Post-pregnancy surgery incorporates two or more different cosmetic and medical procedures. The surgical goal is to remove excess skin and repair muscle separation that may have been caused to the body following pregnancy, weight loss, or weight gain. These procedures are performed to reduce and tighten the areas that are most affected by weight gain and weight loss, such as the abdominal area.
Post-pregnancy procedures are ideal for women who have finished having children, are near their ideal weight, and who may have excess skin or muscle damage, in the abdominal region, which may have been caused during pregnancy and childbirth. Post-pregnancy surgery refers to a surgery package that combats all of the areas and may include abdominal muscle separation repair.
Post-pregnancy procedures are not only for mums too. It generally refers to the combination of any breast and tummy surgery.
Post Pregnancy Procedures, at a glance
Target area: Excess fat and excess skin on the abdomen, breasts size and/or shape
Time off work: 1 – 2 weeks
Total recovery: 6 weeks
Compression garment: 2 weeks full time wear, 6 weeks total
Scar position: Below the bikini line, extending hip to hip. Along the fold beneath the breast in some cases around the areola and down the breast
What Is Post-Pregnancy Surgery?
“The benefits of post pregnancy surgery is to repair adnominal muscle separation, remove excess skin, and increase firmness that may have been lost during pregnancy and childbirth”.
– Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Doyle
Quick Facts
Post-Pregnancy Stomach Surgery
Your body goes through a number of changes during and after pregnancy. If you choose to breastfeed your breasts may appear to have excess skin post-breastfeeding due to potential breast volume loss. The abdomen is another area that can be affected by a loss of elasticity.
Breast Engorgement
A few days after you give birth, your breasts will begin to swell. This is because your breasts are producing milk to feed your baby. Once the milk is gone, whether you breastfed or not, your breasts will likely lose density and tissue size, resulting in body changes and potential breast ptosis.
Weight Gain and Weight Loss
Natural 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 may also occur on your thighs, hips and bottom and will usually fade over time.
Excess Skin
For the first two weeks after giving birth (sometimes longer), your stomach may look quite loose. This is because it needed to expand to accommodate your baby and now it no longer needs to be that stretched. Some women are unable to get rid of the excess skin and muscle separation caused by childbirth any other way but with surgery.
This is where Dr Doyle from Gold Coast Plastic Surgery may be able to assist.
Post Pregnancy Surgery Package Includes:
The surgical procedures included in the post-pregnancy surgery package will depend on what you want to achieve. Typically, the procedures included are:
- Breast lift surgery — with or without breast implants
- Liposuction
- Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
1. Breast Lift
Once you have finished breastfeeding, your breasts will likely have loose skin and breast ptosis may be apparent. A breast lift is a surgery that assists in removing excess or loose skin and increasing the firmness and elevation of the breasts. If you have lost volume or would like a fuller breast size, then breast lift surgery with implants may be suitable.
2. Liposuction
The weight loss that occurs following childbirth is not always as much as the excess weight that was gained during pregnancy. Sometimes there are more stubborn areas of excess fat pockets, that even exercise cannot get rid of. This is where liposuction may be suitable, to remove the superficial layer of fat below the skin. Before surgery, we do suggest that you first reach your goal weight or as close to it as possible, as this is not solely a fat loss solution, but rather a tool to assist you with the stubborn excess fat removal in certain areas.
3. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
As can be expected, your stomach will have undergone a lot of stretching during pregnancy. For most women, the stomach will return to its previous shape but there are instances of excess skin that cannot return back to the pre-pregnancy body shape. A suitable solution for loose skin may be a tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) where the skin is removed and stitched back together to assist with the stomach returning to its pre-pregnancy shape. Please note, this is not a weight-loss technique but rather a surgical technique for excess skin removal.
These procedures will be recommended according to your anatomy and will depend on your surgery goals.
Suitable Candidate
A suitable candidate for post-pregnancy surgery (abdominoplasty and breast surgery) is someone who is at a healthy, stable weight and has completed their family.
At your initial consultation with Dr Doyle, he will assess your surgery requirements and discuss the options available to you. You will be asked several questions about your health, as well as your surgery goals.
Post-Pregnancy Surgery Before and After Australia
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
Why Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Mark Doyle?
Dr Mark Doyle is a Queensland senior plastic surgeon, with over 30 years of experience and has completed hundreds of post-pregnancy procedures. Post-pregnancy procedures are a collection of surgical treatments done at the same time to surgically correct the muscle separation that may have occurred during pregnancy. Post-pregnancy procedure packages are customised surgery procedures that may assist with abdominal recovery post-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 a short 5 minute drive from Gold Coast International Airport. He works alongside a surgical operating team (Theatre Nurse Assistant and Anaesthetist) who are both experienced in their respective fields.
Dr Doyle is passionate about patient care and will take the time to listen to your surgery questions before making any treatment recommendations.
Download our free Post Pregnancy Surgery procedure guide
What Happens During Post Pregnancy Surgery?
To complete your post-pregnancy procedures (abdominoplasty and breast augmentation), a general anaesthetic will be required and possibly an overnight stay. The duration of your surgery will be determined by the procedures you decide to undergo. During your surgery, any incisions will be strategically placed to ensure that any scarring is as minimal as possible. If you are not required to stay overnight at John Flynn Private Hospital, you will be taken to a recovery room, where you still spend several hours recovering. Drains may be placed underneath the skin to remove any excess fluid after your procedure. From there, someone will need to drive you home. Please note, that your drains will be removed a few days later at the Gold Coast Plastic Surgery clinic.
What Are The Risks?
Like any surgical procedure, post-pregnancy procedures can carry risks and potential complications. By following all pre-operative and post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon and closely monitoring your recovery, you can minimise your risk of complications.
Some risks may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring
- Delayed Healing
- Fluid Accumulation (Seroma)
- Numbness or changes in sensation
- Blood Clots
- Anesthesia Risks
Recovery After Post-Pregnancy Surgery
In most instances, patients will need to spend at least 1 – 2 weeks recovering at home. In terms of regular activities, any exercise can only be resumed after six weeks. Dr Doyle will provide you with specific aftercare instructions that should be followed precisely, for optimal recovery. This will include how to care for your wounds and steps you can take to make your recovery more comfortable. Patients may also need to wear a compression garment for six weeks to reduce swelling. Following Dr Doyle’s cosmetic surgery recovery tips is important for an optimal recovery.
If you are concerned about scarring, know that all scars generally 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 way to reduce scarring. Patients can also use silicone gel sheets and massage techniques as a way to reduce scars after post-pregnancy surgery.
Longer-Term Results of Post-Pregnancy Surgery
The final results of post-pregnancy procedures can take several months. Depending on the types of procedures you have performed. It’s important to wait until all swelling and bruising have subsided before you decide whether you’re satisfied with your surgery outcome. In terms of how long your results be seen, this will depend on your lifestyle and whether you choose to grow your family. Age will also naturally still affect your body, which may even result in the need for additional procedures later in life.
Prices and Fees for Post-Pregnancy Procedures. How Much Do Post-Pregnancy Procedures Cost?
The cost of post-pregnancy surgery is different for all patients. Not all patients have the same surgery requirements and not all procedures will be recommended to be included in the final surgery. Anaesthetist, surgeon and hospital fees will also need to be factored into the final cost. Since post-pregnancy procedures are sometimes cosmetic, they may not qualify for a Medicare rebate. This possibility can be discussed with Dr Doyle during your consultation once your specific needs have been assessed.
You can access our list of pricing resources to find more about the cost of Post Pregnancy Procedures:
Next Steps – Your appointment For Post Pregnancy Surgery
Once you book a surgery consultation with Dr Doyle, he will be able to accurately assess your needs and discuss the most suitable surgery recommendations for you. You will then spend about 40 minutes with Dr Doyle and also see his Client Advisor who will go into more details in regards to the procedures that have been recommended.
If you would like further information about post-pregnancy surgery or would like to arrange a consultation please fill out our enquiry form here or call us on (07) 5598 0988.
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 fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience performing breast, body, face and nose surgery. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery.
