If you are a new mom of multiples, people expect you to have bags under your eyes. However, you may not have planned for the bags on your abdomen that often do not entirely go away by themselves. Therefore, a tummy tuck is often necessary to treat the problem of separated muscles, which is known to your doctor as diastasis recti. If you are tired of looking pregnant long after the babies were born, the following information about tummy tucks will be very helpful.

#1-Tummy Tuck After Babies Is Not Just For Cosmetic Reasons

Most women know that when you are pregnant and give birth, your body will change and some of those changes can be permanent. For instance, some women can get back to their pre-baby weight or even less and still notice that their hips are a little wider or their breasts are a bit fuller.

However, if you have had many babies, a big baby or carried multiples, the physical changes are often more significant. Specifically, the abdominal muscles may have stretched so far they could not come back together entirely and you are left with an unnecessary pooch to the area. In that case, a tummy tuck is not just to help you fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans, but will also solve the underlying issue.

Unfortunately, separated abdominal muscles can also result in:

• Incontinence

• Lower back pain

• Constipation

• Hernias (rarely)

#2-There Are Different Ways That Your Tummy Tuck May Be Done

It is important to note that your physical condition and the severity of the separation will impact how your procedure will be done. For instance, if you have a few extra pounds or a lot of extra skin, you may want to ask about the possibility of combining your procedure with liposuction. If you only have a bit of muscle separation, you may be a candidate for a mini tummy tuck.

The full and mini tummy tucks are both done by cutting horizontally into the abdomen, pulling back the skin, removing fat and repairing the affected abdominal muscles. The mini tummy tuck simply involves fewer incisions, less removal of the skin and a faster recovery time. Your surgeon will be able to judge the degree of separation and determine which choice is the most appropriate for your needs.

#3-You Should Not Plan For A Quick Recovery

Once you understand that a tummy tuck is not a minor procedure, it becomes clear that your recovery takes longer than it would from a minor procedure. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask for help for a few weeks after your surgery.

In addition, due to the need for anesthesia during the procedure and pain management, it is generally advised that nursing moms avoid elective surgery whenever possible. Unless your muscle separation is so severe that it is causing you severe side effects, it will be helpful to discuss the possibility of delaying it until your babies are older.

In conclusion, you can love being a mom to multiples, but you do not have to love what pregnancy did to your body. If you are concerned about your abdominal pooch or you think you may have separated abdominal muscles from your pregnancy, you should consult with a plastic surgeon to determine your choices.