December 19, 2013 | Blog
3 minute read
Pregnancy and childbirth put a tremendous amount of stress on a woman’s body, leaving lasting changes that are difficult to revert. The breasts, hips, and thighs are common areas affected by pregnancy, but perhaps the area most affected is the abdomen. If you are having difficulty returning your body to its previous shape, you may be a good candidate for tummy tuck surgery. With Dr. Greenberg’s wealth of experience, mothers in the Manhattan and Long Island areas can expect superior results from their plastic surgery.
What Can a Tummy Tuck Solve?
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, reduces excess tissue from the stomach to create a smoother, tighter appearance. Most of the tissue removed from tummy tuck surgery is skin, although treatment can easily be combined with liposuction if pockets of fatty tissue are also present. Depending on the areas and degree of unwanted tissue, your doctor may recommend a mini, full, or extended tummy tuck.
Recent mothers are some of the best and most appropriate candidates for abdominoplasty. Post-pregnancy, a woman may find that the skin around her abdomen, waist, and flanks has lost its elasticity, or that it has retained a significant amount of fatty tissue. Conversely, some women show few effects after pregnancy, with the exception of a small area of sagging skin beneath the navel. Both of these problems can be corrected through the right tummy tuck technique.
Candidates for Tummy Tuck Surgery
If you have accumulated extra skin and fat tissue after pregnancy that just won’t go away, you can likely benefit from a tummy tuck procedure. Before undergoing surgery, however, consider what makes a good candidate for post-pregnancy abdominoplasty:
- Waiting time: After pregnancy, it is recommended that patients wait six months before undergoing body contouring surgery. During this time, it may be a good idea to get back into shape and health. If you still desire surgery after this period, Dr. Greenberg will be happy to assist you.
- No expected pregnancy: Although it’s possible for a tummy tuck’s results to return after additional pregnancies, it is just as likely for the results to be lost. Surgery is best reserved for when a woman has concluded all plans of childbirth in the foreseeable future.
- Good general health: To avoid risks of infection or other complications from surgery, patients must be in good health. Patients who have the easiest time recovering from plastic surgery are those with strong immune systems, who are free of illness and are in good shape.
To gain a more accurate understanding of your candidacy and personal expectations, arrange a consultation with your doctor.
Recovering from a Tummy Tuck
After surgery, patients can expect swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the area of surgery. These effects should begin to subside toward the end of the first week, at which point patients can once again engage in most daily tasks. During the first few weeks, however, any strenuous activities should be avoided completely. This includes lifting heavy objects and children. Mothers should therefore plan ahead to ensure that someone is available to assist with childcare during the early stages of recovery.
Schedule a Consultation
Let us help you start off your motherhood with confidence. Come in for a consultation with Dr. Greenberg to see what a tummy tuck, or any of our cosmetic treatments, can do for you. Contact us for an appointment or to inquire further.