Many women find that after a pregnancy, they have loose, sagging skin around the midsection. Sometimes, the skin will snap back into place, but often, it remains loose, even if the muscles underneath have become toned and flat again. There are many reasons this may happen. For example, as the pregnancy progresses and the skin begins to stretch around the midsection. This means that even after the baby has been born, it can be difficult for the skin to retract back to its original form. Even moisturized and well-cared for skin may remain loose after a pregnancy.

Some women undergo a C-section, in which the child is surgically removed, as opposed to a traditional delivery. Because an incision has already been created in the abdomen, many women wonder if their doctors can reuse C-section scars for a tummy tuck. The answers is not straightforward and depends on the patient's degree of skin laxity and the location of the c-section scar.

Because the incision is in the same general area as one would be for a tummy tuck, it would be easy for a doctor to simply use the scarred area, instead of making a new incision, which would create a new scar. However, most doctors say that C-section incisions are not as long as tummy tuck incisions, and therefore, are usually cut away as part of the tuck, rather than incorporated into the new incision.

For a very small tummy tuck, however, where only a small amount of skin needs to be removed or lifted, some doctors find that a small C-section incision is lengthy enough. Most women, however, prefer to have the C-section scar removed, along with the skin required to lift the tummy, because C-section scars are notoriously unsightly. Most doctors also recommend this, as it will lower the site of the tummy tuck scar, and remove any cellulite or stretch marks that may exist in the area as a result of weight gain during pregnancy.

In order to be considered as a candidate for a tummy tuck, a person must be completely finished losing whatever weight they want to lose. Some plastic surgeons will perform liposuction during a tummy tuck, to remove additional deposits of fat. Speaking to the doctor performing the surgery will determine whether or not this is a possibility. Candidates must also be sure they do not want any more children, as another pregnancy will reverse the effects of the tummy tuck by further stretching the skin. Patients must also have achieved a stable weight. Tummy tuck surgeons want their patients to demonstrate a healthy lifestyle, and weight that is constantly bouncing up and down does not reflect a healthy life.

Though C-section incisions can be reused for a tummy tuck, they are generally not long enough for the actual procedure. Most doctors prefer to remove them as part of the tuck, placing a lower incision beneath the C-section area, for a more smooth and defined look.

To find out if you are a good candidate for a tummy tuck, contact Dr. Paul Pin today.