Tummy tuck has tremendous benefits for women whose abdomens have changed after having children, as well as men and women who have lost a lot of weight yet still don’t have a flat, firm stomach. The procedure repairs separated or damaged abdominal muscles, removes excess abdominal fat and tightens stretched-out, sagging skin.
If you are considering a tummy tuck after having kids or losing weight, timing the procedure correctly is important. Although there is no best or perfect time to have a tummy tuck, most plastic surgeons agree that you should consider certain factors before undergoing surgery.
Has Your Body Healed after Giving Birth?
Pregnancy and delivery are hard on a woman’s body. If you have recently had children, it is crucial that you allow your body time to fully heal before undergoing an elective cosmetic surgery.
Are You Still Breastfeeding?
Along the same lines, if you have nursed your babies, you should wait a few months after you stop breastfeeding to allow your body time to stabilize.
Has Your Weight Stabilized?
If you are considering tummy tuck after having kids or losing a significant amount of weight, you should be at or within a few pounds of your target weight at the time of your tummy tuck. This allows your surgeon to plan a procedure that will yield the best cosmetic result. If you lose a lot of weight after tummy tuck, you may not see the best outcomes.
Are You Done Having Children?
You can safely get pregnant after tummy tuck, but you may “undo” some of the procedure’s improvements. For example, pregnancy will stretch your abdominal skin again and you may have leftover sagging skin after giving birth.
Do You Have Adequate Time and Help for the Recovery?
You have to carefully consider the time you will need to undergo surgery and recover. Plan to take about two weeks off from work to recover, and know that it will be longer than that to get “back up to speed.” Also, if you have young children at home, you must arrange for a spouse, family member or friend to be the primary caregiver during your recovery. You will not be able to bend over, lift anything heavy (including your children) or do anything strenuous for several weeks after surgery.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Khalil
If you are considering tummy tuck, Dr. Khalil recommends coming in for a personal consultation to discuss your specific needs and goals. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Khalil, please contact us today.
