[RememberHowToSmile]

I was wondering if anyone got a tummy tuck prior to having kids or at a young age. I know this sounds weird but from what I’ve heard that most of the time that you shouldn’t get one prior to having children because it makes it harder when you get pregnant. But I was wondering if it was possible to get the extra skin removed prior to having children.

I’m only 23 and I still want to have children one day but with around 50 pounds to go I already have excess skin and know it is only going to get worse. I would not do anything to hurt my chance of having children but I can’t imagine living with all of the excess skin until then. Plus I’m worried about not being able to take the time off once I get a real career.

I know only a plastic surgeon will be able to tell me if it can be done and the risk but I was just wondering if it was even possible before I got my hopes up.

[Get n healthy]

I have heard of people having a tummy tuck and then having children. Carnie Wilson did after her gastric bypass.

Its not going to hurt your chance of having a child, to have a tummy tuck. But your skin may not go back tight after having children, if you have a tummy tuck, as pregnancy would stretch it out again. It depends on how much you gain while you are pregnant as to how messed up you are after the baby. But you can definately have a baby after a TT. Although, a doc will not recommend getting pregnant shortly after a TT, of course. But a couple of years after a TT, pregnancy is fine, although, it is just not recommended because you could have excess skin all over again. So you spend tons of money to have a tummy tuck, just to stretch your skin out again, so docs recommend you wait til after children. A TT can cost $5000-10,000 and up...so that is why docs recommend you wait.

By the way, WOW, way to go on the weight loss. That is awesome.

[shrinkingchica]

I had a TT when I was 22. I plan on having kids, but not for some years to come and I didn't want to be miserable for the next 10 years. So, it is totally worth it. Your skin will stretch out again with the pregnancies, but you can just get another TT when you are all finished childbearing. That is what I plan to do, so I don't have to worry about the expense for at least another 15 years.

[RememberHowToSmile]

Hmmm thanks for the information. I had heard that because they generally tighten the muscles with a TT that it's not recommended before you have children. I figured that someone hear would know better then rumors I heard.

Stacy - Thanks for the complement. Now that I've lost this much I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. (Hince the TT question.)

Charlotte - How long did it take you to recover from yours?

[shrinkingchica]

I DID have my ab muscles tightened because my ps said that the muscles seperate just as much with morbid obesity as with pregnancy. And yes, I can still become pregnant and give birth normally.

A Mini TT is usually when you only have a small amount of extra skin to be removed. I had a bigger problem than that.

RHTS: it depends on what you mean by "recovery" because it happens in stages. For a week I could not sit upright. For 4 weeks I had to wear a compression garment that was uncomfortable. But by 8 weeks out I was perfectly well enough to go on a walking holiday out of the country. But I still (13mos out) cannot feel my abs or belly button. The whole core of my abdomen is still numb. But you get used to having a numb tummy. Usually the sensation comes back within 2yrs, but sometimes it never does. I would still consider it a worthwhile tradeoff.

[Petra6998]

I never thought of the tummy being numb....that's a interesting side effect of the tummy tuck...but I agree it would be a worth while trade off.

[Glory87]

I had some jaw surgery in 99 and I am still numb on the left side of my mouth. Definitely a risk of nerve damage during surgery.

[pinupdreams]

i agree, after having my first kid via csection the lower part of my tummy was left some what numb.. but it doesnt matter i mean like they said thats the trade off.