After having a full tummy tuck, does pregnancy rip the muscles back apart and cause worse stretch marks?

Question

My wife had a full tummy tuck in July and the pregnancy test was negative. After getting through a tough surgery, four weeks later she still did not start her period, we found that she was pregnant! We cannot believe this, as this conception had to occur during the same time as surgery. Now 2 months pregnant I'm worried about her muscles ripping apart and severe stretch marks. Also her being pregnant with little healing time. Anyone have to go through this? Please help

Shim Ching, MD · Answer

Patients do give birth after a TT.  things will stretch and unfortunately, some of the benefits of surgery will be lost.  Each situation is different and it is possible that your wife's prior TT will help her maintain her shape.  I have seen patients that had a child after a TT and they did not need another one.  However, I have performed second TTs on patients after they had a child after their surgery.

Larry C. Leverett, MD, FACS · Answer

I, too, have had a patient get pregnant after an abdominoplasy. In her case, she was really tight and really small ~5'1'', 100 lbs. or so). The baby was healthy but was delivered at about 33-34 weeks or so because of the stress/tightness caused by the muscles that would not stretch to normal capacity. She did get stretch marks again but not everyone does. Good luck. Congratulations. And, watch your weight.

Carmina Cardenas, MD · Answer

I have had this same experience before on patients of mine.I just want to reassure you nothing bad will happen and no risk of ripping the muscle repair or getting severe stretch marks ONLY if she continues watching her diet and continues doing exercise during pregnancy and after delivery.In my past experiences among my patients, they have followed my recommendations specially not gaining that much weight (no more than 16-18 lbs) and at the end of the whole beautiful process, they end up not losing their great results. Gaining a lot of weight definitely will impact negatively her body and result.Dr. Cardenas

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on the pregnancy. Yes, this type of situation does occur occasionally. As you can imagine, every patient's body will “react” differently to the pregnancy;  therefore, it will be impossible to predict whether your wife's abdominal muscle wall muscles will spread to any significant degree or whether or not she will have any stretch marks post pregnancy. Best advice: maintain a healthy lifestyle during the pregnancy avoiding excessive weight gain, under the guidance of her OB/GYN. Best wishes for a  smooth pregnancy, healthy infant,  and minimal changes to her tummy tuck outcome, long-term.

Heather J. Furnas, MD · Answer

Congratulations! Tell your wife to relax.I've had a few patients who have gotten pregnant after having had a tummy tuck, and they've done very well. My first pregnant tummy tuck patient had two children before her first tummy tuck done in another state, and then she had a surprise third pregnancy. The obstetrician asked me to close the C-section, which is why I was involved. The patient didn't get as big with her third, she said, but her baby weighed the same as her others. She didn't get stretch marks, and she was amazed at how tight her tissues remained.Since then other patients have had a similarly positive experience. I performed a second tummy tuck on only one person. In addition to getting pregnant, the patient put on over 100 pounds. After she lost it, her skin loosened up. She was more l a massive weight loss patient than a mommy makeover patient.So tell your wife not to worry to take good care of herself.

Lori H. Saltz, MD (retired) · Answer

Congratulations!  Your wife and baby are going to be fine in regards too the recent abdominoplasty.  I have had several patients get pregnant after their abdominoplasties.  All of them have done well and remarked at how quickly their abdomens sprang back.  The muscles will not "rip apart" nor will the stretch marks be any worse than with a "normal" pregnancy as long as she keeps her weight under control.  One of my patients actually had twins after her tummy tuck and although her muscles snapped back nicely I had to tighten her skin up a bit.  Your wife may be pleasantly surprised at how quickly and nicely her abdomen recovers after this pregnancy.

After having a full tummy tuck, does pregnancy rip the muscles back apart and cause worse stretch marks?

Answers (6)

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