If TT survives pregnancy what are the chances tubal ligation will ruin it?

Thank you for your question and congratulations on your pregnancy! Having a full tummy tuck (TT) prior to pregnancy can raise concerns about how subsequent procedures, like a tubal ligation (TL), might affect your results. Let me address your situation step by step.

Pregnancy and Tummy Tuck Results:
First, it’s important to know that many tummy tuck patients maintain good results after pregnancy, especially when their abdominal muscles and skin handle the additional stretch well. However, some may experience slight changes, such as mild skin laxity or stretching, which could be corrected if needed.

Tubal Ligation and Abdominal Changes:
Tubal ligation is a minimally invasive procedure, often performed laparoscopically. Here’s how it might interact with your tummy tuck results:

Gas Insufflation: During laparoscopic TL, your abdomen is inflated with gas (carbon dioxide) to improve visibility. This may temporarily stretch the abdominal wall but is unlikely to cause permanent changes. Since you had a full TT, including muscle repair, your abdominal muscles and fascia should remain intact.

Incision Placement: The small incisions made during TL are typically well below the belly button, within or near the area of your tummy tuck scar. This means they will likely not create noticeable new scarring or affect the appearance of your abdomen.

What Are the Chances It Will "Ruin" Your Results?
The chances of a tubal ligation significantly altering your tummy tuck results are very low. Tubal ligation is a minor procedure compared to a full tummy tuck, and the integrity of your abdominal wall is unlikely to be compromised.

Recommendations for Best Outcomes:

Choose an Experienced Surgeon: Opt for an OB-GYN familiar with operating on patients who’ve had previous abdominal surgeries.
Post-Surgery Care: Follow all recovery instructions carefully to minimize swelling and protect your tummy tuck results.
Communicate with Your Plastic Surgeon: If you’re concerned, discuss your tubal ligation with the plastic surgeon who performed your tummy tuck. They can provide guidance specific to your case.
In most cases, women with tummy tucks proceed with tubal ligation without any significant impact on their results. However, every body is unique, so open communication with your surgical team is key.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Hello @Cmommyof2 thank you for your question. If the tissues are elongated for a long time as it happens in pregnancy, it can happen depending on the genetic makeup of the patient whether or not it returns to the way the before. It is more likely that sagging is caused as a direct result of pregnancy rather than by laparoscopic surgery. An appropriate course of action would be to consult one or several board-certified plastic surgeons. This will provide you with more information and options tailored specifically to your needs. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD FACS

If you were able to maintain your tummy tuck results through a full term pregnancy, then you should be able to have the tubal ligation as well. If a revision is needed you will want to wait 6 months after childbirth before proceeding.

What you get to inflate during a laparoscopic surgery will never achieve the same abdominal distention that happened during your pregnancy, neither in size nor in duration (minutes vs months). So if the results of your tummy tuck successfully survive a pregnancy, all the more reason you will with this procedure.

The pregnancy will create the space it needs. I don’t know what TL stands for but it reminds me of a book they sold in the medical school bookstore when I was a student many years ago. It was called “1001 medical abbreviations for your convenience and your patience detriment”.
Time will tell. For now I recommend focusing your efforts and energy on your and your child’s well-being.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD