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When women go through pregnancy, their bodies go through quite a few major changes. Oftentimes, these changes include the abdominal skin and muscles becoming loose and saggy. As a result of this, it’s very common for women to undergo tummy tuck procedures after giving birth. This allows them to tighten their abdominal muscles, get rid of excess skin, and achieve a more youthful figure. But if you’ve given birth via cesarean section, or C-section, you may be wondering, “can you get a tummy tuck after c section?” In short, the answer is yes, but it’s wise to give your body time to heal between the two surgeries.
CAN YOU COMBINE A C-SECTION AND TUMMY TUCK?
C-sections are very common; according to WebMD, approximately 30% of all babies born in the U.S. are born via C-section. And in some cases, women who find out they’ll be giving birth this way decide that they want to have a tummy tuck performed as an immediate follow-up to the process. That way, they can get a headstart on restoring their pre-pregnancy figure. However, having a tummy tuck immediately following a C-section is generally not a good idea.
It can be tempting to undergo a tummy tuck immediately after giving birth. After all, nobody enjoys having excess belly skin or loose abdominal muscles. However, you should resist that temptation and wait until your body has had sufficient time to heal from the pregnancy and C-section. There are several reasons why it’s best not to undergo a tummy tuck right after having a C-section:
Subpar Results
- If you don’t give your body time to heal following your C-section, it could prevent you from achieving the results you want from your tummy tuck. During the period immediately following your pregnancy, your abdominal skin and uterus will still be stretched out quite a bit. So, it may be difficult for your plastic surgeon to accurately determine how much tightening needs to be done. This could lead to unsatisfactory tummy tuck results. However, if you wait a while after your C-section, your body will have time to return to a stable state. Then, you can get the wonderful results you deserve from a tummy tuck.
Possible Complications
- Both C-sections and tummy tuck surgeries come with certain risks. And if you have the two procedures done back to back without giving your body a break, the odds of a complication occurring may increase. If you undergo a tummy tuck immediately after your C-section, it could increase the risk of blood clots, fluid retention, and infection.
Unpleasant Recovery
- If you combine your C-section with a tummy tuck, you may be setting yourself up for a very difficult recovery. Each of these surgeries can be challenging to recover from on its own, but recovering from both simultaneously can present additional challenges. For one thing, your body will be absolutely exhausted. You’ll also be in quite a bit of discomfort. The toughest part, though, will be getting through this difficult recovery period while trying to raise your newborn child. Recovering from only a C-section with your newborn will be hard enough; instead of making things even harder for yourself, consider putting off your tummy tuck for a while.
Surgeon Logistics
- Even if you decide that you’d like to combine a tummy tuck with your C-section, the logistics may become a problem. It could be very difficult to find a reputable plastic surgeon who will perform the two surgeries back to back. Plus, because delivering a baby is such an unpredictable process, things may not go exactly the way you plan them.
HOW LONG AFTER A C-SECTION SHOULD YOU HAVE A TUMMY TUCK?
So, after you’ve had a C-section, what’s the ideal amount of time to wait before undergoing a tummy tuck? On average, you should give your body approximately six months to a year to heal and return to a stable state. However, every woman’s body heals differently, so there’s no universal answer. Generally, you should wait until you’re close to your pre-pregnancy weight and your metabolism has normalized. However, if you plan on having more children in the future, you may want to hold off on the tummy tuck surgery until you’re finished with childbearing.
If you’re unsure, and still wonder “can you get a tummy tuck after c section?”, you can always schedule a consultation with one of our skilled plastic surgeons at Neaman Plastic Surgery. They will talk with you about your goals and carefully evaluate your situation to determine if it’s the right time for the procedure.
BENEFITS OF A TUMMY TUCK AFTER A C-SECTION
Although you shouldn’t have your tummy tuck immediately after your C-section, there are certainly benefits to getting one once you’ve recovered. In fact, tummy tucks are frequently included as part of mommy makeover procedures. These are a few of the potential advantages of undergoing a tummy tuck after you’ve had a C-section:
- Repairing separated abdominal muscles
- Tightening abdominal muscles
- Eliminating C-section scars
- Removing loose or sagging belly skin
- Eliminating stretch marks
- Removing leftover excess fat from pregnancy
- Restoring your pre-pregnancy figure
WHAT IS THE TAKEAWAY?
After you’ve gone through pregnancy and a C-section, it’s entirely reasonable to want to tighten up your abdomen and achieve a slimmer figure. And it’s helpful to ask yourself, “can you get a tummy tuck after c section?” to make sure you’re taking all details into account. And ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with undergoing a tummy tuck after having a C-section. However, you should resist the temptation to combine the two procedures. It will be difficult to coordinate, the results may be unsatisfying, and you’ll be at greater risk of complications and a miserable recovery period. Instead, it’s best to have patience. Wait until your body has healed and your weight has stabilized to get your tummy tuck. It may be hard to wait, but in the long run, it will be more than worth it.
