Is it a Good Idea to have a Tummy Tuck after a C – Section?

Seems like a good idea to have a tummy tuck following a c – section, right? Wrong.

It would seem to be a good idea, because the patient is already anesthetized, so why not do a second surgery? Well, there are a variety of reasons why doing a tummy tuck immediately following a c – section is a bad idea. Such reasons can include the inability to make aesthetic judgment calls immediately following surgery, the mothers overall health status and the demands a newborn will put on the mother.

After a pregnancy and c – section, it takes the body a good 3 to 6 months to regain its strength and go back to a new baseline. It’s a transition whereby stretched skin may contract, the swollen uterus may shrink and weight gained during the pregnancy will gradually disappear. All this needs to occur before any abdominoplasty should take place.

For any surgery, the patient should be in good health. After a c – section, most women are not in top physical shape. They may have a depressed immune system, possible blood loss, severe fatigue and an elevated estrogen level, which can increase blood clot risk.

If all this isn’t enough, add the demands of a newborn baby to the mix. Post-operative pain medications would not be an option if the mother is nursing, possibly impacting the mother child bond.

With all this working against you, it becomes obvious that a tummy tuck immediately after a c – section is not a viable option. Give yourself time to recover from the c – section and enjoy those first wonderful months with your baby.

Schedule a Mommy Makeover or Tummy Tuck Consultation

Once you’ve had a chance to heal following the birth of a child, give Dr. Park a call and schedule your private consultation for a tummy tuck or mommy makeover. Our talented team of professionals will walk you through the procedure and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We welcome patients from Irvine, Newport Beach, and greater Orange County, CA.