Can You Have Children After a Tummy Tuck?

Many women struggle with post-pregnancy bodies and turn to plastic surgery to help them get back to a pre-pregnancy shape. It is possible for women to have children after a tummy tuck, but there are complications that can occur and the majority of plastic surgeons advise women to postpone tummy tuck procedures until after they are through bearing children.

Significance

• According to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, one of the most popular forms of plastic surgery for women who have had children is a tummy tuck also known as an abdominoplasty. Tummy tucks offer a successful means for mothers to rid their post-pregnancy bodies of sagging skin, fat and muscles in the abdomen region that have been stretched out during pregnancy.

Types

• There are two types of tummy tucks available to women. A full tummy tuck is more invasive and required for women with 20 percent or more body fat. It involves a complete muscle repositioning and tightening in addition to excessive abdominal skin and fat removal. A "mini" or partial tummy tuck is an effective, less invasive option for women with ten percent or less body fat composition.

Considerations

• Tummy tucks provide women with the option of tightening up the abdomen region after a pregnancy but if you plan to have more children you might want to hold of on the procedure for the best results. Not only will you save time and money, but during a tummy tuck, plastic surgeons tighten the vertical muscle of your abdomen. Although not life-threatening, a pregnancy after the procedure could cause the muscles that have been tightened to separate.

Misconceptions

• If you have already had a tummy tuck and opt to have more children, you can still have an additional tummy tuck once you have given birth to remove excess skin and tighten abdominal muscles that may have developed during the pregnancy. Although a costly option, many moms have had children, paid for a tummy tuck only to have more children in the future. For optimum results, doctors recommend all women wait to undergo tummy tucks until they are through having children.

Warning

• Tummy tucks after a pregnancy will not produce permanent results if you do not maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Tummy tucks will rid the abdomen area of sagging skin and tighten abdominal muscles, but gaining weight can severely alter any beneficial aspects of a tummy tuck. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can enhance a tummy tuck, creating an attractive, toned waist and abdomen.