Study: Tummy Tuck Results May Be Affected by Prior Pregnancies

Study: Tummy Tuck Results May Be Affected by Prior PregnanciesAccording to the latest American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) report, tummy tuck was among the top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2018. To address a flabby tummy and achieve a trimmer, tighter midsection, consider getting tummy tuck surgery in NYC. The procedure helps improve the abdominal contour by removing excess fat and skin and in most cases, also restoring weakened or separated muscles. Being a popular option, tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is usually recommended when diet and exercise cannot provide the desired results. Though the tummy tuck results can last many years if you put in the right efforts to maintain your tummy tuck outcome, according to news reported in HealthDay Today, a new study suggests that the success of your tummy tuck may depend on whether you’ve borne children.

The report was published in the August issue of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The researchers found that pregnancy-related widening and thinning of the belly muscles may reduce the effectiveness of tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery and is especially true in women who’ve had multiple pregnancies. According to a Healthline report, a woman should consider a tummy tuck only if she does not have any plan to become pregnant again. This is because, after a tummy tuck procedure, your abdominal wall will be more stable and stronger, and the excess skin that has been removed will not return unless there is a significant shift in your weight or a subsequent pregnancy that stretches out the area again.

But then, the study authors found a fix for this solution, where in certain cases, an alternative approach that follows the principles of hernia repair may be successful. They showed this approach in an online video and case examples of two women with recurrent bulging of the abdominal wall after tummy tuck surgery.

For the study, to assess pregnancy-related changes in the rectus muscles running along each side of the abdomen,

  • The researchers examined abdominal CT scans of 60 women (aged 18 to 45)
  • They found that the muscles are separated by a band of fibrous tissue called the linea alba and pregnancy was associated with widening of the rectus muscles.
  • The average width of the rectus muscles was 2.4 inches in women who’d never been pregnant, 2.6 inches after one pregnancy, and 2.8 inches after three or more pregnancies.
  • They also found widening of the linea alba after pregnancy.
  • There was no additional widening after multiple pregnancies.

The authors of the study concluded that “this technique may be indicated for a minority of patients. They said evaluation of muscle width during surgery may avoid patient dissatisfaction and revision procedures”.

Despite maintaining the best diet and exercise regimen, many patients are stuck with a few extra pounds around the abdomen. Mothers, in particular, often find themselves in this situation post-pregnancy. Sagging in the lower abdominal area is a common concern after pregnancy and childbirth. Once you are done having children, you can consider getting tummy tuck surgery in NYC. Tummy tuck is a popular and beneficial procedure, especially after pregnancy as it can restore the natural shape of the abdomen. It is performed using advanced liposuction devices such as Smartlipo, BodyTite and VASERlipo and offers benefits such as short downtime, minimal postsurgical trauma, minimal scarring and quick recovery.

However, you should wait at least six months to a year after delivery to have a tummy tuck, and if you’re breastfeeding, you should wait 3 to 6 months after you stop breastfeeding. Tummy tuck surgery can also be performed after a C-section, but, to get the best results, the patient should get back to her original weight and be in good health.

While tummy tuck surgery is safe and effective, experienced plastic surgeons are offering an even more advanced treatment – Brazilian tummy tuck surgery in NYC. In addition to all the benefits of a traditional abdominoplasty, this treatment offers better outcomes, greater efficiency, and reduced downtime. Brazilian Tummy Tuck surgery is a combination of liposuction and abdominoplasty, the traditional elliptical excision of excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen. Invented by a Brazilian surgeon, this liposculpture technique is intended to significantly reshape the abdomen and central torso. It can provide superior waist contouring outcomes for patients who have large amounts of loose skin and fat in the abdominal area, such as that caused by multiple pregnancies.

To determine which procedure is right for you, schedule a consultation with experienced plastic surgeons in NYC. A reliable surgeon will assess your specific aesthetic concerns and determine which procedure will work to meet your goals. In an established AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practice, your plastic surgeon will use advanced 3D imaging technology which is important for your safety. It will also help you visualize your outcome and guide you in taking an informed decision.