Tummy Tuck/light Lipo During Csection

Just wanted to say how much I agree with the desire to get a tummy tuck, especially after c-sections. I loved what Kaye, Page, and most of the other ladies here said... I see nothing wrong with a woman wanting to feel better about herself after having kids, or really at any time in her life. I can attest to having had two c-sections, working out like a fiend, eating great, and watching the belly just... stay right were it has always been. Sagging and just there. I hate it and would get the tummy tuck myself if we weren't using the money for IVF. I actually did ask my OB about this very issue after my second child was born and she said what some of the other ladies said, that the first matter is making sure you are sewed up and on the way to healing after the c-section. She also said a PS wouldn't have your correct baseline after you give birth because you are not normally that big in the middle, as you are when pregnant, obviously. So they wouldn't know how much "fat" to remove and how you would look afterwards.

Speaking of kids after a TL, Reva - she ps'd that she did have IVF after the tubal. This is a situation near and dear to me because I am in the same boat. In fact, I was encouraged to read about another woman here who had a successful pregnancy through IVF after a TL. Like this post, I regretted mine deeply too and I'm happy there is something out there we can do to have another child after a TL. Sometimes life throws you a curve and you have to think outside the box a little! Whether that is additional kids, a tummy tuck, or all, go for it! If you have the money, why not? Good luck!!!!

"My children are my trophies, not my gut" -- Loved that Ang.

Skip the bashing ladies. She asked a question. Answer it if you can or skip to another post. Getting PS is a very personal decision that ultimately impacts her...Not the universe at large.

No -- c-sections are not a 2-for-1. No decent plastic surgeon will step in after your OBGyn pulls the baby out and finish up with lipo and tummy tuck. Several good reasons. But I think the core issues are:

A.) Your OBGyn is there to do a job and finish it by sewing up your uterus and abdominal wall and ensuring your recovery without complications, infections, etc. No way they are going to trust a PS to finish their job.
B.) Your skin, muscles, organs, etc. are all stretched out and jumbled up. The PS will want to give them several months to get back to normal (or as close to normal as we mom can gets after 5 babies = ) before they tackle the reconstruction.

I don't think anyone has answered your question.... so I will.
NO as far as I know no doctor will perform such a procedure after a csection on that day!
It is major surgery that has just become common place in our society. While it normally goes well you can die from it. So adding extra "things" onto it is not even considered.
I would be shocked to hear of any doctor willing to do it, nor any hospital that would allow it.
Just have it done after you are up and healed from having your baby.... there will be downtime from it, so I would suggest waiting until after the baby is a year or more.
And the few comments about just live with your gut it is your trophey??? Lame... do what makes you feel good about you. Yes we all have to deal with our different bodies after having babies. Some love it for life, while others just want to get back to the before baby body. Both are fine! You have to do what makes you feel good.
My body came out ok, but my boob are GONE never to return. :) I am ok with that...

I'm going to say no. I've had 4 c sections..same reasons as you...long labor with no outcome, resulting in fetal distress. When I was pregnant with my 3rd child, I developed gallstones and my gallbladder was inflamed and infected. They opted to wait until the pregnancy was over before removing it. I asked both my OB and my general surgeon if they would consider removing the gallbladder while I was already on the table for the section, and they both told me no separately, and both for the same reasons. Both surgeries are high-risk surgeries for bleeding, and it was too much of a risk to me to even attempt it.

My point is that I was on the verge of my gallbladder rupturing and causing me to become septic while I was pregnant, and both doctors chose to postpone the gallbladder removal anyway. I highly doubt ANY doctor would agree to what you're looking for, and honstly, if they did, I would question their credibility.

I've heard of this but never experienced it. I agree that you would need to consider the recovery time. It's hard enough recovering after having a baby, expecially with other small children. Personally, I think I'd wait a year or so to have it done. I dont see any reason not to do it, if you can afford it and it makes you feel better about yourself. I'd get rid of my jelly belly if I could. :-)

how are you going to get pregnant if your tubes are tied? maybe i misunderstood that part of your question.

but to answer your question, c-section IS a complication. after pulling your baby out of your body, i think it's time to stitch you up and get the baby on the breast, not to worry about vanity. unless these surgeons have done this a million times and can GUARANTEE you that it won't put you or your baby at risk (like any major surgery does), then leave it alone. after 5 kids you're gonna have a gut. consider it your trophy.

good luck!

I have heard of this from other c-section ladies who had it done. While I was researching drs a few weeks ago I read on one dr's website where he said he does a 'small' tummy tuck included with your c-section. So yes, it can be done and I wish I could remember which dr it was so I could post that here for those who say it doesn't happen.

I have had 5 cesareans and planning a sixth and never had the opportunity to get a tummy tuck. I'm sure I would have said yes if they offered, but multiple cesareans puts you in a super high risk category and you are at risk of loosing your uterus, so I can't imagine adding extra risk by doing surgery. I guess it depends entirely on the dr.

If they will do it, discuss the pros and cons with them and then make that decision.

To the readers on RCS vs VBAC- I am totally 100% in support of VBAC. But I have a history of breeches and no dr will do a VBAC on a breech baby and they didn't want to turn the babies because of a previously misdiagnosed uterine abnormality. I had a uterine rupture with #5 which definitely rules me out for a VBAC. I realize that there are many women duped into thinking that multiple cesareans are fine and VBACs are dangerous (I was one of them) but make sure you get all the facts before you even consider judging someone for their cesareans.

Trophy, schmophy. It feels great to look good. Sadly, no insurance gives a damn what you look like, so it'll be out of your pocket.

Get the tummy tuck, but you will have to wait for a few months or more. You need to do it at a time when you have the luxury to recover, not when you have just had a new baby. There is NO WAY to have a tummy tuck and care for a new baby. The recovery is brutal. It is not a simple surgery, and not the same as recovering from a c-section.

I love the results of my tummy tuck, but be prepared for two or three weeks of hell, during which you absolutely can NOT care for a newborn.

It's been 16+ years since my last c-section (seems like yesterday), so my info is WAY out of date. When I wanted to do just as you do, I was told NO by both my ob AND the plastic surgeon. something about expanded bloodvessels and other stuff. Being the emotional wreck I was before having my 2nd - I don't remember most of what they told me. But I'd certainly ASK - they can't tell you yes unless you ask!!!! Technology's changed ALLOT in the last 16 years - never hurt to ask, but I'd start with your ob FIRST since you're already paying them. IF it's possible - they'll KNOW!!! You're not the first and won't be the last to ask!!!!

I spoke to my OB about doing it and getting tubes tied all at the same time. He said they would tie my tubes and he would do a slight tuck, but that lipo or a major tuck weren't good at the time of a c-section. He reasoned it as too much stress on the body for recovery, further depleting your ability to recover and take care of the baby. Also, he said that (as your uterus) is very large right after a pregnancy, the tucks and lipo aren't as effective as if you wait at least 6 months. Also, can't be breastfeeding when you do it. He said that because of the size and placement of the uterus post pregnancy, and the subsequent resizing and reshaping that happens as the body recovers, you want to wait so the plastic surgeon will be able to see where it is best to sculpt. He also said that the cost savings is fairly inconsequential as the major cost of plastic surgery (typically upwards of $10,000 for lipo & tuck) is the surgeon's fee with the other fees (anesthesia, operating room & supplies, etc) being fairly minimal all things considered....I would recommend doing a consult if you know you are going to have the plastic surgery, even if the procedure(s) takes place at a time delay....Good luck & I'm jealous as heck!!!

I would just consider the extra recovery time that it would involve. Make sure you have help at home and be realistic about how much longer it may take to recover. Otherwise...go for it...just be clear on what your out of pocket expenses are going to be!

Good luck.

From what I know if you ask your o.b. and they do not have any issues with it they will do while suturing you up. So ask your O.B. first before asking a plastic surgeon, because you may not even need an extra surgeon in the room. I have heard this can be done and has been on many occasions.

I have also heard, on the a radio advertisement, that some plastic surgeon will do what is called "medically indicated tummy tucks", which may be covered by insurance, so I would also look into that using that particular term. I do not remember which doctor the commercial was for but if I were you I would ask my O.B. on my next visit to know all of your options.

Good luck.

There are several things to consider here. First of all, it sounds very dangerous to have the extra surgery at the same time as you are having a c-section. Have you talked to your ob-gyn about the risks of complications and infection? You need to be able to take care of your baby after the surgery and adding extra surgery may make you less capable of taking care of your new baby as well as your other children. I would hold off on elective surgery until a later date. The other consideration is expense. Do find out the total cost of all this before you even consider adding extra elective surgery at the same time as you are having a child. If you do not even have the money for a consultation, how will you pay for the surgery? Good luck and best wishes. Judy

I had a tummy tuck and it's not a bed of roses. Unless you are superwoman....you will be in hell recuperating and taking care of a new born at the same time. I hope you have a whole lot of help. The incision is alot bigger and healing time is long. It sounds convenient to recover all at the same time. I had an augmentation and a tummy tuck at the same time....but not a newborn. Good luck.

I had a tummy tuck in conjunction with reconstructive surgery and I agree with a previous post, there is no way you can take care of a newborn after having a tummy tuck! You will barely be able work yourself out of bed the first week and will be on lifting restrictions for weeks. You will not be able to pick-up your baby for weeks. Wait and do a mom lift (breast and belly) at a later time.

My children are my trophy's, not my gut and I would get rid of it if I could. I hate it, it has become quite problematic for me after my 2nd pregnancy. I am average sized, with my gut gone I would look even better and feel even better about my body. With that said, I cant imagine it being any more different than the recovery from the c-section, maybe a bit more but my c-section recoveries are awful. If I can get a tummy tuck out of it ... I'd endure some more pain! I was first told of this scenario by my first pregnancy's OBGYN. I have thought about it ever since. I say go for it. And you know, that's what hollywood does. Why do you think most of them have c-sections!