Will my Tummy Tuck Be Ruined After Pregnancy Although I Would Be Dieting and Exercising ?

Question

hey....i am a 26 years old single female who is planning to do a tummy tuck next week.my question is if i got married one day will my tummy tuck be ruined even if i kept dieting and exercising during and after pregnancy?

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

In many cases, tummy tuck results are adversely affected by pregnancy. However, this is not always the case. If you maintain a healthy exercise regimen and diet, then you'll improve your body contour and may be satisfied with your body contour even after pregnancy.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

This is a tough question as some women have good elasticity ( you probably do not if you are having a tummy tuck) and do well after pregnancy. It is quite possible that you may need a revision after pregnancy even with proper diet, and exercise during pregnancy. In the big picture, probably a small price to pay.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

If you undergo a tummy tuck and decide later on to have children, there is a good possibility that the skin will stretch out and you may need the tummy tuck redone. There is no way to know for sure and even proper weight control during pregnancy may not prevent it from occurring. But it sounds like you are several years away from having to deal with the issue, so go ahead and proceed with your surgery and enjoy your flat tummy!

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. There is no way to predict how your body will respond after pregnancy. I would advise that if there is a good chance that you will become pregnant in the future that you consider either getting a skin and fat-only tummy tuck or consider postponing the tummy tuck until after pregnancy. Discuss these issues and all of your questions specifically with your plastic surgeon. I hope this helps.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

NO, your tummy tuck will not be ruined, but you may need further revision surgery to improve after future pregnancies.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post.  You certainly can have a baby after tummy tuck.  In a tummy tuck, we are putting your body back together similiar to what you were like before you were pregnant.  Your muscle tension, your skin and your fat contours are adjusted.  Once you are fully healed from your surgery, your body is just as able to accept a pregnancy as it was before your first pregnancy.  However, if your belly area stretched after your first pregnancy, then you are likely to stretch again after your next pregnancy.  Most surgeons recommend to have a tummy tuck after you are finished having childern, however, in certain instances, such as starting to date again, or just not being happy with your post pregnancy body, then it makes sense to go ahead and have a tummy tuck.  Just realize that you may need a revision later on.Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

I don't know if ruined is the right word, but it is clear it will mar the result to some degree. It is impossible to predict in anyone how much of a change it will make due to a variety of variables. But pregnancy and tissue expansion are not helpful in maintaining the results of a tummy tuck. I have had a handful of tummy tuck patients who had tummy tucks and got pregnant later. They all eventually desired a revision of their original tummy tuck at some point after their delivery.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

There is no way to predict how things will turn out after a pregnancy. Most women have tummy tucks after their last planned pregnancy.

Ralph R. Garramone, MD · Answer

I have had three patients in my practice get pregnant after a tummy tuck and in each case they did quite well and did not need or want more surgery.  Having said that I think it is unpredictable how much change you will have and of course a secondary procedure may be necessary. Dieting and exercising is fine during the pregnancy but the problem is the localized stretching that occurs as your uterus gets larger and stretches the skin and muscle of the central and lower abdomen.  This you will not be able to avoid during pregnancy.

	I believe you are implying that you have not yet been pregnant so I must ask why you are having a tummy tuck in the first place.  If it is due to weight loss thats understandable but perhaps consider that you may not need a tummy tuck now, perhaps liposuction is more appropriate.  Unable to give any more advice with respect to that issue without seeing you or at least seeing photographs.

	Thank you for your question and good luck.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Unfortunately, despite all precautions,  your abdominal wall may change significantly after pregnancy. Afterwards you may find that there is &ldquo;excess skin'  and/or loss of skin elasticity. The  abdominal wall rectus muscles do separate to some degree with pregnancy.

	You should be aware that you may need revisionary surgery after completion of pregnancies.

	Best wishes.

Will my Tummy Tuck Be Ruined After Pregnancy Although I Would Be Dieting and Exercising ?

Answers (12)

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