Dear Dr. Man, I live in Parkland- I’m 31 years old and I have 4 children. As a result of my pregnancies, I have a horrible stomach pooch problem. I have flabby hanging skin. I’m embarrassed to wear a bikini. No amount of exercise helps. I desperately want a tummy tuck. But here’s the thing- I think I may want to have another child in a few years. Can I still get a tummy tuck if I plan to get pregnant again? I’m hearing conflicting reports.
Tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is a procedure in which excess fatty tissue and skin are removed from the abdomen and the abdominal muscles are tightened. This procedure is usually needed for women whose skin and muscles have stretched after pregnancy or for people who have lost a significant amount of weight and have loose hanging skin as a result. In my office, I perform what is called a lipoabdominoplasty, which is a technique that fuses together two common plastic surgery procedures into one: liposuction and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
Most often, women get this procedure after they are done having babies. In an ideal world, women who want to have children in the future should wait to get this procedure until after all pregnancies. In the real world, women often change their mind or decide to plan another pregnancy. Many women do become pregnant after this procedure; however, patients should keep in mind that flattening work and work on the muscle from the tummy tuck might be undone as a result of pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the skin and muscles of the abdominal area stretches out. Fat pockets that are resistant to diet and exercise build up on the abdomen and abdominal skin becomes loose. These all outcomes of pregnancy can be eliminated by lipoadbominoplasty. However, when a woman becomes pregnant after tummy tuck, the abdominal area treated by this procedure becomes affected and stretches out again in order to fit for the growing fetus. Abdominal wall muscles that had been restored by abdominoplasty can separate again. Re-stretched and loose skin may not look normal again.
Although, former abdominoplasty or lipoabdominoplasty is not a risk for an unborn fetus, it can change a women’s appearance. If the skin becomes loose again and muscles stretch out during pregnancy after tummy tuck, additional procedures may be performed in order to improve the appearance of the abdomen.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Ask Dr. Man - Post-pregnancy breast lift
Dear Dr. Man, I’m 42 years old and live in Parkland. I have five amazing children. I’m definitely not having any more children and now that I know that, I need to have my breasts fixed. I breastfed all of my children and now I look like I have deflated balloons hanging from my chest. It’s awful and I’m so self-conscious. What can I have done to correct this problem?
Congratulations on your five children and for breastfeeding them all. Pregnancy and nursing, as you know, can take quite a toll on a woman’s breasts. Other factors, such as age and the force of gravity can also play a role. The reason is that the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts lose their shape and they begin to sag. Luckily, help is available.
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. A breast lift repositions the breasts into a more pleasing position and gives a more pleasing contour and shape. A breast lift can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple.
If your breasts are small or have lost volume--for example, after pregnancy--breast implants can be inserted in conjunction with mastopexy to increase both their firmness and their size. Breasts of any size can be lifted and enhanced, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.
During the procedure, the surgeon will mark the areas of skin that will be removed above and below the areola. The nipple will then be moved to a new, higher position, while the excess skin above and below the nipple is removed and the breast reshaped. The procedure takes approximately two to four hours and can be performed in an outpatient surgery facility. Patients may experience temporary swelling, numbness and bruising. Most patients return back to work in 1 to 2 weeks and can resume full activities in about 3 to 4 weeks.
Since you aren’t planning to have more children, there should be no need to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere with breast feeding), I do tell my patients that pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again, thus offseting the results of the procedure.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL. www.drman.com
Congratulations on your five children and for breastfeeding them all. Pregnancy and nursing, as you know, can take quite a toll on a woman’s breasts. Other factors, such as age and the force of gravity can also play a role. The reason is that the skin loses its elasticity, the breasts lose their shape and they begin to sag. Luckily, help is available.
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. A breast lift repositions the breasts into a more pleasing position and gives a more pleasing contour and shape. A breast lift can also reduce the size of the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple.
If your breasts are small or have lost volume--for example, after pregnancy--breast implants can be inserted in conjunction with mastopexy to increase both their firmness and their size. Breasts of any size can be lifted and enhanced, but the results may not last as long in heavy breasts.
During the procedure, the surgeon will mark the areas of skin that will be removed above and below the areola. The nipple will then be moved to a new, higher position, while the excess skin above and below the nipple is removed and the breast reshaped. The procedure takes approximately two to four hours and can be performed in an outpatient surgery facility. Patients may experience temporary swelling, numbness and bruising. Most patients return back to work in 1 to 2 weeks and can resume full activities in about 3 to 4 weeks.
Since you aren’t planning to have more children, there should be no need to postpone your breast lift. While there are no special risks that affect future pregnancies (for example, mastopexy usually doesn't interfere with breast feeding), I do tell my patients that pregnancy is likely to stretch your breasts again, thus offseting the results of the procedure.
Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL. www.drman.com
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