One of the more popular procedures in recent years has been the mommy makeover. Performed after a woman has finished having kids, the goal of the mommy makeover is to restore the tummy, breasts and other parts of the body to how they were pre-baby. Pregnancy changes a lot of things about the body. It can make the stomach area loose and sagging, which is why many women choose a tummy tuck after pregnancy. It also changes the shape and size of the breasts, causing some women to consider a breast augmentation or breast lift.
A tummy tuck after pregnancy has become increasingly popular. Let’s take a look at the reasons why so many women decide to have the procedure once they are finished having kids.
To Fix Sagging Skin in the Tummy Area
Pop culture seems obsessed with women losing the ‘baby weight’ or getting their pre-pregnancy bodies back. But, the truth is, women experience more than just weight gain during pregnancy. A woman can drop the extra 40 or 25 pounds she put on during her pregnancy, but still notice changes in her body shape, particularly in the abdominal area.
That’s because gaining weight during pregnancy and the fact of pregnancy itself can cause the skin in the tummy area to stretch. Stretch marks aren’t the only lasting reminder that a woman was pregnant. Some women’s skin doesn’t bounce back after they’ve given birth and dropped the weight, so that they are left with a sagging tummy pouch. The more weight a woman gains during pregnancy, the more likely she is to have sagging, loose skin in the abdominal area after the baby is born.
Women are also more likely to have multiples — twins, triplets, or even more children born at once–than in the past. Whatever the reason for the increase in multiple births, once thing is clear: it makes it more likely for a woman to gain more weight during pregnancy and more likely for her to have extra sagging, loose skin in the tummy area afterwards.
Once a woman has lost all or most of the extra pregnancy weight, she might consider a tummy tuck if the skin remains loose and sagging. The surgery would cut way the extra skin, creating a flatter, smoother abdomen.
To Remove Extra, Stubborn Fat
In some cases, it’s not just extra skin that makes a woman’s abdomen look rounder or fuller after pregnancy. Some women do develop stubborn, excess fat that can be difficult to get rid of after baby is born. A tummy tuck can also remove extra, unwanted fat from the tummy area. In some cases, women can combine liposuction with a tummy tuck to improve their results even more.
To Correct Diastasis Recti
Giving birth to multiple babies at once or having more pregnancies can increase a woman’s chances of developing diastasis recti. The condition occurs when the right and left sides of the rectus abdominus muscle, which rests on the front of the belly, separate. Diastasis recti usually happens as a result of strain and wear and tear on the muscle. During pregnancy, the outline of the uterus can be visible beneath the skin when a woman has diastasis recti. After pregnancy, a common sign of the condition is a tummy pooch.
While it is possible to reduce or correct diastasis recti with certain exercises or by wearing special garments after pregnancy, a tummy tuck provides a more certain and long-lasting treatment option. During a tummy tuck after pregnancy, the surgeon usually tightens the muscles in the abdominal area and can bring together the separated muscles of the rectus abdominus.
To Remove C-Section Scars
If you decided to or needed to have a C-section when giving birth, odds are that you now have a scar on your tummy as a result. The location of a C-section scar makes it difficult to conceal, unless you limit yourself to only wearing one-piece swimsuits and full coverage tops for the rest of your life.
Although a tummy tuck creates its own scar, it can also be performed to remove any scarring you have from a C-section. The scar from a tummy tuck runs horizontally low across your hips. It’s easy to cover it up with a pair of bikini bottoms or briefs, so you don’t have to feel self-conscious and can once again wear a bikini or two piece on the beach with confidence.
Should You Consider a Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy?
If you want a flatter, smoother stomach after your pregnancies, a tummy tuck can seem like the way to go. But the surgery isn’t recommended for everyone. There are a few criteria you need to meet before a plastic surgeon will perform the surgery on you.
Since any future pregnancies can reverse the results of a tummy tuck, it’s important to be sure that you’re finished having kids before you commit to the surgery. A tummy tuck won’t keep you from getting pregnant and having kids, though, should you change your mind later on.
Your health also plays a big role. It’s usually a good idea to give your body about a year to recover after your last pregnancy before you consider a tummy tuck. Waiting about a year gives you time to drop the baby weight, too. Being at or near your goal weight is essential before any type of mommy makeover.
Finally, it helps to have realistic expectations about the surgery and the recovery process. It will be a few weeks before you’re ready to jump back into your regular life. You’ll need to have someone watch the kids and handle the day-to-day aspects of your life for at least a week or two after a tummy tuck.
Houston-based plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Vitenas regularly performs tummy tucks on their own or as part of a series of procedures during a mommy makeover. If you want a flatter stomach or want to conceal your C-section scar, call 281-484-0088 to schedule a consultation about a tummy tuck after pregnancy today.
