After pregnancy, many women experience significant physical changes in their bodies. These changes often include excess breast skin, skin laxity, excess abdominal skin, diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), and stubborn fat deposits that seem resistant to diet and exercise. While these changes can be a result of the process of childbirth, weight gain or weight loss, they can sometimes affect comfortability. Post-pregnancy surgery, also known as plastic surgery after birth, addresses these physical changes. Procedures such as breast augmentation and post-pregnancy abdominoplasty can assist in surgically repairing the muscles of the abdomen and removing the loose, excess skin of the breasts. By understanding the concept of post-pregnancy surgery and its techniques, women can explore options to find their pre-pregnancy comfort.
Understanding Post-Pregnancy Body Changes
“The benefits of post pregnancy surgery can include less skin laxity to the breasts and abdomen, firmer, more lifted breasts and a tummy that is firmer with muscle separation repaired.”
– Dr Mark Doyle, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Gold Coast Plastic Surgery
Pregnancy can bring significant transformations to a woman’s body, often leading to various physical changes. These changes commonly involve breast skin laxity, loose abdominal skin, diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation), and stubborn fat deposits. Excess breast skin can occur due to hormonal fluctuations and breastfeeding, resulting in a loss of firmness and shape. The stretching of the abdominal area during pregnancy or weight gain can also lead to excess skin and weakened abdominal muscles, causing the appearance of excess, loose skin folds. Diastasis recti can occur when the abdominal muscles separate, resulting in a bulging or protruding abdomen. Additionally, some women struggle with stubborn fat deposits in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips, which can be resistant to traditional weight loss methods. Understanding and addressing the postpartum body is vital for individuals researching plastic surgery following childbirth.
Breast Engorgement
A few days after you give birth, your breasts generally begin to swell. This is because your breasts are producing milk to feed your child. Once the milk has stopped, whether you breastfed or not, likely your breast size will change, this may also result in an anatomy change, which may be different to what you were used to pre-pregnancy. This can also result in skin laxity or loose breast skin.
Weight Gain and Weight Loss
Fluctuations in weight during and after pregnancy may cause stretch marks and excess skin. You may have stretch marks on your stomach from where your skin was stretched during the pregnancy. They can also occur on your thighs, hips and bottom and will generally fade over time.
Excess Skin
For the first two weeks after giving birth (sometimes longer), your tummy may appear to have skin laxity. This is because the abdomen was required to expand to accommodate your baby and now no longer needs to be quite so stretched. Some women are unable to rid of the excess skin, which can leave them feeling uncomfortable when performing activities, exercising, or wearing certain clothing. With abdomen skin laxity, muscle separation and loose stomach skin, sometimes the only way to remove the excess skin and repair the muscle separation is with surgery.
Exploring Post-Pregnancy Surgery Options
When considering postpartum plastic surgery options, women have a range of procedures available to address their specific anatomy, following childbirth. Two popular choices are breast augmentation and tummy surgery, also known as ‘Abdominoplasty’.
Breast augmentation surgery is a procedure that can increase the volume, shape, and symmetry of the breasts, which may have changed due to pregnancy and breastfeeding. It involves the use of breast implants, to enhance the size and shape of the breasts.
On the other hand, an Abdominoplasty or postpartum tummy surgery primarily focuses on the abdominal area, aiming to tighten abdominal muscles, remove loose skin, and create a firmer, tighter stomach. These procedures can be beneficial for women following pregnancy, weight gain or weight loss.
Tummy Surgery after Pregnancy
After pregnancy, many women experience changes in their abdominal area, such as excess skin, stretched abdominal muscles, and diastasis recti. Postpartum tummy surgery is known as an Abdominoplasty, this is a surgical procedure specifically performed to address post-pregnancy anatomy changes and can result in a flatter stomach with muscle repair.
During tummy surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen to access the underlying muscles. The abdominal muscles are then tightened, loose skin is removed, and the remaining skin is carefully repositioned for a firmer appearance. This procedure not only improves the physical appearance of the abdomen but also assists with functionality and minimising discomfort caused by stretched or weakened stomach muscles.
When opting for tummy surgery after pregnancy, women may see significant improvements in their abdominal region. Post-pregnancy belly surgery can assist in reducing excess skin, and the appearance of stretch marks, and create a firmer stomach.
Breast Augmentation: Enhancing Volume and Shape Post Pregnancy
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause significant changes in the breasts, often leading to volume loss, skin laxity, and a loss of symmetry. Post-pregnancy breast augmentation is a procedure that Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle has performed thousands of times, it can increase breast fullness and shape.
Breast surgery after pregnancy involves the placement of breast implants to increase the size and shape of the breasts. The procedure begins with a consultation to determine the patient’s anatomy, recommended size, shape, and implant type. There are various implant options available, each with its own unique characteristics. The surgeon will help guide the patient in choosing the most suitable option based on their preferences and unique anatomy.
Breast augmentation after pregnancy not only increases the breast size but can also change breast symmetry, by correcting breast asymmetries caused by pregnancy-related changes, such as breastfeeding and weight gain. It is important to note that breast augmentation does not address significant skin laxity or excess breast skin, which may require additional procedures, such as a breast lift.
Liposuction Gold Coast
The weight loss that occurs after childbirth is not always a significant amount or as much as each individual would like to see. Sometimes there are more stubborn areas of excess fat, that even exercise cannot get rid of. This is where liposuction may become recommended by a plastic surgeon, to remove the superficial layer of fat below the skin. It is recommended that you first reach your goal weight, or as close to your goal weight as possible, as this is not a fat-loss solution, but rather a surgical technique to assist you with the more stubborn fat pocket areas.
Combined Post Pregnancy Surgery
Combining breast augmentation and post-pregnancy tummy surgery, also known as Abdominoplasty procedures, allows for a comprehensive surgery journey of the breasts and abdominal area. Women may see increased volume, shape, and symmetry in their breasts with breast augmentation surgery, whilst Abdominoplasty surgery can tighten the abdominal muscles, and remove excess, loose skin, resulting in a firmer stomach.
When performed together, breast augmentation and postpartum tummy surgery, also known as Abdominoplasty can address multiple areas of concern in a single surgical session, patients can reduce overall recovery time and potentially lower costs for theatre and Anaesthetists costs, when compared to undergoing each procedure separately.
Post-Pregnancy Before and After Photos
Recovery After Post-pregnancy Surgery
In most instances, patients will need to spend at least 7 to 10 days at home recovering. In terms of regular activities, exercise can only be resumed 6 weeks after surgery. Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle will provide you with specific aftercare instructions, which should be carefully followed, for an optimal surgery outcome. This will include how to care for your wounds, and steps you can take to make your recovery more comfortable. Patients may also be required to wear a compression garment for 6 weeks post-surgery, to assist with healing and reduce swelling. Dr Doyle’s surgery recovery tips guide may also assist you throughout your surgery recovery.
If you are concerned about scarring, it is important to remember that generally, the majority of scars will slowly fade over time. There are also specific steps you can take to keep scarring to a minimum. Keeping your incision sites protected from harmful UV rays, even after they’ve healed, is one key way to prevent noticeable scarring. Patients can also use silicone gel sheets and massage techniques as a way to reduce scars after a post-pregnancy procedure.
Results of Postpartum Surgery
The final results of post-pregnancy procedures will take several months to appear (as it takes some time for swelling and bruising to subside). It’s important to wait until all swelling and bruising have subsided. In terms of how long surgery results last, this will depend on your lifestyle, anatomy and future family plans. Age will also still continue to change the body, which may result in the need for additional procedures later in life.
Considering Post-Pregnancy Surgery: Choosing a Surgeon
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle, is located at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery Clinic in the Gold Coast, Queensland and has over 30 years of experience. Dr Doyle has completed thousands of post-pregnancy procedures over the past 30 years. Post-pregnancy procedures can include several different surgery procedures and are generally performed together in the surgery session. Post-pregnancy surgery is customised to repair a woman’s abdomen separation, excess, loose skin and breast volume, following pregnancy and childbirth.
Dr Doyle is a specialist plastic surgeon who practises on the Gold Coast. He operates out of John Flynn Private Hospital, which is about a 5-minute drive from the Gold Coast Airport. He works alongside a surgical operating team (Nurse Assistant and Anaesthetist), who are highly experienced and have worked alongside Dr Doyle over the past decade.
Dr Mark Doyle is a big believer in patient care and will take the time to listen to your concerns throughout your surgery consultations and before making any surgery recommendations.
FAQs
How Much Does a Combined Breast Augmentation and Tummy Surgery Procedure Cost?
The cost of a combined breast augmentation with lift and tummy surgery, also known as an Abdominoplasty procedure with Dr Doyle starts from $41800. However, it’s important to note that the final cost may vary slightly depending on additional factors such as surgical hospital fees, anesthesia fees, and the specific techniques used.
Combining these procedures can often provide a slightly lower price when compared to undergoing them separately, as certain expenses like anesthesia and hospital fees can be shared between the two surgeries. Nevertheless, it is vital to prioritise the selection of an experienced specialist plastic surgeon, such as Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle, who has over 30 years of experience, rather than forming your surgery decision solely on the pricing.
Will Medicare Cover My Post-Pregnancy Procedures?
When it comes to Medicare rebates, it is recommended to ask your GP or plastic surgeon for more information about your post-pregnancy conditions and if you meet the Medicare criteria.
Can I Breastfeed after Undergoing Breast Augmentation?
While breast augmentation itself does not typically interfere with breastfeeding, it’s important to discuss your plans for future breastfeeding with implants with your plastic surgeon during the consultation. In most cases, breast implants do not impact the milk ducts or nipple sensitivity.
Contact Us
We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions about postpartum surgery. If you have any other questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please call our clinic or enquire through our website today.
About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plas) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon
Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.
Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.
As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.
