By: David Stoker, MD

There are many women for whom a vaginal delivery is either not possible or not ideal. When this is the case, the most frequent solution is a Cesarean Section (C-Section). A C-Section is a surgical procedure that delivers a baby via an incision through the uterus. This different method of delivery can raise several issues. In the realm of plastic surgery, the issues related to a C-Section are most pronounced in reference to abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

There are two main questions I hear from my Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Pasadena abdominoplasty patients who have had or are planning to have a C-Section.

1. Can I have a tummy tuck at the same time as a C-Section?

In other words, what these women want to know is if, since the surgeon is “already in there,” can they just mend some abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fat once the baby has been delivered.

The answer is “no.” Women must wait until they are completely healed from their C-Section before they have a tummy tuck. First, labor is a very grueling process and a mother’s energy should be devoted to recovery and caring for her new child. Plus, the person performing your tummy tuck should be a plastic surgeon, someone specifically trained in cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks; in almost all cases, the medical professional delivering your baby will not be a plastic surgeon.

2. What happens to my C-Section scar?

Many women are frustrated by the often unsightly scar from their C-Section. So, when they begin considering a tummy tuck, they want to know what effect the new procedure will have on the old scar. I’m always pleased to tell them the good news. A tummy tuck can remove an entire C-Section scar, and while the abdominoplasty procedure creates its own scar, this scar should be thinner, lower, and usually hidden beneath your underwear or a bathing suit bottom.

If you’ve had a C-Section, what are some other concerns you have about plastic surgery? Share them here and I’m happy to respond.

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