Some people might need an Abdominoplasty after a C-section to repair abdominal muscles and remove excess loose skin and fat to achieve a flatter, more toned abdominal section.

Diastasis recti repair

Diastasis recti is when the abdominal muscles separate and don’t realign after pregnancy or a C-section, causing them to weaken. This weakening of the abdominal wall affects posture and leads to back pain. A Tummy Tuck corrects this condition and restores your abdominal muscles' strength and stability.

Removing excess skin

The skin around the abdomen might not fully retract for some patients after a C-section, leading to excess, loose, and sagging skin. 

The scar from the C-section can also create a fold, commonly called a “C-section pouch”. Patients may opt to remove this fold via a Tummy Tuck due to discomfort and for aesthetic purposes. 

A Tummy Tuck removes this excess skin, tightening and flattening your abdominal area. It can also improve the appearance of a C-section scar.

Removing excess fat

A Tummy Tuck removes the excess stubborn fat that can accumulate around the abdomen during pregnancy and after a C-section. It helps you get rid of an uneven, bulging abdominal profile (mum-tum), giving you a flatter, more contoured midsection. 

This is especially effective if Tummy Tuck and Liposuction procedures are combined - known as a Brazilian Abdominoplasty which treats concerns such as love handles as well as the lower abdomen. This is something you can speak with one of our expert surgeons about to see if it’s a suitable option. 

You can’t combine a C-section and Tummy Tuck, and it’s advised to avoid having an Abdominoplasty anytime soon after a C-section. A stable body weight and good physical health are required for a Tummy Tuck. After a C-section, the body needs time to heal and the weight gained from pregnancy needs time to stabilise. 

A C-section is a significant abdominal surgery and combining it with a Tummy Tuck would significantly increase the risk of complications. 

Combining a C-section and Tummy Tuck could cause blood clots and fluid retention, which can lead to infection. Breastfeeding women are also unable to take certain painkillers, which is why it’s best to wait for a few months to have a Tummy Tuck after a Caesarean.

Book an appointment with our experienced cosmetic surgeons at Cadogan Clinic to discuss how to safely plan a Tummy Tuck procedure after a C-section. Our surgeons will guide you in preparing for a Tummy Tuck while you recover from a C-section.

It's best to wait for at least 4-6 months after a C-section before getting an Abdominoplasty. The waiting time allows your body to fully heal, the uterus to return to its normal size, and the postpartum body weight to stabilise.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be back down to the same weight you were before pregnancy. It means that your postpartum weight isn’t drastically moving upwards or downwards each month.  

A Tummy Tuck tightens loose skin and strengthens the muscles in your abdominal wall that may have weakened after a C-section. If you want a more comprehensive procedure that targets your entire body to restore your pre-pregnancy appearance, our Mummy Makeover procedure may be worth consulting about with one of our surgeons. 

A Tummy Tuck after a C-section can strengthen the abdominal wall, remove excess skin, and improve the appearance of C-section scars. During your consultation, your surgeon will show you a range of before and after photos so you can see the results that are possible for you.

Improved abdominal strength & appearance

The abdominal muscles stretch during pregnancy, potentially causing loose skin and muscle separation after childbirth. 

A Tummy Tuck removes excess loose skin and tightens the abdominal muscles. This results in a firmer and flatter abdominal profile. 

Reducing stretch marks and C-section scars

A Tummy Tuck can reduce the appearance of a C-section scar by removing the excess skin around it. If you have stretch marks after pregnancy, removing the excess skin through an Abdominoplasty procedure will minimise their visibility.

Functional benefits

A Tummy Tuck can reduce lower back pain that’s caused by weak abdominal muscles post-pregnancy. Strengthening the abdominal muscles with a Tummy Tuck can also improve urinary incontinence (the passing of urine unintentionally), a problem some women encounter post-pregnancy. 

If your body has had at least 4-6 months to properly heal and recover after a C-section, it has little to no impact on a Tummy Tuck recovery timeline. 

Our surgeons will advise you on the best course of action regarding a Tummy Tuck after a C-section depending on your specific circumstances. 

If your body needs more time to heal after a C-section, our surgeons will tell you how it could impact recovery time after an Abdominoplasty. If the Abdominoplasty is performed very soon (less than four months) after a C-section, the cumulative stress on the abdominal area can significantly prolong recovery.

Recovery from an Abdominoplasty after a C-section may also be more challenging due to the nature of looking after a baby. It’s best to keep in mind that you may need extra care and support during your recovery. If you are worried about the recovery period, there are non-surgical options which may suit you better.

The cost of an Abdominoplasty after C-section depends on your concerns and the type of surgery required. The procedure may cost more if you require complex procedures, like an extended Abdominoplasty after childbirth.

Our expert surgeons at Cadogan Clinic can help you understand the breakdown of the cost of an Abdominoplasty after a C-section.