Pregnancy after a mommy makeover: what you should know

Yes, you can get pregnant after a mommy makeover. The surgery does not affect fertility and is generally not considered a risk to a future baby. However, a new pregnancy can stretch the abdominal skin and repaired muscles again and change the size and shape of your breasts, so part of your result may be lost. That is why most plastic surgeons recommend having a mommy makeover once you have finished having children.

"What if I want another baby one day?" and "What happens if I get pregnant unexpectedly after surgery?" are among the most common questions women ask before a mommy makeover. This guide covers how pregnancy can affect your abdomen, breasts and overall result, how long to wait, and the options if your family may not be complete.

Is it safe to get pregnant after a mommy makeover?

The procedures that make up a mommy makeover (a tummy tuck, breast surgery and liposuction) do not involve the uterus, ovaries or any organ related to fertility. A tummy tuck works on the skin, fat and abdominal muscle wall; the abdominal cavity itself is not usually entered. Your chances of conceiving are therefore not reduced by the surgery.

When pregnancy follows a tummy tuck, the growing uterus generally stretches the abdominal wall as it needs to. Repaired muscles and tightened skin do not stop a pregnancy from progressing. Some women describe a greater sense of tightness in the abdomen, especially later in pregnancy. Even so, tell your obstetrician about every procedure you have had, so your prenatal care can take it into account.

How a new pregnancy can affect your results

The real issue is not safety but how long your result lasts. Pregnancy can recreate some of the changes a mommy makeover corrected. How much depends on the individual: weight gained during pregnancy, the size of the baby, skin elasticity and how long you breastfeed all play a role.

None of these changes is certain. Some women keep most of their result after a later pregnancy, while others may want a revision.

How long should you wait to get pregnant after surgery?

If pregnancy is a possibility, your tissues need time to heal fully first. Many surgeons suggest waiting at least 6 to 12 months after a mommy makeover before trying to conceive. During that time the internal stitches and muscle repair gain strength, scars begin to mature and your body recovers from the operation and the medication used around it.

Contraception is worth discussing with your surgeon before surgery. Some hormonal methods can increase the risk of blood clots, so a temporary change may be recommended around the time of the operation. Do not stop any medication on your own; follow the advice of both your surgeon and your gynaecologist.

An unexpected pregnancy soon after surgery

If you find out you are pregnant during recovery, let both your surgeon and your obstetrician know promptly. Painkillers and other medicines you are taking may need to be reviewed. In most cases the pregnancy is monitored in the usual way, while your healing and abdominal wall are checked at your follow-up visits.

Looking after your result during a later pregnancy

If you do become pregnant after surgery, a few general steps may help reduce the strain on your tissues. None of them can promise that nothing will change:

• Keep an eye on weight gain: staying within the range your obstetrician recommends can limit how much the skin and muscles are stretched.
• Moisturise: it can help your skin feel more comfortable, although no product has been shown to prevent stretch marks completely.
• Protect your scar from the sun: pigment changes are common in pregnancy, and maturing scars can darken.
• Ask about support garments: discuss maternity support belts and bras with your obstetrician.
• Report changes: pain, swelling around the scar or a bulge at the belly button should be mentioned to both your obstetrician and your surgeon.

After the birth, give your body time. The abdomen and breasts take months to settle, and any need for revision can only be judged properly once that process is complete.

Giving birth after a tummy tuck: vaginal delivery or C-section?

A tummy tuck does not in itself decide how you give birth. The mode of delivery is a medical decision for your obstetrician. If a caesarean is needed, the obstetrician can often use the existing low scar. Sharing records of your previous surgery with your birth team makes planning easier.

Can you breastfeed after breast surgery?

Many women are able to breastfeed after cosmetic breast surgery, although this is not certain for every woman. The likelihood depends largely on the technique used and how well the nipple and the milk ducts beneath it are preserved.

• Implants: implants are usually placed behind the breast tissue or the chest muscle and do not directly involve the milk glands. Current evidence does not indicate that implants harm a baby through breast milk.
• Breast lift: with techniques that keep the nipple attached to the underlying tissue, the ability to breastfeed is often preserved, although milk supply can be affected.
• Sensation: temporary or lasting changes in nipple sensation can influence the let-down reflex.

If breastfeeding in the future matters to you, say so clearly at your consultation so the technique can be planned with that priority in mind. For the differences between a lift and implants, see Breast Lift or Implants: Which Do You Need?

Your options if you might want another baby

If your family plans are not settled, three broad approaches can be discussed:

1. Wait: the most commonly recommended option. A mommy makeover performed after all pregnancies and breastfeeding is the most predictable route to a long-lasting result.
2. Stage your plan: some women have one part first, for example breast surgery, and leave the tummy tuck until after their final pregnancy. Bear in mind that the breasts are also affected by pregnancy.
3. Go ahead and accept a possible revision: where a pregnancy is only a distant possibility, some women choose surgery knowing that a touch-up may be needed later.

In a preliminary assessment with Op. Dr. Göktuğ Esmer, your pregnancy plans and expectations are considered together, and the approach that may suit you is discussed based on your examination. For more on candidacy, read What Is a Mommy Makeover and Who Is a Good Candidate?

Revision surgery after a later pregnancy

If you do become pregnant after a mommy makeover and notice a clear change in your result, corrective surgery is possible. It is planned with the same waiting periods as the original operation: usually at least 6 to 12 months after delivery and several months after you stop breastfeeding. The extent of any revision depends on the amount of loose skin, the state of the muscles and the changes in the breasts. Sometimes a small scar revision is enough; sometimes a tummy tuck or breast lift needs to be repeated.

To sum up, pregnancy after a mommy makeover is possible, and the surgery generally does not stand in the way of a healthy pregnancy. To protect your result for as long as possible, though, the operation is usually best timed after your family is complete. An open conversation with both your plastic surgeon and your obstetrician is the right place to start.