Tightening That Post-Childbirth Tummy

August 3, 2017, 10:44 pm

If you’re a new mom, you know how surprising it can be to look down at your tummy and feel like you’re still four months pregnant. Pregnancy takes its toll on your body, making it go through profound changes, some of which can be scarily permanent. Saggy skin and a round stomach that almost looks flabby are very common after giving birth.

How can these issues be reversed? Many women come in for the tummy tuck procedure to restore the fit look of their stomach.

The Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a process performed on the abdomen to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, flatten the stomach, and tighten the abdominal skin.

Exercising and healthy eating might help reduce some of the after-effects of pregnancy. However, for most women, these are unable to completely solve aesthetic abdominal issues. Diastasis recti, caused by pregnancy, is a permanent condition in which muscles of the abdomen separate and create a gap, sagging and making your stomach’s appearance unpleasant. A tummy tuck is the only way to reverse diastasis recti and create a perfectly toned waistline.

Considerations Before Coming In for the Procedure

One of the most important things to keep in mind is to understand that it’s best to wait on getting a tummy tuck until after you’re finished having kids. A tummy tuck in no way prevents future pregnancies; however, a pregnancy can reverse the beneficial effects of the tummy tuck procedure.

Diastasis recti is more common among women who have had multiple kids past the age of 35. To get desirable lasting results, it’s highly recommended to undergo a tummy tuck after you decide to have your last pregnancy.

It’s also ideal to let your uterus heal and shrink to its original size, which will take around six months after childbirth. The six-month wait time after delivery lets your body heal and go back to its pre-pregnancy state as much as it can.

Recovery and Results

After your tummy tuck, you will experience a degree of swelling and bruising, which are very common after any type of surgery. However, you can expect these to subside over time. Wearing a post-surgical elastic garment will help to control and minimize the swelling and bruising, and it will also aid in the overall healing process.

Until you’ve completely healed, it will be best to avoid standing completely upright. That’s absolutely normal. It will also be necessary to stay away from strenuous activities for a time and to stay home from work until you are ready to return.

Once healing is complete, you will see a firmer and tighter abdomen that will complement your body shape. Always keep in mind that a tummy tuck will not prevent abdominal issues from reoccurring – you must maintain a healthy lifestyle to maintain the results of your tummy tuck for as long as possible.

The Next Step

Take the next step and contact our office to schedule your consultation with a skilled medical professional. Experienced and well-respected surgeon Dr. Matt Hlavacek will be available to answer your questions and discuss the abdominoplasty procedure in detail.