Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) after Pregnancy

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Pregnancy & your Stomach

In most cases there is no need for cosmetic surgery post-pregnancy, however sometimes the changes that take place can’t be rectified by usual means.  Throughout pregnancy the skin around the abdomen has to stretch in order to accommodate the growth of the baby.  When this happens stretch marks can develop, and sometimes after pregnancy the skin can’t bounce back. Elasticity can be lost, leading to excess skin after birth that can’t be reduced without some form of surgery.  This is more common among women who have had multiple pregnancies, the more times the skin is stretched, the more likely it is to lose it’s elasticity. Pockets of fat might develop throughout pregnancy, and after birth these can be particularly difficult to get rid of through diet and exercise alone, due to muscle stretching and damage.  Muscles also stretch in order to accommodate the baby, and after pregnancy it can be harder to gain muscle tone in the abdominal area.  Often these problems can be resolved by using creams, massage, diet and exercise, but sometimes they might need a bit more attention.  All of these things, stretch marks, excess skin and muscle tone, can be helped by abdominoplasty, if diet and exercise haven’t produced the desired results.

Post Pregnancy Tummy Tuck

During post-pregnancy abdominoplasty you are normally put under a general anaesthetic to ensure complete muscle relaxation throughout the procedure.  The skin is stretched over the stomach, being pulled down so that any excess skin can be easily removed in a place where the scarring will be least visible.  While the skin is being lifted, the muscles underneath are tucked together using surgical sutures, so tightening them and making them appear more toned.  Your surgeon can position your abdominal muscles so that they maintain a natural stance.   Fatty pockets can be removed using liposuction at the same time as your surgery.  The surgery for a post-pregnancy tummy tuck will leave scarring, although this can be hidden by bathing costumes or underwear and will be placed in the most discreet place possible.  After pregnancy there are lots of diet and exercise techniques that can help you to lose any excess weight and to help tone the stomach muscles that have been stretched throughout pregnancy.  Normally these will serve to enable you to regain your previous figure, but in some cases this isn’t so.  Surgery should only be considered if these other attempts have been failed.  It is much better for your body to naturally reshape itself.

Pregnancy after a Tummy Tuck

Another pregnancy after a tummy tuck is safe, although it is important that you inform your doctor about the surgery you have already had.  However, another pregnancy will put your body under all the same pressures as before, and the surgery will effectively be undone.  It is likely that you will require another tummy tuck after your next pregnancy in order to regain your previous figure. 

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