Your relationship with your body can and likely will change post-birth. There is no right or wrong way to exist in your post-birth body, but if you want to get closer to how you looked and felt before having a child, cosmetic surgery can help. At Posh Plastic Surgery, our mission to help patients look and feel their most confident guides everything we do. That includes helping you feel like yourself again with a tummy tuck after a c-section birth.

Can I Get a Tummy Tuck After a C-Section?

Yes, you can still have a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, after receiving a c-section. Just like getting a mommy makeover after giving birth, a c-section doesn’t negate your candidacy for a tummy tuck. What’s important is ensuring your body is fully healed after giving birth before scheduling your cosmetic surgery.

On average, we recommend patients wait at least 6 months following a c-section to begin considering abdominoplasty surgery. During that period (or possibly longer), your body is healing and readjusting post-pregnancy and post-surgery. The uterus and other internal organs shrink and return to their typical position and size. 

This and post-birth fluctuations in weight can cause changes to your appearance you may not be comfortable with, but it’s important not to rush your healing process. Doing so may compromise the results of any elective surgery you may have.

What Happens During a Post-C-Section Tummy Tuck?

Like all cosmetic procedures performed at Posh Plastic Surgery, abdominoplasty consultations begin with a comprehensive evaluation of your current health and history. This includes recently performed procedures like a c-section, as well as relevant lifestyle details, like breastfeeding. 

If you are determined to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck after a c-section, Dr. Sofia Kirk will perform your procedure. Using her skills as a highly trained surgeon and an artistic eye, she will remove excess abdominal fat and skin in a way that minimizes scarring and provides the most flattering silhouette. Your surgery may take anywhere from 1 to 5 hours to complete, and you can expect 6 to 8 weeks of recovery time.

Post-c-section abdominoplasty may also include using sutures to reattach abdominal muscles separated by a hernia. If this is necessary, you may receive additional post-procedure recovery instructions to support proper healing. 

What If I Plan to Have More Children?

If you plan to expand your family in the future, now may not be the time for an abdominoplasty. The surgery can strengthen the abdominal wall and remove excess fat and skin around the abdomen, restoring your confidence and sense of self after pregnancy. However, future pregnancies are likely to cause new weight gain and undo your surgery results. 

Tummy tucks are not shown to interfere with having a healthy pregnancy. Most plastic surgeons and physicians recommend waiting to have any abdominoplasty procedures until after one’s family is complete, if possible. However, we understand these things aren’t always predictable. It is recommended to take precautions to avoid pregnancy for 6 months to 1 year post-surgery.

Choosing to have a tummy tuck after a c-section birth can be an empowering experience. If you’re ready to take that step in reclaiming your selfhood, connect with Dr. Sofia Kirk at Posh Plastic Surgery in Jacksonville, FL today.