How Soon After Pregnancy Can You Get A Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a popular cosmetic surgery performed by our Miami, FL board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso, on mothers. During a tummy tuck, we provide excess skin removal as well as fat from the abdomen to tighten muscles and the fascia of the abdominal wall. After pregnancy, a woman may want to address any loose or sagging skin that won’t go away, even after weight loss. He performs a full, mini, and extended tummy tuck skin tightening surgery. Patients considering a tummy tuck should be within 25 pounds of their goal weight.
When is the best time to get a tummy tuck after pregnancy?
While a tummy tuck can be done soon after childbirth, Dr. LaGrasso suggests waiting six months to a year before deciding to have surgery. This is because your uterus is still swollen and enlarged after delivering a baby. Because your uterus is in your abdominal region, this can prevent muscle and skin tightening for the best tummy tuck results. Also, weight gain is common with pregnancy, and the ideal candidate for a tummy tuck in Miami is someone within 25 pounds for their ideal weight. This means that a patient may need to take some time to lose weight before having a tummy tuck. He also recommends that you are done having children before considering tummy tuck surgery.
Types of tummy tuck surgeries
Dr. LaGrasso offers three tummy tuck surgeries in Miami, FL, including:
-
Full tummy tuck: An incision is made hip to hip over the pubic area. This is performed on women with skin folds from multiple pregnancies. This technique allows Dr. LaGrasso to access a larger portion of the abdomen while repositioning the belly button, so it looks natural. Liposuction is used to remove excess fat during the skin tightening portion of the surgery. Internal ab muscles are tightened for a toned look.
-
Mini tummy tuck: Also known as the Brazilian tummy tuck, this surgery is used for patients in good shape but who still have loose skin on their lower abdominals. During this surgery, the belly button isn’t changed, and the incision is much smaller. Liposuction is only used if needed to remove excess fat, and all loose skin is removed and pulled tight to create a flat stomach.
-
Extended tummy tuck: When a patient needs major skin tightening and body contouring, an extended tummy tuck is used. This is necessary for patients who have undergone extreme weight loss. These patients have excessive folds of skin, so liposuction is necessary to remove excess fat. Similar to a full tummy tuck, the belly button must be repositioned.
How is a tummy tuck after pregnancy performed?
A full or extended tummy tuck can take up to five hours, while a mini tummy tuck takes just one to two hours. The surgery is performed using general anesthesia and is an outpatient procedure. For complex cases, an overnight stay is recommended. Pain medications are given to patients post-op. Dr. LaGrasso recommends wearing a compression garment throughout a patient’s recovery, which helps with blood circulation. Recovery can take up to six weeks.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about how to remove sagging belly skin after pregnancy
When you want to remove excess fat and skin from the abdominal area after giving birth, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeffrey LaGrasso in Miami, FL. He has years of experience helping mothers to obtain their pre-pregnancy bodies. He can offer suggestions on the best time to have a tummy tuck after pregnancy during your visit to our professional surgery center.