In our continuing series highlighting Plastic Surgery procedures in Singapore, Expat Choice caught up with internationally acclaimed Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Marco Faria Correa to discuss Abdominoplasty (also known as Tummy Tuck), and more specifically, in correlation to women who plan on getting pregnant post undergoing this type of surgical procedure.
Given the availability of numerous readings across news and media platforms, which unitedly air the idea which encapsulates ‘having a pregnancy after an abdominoplasty will cause harm to the mother and unborn child’ – many women in today’s era are unsure if they must wait until they are done having children before opting for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Is this true or false? Driven with the helpful intention of alleviating natural concerns felt on their end, Dr Marco is approached for an in-person sitting, where we bank on his accredited counsel to separate facts from fiction.
Leading with the mindful truth that all pregnancies have the potential for some degree of complications, Dr. Marco cautions an informative, general reminder – which highlights your personal gynaecologist being counted on as the best person to give you sound advice.
In his words; “For women who had an abdominoplasty done before, their abdominal wall and tissue will stretch as per normal to accommodate the new baby. There are some mothers who notice their bellies don’t stretch out as much, or they don’t look as pregnant as their previous pregnancy. This is completely safe and is harmless to the growing child.”
When the conversation circled around ‘what will happen to one’s abdominoplasty?’ – some helpful pointers were picked up from his end, as follows:
On the reliable basis of his own observations and experiences – Dr. Marco explained most of his patients who became pregnant post their abdominoplasty continue to love the results of their surgery even post the birth of their baby. In fact, most of them notice they look better post-pregnancy with their abdominoplasty than during their post-pregnancy prior to their abdominoplasty. That’s an attractive prospect to consider along the list of pros – especially for ladies who plan on getting pregnant after a tummy tuck!
According to Dr Marco, If one already had an abdominoplasty done previously and if they don’t put on too much weight during the pregnancy (in contrary, maintain healthy weight levels while carrying), the midline connective tissue won’t stretch much again or cause rectus diastasis – because there’s a strong scar tissue binding the muscles together from the abdominoplasty done before. He says; “The abdominal muscles can still stretch outwardly, allowing the baby to grow and it can retract naturally again after the pregnancy, without causing the same gap as before.”
Dr Marco stresses one of the primary problems after pregnancy isn’t the muscles itself, but the gap in-between the 2 rectus abdominal muscles (which is commonly known as the midline within the stomach), which is in actuality the connective tissue. His counsel on this point; “If there’s any excess abdominal skin due to the pregnancy stretch – then we need only remove the excess skin and tighten the skin if the midline gap is not over stretched.”
However, the top priority which Dr. Marco brings to our attention is that “the baby and mother’s health should always be fixed as the top priority to be determined at all times.” Given the truth of the matter – concerning the individual body of each female will respond differently to a pregnancy term – he advises “it’s certainly necessary and a smart practice to consult both your plastic surgeon along with your gynaecologist as soon as you find out you are currently expecting.”
Another commonly surfaced query we took Dr. Marco’s expert consultancy for, was along the lines of ‘if a female requires a C-section post her abdominoplasty, and what are the primary concerns or cons to look out for and be mindful of.’
On this point, Dr. Marco goes on to share that in many cases, the main concern involving having a caesarean section after an abdominoplasty is about ‘the scar tissue.’ However, he says women can rest assured with the knowledge of “having a c-section post an abdominoplasty doesn’t differ much from having a repeat c-section.” Since the gynaecologist will still be working with a scar from the previous procedure – be it from a previous c-section or from an abdominoplasty. But in any case, he advises; “one should still inform your gynaecologist that an abdominoplasty has been done, as sometimes the scar isn’t too obvious.”
Moving on to ‘whether an abdominoplasty can be performed after a C-section,’ the answer is short and to the point – “NO, it cannot.” To read more about this topic in question from the previous blog, click here.
Coming to the close of our time spent with Dr. Marco, where we were satisfied to gain valuable insight and learning from his expertise concerning abdominoplasty procedures and pregnancies – he proactively satisfied our curiosity regarding ‘how long should one wait to get pregnant post an abdominoplasty.’
Dr. Marco offered up his last words for the session, by lending a few comments below – which women (who have this same query in mind) may benefit from as a sounding board, as they take these pointers into wise consideration during their own period of research and decision-making (in planning for a pregnancy, but having also already undergone an abdominoplasty procedure).
As stated by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Marco, there is no “right period of time” to get pregnant after undergoing your abdominoplasty surgery. “The decision is highly individual and personal, but most usually I would advise a lady to refrain from getting impregnated within the first 6 months post the surgery, as a cautionary measure to stay on the safer side.”
Of course, he agrees that sometimes (and in cases which he has witnessed) pregnancy tends to happen (planned or unplanned) – especially if the female patient feels extremely confident and happy with the look and feel of her new body. But once again, he reinstates his backbone reminder of the session; “it is still the best and most ideal way forward, to consult upcoming pregnancy plans with your own plastic surgeon and your gynaecologist on what is best for you personally.”
Dr. Marco is a pragmatic surgeon who has mastered the minimally invasive and the traditional open methods by applying the latest techniques for properly hiding the scars in the anatomical folds and crease, leaving inconspicuous scars.
He is a well-versed Plastic Surgeon in the various benefits and limitations of the different procedures and methods, hence, he will always advise his patients on what is the best option to achieve the outcome that they want.
For more information about each procedure, visit www.drmarco.com or call Dr Marco Faria Correa, Internationally-trained Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience on +65 6464 8075, WhatsApp +65 9176 1813, or email admin@drmarco