Can I Still Get Pregnant After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

After having children, many women are interested in regaining their pre-pregnancy body through cosmetic surgery, and the tummy tuck is one of the most popular and effective procedures for doing so. Among the most common questions asked by mothers considering a tummy tuck or mommy makeover is if they can still have kids after surgery. While the answer is technically yes, there are a few important things to consider regarding pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery. In this blog, you’ll find helpful information from Houston, TX board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rolando Morales of Morales Plastic Surgery on getting pregnant after a tummy tuck.

Tummy tuck basics

The tummy tuck – also known as abdominoplasty surgery – is a widely popular cosmetic procedure that aims to enhance the shape, size, and overall appearance of a patient’s midsection. Women who have had children routinely undergo tummy tuck surgery to restore their pre-baby body, and extreme weight loss patients often have a tummy tuck to remove loose skin as part of the final stage of their transformation. Frequent complaints that lead patients to have tummy tuck surgery include:

• Loose skin after pregnancy
• Hanging skin folds after weight loss
• Stretch marks on stomach
• Wrinkled stomach
• Stubborn belly fat
• Ab muscle separation (diastasis recti)
• Bulging lower abdomen

Is it safe to get pregnant after a tummy tuck?

Having a tummy tuck does not make it impossible to get pregnant, nor does it make it unsafe to get pregnant. Some women report a feeling of abdominal tightness during pregnancy after a tummy tuck, but this is typically mild and temporary and is not dangerous for the mother or baby.

Why should I wait to get a tummy tuck?

Waiting until you have finished having children to undergo tummy tuck surgery extends the potential longevity of your results. With pregnancy after a tummy tuck, most women experience weight gain, abdominal muscle separation, skin stretching, and other physical changes that affect their initial tummy tuck outcome. In many cases, in fact, the only way to restore the patient’s desired look is to perform a revision or repeat tummy tuck. To avoid compromising their tummy tuck results and to save the time and investment that would go toward a second tummy tuck, women are encouraged to simply defer their procedure until their family is complete.

How long after having a baby can I have a tummy tuck?

Because every situation is unique, Dr. Morales will discuss options for a tummy tuck after pregnancy with you in further detail during your initial consultation. In most cases, women are advised to wait until after they have given birth, concluded breastfeeding, and reached a stable weight prior to scheduling a tummy tuck. It is also important to allow your body to heal and recover from giving birth. On average, women can typically begin thinking about tummy tuck surgery about 6 – 12 months after having their child.

For the longest-lasting results, schedule your Houston, TX tummy tuck once your family is complete

With all that goes into a life-changing procedure like a tummy tuck, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure your results stand the test of time. One of the best ways to ensure long-lasting tummy tuck results is to avoid future weight gain, including that associated with a subsequent pregnancy after abdominoplasty surgery. For more information on when it may be the right time for a tummy tuck, call Morales Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation with top Houston, TX board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rolando Morales. We look forward to helping you look and feel like yourself once again after becoming a mother.