Can tummy tuck before pregnancy lead to preterm labor or other complications?

Generally it is not advised to become pregnant after a tummy tuck for cosmetic reasons. However there are no concerns for the developing fetus should you become pregnant after a tummy tuck (even with muscle tightening). Consult with another plastic surgeon for a complete examination if you have concerns or questions about your anatomy or about your surgical plan.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

Pregnancy following tummy tuck surgery is
possible and is not dangerous, but if you plan on future pregnancies, you
should wait to have a full tummy tuck with muscle repair until you are done
having children, since pregnancy will stretch out the skin and abdominal
muscles again, usually undoing the repairs that were achieved with the
abdominoplasty. In that case, a secondary tummy tuck to repair recurrent muscle
laxity or loose skin may be beneficial.

Most plastic surgeons would suggest that
you finish having children before undergoing a full abdominoplasty with repair
of the stretched out abdominal muscles.

There are other options that exist for the
appropriate patient: A wedge excision of the lower abdominal excess tissue
without repair of the muscle, liposuction in conjunction with the wedge
excision, or liposuction alone.

Keep in mind that following advice from a
surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do
without examining you, physically feeling your tissue, assessing your desired
outcome, taking a full medical history and discussing the pros and cons of each
operative procedure would not be in your best interest. I would suggest that
your plastic urgeon be certified by the American Board of American Plastic Surgery
and one who is ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss
your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, MD FACS

La Jolla, California

    I have not observed this to be a concern.  The main issue may be that a revision may be necessary following pregnancy.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA