What Happens if You Get Pregnant After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

There's no question that one of the most common reasons for tummy tuck surgery is to reverse the unwanted physical side effects of pregnancy — like stubborn pockets of fat, separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), and others. Still, many women ask about their options for getting pregnant again after a tummy tuck — as well as how a post-tummy tuck pregnancy may impact their results. While each person's experience is unique, many women find that getting pregnant after a tummy tuck — while perfectly safe and possible in most cases — will result in their previous results being "undone."

Here, you'll find helpful information from Houston, TX, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jay Shenaq, and our knowledgeable team at Plastic Surgery of Houston, regarding what to expect with pregnancy after tummy tuck. This includes how and why you may expect your original outcome to change and what options you have for restoring the slimmer, firmer figure you desire.

Can you get pregnant after a tummy tuck?

For otherwise healthy women with no history of complications, getting pregnant is typically considered safe and possible after a tummy tuck —also known as abdominoplasty. However, there are some important things to know about a second or subsequent pregnancy following tummy tuck surgery, including how your physique may change. In general, women may experience a reversal of their initial results due to the weight gain and stretching of both skin and muscles that occurs during pregnancy. For example, women who had a diastasis recti repaired during their tummy tuck surgery may experience a repeat separation of the ab muscles after getting pregnant again.

Will getting pregnant after a tummy tuck undo my results?

While it is very likely that your initial tummy tuck results will be impacted in some way by another pregnancy, not all women experience a reversal of their results. To minimize the impact of pregnancy on tummy tuck results, be sure to:

• Maintain a healthy amount of weight gain as advised by your doctor — avoiding excessive pregnancy weight gain if and when safely possible
• Exercise regularly with the approval and supervision of your doctor
• With guidance and approval from your doctor, do regular exercises to prevent or reduce abdominal muscle separation during pregnancy
• Practice proper skin care and keep the skin moisturized and hydrated

While these strategies may help mitigate the risk of reversing tummy tuck results with a future pregnancy, patients are still encouraged to defer surgical body contouring procedures — like a tummy tuck or breast augmentation — until they are done having children. This gives women the optimal opportunity for achieving and maintaining their ideal figure with the most convenience and longest-lasting results possible.

How long do I have to wait to get a tummy tuck after giving birth?

Following an initial consultation, Dr. Shenaq will provide recommendations on the right time for a tummy tuck based on your unique situation. On average, women are encouraged to wait at least 6 – 12 months after giving birth and concluding breastfeeding before undergoing tummy tuck surgery. This allows the body time to heal and recover from pregnancy and delivery while also giving the mother time to reach and maintain a stable weight closer to her pre-pregnancy weight, which helps to set her up for long-term success and lasting tummy tuck results.

Slim down after kids with a post-pregnancy tummy tuck in Houston, TX

If you are fairly certain you are done having children and are ready to get your pre-baby body back and feel like yourself once again, now may be the perfect time for tummy tuck surgery. For more information on the exciting transformations that are possible with Houston, TX abdominoplasty surgery, call our friendly team at Plastic Surgery of Houston to schedule your one-on-one consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jay Shenaq today.