Pregnancy has always been a major reason for the popularity of tummy tuck. During nine months of abdominal stress, stomach muscles may weaken and separate. These structural changes reshape the appearance of the belly, resulting in a look that is less toned and tight.
For women whose delivery was Caesarean, there is the added consideration of the C-section scar. For all of these reasons, many women ask experienced Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Dumanian whether tummy tuck is an effective way to turn back the clock, restoring a fit stomach profile.
Benefits and Trade-Offs
Tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, recreates a smooth, “tucked-in” stomach by removing excess skin and some fat and tightening the abdominal muscles. The procedure can also improve the appearance of stretch marks in the area that is tightened, and erase scarring by excising loose folds of skin.
Because tummy tuck requires a broad incision, the procedure also creates its own scar. Dr. Dumanian advises patients to be aware of this trade-off. Most abdominoplasty procedures involve an incision made from hip to hip. This will usually be longer than a C-section incision, but the resulting scar will be below the bikini line. There often is a scar around the belly button.
Tummy tuck has long been popular with new moms, sometimes in combination with liposuction or several procedures that together comprise “mommy makeover.” In recent years there has also been a rise in popularity for the so-called “C-tuck.” This is when tummy tuck is performed on the delivery table, right after a Caesarean birth.
There are a number of factors that may rule out a C-tuck for some women. Chief among them is the reality that the Caesarean procedure would need to be planned in advance. A decision that is made during labor does not allow sufficient time for an obstetrician and plastic surgeon to coordinate the double operation. Dr. Dumanian in general is not in favor of additional elective surgery at the time of Caesarian section.
Even when Caesarean delivery has been chosen far in advance, there are compelling reasons to put tummy tuck on hold: Your body needs time to recover from the stress of pregnancy and to heal. The stretching of the abdomen and uterus can make it difficult for a surgeon to determine the extent of the tightening you will need. You will already feel weak and exhausted from labor, and will be even more so when your body is recovering from abdominoplasty.
Plus, tummy tuck will require one to two hours, time that could be spent recovering from delivery and bonding with your new bundle of joy.
To learn more about tummy tuck and other post-pregnancy procedures, please contact our Chicago office at (312) 695-6022 today to schedule your visit with Dr. Dumanian.