How Soon After Pregnancy Can I Get A Tummy Tuck?

Q: Dr. Eppley, How long should I wait to have a tummy tuck after having a baby. I delivered my baby three months ago and I am now very close to my before pregnancy weight. I am only about 3 lbs from it at this point. The issue is not the weight but the ton of loose skin that I have. I know that I am not going to have any more children so I am ready whenever a doctor says I should do it. I also have a lot of stretch marks which I really don’t like, will a tummy tuck get rid of all of them? Lastly, what type of tummy tuck should I have… a full or mini tuck?

A: The typical answer from most plastic surgeons is that the earliest that a tummy tuck should be done after a pregnancy is six months. This gives a woman ample time to lose as much as of their pregnancy weight as possible and to be able to take care of a new babcy before embarking on a need for their own recovery. It is also important to remember that this is an elective procedure so any need to rush the decision for surgery is an emotional one not one of medical necessity.

By using the term, ton of loose skin, this implies that a full tummy tuck is needed for the best result. This form of a tummy tuck is also the most assured way of getting off the maximum number of stretch marks. While it does result in a longer scar, the result is always better than when less tissue is removed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana