A woman's stomach can be distorted by pregnancy as there is a stretching of skin, abdominal wall muscles and fascia. With the spreading of the stomach muscles, a once smooth, flat abdomen can become distorted and in some women, it does not bounce back to its natural shape and firmness.
How you stomach recovers after your pregnancy depends on many factors. Multiple pregnancies, gaining weight during pregnancy and how well you heal all play a role in your final recovery look.
With the need to look and feel good, today many women are looking into tummy tucks with their c-section.
Is it the right time for a tummy tuck?
C-Tuck or Tummy Tuck with a C-Section
Rumors floated around that celebrities such as Britney Spears had a tummy tuck immediately following their c-section, and some celebrities even scheduled their c-sections in their eighth month to avoid the stretching of skin in the last month. However, this is likely just talk, as no celebrities have come forward saying they had the procedure with their c-sections.
Most doctors do not recommend a tummy tuck following a c-section as the body experiences stress during birth and undergoes hormonal changes that affect the tissues. The state of laxity of distended tissues is still unknown.
However, some women are having tummy tucks with their c-sections despite many doctors' disapproval. They are mini-tummy tucks, according to BabyCenterCommunity.com. For some, it is merely a matter of convenience as they are already recovering from their c-section. If you are considering a tummy tuck with your c-section, there are some factors you should consider.
Tummy Tuck and the C-Section
A tummy tuck surgery is a sculpting of the body by removing stretched muscles and excessive and/or damaged tissues, pulling the body back to its natural shape. The problem with having a tummy tuck at the time of a c-section is that the surgeon is only aware of the damaged tissues.
The risks involved range from wound complications to blood clots to fatal outcomes. Pulmonary embolus (blood clot to lung) is a risk in both pregnancy and tummy tucks, and stacking the two could lead to a catastrophe.
When performing a tummy tuck with a c-section, the surgeon has no way to foresee how the body will look after post delivery. Therefore, knowing how much skin to remove or how tight the muscles should be made is a guess. There would be no guarantee as to the results of the tummy tuck.
Steven Wallach, M.D., Manhattan plastic surgeon, suggests following a nutritional diet with regular exercise for at least six months to a year after a c-section before considering a tummy tuck.
Infections and Tummy Tucks
Abdominalplasty runs the risk of infections; a tummy tuck following a c-section increases the odds of infection.
During a c-section, the stomach is open, exposing internal fluids and cavities. For this reason alone, Scott Miller, M.D., states on DocShop.com that the risk of infection increases greatly and one should consider all the odds before choosing a tummy tuck.
Becoming Pregnant after a C-Section Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is not recommended for women who are planning on getting pregnant again. However, according to Brent Moelleken, M.D., Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, if you do get pregnant again, don't worry. Your stomach muscles and tissues will stretch and there should be no complications or hazards to the unborn baby.
However, if you do plan on becoming pregnant again, a tummy tuck should not be an option until your childbearing years are over.
Conclusion
Although you can have a tummy tuck with a c-section--and it may seem like an attractive option as you are already having surgery--it is inadvisable The tummy tuck would be performed blindfolded, without any knowledge as to what or how much should be removed and tightened. There is also an increased risk of complications. Stacking both a c-section and a tummy tuck together could be extremely hazardous due to the risk of clotting alone.
If you decide to have the tummy tuck, be certain you are through with childbearing. Although it will not hurt you or the unborn baby if you were to get pregnant again, it will reverse the tummy tuck and will be like starting over.
