Can I Still Have a Baby After a Tummy Tuck?

Tummy tuck surgery is a great option for individuals with sagging skin as a result of pregnancy or significant weight loss. Ideally, women who get a tummy tuck are finished having children since they want to repair separated abdominal muscles and stretch marks. Although pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery is completely safe, it can affect the results of the initial surgery and create the need for revision. At J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills, we prepare patients with the education and resources they need to get started. Dr. J. Timothy Katzen is a leading expert in tummy tuck surgery and can help you create a slimmer, tighter appearance. Learn more about body sculpting and pregnancy after a tummy tuck by scheduling an appointment in Beverly Hills, CA.

Candidates for body sculpting

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is one of the most satisfying and effective surgeries you can get. This procedure removes extra skin and fat from the abdomen to make it flatter and more appealing. If needed, the abdominal muscles are also tightened and repaired. It is important to make sure that an individual is an ideal candidate for abdominoplasty before getting started. This means that Dr. Katzen may begin your appointment with an examination and a look into your medical history and medication use.

Patients should know that this surgery is not a substitute for weight loss. In fact, we recommend patients are near or at their ideal weight before undergoing treatment. However, we can use a form of liposuction to target small pockets of diet-resistant fat. Candidates should also be prepared for IV sedation, or general anesthesia, and the recovery period associated with this procedure. Although patients can still have a pregnancy after a tummy tuck, you may want to complete your family first before seeking this solution.

Tummy tuck techniques used

The staff at J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills will choose one of several abdominoplasty methods based on the amount of excess skin and muscle repair required. Patients with moderate to severe loose skin can benefit from a standard tummy tuck, while those who have minimal skin laxity may only require a mini tuck. The incision length will change based on the technique chosen during the consultation. Regardless of the technique and incision length, all procedures involve liposuction and the excision of loose skin.

Recovering from tummy tuck surgery

After abdominoplasty, patients are carefully examined and given a compression garment to help with uncomfortable side effects, such as swelling. Dr. Katzen may also give you small drainage tubes to assist with fluid buildup. Moving and walking around can be challenging for the first few days, so give yourself plenty of time to rest and relax at home. Most of our patients can return to work and daily activities within two weeks of body sculpting surgery. During a follow-up appointment in Beverly Hills, CA, we will let you know when it’s safe to return to exercise and strenuous workouts. This can usually be done at the 6 to 8-week mark with permission from Dr. Katzen.

Pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery

As we mentioned before, it is possible to get pregnant following a tummy tuck. There is nothing about the surgery that can prevent a woman from getting pregnant in the future. However, Dr. Katzen encourages patients to wait to get body sculpting surgery until they are finished having children since pregnancy can ruin the results of an abdominoplasty. This is because pregnancy will stretch out the skin of the abdomen to accommodate the growing belly, causing more loose skin and damaged abdominal muscles. The result is a potential bulge that can be difficult to get rid of through diet and exercise alone. If this does happen, J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills is happy to provide a revision tummy tuck.

Learn more about abdominoplasty

Are you ready for a flatter abdominal area? Once patients recover from their abdominoplasty, they immediately notice their toned results. At your consultation with Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, we can discuss your desires for surgery. We will create a procedural plan that matches your aesthetic goals. The professionals at J. Timothy Katzen, M.D. Beverly Hills may even suggest combining tummy tuck surgery with other procedures for more dramatic outcomes. Learn more about what we can do for you, as well as pregnancy after tummy tuck surgery, by scheduling an appointment in Beverly Hills, CA.