During pregnancy a woman’s abdominal muscles stretch with the added weight. Following your first baby, exercise and diet can get your body back to its pre-baby form. But after a second or third pregnancy, it gets harder and harder to regain your shape. Why? The abdominal muscles and skin have stretched too much and have lost some of their elasticity, so they won’t tighten back to the same degree. A tummy tuck can do what diet and exercise can’t — return you to your pre-pregnant form.

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure that will get rid of the fat and excess, sagging skin on your abdomen and can give you a flat abdomen once again. Dr. Rosenthal makes a horizontal incision above the pubic area. The length of the incision depends upon the amount of skin that needs to be removed and the length of scarring you are willing to accept. Another incision around the belly button is usually needed to tighten the skin above it. In a mini tummy tuck, only the lower incision is made. If needed, a tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction to remove excess fat pockets.

The recovery period is 10 days to two weeks, where you’ll have to avoid all strenuous activity, bending over, reaching, and driving. You will have scarring, but it will be hidden under your bikini or underwear.

If you’ve had a couple children and can’t seem to get your former shape back, a tummy tuck could be the answer. Call Dr. Rosenthal and let’s discuss your options.