Tummy Tucks and Pregnancy

Body contouring procedures such as abdominoplasty (also known as a “tummy tuck”) are among the most popular plastic surgery procedures. Tummy tuck procedures are particularly popular among mothers looking to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies as part of the latest “mommy make-over” trend. While tummy tuck procedures are very successful in helping women get their bodies back after having children, many wonder about the ability to have more children after surgery.

Women who are certain that they are going to have more children should wait until they are done having children before undergoing surgery. Weight gain and stretched skin are a natural part of pregnancy and an additional pregnancy after a tummy tuck procedure may adversely affect the results of the previous procedure. If more children are in a person’s future, a tummy tuck should not be in the immediate future.

If a person finds they are pregnant after a tummy tuck procedure, there should not be any adverse effects on the pregnancy itself. Once the body has fully healed, which typically takes 4-6 months, the abdominal muscles are strong enough for the child bearing process. There is also no way of predicting how pregnancy will change the results of the tummy tuck procedure. Individual factors such as skin elasticity may mean that a person’s body retains some of the improved shape from the tummy tuck.

Discussing your situation with a board-certified plastic surgeon at Pinsky Plastic Surgery prior to the tummy tuck procedure will provide the best information suited to you and your particular body needs.