Abdominoplasty After Pregnancy: Everything You Need to Know

Pregnancy brings about many changes to your body. And while some of these changes are temporary, others can remain. Stretch marks, excess skin and tissue and muscle separation are all normal effects of pregnancy, but they can cause functional and/or aesthetic changes that some individuals may want to address. An Abdominoplasty after pregnancy addresses these concerns, provided you meet certain criteria. Here’s what you need to know.

How Does Pregnancy Affect the Abdomen?

As your baby grows in your uterus and your hormones shift, the skin and abdominal muscles expand, stretch and change shape. Your abdominal muscles will also weaken, making them less effective at supporting your body in helping you move.

Your rectus abdominus muscles (the superficial ‘6-pack’ muscles that run longitudinally) have a small gap in the centre. However, during pregnancy, this gap can sometimes widen as the abdominal muscles stretch and separate (diastasis recti). Diastasis recti is caused by hormonal changes, weight gain, and stretching and weakening due to the baby’s growth.

After childbirth, this gap may slowly shrink, but in some cases it remains.

The skin also loses elasticity, as collagen and elastin fibres are stretched during pregnancy and may not return to their pre-pregnancy form. This results in a soft, saggy appearance of the skin, often accompanied by stretch marks (striae gravidarum).

What Is A Post-Pregnancy Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)?

A Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure that reconstructs the abdominal wall. A post-pregnancy Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) is an Abdominoplasty performed after pregnancy. During surgery, excess stretch marks, loose skin and fatty tissue are removed and, if required, the weakened, separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) are tightened. If any hernias develop after pregnancy, they are also addressed.

For many individuals, an Abdominoplasty is considered for reconstructive and functional reasons rather than cosmetic concerns; however, aesthetics can also be addressed.

Who May Consider an Abdominoplasty?

If you are considering an Abdominoplasty, you’ll need an initial consultation with Dr Dona so that he can thoroughly assess you. However, individuals often present with one or more of the following physical characteristics:

• Excess tissues & and stretch marks: Candidates typically have loose, permanently stretched, excess abdominal skin and tissues and excessive stretch marks (striae gravidarum) following pregnancy.
• Diastases recti: Candidates may have abdominal separation (diastases recti) that, several months after pregnancy, is not diminishing or responding to exercise.

Additional considerations include:

• Stable weight: You should be at or near a stable, maintainable weight. Significant weight fluctuations after surgery can compromise the results, possibly stretching the skin and affecting the outcome.
• Realistic expectations: Individuals should understand that an Abdominoplasty will address the appearance and function of the abdominal wall but will not create perfection.
• Weight loss medications: It is not necessary to stop taking GLP-1s before surgery. However, you must follow specific precautions before your operation to ensure your safety and minimise the risk of complications during anaesthesia. More information can be found on our website.

How Soon After Pregnancy Can You Have an Abdominoplasty?

Dr Dona suggests that individuals wait at least six to 12 months after giving birth before having a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty). This amount of time ensures that your body has fully healed from childbirth, that your hormones have settled, and that your weight has stabilised.

What About Breastfeeding?

It is essential that you have finished breastfeeding before undergoing an Abdominoplasty so that your body, hormones and weight have all had a chance to stabilise.

Does A Post-Pregnancy Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Qualify For A Medicare Rebate?

In cases where an abdominoplasty is performed to address functional concerns following pregnancy, a Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item number may apply. It is important to understand that strict criteria must be met and eligibility can only be determined following a consultation with Dr Dona.

Different MBS item numbers apply depending on the clinical circumstances, including 30175, 30177, and 30179.

MBS Item Criteria Overview

30177 – Lipectomy (Abdominoplasty) 
May apply where there is excess abdominal skin and tissue following significant weight loss, with associated skin complications and impact on daily activities, following a period of stable weight.

30175 – Radial Abdominoplasty 
May apply where there is pregnancy-related rectus diastasis with associated symptoms such as pain, functional impairment, or urinary symptoms, following failed non-surgical management and after an appropriate post-pregnancy period.

30179 – Circumferential Lipectomy (360 Abdominoplasty)
May apply where there is circumferential excess skin and tissue following significant weight loss, with associated skin complications and functional impact, following a period of stable weight.

In addition, for individuals who have had a prior Caesarean section resulting in functional concerns related to scar tissue, a Medicare item number may apply in selected cases.

MBS item 45518 relates to surgical revision of abdominal scar tissue where there is a functional or reconstructive indication rather than a purely cosmetic concern.

Can a C-Section Scar Be Addressed during an Abdominoplasty?

Yes, a C-section scar can usually be addressed and removed during an Abdominoplasty. During the procedure, the incision is usually made below or directly above the existing C-section scar, allowing the scar to be excised and replaced with a single, lower incision. Also, if the C-section scar has been tethered down, causing a ‘shelf’, the Abdominoplasty addresses this issue.

Combining An Abdominoplasty With Other Post-Pregnancy Procedures

An Abdominoplasty may be combined with other post-pregnancy procedures in certain instances. However, this depends on several factors, including the type of Abdominoplasty required, the patient’s health, medical history, finances and logistics.

Dr Dona notes that while many patients would like to have multiple operations performed at the same time, it is not always advisable or possible to do so. It’s important to keep in mind that the larger the surgery, the greater the potential for postoperative complications.

Sometimes, however, it is possible for an individual to combine procedures. Some common post-pregnancy surgery combinations include:

• Abdominoplasty + Liposuction
• Abdominoplasty + Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
• Abdominoplasty + Breast Augmentation

All individuals considering an Abdominoplasty must first book an appointment with Dr Dona. During the consultation, he will carefully assess the patient, determine their suitability for surgery and determine which type of surgery can or should be performed. If more than one procedure is being considered, he can create a surgical plan to address their concerns in priority order.

Will A Future Pregnancy Affect the Results of an Abdominoplasty?

Pregnancy after an Abdominoplasty is possible; the surgery does not affect fertility or the ability to become pregnant.

In many cases, if a stable weight and healthy lifestyle are maintained, the results of a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) may remain largely unchanged. However, the extent to which results are maintained can vary from person to person.

Factors such as pregnancy, weight fluctuations, genetics, skin quality and abdominal muscle changes may influence the abdominal area over time. In some cases, this may lead to the development of skin laxity, stretch marks or muscle separation, which can affect the surgical outcome and may result in considering revision surgery.

Taking the Next Steps at Bella Plastic Surgery

If you’re interested in an Abdominoplasty, please contact Bella Plastic Surgery in Sydney to organise an initial consultation with Dr Dona on 1300 373 662.