Bringing life into the world is a beautiful thing—there’s no denying that. After those highs wear off though, sometimes we’re left with insecurities we don’t remember having before we gave birth.
Excess skin, a “pouch” in the lower abdomen area, and a protruding belly are all common (but treatable) concerns women have post-pregnancy. All it takes is a tummy tuck!
As your board-certified specialist for tummy tuck after pregnancy in Tuscaloosa, Dr. Chelsea Wallace of Indian Hills Plastic Surgery can help you get your pre-baby body back.
What is a tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck—aka an abdominoplasty—is a cosmetic procedure aimed at removing extra skin and loose pockets of fat from the abdomen. Sometimes during the procedure, a surgeon will also tighten the abdomen muscles with sutures.
The goal for many women is to achieve a toned, tight, and contoured stomach, much like the one they may have had before childbirth.
What happened to my abdomen during pregnancy?
When you carry a baby, your skin and muscles are bound to stretch. Many women are left with extra skin after giving birth and unfortunately, unlike fat, this extra skin can’t be targeted with diet and exercise.
Diastasis recti
A common issue that arises during and after pregnancy is called diastasis recti. This condition refers to the separation of your rectus abdominis muscles (often referred to as the 6-pack abs).
When your uterus expands during pregnancy, the abdominal muscles stretch, causing the linea alba (a band of tissue that runs down your middle) to pull apart. If the linea alba doesn’t return to its normal position after childbirth, this signifies diastasis recti.
This can be a confidence-shaking condition, but with a tummy tuck in Northport, you can get back to feeling like your old self.
Am I a candidate?
An ideal candidate for an abdominoplasty in Tuscaloosa:
- Has extra skin or fat from childbirth that can’t be targeted with diet and exercise
- Is within their healthy weight range
- Has a BMI (Body Mass Index) lower than 35
- Lives a generally healthy lifestyle
- Can take the necessary time to recover afterwards
Mommy Makeover for Post-Pregnancy
A mommy makeover is a combination of cosmetic procedures aimed to treat a variety of areas that tend to change as a result of pregnancy. It usually involves a tummy tuck along with other procedures.
A mommy makeover can include:
The best part about a mommy makeover is that it is highly customizable to address your individual concerns.
If your pregnancy altered multiple areas of your body—as opposed to just your stomach—this is a fantastic option for you. Mommy makeovers help women return to their most youthful, confident selves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tummy Tucks
How long do I have to wait to see a specialist for tummy tuck after pregnancy?
To ensure your body has healed and recovered from childbirth completely, we recommend waiting between 6 to 12 months.
If you’re wondering if your body is ready for abdominoplasty, schedule a consultation. Dr. Wallace will be able to assess your candidacy.
Can I get abdominoplasty after a C-section?
Yes you can! Many women do.
How long is the procedure?
You can expect the operative time to range from 2 to 5 hours. Each patient’s procedure time varies.
What can I expect for abdominoplasty recovery?
After your procedure, you can expect 6 weeks of activity restrictions. We recommend taking off work for about 2 to 3 weeks, depending on your occupation.
As your specialist for tummy tuck after pregnancy in Tuscaloosa, Dr. Wallace will provide you with all the instructions you need for a smooth recovery.
Will I experience pain or discomfort?
Pain tolerance varies patient to patient, but you can generally expect some discomfort from this procedure. We can easily manage any pain or discomfort with prescription medication or over-the-counter medicine and compression.
What other symptoms or side effects can I expect?
You may feel fatigued within the first few days post-op, but you’ll start feeling back to normal by the 1 week mark. Post-op bruising will subside at around 2 weeks.
Swelling can persist for longer. Patients have reported experiencing swelling for 2 to 6 months after the procedure.
When will I see results?
Final results from a tummy tuck can be seen sometime between 9 and 12 months. Your results will improve gradually over this time.
How much will my tummy tuck cost?
Your cost will vary based on how much skin/fat we are targeting and how long the procedure takes.
Don’t worry—we’ll discuss the costs during your consultation, so you’ll know everything before going in!
In the meantime, request an estimate and we’ll get back to you asap.
Get in Touch
The Indian Hills Plastic Surgery team—aka the specialist for tummy tuck after pregnancy—shares a mission of helping women overcome self-esteem and body image issues.
Your pre-childbirth body isn’t gone forever; we can bring it back!
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