Pregnancy can take quite a toll on your body. Although some women are able to regain their pre-pregnancy appearance through diet and exercise, many others are left with stretched, sagging skin and fat deposits that seem to resist all of their efforts to get rid of them. As an added frustration, pregnancy tends to stretch out your abdominal muscles, contributing to the “loose,” drooping appearance of skin in the stomach area.
For these reasons and more, many mothers seek out a tummy tuck after pregnancy to improve their abdominal contours. However, if you have recently given birth, you should wait at least six months before undergoing a tummy tuck, since it is important to let your weight stabilize first. Also, the remaining pregnancy hormones can take some time to go away; these can affect the elasticity of your skin, as well as increase your risk of excessive bleeding.
If you gained a significant amount of weight during pregnancy, wait until you reach your target weight before attempting a tummy tuck. This will help ensure you obtain (and maintain) the best possible results.
Lastly, you should always consider future pregnancies before undergoing cosmetic surgery. If you are planning on having more children in the future, it may be best to postpone a tummy tuck procedure until you are finished.
If you are interested in learning more about the tummy tuck procedure, please contact Dean Kleto, M.D. today or call (865) 366-4755 to schedule an initial consultation with our experienced Knoxville body contouring surgeon. We serve patients in Knoxville, Sevierville, and surrounding areas of Knox County, Tennessee.
