robust aerobic condition. Being in better shape, physically and nutritionally, will increase the odds of you having a better result with a lower risk for certain complications.Steven Turkeltaub, MD