Tummy Tuck in Conjunction with Planned C-section?

Updated on August 18, 2008
L.S. asks from McKinney, TX
10 answers

Hi ladies. I heard recently had someone tell me that she was planning to have a scheduled cesarean and get a tummy tuck at the same time when she has her next child. She said it's going to cut down on the surgical costs, and the recovery for c-section and abdominoplasty are very similar, so you can heal from both at the same time (rather than having the tummy tuck later and having 8 weeks of recovery then, too). Has anyone heard of this before? Anyone actually had it done? It sounds awesome, if it's possible, but I just wonder whether or not it actually is. Let me know what you think, especially if this is something you've done or considered. Thanks in advance!!

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So What Happened?

I had no idea that posting such a simple question would bring out such hostility. Thank you to Alexandra M. and a few others who were tactful in your responses. I appreciate that you understood that I was simply asking a question, and I appreciate the comments from those of you who actually had asked their doctors about it. However, I hope those of you reading this will look at Suzanne W's incredibly demeaning response. Here is my response to her:

Suzanne,

First of all, I would like to clarify that I am a speech teacher (as in drama, communication, and debate), not a speech therapist. This means that I have 2 1/2 months off every summer, which would be ample time to recover from almost any type of surgery.

Second, I would like you to go back and read my posted request. Please note that I did not indicate that I had scheduled a surgery of this nature, or that I had even researched it or seen a surgeon regarding having the surgery done. I simply asked if anyone had ever heard of it, and if anyone who had any experience with it could tell me what they knew. I never once said that I couldn't wait to get it done, because I had only just heard of someone else who said they were considering it.

Third, I am insulted that you would call me vain. You do not know me and you do not know anything about me. Just because I am "only" 25 does not mean that I am some bleached blonde stick figure who can't wait to hit the beach two days after giving birth. I am a normal person who loves my child and future children enough to know that I need to feel confident about myself in order to be a good mother. And how DARE you insinuate that I am "competing with the single girls." I am madly in love with my amazing husband, and I intend to look beautiful for him for as long as I can manage, because he is a wonderful man and deserves a wife who is just as wonderful outside as she is inside. Just a little food for thought: I think it best that you not judge anyone, whether they are a complete stranger or your best friend.

I did not join Mamasource to be criticized and put down. That is not the purpose for which this site was intended. This is a place for women to seek support and advice from other moms who have been there. This is NOT your venue to treat others with disdain. I will think twice before posting a request on this site again.

More Answers

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hi L., this is for your friend? Is she your age as well? First of all, I should tell you that the assumption that all the Hollwood stars have "c tucks" is a myth. Yes, there are a couple that have done it, but it is actually quite rare. In reality, these stars have the resource to hire nannies,dieticians, and personal trainers. They begin working out much sooner than the recommended 6 wks after delivery.
I know this because we have 2 friends in the business: one is a hollywood producer, theother is personal trainer for the stars. They need to do this for their image and for the future of their career. Unlike other careers, thiers is based mostly on looks,talent comes in 2nd. :/
Secondly, a tummy tuck is a very dangerous and harsh surgery. It should not be combined with a c section,especially if your friend plans to care for her newborn who will be waking up every 2-3 hours.
I can totally understand the desire to look your best. Tell her to wait. Her body may go back to normal. The skin is very elastic in women under 30. If after she has recovered and has excercised and is still unhappy with her stomach, then she could do the tummy tuck. But I agree with the post who stated that saving money(and mythical recovery time) is not a enough good reason to deal with botched surgery while caring for a newborn.
see www.awfulplasticsurgery.com for stories and photos that will change your friend's mind in a heartbeat.
as a matter of fact, check out this photo to see Tara Reid's botched tummy(scroll down):
http://www.awfulplasticsurgery.com/archives/cat_bad_lipos...

2 moms found this helpful
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H.L.

answers from Dallas on

I wouldn't think it's a good idea. For one, your skin is so stretched from just being pregnant, how do you know they won't remove too much of it in the tummy tuck? The tummy tuck is such a drastic procedure on it's own....they remove skin, create a false belly button for you, etc. (if you haven't seen how one is done, you should look it up)

Also, who would be doing it? The OB? If so, that's bad news too. Any plastic surgery should only be done by a plastic surgeon.

With all the changes your body goes thru just being pregnant, I would think it would be best to let it recover before jumping into anything else. Saving money is one thing.....dealing with a botched plastic surgery while caring for a newborn is quite another....

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

I would think it would be extremely difficult to do if it could be done at all. Think about how you still look "pregnant" for a few weeks after you have the baby. It takes a while for your uterus to shrink back down. I don't understand how they could do a tummy tuck while you are still swollen like that.

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A.K.

answers from Dallas on

This is a "Hollywood" thing to do and FORTUNATELY there are not many doctors who will even fathom it. It is terrible for your body as your uterus needs time to contract to normla size and your body needs time to heal. The doctor that I spoke with said that he recommends waiting 6 months to a year to reduce the probability of serious complications. Here is an excerpt from what one doctor says...
"Tummy Tuck During C-Section or Natural Delivery?
Dr. Bermant frequently gets questions from concerned women about having plastic surgery at the time of delivery or c-section. Elective tummy tuck surgery at time of birth is not a good idea. A woman's hormones have changed tissues so the child can pass. There is much stress on the body during delivery. Distended tissues have not yet shown what laxity will remain. There is a new born child wanting care and attention."

K.M.

answers from Dallas on

All I can tell you is that my doctor was very much against it. He feels as if your body has enough to recover from that you should not add anything else that is unnecessary. You might want to ask your OB about the procedure before you go any further.

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K.F.

answers from Dallas on

I know someone that did this with a hysterectomy but when I asked my doctor about it, he said that there were potential complications that made this a poor choice even given the benefits of one less surgery, etc. and I had a tubal with my last c-section so it was not that he didn't get combining the procedures, he just believed that it made both surgeries more risky.

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L.G.

answers from Dallas on

I asked my doctor when I was pregnant and she said she would never do that and it was unethical.

L

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C.F.

answers from Dallas on

I asked mt Dr. about the same thing when I had a planned C-section 2 years ago, but he said "no". I don't recall if it was because of the risk (my baby was breech), or if it was because I would need 2 doctors (1 OB and 1 cosmetic surgeon), or if that was the rules according to the hospital I was delivering in (Presby Allen). I just don't remember, but I was told "no". They said they could do a tubaligation at the same time with a C-section, but not a tummy tuck. Sorry I don't have more info. That was just my experience.

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E.L.

answers from Dallas on

My sister had a tummy tuck so she could have reconstructive breast surgery after a masectomy: they use tummy fat to fill in breast again. She was in more pain from the tummy tuck than the breast removal and reconstruction.

I think it would be almost impossible to care for your baby after delivery.

With a c-section there is discomfort in getting up and down, but not excruciating pain when you are just sitting or lying down.

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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

From an older person, are you finished having children? If not, don't do it. The cost of becoming "beautiful" and the fact that you are only 25 means that there is the possibility of more children. Are you going to do this after every child? How much is this surgery? You are a mother not a Barbie Doll. Are you trying to compete with the single girls or are you that vain? I not trying to burst your bubble but be realistic. When would you have time to recover if you are a teacher and speech therapist? The other S.

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