Should I have Lipo on stomach before or after being done with having kids (to avoid stretch marks)?

Question

Thinking about getting liposuction on abs. I've had a couple kids but I may have one more. heard two schools of thought- it's ok to get done now before I get pregnant again because the tissue doesn't stretch as much if there's not as much fat in that area. but I've also heard that liposuction causes scar tissue and makes the skin less pliable which makes it more likely that you get stretch marks. Which one is true? I am lucky that I have no stretch marks from my other pregnancies, trying to avoid it with my last one. Any insight would be great, thanks!

Francesco Campanile, MD · Answer

If you are planning future pregnancies, I generally recommend waiting before pursuing abdominal contouring procedures such as liposuction, and especially before a tummy tuck.

Pregnancy will stretch the abdominal skin and muscles again, which can compromise your results. Liposuction does not prevent stretch marks, as stretch marks are caused by rapid skin stretching and hormonal changes, not by the presence of fat. Removing fat before pregnancy will not protect you from developing them.

For long-term satisfaction and durability of results, the ideal time to undergo abdominal contouring is once you are finished having children and your weight has stabilized. That way, we can address skin, fat and muscle comprehensively and achieve results that are meant to last.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you are intending to have another child in the near future you should wait until you have completed your family prior to having surgery.  However if you are wanting to wait a few years to become pregnant, it is fine to have liposuction now.  As with a tummy tuck, future pregnancies, weight gain or loss could impact your results.

Should I have Lipo on stomach before or after being done with having kids (to avoid stretch marks)?

Answers (2)

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