By plastic surgeon Dr Dirk Kremer. 

A tummy tuck is a popular cosmetic procedure aimed at those who are looking to tighten their abdomen region to produce a more aesthetically pleasing midsection. The procedure is invasive and involves the removal of excess fat and tissue from the stomach region.

Though the procedure is often performed on men, a tummy tuck is most notably popular among women who are self-conscious about their body. The results of a tummy tuck can help transform a patient's confidence, helping them feel far happier about their appearance – for example, women who were once too self-conscious to swim in public or wear certain items of clothing, can finally find themselves feeling confident enough to do so following a tummy tuck.

The visual benefits of a tummy tuck are pretty clear to see once you see before and after transformation images, and it’s easy to understand how this can help a patient mentally as well, but there are still questions that many women ask regarding the procedure.

This is especially the case for relatively young women who are interested in a tummy tuck but are curious to know what would happen should they fall pregnant after the procedure.

Is it safe to have a baby after a tummy tuck? Will I be putting myself or the baby at risk? What will physically happen to my stomach during and after a tummy tuck operation? These are the types of questions that young women who are still keen on becoming a mother, or having more children in the future, typically ask during the consultation.

So, let’s dive in and answer some of the common tummy tuck related questions for women who still want babies.

Is it safe to get pregnant after I’ve had a tummy tuck?

Providing there are no complications with fertility, yes - women can safely fall pregnant and give birth following a tummy tuck procedure. You just need to ensure that your body has completely recovered from the trauma of undergoing major surgery.

Will my stomach be able to accommodate a growing belly after I’ve had a tummy tuck?

The body is a magnificent thing, and fortunately, the abdominal wall of a female is designed to naturally stretch and widen to comfortably accommodate a growing fetus. The results of a tummy tuck will not hinder this natural stretching of the abdominal region.

Read: 4 things to consider when choosing a tummy tuck

How long should I wait before getting pregnant after a tummy tuck?

As previously mentioned, a tummy tuck is a major surgery, so you need to give yourself plenty of time to fully heal and recover before considering pregnancy. This can mean at least one full year - at the very minimum. Not allowing your body enough time to fully recover before falling pregnant has the potential to cause complications.

If you are aware that you want to become pregnant within just one or two years following the tummy tuck surgery, you may be best advised putting the surgery off until later down the line when you’ve given birth and allowed your body enough time to fully recover from childbirth first.

Will my tummy tuck results still hold up after childbirth?

You may think that your tummy tuck results will most vanish after giving birth, but most women actually report that their results maintain satisfactorily even after full pregnancy. You may want a touch-up procedure to recoup the full benefits, but in the main, provided the patient remains healthy, tummy tuck results have proven to stand up very well against the childbirth test. Do keep in mind that every individual is different, so a lot will depend on the body type and the extent of muscle repair that was required during the first tummy tuck and how your unique stomach fairs after giving birth.

Can I get a tummy tuck straight after pregnancy?

Pregnancy takes it’s toll on a woman’s body, therefore a patient should most certainly not seek a tummy tuck procedure immediately after giving birth. Ensure that your body has completely repaired itself following pregnancy before undergoing an invasive cosmetic surgery procedure like a tummy tuck. As already mentioned, you should wait at least one year before considering the procedure.

Read: Recovering from a tummy tuck

Will my tummy tuck scar be visible after pregnancy?

The tummy tuck procedure involves performing surgery on your abdomen, so there will be a small incision made below the lower abdomen region. This is where you will find your tummy tuck scar following surgery, so it’s quite well hidden initially. However, the process of pregnancy will stretch the skin on your bells which may leave the scar more visibly exposed.

Are you considering a tummy tuck or any other body cosmetic procedure? If so, get in touch with me here at Harley Street Aesthetics in the heart of London so that we can discuss your options. I offer a wide range of body and face cosmetic procedures, ranging from liposuction and breast augmentation, to facelifts and necklifts. Book your initial consultation by calling 0845 519 7232, e-mailing info@harleystreetaesthetics.com or by completing the simple online contact form.