Significant Reasons for Undergoing Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy

Moms are turning to a tummy tuck after pregnancy to have their pre-pregnancy figure and confidence along with it.

A variety of emotions often accompanies life after childbirth, such as dissatisfaction with the body's ability to return to its pre-pregnancy weight and shape. One to two years following a baby's birth, 86% of women believe their belly still hasn't returned to normal, according to research interviewing more than 7,000 females. Around 64% of these same females confessed to feeling worse about their body shape image since becoming a mother. Exercise and diet alone cannot always reverse the issues of excess skin and stretched out fascia after pregnancy. 

In general, post-pregnant women are part of the growing trend to enhance the abdominal contour under the surgical care of leading board-certified plastic surgeons. The primary reason is that women's body goes through considerable changes after pregnancy and then childbirth. In general, the abdominal area is affected dramatically, as it stretches to make room for the growing baby. After birth, all women will have to deal with their loose saggy skin, which is so annoying to them.

In addition to this problem, the fluctuation of weight will impact the underlying muscle. In other words, women will have a hard time going on various diets and exercising to get rid of their excess weight caused by pregnancy. As a result, they turn to a tummy tuck, sometimes referred to as a "mommy tuck or "abdominoplasty," to restore the weakened or separated muscles and have a smooth and firm abdominal area. 

 

Traditional or Full Abdominoplasty 

Several different kinds of abdominoplasty can help women achieve their desired goals, get their pre-pregnancy body back, and enjoy motherhood while looking fit and beautiful. Briefly, in a tradition or full abdominoplasty, surgery starts with a horizontal incision between the belly button and pubic bone. The skin is pulled back to eradicate excess fat, and the fascia over the ab muscles are repaired if needed. The surgeon then pulls the skin down to creates a new belly button location and eradicates excess skin resulting in a tight tummy with no flabbiness. The scar can be easily hidden by bathing suits or underwear. 

 

Excess Skin from Pregnancy

Carrying your baby for nine months is held to be one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences in life but often can lead to life-altering impacts on a woman's body. Even after the suggested six-month recovery time with proper exercise and nutrition, sagging skin in the lower abdomen may be difficult to revert back to its normal firmness. Abdominoplasty is the best way to eradicate this moderate cutaneous excess.

 

Diastasis Recti Caused by Pregnancy

The larger problem after pregnancy is diastasis recti, where the abdominal muscles are spread apart by the overstretching of the linea alba, the fascia or tissue at the center of the rectus abdominis muscles. Researchers suggest that at least 60% of women experience this overstretching of their "six-pack" muscles six weeks following giving birth. In fact, 30% of women still have diastasis recti at their baby's first birthday.

During pregnancy, ab muscles stretch as the uterus expands, and pregnancy hormones thin the tissue to make it more pliable and softer. While it is normal for a woman to have a small amount of widening along the midline, a separation of more than two centimeters is considered to be an obstacle. While diastasis recti can occur at any point in the second half of pregnancy, once a female gives birth, the abdominal wall weakens and slackens, and the thinner midline tissue can't support the torso, and internal organs can lead to a "baby pooch." Building back the midline (even with Pilates exercises) almost always won't completely disappear on its own. The diastasis rectus solution is turning to a standard tummy tuck, explicitly designed to tighten ab muscles, eradicate excess skin, and contour the lower abdomen.

 

Some Other Benefits of Tummy Tuck 

New studies show a tummy tuck might have more benefits than just cosmetic and confidence changes. This surgery can enhance chronic pain and urinary incontinence. The study shows that 5 to 21% of women suffer from chronic back pain more than two years after delivery. Even 10 to 12 years following pregnancy, 25 to 38% of women experience urinary incontinence. Since abdominal muscle separation and weakness, the lower back is left unstable and unsupported, but a tummy tuck may help decrease the pain by repairing the tightening of the core. Moreover, the removal of excess weight can put less strain on the back. In spite of the fact that the study was inconclusive on how a tummy tuck decreased incontinence, experts believed that the procedure returned tension distributed throughout the fascia network that was lost during pregnancy. This can lengthen the urethra and enhance urinary continence to a great extent.

 

The Best Time for Tummy Tuck After Pregnancy

While tummy tuck operation can be completed immediately after birth and even after a Cesarean section, most plastic surgeons suggest waiting till mom has decided she is done having children. According to the statistics published, a tummy tuck was one of the top five surgical procedures in 2016, and 30-39 was noticed as a typical age for post-childbearing years. While candidates have had success before their last pregnancy, the majority of surgeons see the most consistent results after the final child is born. The womb takes six weeks to return to its original size after delivery, which is one of the most important reasons why plastic surgeons prefer to wait to conduct the tummy tuck. Usually, within six months to one year, a woman's body will return to her normal weight to help specify how much tightening is needed. In addition, this time allows a mom to improve a habit of healthy-eating, nutrient-dense foods, and fulfill an exercise routine. By keeping close to ideal body weight, a body contouring operation will typically see maximum results.

 

Females should also finish breastfeeding six months before planning a tummy tuck operation since the pain medications after the operation can be passed to an infant through breast milk and is destructive to babies. Additionally, pregnancy hormones, causing tissues to soften, will no longer be present in the body allowing the tissue to bind together better and heal after surgery more efficiently. If you decide to have a tummy tuck immediately after birth, especially after c-section, be ready for a longer recovery.

 

Tummy Tuck Surgery after Pregnancy

A full tummy tuck will eradicate excess skin, tighten ab muscles, and contour the entire abdomen. Although routine, this needs a commitment from the candidates in terms of post-operative to follow through. The exact procedure for a tummy tuck (whether you need a mini-tuck or traditional tummy tucks) depends on whether you have diastasis recti, its severity, and the amount of excess skin. After surgery, candidates might experience pain, discomfort, swelling, bruising, or numbness. However, you don't need to worry about such issues because by taking painkillers or certain medications prescribed by your doctor, the pain will be reduced to a great extent. Furthermore, you should avoid intense strenuous activity and lifting heavy objects besides following a proper diet to be able to go back work after a week or two. Light exercise is allowed as soon as you feel better, but it will usually take six weeks or maybe more until full activity levels are reached. Keep in mind that you should set up the safest, most comfortable recovery area for yourself to meet your needs as soon as possible and regain your health. If you follow your doctor's post-operative instructions, you can make sure that you will have a short recovery and healing process.

 

C-section scars in Tummy tuck

Following a C-section, it can be more challenging to attain a flat tummy without some additional assistance. During a Cesarean section, the doctor cuts through the skin, fat, and muscle to retrieve the baby. This way of delivery contributes to further weakening of the abdominal area, loose skin, and possibly an unsightly scar. A tummy tuck is a fantastic option in order to help tighten the abdominal muscles, eradicate a large portion of excess skin, and change it to a new, neat scar. 

If a female had a Cesarean section birth, the incision might be made in the same location. To recover after a tummy tuck, a woman might get a compression or elastic wrap to decrease swelling and provide abdominal support, along with drainage tubes to help drain fluid or blood. Medications to facilitate healing and reduce infection will be prescribed. Liposuction may be a part of the procedure to excise fat.

 

Tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover

Pregnancy and delivery not only take a toll on the abdomen but can also change other areas of the body. Some candidates incorporate a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover following pregnancy. A mommy makeover combines operations to improve areas affected by pregnancy and might include treatments such as liposuction, breast augmentation breast lift along with a tummy tuck. This transformative combination may help make your body firmer, shapelier, and sleeker after pregnancy and childbirth. 

A tummy tuck is suitable for people who are in good overall health. They should be at a healthy weight and maintain it after the operation. Candidates have to be a non-smoker, as tobacco use might contribute to complications during and following surgery. Abdominoplasty is not a solution for weight loss, and after this operation, you likely won't see many changes in the scale. However, you'll have a tighter, more toned result since the loose skin has been eradicated. Generally, slightly obese people and women whose skin and muscles have been stretched due to pregnancy can benefit from this surgery. It's important to note that tummy tuck differs from liposuction, which is conducted to remove fat deposits. 

Remember that tummy tuck is not recommended at all for women who may intend to get pregnant later since, during operation, vertical muscles are tightened, and future pregnancies might separate them. Additionally, this surgery is not appropriate for those who want to lose a lot of weight. It should be the last option after trying the other techniques for losing weight.

 

A tummy tuck might be the answer for moms who are seeking to reclaim their bodies after pregnancy. Some women may achieve their body image goals through exercise and diet, and sometimes it just isn't possible. For individuals who are struggling to return to their pre-baby body shape and weight, a leading board-certified plastic surgeon can be a perfect option. Patients are mostly recommended to have tummy tuck in Iran because Iranian experts are well-known and conduct such cosmetic procedures successfully every year. The majority of them are members of American and European societies of plastic surgery or other specialties as well. By determining the most suitable procedure considering your expectations, they can help you obtain your favorable outcomes.

The last point to indicate is that tummy tuck cost in Iran is so low. Thus, if you decide to undergo this operation in Iran's specialized clinics, which offer up-to-date facilities and efficient services, you can save a considerable amount of money while enjoying the beauty of this country's natural scenery.