Tummy Tuck Contouring After 2 Children
Your two pregnancies were a blessing. No doubt about that. But we all know that pregnancy can take a toll on a woman’s abdominal area, especially after multiple pregnancies. It is becoming more and more common for women to consider abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery once they have completed childbearing. Giving birth is a wonderful experience, but often, loose skin and an unwanted bulge in the tummy is a part of the aftermath. There are many different types of tummy tucks and for Miami, FL women hoping to get their pre-pregnancy body back, there is a solution waiting for you!
Addressing Loose Skin
During and after pregnancy, a woman’s stomach increases greatly in size, stretching the skin to accommodate the growing baby. This stretching and weight fluctuation can cause the skin to appear wrinkled and loose long after the baby is born. Even after continued exercise and diet, in many cases, the only way to achieve the pre-pregnancy look is through cosmetic surgery. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is the removal of excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. It is used to tighten the skin as well as address the underlying muscles so that the result is a smooth, toned look.
The Post-Pregnancy Pooch
In addition to the loose skin that Miami women face after childbirth, another frustrating aspect can be the stubborn belly pooch that seems to always remain no matter how many ab workouts you do. This is because of isolated pockets of fat near the middle lower abdomen. For this reason, liposuction is used to remove and reduce the fat cells. Because the muscles under the skin are often lax and worn from the pressure of pregnancy, liposuction and the tightening technique that take place under the skin are both important to get that flat tummy.
A Different Approach for Each Mom
Depending on how much weight you gained during your pregnancy will determine the type of tummy tuck surgery you will have. Some women are able to get close to their pre-pregnancy shape with diet and exercise and may simply need a mini tummy tuck, which uses very small incisions and addresses a small area right under the belly button. For women who have gained a considerable amount of weight, have had multiple pregnancies, or who have poor skin tone with stretch marks and folds long after childbirth, a full or extended tummy tuck may be necessary. During these tummy tucks, the incision usually spans from hip to hip, liposuction is used to remove fat, and a larger portion of skin is removed. When a large amount of skin is removed, stretch marks and poor quality skin is usually taken with it leaving only the healthy skin to be seen.
What About A C-Section Delivery?
It can be more difficult to attain a flat tummy on your own, especially if you had a C-section. During a Cesarean Section, your doctor would have had to cut through the skin, fat, and muscle to retrieve the baby. This increases the chances to have a weak abdominal area, loose skin, and possibly, even an unsightly scar. A tummy tuck can not only help tighten the abdominal muscles, but it can remove a large portion of skin and create a new, cleaner scar.
Future Pregnancies
By the time you have had multiple children and are considering a tummy tuck surgery, it is in your best interest to think ahead as to whether or not you will want to have additional children. Becoming pregnant after a tummy tuck will almost always compromise the surgical results. It can re-weaken the muscles, create new stretched skin, and if you want to attain your tighter tummy again, a second surgery will likely be needed.
Candidates for Tummy Tuck Surgery
You should be at a healthy weight and should maintain it after the procedure. You should also be a non-smoker, as this may cause complications during the surgery. Additionally, you should be close to your ideal weight. Abdominoplasty is not a solution for weight loss and after this treatment, you likely will not see much movement in the scale. However, you will have a tighter, more toned result because of the loose skin that is now removed.
Other Considerations?
If loose skin in your abdomen after childbirth bothers you and you are not able to improve the appearance of your stomach even with diet and working out, a tummy tuck can be your solution. For many women, the skin around your stomach expands to a degree that makes it difficult to get your shape back to the original size. After a tummy tuck procedure, you can focus on the wonders of pregnancy--that being your children--while enjoying a new flat tummy.
Also, pregnancy and childbirth does not only take its toll on the tummy but can also affect other areas of the body. Ask us about a “mommy makeover”, which is popular among women after pregnancy. You would be combining procedures, such as liposuction, a breast lift or breast augmentation, along with a tummy tuck. This combination approach can help get your body back to a gorgeous shape and contour more than one area.
If you’re ready to get your original figure back, or possibly, an even better one than before you had your children, set up an appointment with us at our Miami, FL plastic surgery office. We will answer your questions regarding tummy tuck surgery and discuss your concerns during the consultation. We can help you meet your aesthetic goals and are excited to be a part of your journey!