After pregnancy, your abdomen changes. And after a c-section, those changes are even more pronounced. Many women understand this as they gear up for their cesarean and wonder, “Can I turn this into a two-birds-one-stone situation and get a tummy tuck during my cesarean?”
Unfortunately, the Answer Is No
You cannot get a tummy tuck and a c-section at the same time. It makes sense to consider the possibility since you are already having abdominal surgery, and why not get two procedures at the same time?
Sometimes, multiple procedures can be combined. For example, mommy makeovers allow people to get three, four or more procedures all done in one go, saving money and combining the recovery time. But the state of the body after birth is unique.
Due to the enlarged uterus, the internal organs do not go right back into place after having a baby, whether you have a vaginal delivery or a c-section. It takes about six weeks for it to return to its original size.
Combining a c-section and a tummy tuck in the same surgery isn’t possible, but after six months, you might be ready for abdominoplasty.
When Can You Get a Tummy Tuck after a C-Section?
This can vary between individuals. However, most doctors prefer patients wait between 6 and 12 months before they get a tummy tuck after a c-section. This ensures that everything is fully healed, any potential complications are caught and addressed and you give your body time to bounce back on its own. You might discover that 12 months out, you don’t actually need surgery or that you just need a tummy tuck for your c-section scar.
Have you recently had a c-section or are planning one for your upcoming birth? Speak with Dr. Chang or Dr. Tilt about the possibilities for post-baby plastic surgery. Call the office at 410-740-9330 or reach out using our contact form.
Author: Dr. Eric Chang
Few plastic surgeons offer Dr. Eric Chang’s rare blend of impressive credentials and genuine compassion. After becoming a board-certified plastic surgeon, he returned to his home state and established Columbia Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, one of the premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery practices between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.
