Can a Tummy Tuck Affect Pregnancy?

Excess abdominal skin and fat can be annoying because it means that you can’t wear some of your favorite clothes. It also makes you look unhealthy and baggy. But with a tummy tuck procedure, you can easily get rid of the extra fat and skin from your tummy and tighten your stomach muscles to get a firmer and more toned appearance.

However, some women are reluctant to undergo this cosmetic procedure, fearing that it might affect their pregnancies in the future. But can a tummy tuck affect pregnancy? Continue reading to know the truth.

Should I Get Pregnant After a Tummy Tuck?

Also referred to as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck does not affect a woman’s ability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to a full term. Therefore, you can have as many children as you wish, even after undergoing a tummy tuck. However, since the whole purpose of undergoing the procedure is to have a tight and firm tummy, pregnancy after a tummy tuck will ruin the final result because it will stretch your abdomen further and cause additional weight gain.

So, it is advisable to have a tummy tuck procedure after you are done having children. That way, the results from the procedure will last for a long time. But this doesn’t mean there is an inherent risk for you if you become pregnant, whether deliberately or not, after a tummy tuck procedure.

Studies have shown that women who get pregnant after abdominoplasty enjoy the same level of success as those who haven’t had the procedure.

However, some women who have had a tummy tuck procedure might report feeling a little tighter when they get pregnant, but this not risky for them or their unborn children. The familiar sensation is often very mild and bearable. The only downside of carrying pregnancy after a tummy tuck procedure is that you might need a second procedure or subsequent revision.

With the significant abdominal stretching that occurs during pregnancy, your abdominal muscles may be separated or weakened. You might also have excess loose skin and fat hanging on your abdomen. Therefore, you might need another tummy tuck procedure to correct them and restore the original results. To avoid a second abdominoplasty procedure after giving birth, you should try as much as possible not to gain a lot of weight in the course of your pregnancy. But this must be done safely and following your doctor’s advice.