Is it necessary to have a tummy tuck after a C-Section?

Tummy tuck, which is scientifically known as abdominoplasty

One of the most popular operations in the field of plastic surgery in the United States of America, especially for women between the ages of 30 and 39 years.

Perhaps combining a caesarean section with a tummy tuck is an ideal option for pregnant women, as it ensures that they undergo anesthesia once instead of twice, one operating room, and one recovery period, and this is called C_tuck.

On the other hand, most doctors believe that involving surgery alongside a cesarean section is not wise, whether on the psychological level of the patient and the child or on the woman’s weak immunity during pregnancy and the resulting risk of complications or delay in the recovery period.

But this does not prevent you, ma’am, from undergoing a tummy tuck after a complete recovery period.

Let me tell you what you should know about tummy tuck surgery, especially after a cesarean section, and what is the best time to perform it.

What is a cosmetic tummy tuck surgical procedure?

At first glance, you may think that it is a simple procedure such as removing the appendix for a ton. In reality, the matter is different, as the tummy tuck operation is considered one of the major surgeries that requires good experience.

Cosmetic procedure:

It includes cutting muscles, tissues, and skin, re-sculpting them, and removing fat. Here it is noted that some women prefer to re-inject fat into other parts of the body, such as the hips, buttocks, or even breast tissue, to obtain an ideal feminine body.

This is a second procedure that is not related or closely related to surgical abdominoplasty. Thus, excess fat and skin are removed in a tummy tuck.

Many women wonder why they have sagging, sometimes despite their young age or lack of previous births.

According to the American Society for Plastic Surgery, the causes of a soft, sagging, or even bloated abdomen may include factors related to heredity, aging, pregnancy, significant changes in weight, which cause major problems on the skin, especially skin cracks, in addition to the presence of a previous surgical operation, that is, a previous cutting of the abdominal muscles. And the peritoneum, which affects its strength and support in the future.

Noting that exercise and dietary patterns have a major role in this problem, and therefore it has become a problem of the times, especially in Europe, the United States of America, and countries that depend on a diet free of waste, that is, meat and its derivatives, where obesity is a problem, especially apple obesity (circumference). The waist is wider than the hip circumference) is one of the major challenges we will face in the future, as researchers expect.

A harmful diet rich in artificial sugars, saturated fatty acids, and trans fats are factors that all increase insulin resistance and the deposition of cholesterol and harmful cholesterol.

What happens during a tummy tuck procedure and why doctors do not recommend combining it with a cesarean section

First, you will be given intravenous anesthesia, then we will make a horizontal incision between the navel and the pubic hair line at a level perpendicular to the linea alba, then we will raise the abdominal skin so that we try to repair the existing muscles. Some patients need to make a second incision because there is excess skin in the upper abdomen as well.

Then we pull the skin down, cut it, and sew it again. The surgeon will also have to make a new incision for the belly button, push it to the surface, suture it, and finally close the incisions with surgical sutures, and then apply bandages.

A supportive corset must be worn to reduce swelling after the operation and provide support. A detonator may be placed under the skin to drain blood or fluid to prevent the formation of an abscess.

As for the time it takes for the operation, it is about one to two hours and maybe a little more.

Medications are prescribed to facilitate healing and reduce edema, and antibiotics to prevent sepsis or infection.

In addition to instructions for caring for the surgical site and drainage, if any.

There must be visits to the clinic for the required follow-up with the specialist doctor.

You should avoid lifting any weights and rest as much as possible.

For women who want to go to the gym and lift weights, this is not possible before the wound heals completely, approximately 3 to 6 months.

As for sports exercises that do not require weights, you can return to them after approximately a month and a half, depending on the speed of the body’s recovery.

It is prohibited to sleep on the stomach before two weeks after the operation.

It is prohibited to expose the wound to water and soap before two weeks after the operation.

Combining tummy tuck and cesarean section:

1-Bad results

After carrying a child for 9 months, the skin of the abdomen and uterus becomes hyper-stretchable, false to the surgeon’s cosmetic standards, which makes it difficult to determine the amount of cutting and tightening required and thus leads to adverse results for the patient.

2-Delayed recovery period

Perhaps recovery, whether through a cesarean section or a tummy tuck, is not an easy matter in itself.

Here, recovery from both operations and the resulting inability to care for the newborn is extremely difficult, exhausting, and tiring psychologically and physically.

3- The surgeon’s philosophy

You may not find a surgeon who will accept a combination of the two operations due to fear of labor contractions, which affect the quality of plastic surgery results.

4- Complications

Such as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, fluid retention, bleeding, or infection, which are more common in abdominal surgery.

If you are wondering now, when can I have a tummy tuck after a cesarean section?

First, you should choose a plastic surgeon with good experience to get the best results.

The best time is after returning to your normal weight before pregnancy and after returning to good physical condition.

We do not recommend performing a tummy tuck when planning a  birth again.

To prevent multiple surgeries and surgical scars and to avoid wasting additional money.

Conclusion

Abdominoplasty has great cosmetic and psychological benefits, and you may be considered a candidate if you are in good health and have a stable weight.

Do not forget, dear pregnant woman, to recover first after giving birth before undergoing tummy tuck surgery.

Perhaps the best time to perform this surgery is after having children.