Mommy Makeover: Abdominoplasty Corrects Many Issues Faced by Postpartum Women

A slim waist and a toned abdomen are among the most significant indicators of youth and physical health. After childbirth or frequent weight fluctuations, our abdominal muscles and skin can loosen and sag. The loss of abdominal muscle volume and the widening distance between the two abdominal muscles is referred to as rectus diastasis, which manifests in daily life as a bulging abdominal wall. Loose abdominal skin, stretch marks, weakened abdominal muscles, and a bulging belly commonly occur after two or more pregnancies. Through a tummy tuck surgery, the abdominal wall muscles are strengthened, excess fatty and sagging skin with stretch marks is removed, resulting in a tighter abdomen and a slimmer waist.

Beyond achieving an aesthetically pleasing appearance, tummy tuck surgery also has positive effects on overall physical health. While known as a cosmetic procedure, it can alleviate complaints such as back pain and urinary incontinence often experienced postpartum. A March 2018 issue of the globally recognized journal *Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery* by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that women with urinary incontinence before surgery experienced significant improvement within six weeks post-operation. Additionally, back pain complaints decreased within six months after surgery. Abdominoplasty, an essential component of mommy makeovers, not only enhances aesthetics but also helps mothers regain self-confidence from a health perspective.

I do not recommend undergoing abdominoplasty immediately after childbirth. Instead, you should return to your ideal weight before considering this surgery. Excess weight poses risks in all surgeries, including abdominoplasty, and prevents achieving the desired aesthetic outcomes. As with all planned cosmetic surgeries, smoking should be discontinued at least three weeks before abdominoplasty. Additionally, avoid blood-thinning supplements, diet pills, green tea, cherry stems, and herbal remedies during the week before surgery.

Contrary to popular belief, a tummy tuck is not an overly painful surgery. Thanks to the local anesthesia applied to all surgical incisions and abdominal wall muscles during the procedure, patients do not feel pain in the early postoperative period. Any subsequent pain can be managed with painkillers. After surgery, patients are fitted with an abdominal corset. Four hours post-surgery, patients can eat and begin to walk. For the first week post-surgery, walking with a slight forward bend is advised to avoid strain on the sutures. Since all sutures are internal, there is no need for suture removal. Patients can return to daily activities a week after surgery. Light exercise can be resumed three weeks later, excluding abdominal movements, and all sports activities are permitted after six weeks.

The results of a tummy tuck are permanent; however, some changes may occur due to weight fluctuations or subsequent pregnancies, though the abdomen will never return to its original condition.