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I Just Had My Last Baby: When Can I Get a Tummy Tuck?

February 1, 2023 L.A. Vinas
I Just Had My Last Baby: When Can I Get a Tummy Tuck?

You’ve just had your last baby. Congratulations on being a strong, independent, and beautiful mother!

Your life has probably changed so much since you’ve given birth. Between taking care of your kids, work, and your social life, you probably find it hard to make time for yourself.

You wouldn’t trade your kids for anything. But do you miss the toned and fit body you once had?

While exercise and dieting can help you lose some baby weight, sometimes it’s not enough to get rid of stubborn belly fat.

L.A. Vinas Plastic Surgery, located in West Palm Beach and Stuart, Florida, offers tummy tucks to mothers who are looking to get their prebaby body back for the ultimate confidence boost.

Read on to discover what’s involved and when the best time is to undergo surgery.

Understanding what’s involved

You might have loved your body before having kids, but now, do you dread putting on a bikini?

If you’re like most mothers, you probably diet and exercise but still can’t get down to your goal weight. While nothing’s wrong with having a few extra pounds, just know there’s a way to improve your physique if you’re feeling down about your body.

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat from your abdomen to get a trim, hourglass shape. Many patients undergo tummy tucks for a variety of reasons including:

  • Pregnancy
  • Aging
  • Significant weight changes
  • Abdominal surgery — including a C-section
  • Your natural body type

Luis A Vinas is known for his expert surgical technique in tummy tucks providing beautiful, but natural-looking results. While the results can be life-changing, they’re not immediate. Most patients experience results in around 2-3 months but can go back to work after two weeks.

What happens during the procedure

When you come in for your procedure, Dr. Vinas answers any questions you may have and explains the procedure from start to finish. Next, he administers local general anesthesia, which will keep you asleep during the procedure.

Dr. Vinas makes a series of incisions in your stomach region to remove skin and fat from the area between your belly button and pubic bone. He repositions your skin and tightens the connective tissue over your abdominal muscles before closing it with sutures.

Choosing the right time

You’re probably ready to get your prebaby body back now if you’re like most mothers. However, it’s important to wait until the best time to ensure you get the best results that will last for months to come. Follow the below criteria to decide when the best time is to undergo surgery:

You’re done having kids

It’s best to get a tummy tuck after having kids so the results do not come undone. Dr. Vinas suggests waiting six months to a year after having your last kid so your body has time to heal and your weight is stabilized.

Are you breastfeeding? We suggest waiting to undergo surgery until three months after you’re done breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can cause weight fluctuations and hormonal changes, so it’s best to allow your body time to return to its regular state for a quicker recovery.

You’ve reached a stable weight

Pregnancy brings weight gain in many different ways. You must reach your goal weight before undergoing a tummy tuck to ensure long-lasting results. Losing more weight after the procedure can lead to excess skin while gaining weight can cause stretched-out skin and muscles.

You can take off work

You can feel safe and confident undergoing a tummy tuck with the expert, Dr. Vinas. However, it’s important to know a tummy tuck is a major surgery that requires taking off of work for 10-14 days of recovery. Make sure you have the vacation days to use and a friend or family member who can help take care of your kids while you recover.

You’ve quit smoking

Nicotine limits blood flow to organs and damaged tissues, and this slows down the healing process following surgery. Not to mention, vaping and/or smoking can increase surgery-related complications like blood clots and tissue necrosis. You must wait 4-6 weeks after quitting smoking to undergo surgery and refrain from smoking for at least four weeks after.

Are you ready to get your prepregnancy body back? Contact us to schedule your tummy tuck consultation.

Call your dermatologist or contact us to request an appointment if you notice any of these signs.
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