Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy
Pregnancy puts the body through a lot of changes. Unfortunately, after nine months of weight gain and a growing midsection, the body often does not bounce back the way a woman would hope. Even when women return to their pre-pregnancy weight, they often find that the stomach has excess fat and loose, stretched skin.
A tummy tuck eliminates fat and tissues to tone the abdomen and improve body contours. A tummy tuck after pregnancy helps women restore their figure when diet and exercise have been unsuccessful. The team of doctors at Oasis of Hope Bariatrics in Tijuana, Mexico, is happy to offer tummy tuck treatment at their weight loss clinic.
Tummy Tuck Candidates
A tummy tuck greatly enhances the appearance of the stomach by eliminating stubborn fat deposits and stretched skin. However, it is important to note that it is not a weight loss procedure. A tummy tuck is best suited for individuals who are healthy and at a stable weight that is within, or close to, their ideal weight range.
Tummy tuck treatment addresses imperfections that affect the midsection, many of which are extremely common after pregnancy. Some of the issues that can be corrected during a tummy tuck procedure include:
- Loose, saggy, and wrinkled skin
- Stretched abdominal muscles
- A “pooch” of skin along the lower tummy
- Stretch marks
What To Expect During Tummy Tuck Treatment
At our Tijuana practice, a tummy tuck is customized to each of our patient’s unique needs, so each procedure may vary slightly. A traditional tummy tuck requires two incisions, one long incision that extends across the bikini line, and one that encircles the belly button. These incisions grant access to the fat and tissues of the midsection and the underlying abdominal muscles.
During surgery, excess skin is removed. Fatty deposits can also be removed via liposuction treatment, if necessary. Any stretched or torn abdominal muscles are tightened and repaired before the remaining skin and tissues are pulled down and the lower incision is closed. The incision around the belly button allows surgeons to reposition the navel so that it sits in a natural-looking position once the skin has been repositioned.
By removing unwanted fat and skin and redraping the remaining skin, tummy tuck treatment gives the stomach a flatter, firmer appearance. This procedure offers results that many are unable to achieve naturally after pregnancy, even if they follow strict diet and exercise practices.
How Long Do I Have To Wait To Have a Tummy Tuck?
Women are often eager to get their figure back after pregnancy, but it is not a good idea to have a tummy tuck immediately following childbirth. First and foremost, it is important to consider whether there are future plans for more children. If so, women should hold off on having a tummy tuck until they no longer intend to become pregnant. Even if a woman is done having children, she should wait at least six months after childbirth to undergo tummy tuck treatment. This gives the body time to heal completely and the skin and tissues time to settle into position prior to treatment.
Contact Us
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your abdomen following pregnancy, a tummy tuck may be the best way to get the toned stomach and attractive contours you desire. To learn more about the tummy tuck treatment offered at Oasis of Hope Bariatrics, send us a message online or call our Tijuana office at (619) 690-8417.
