Tummy Tuck Pain vs C section>Whether you’re contemplating a Mommy Makeover package or just want to undergo a tummy tuck, you’ll be relieved to know that any pain from this cosmetic procedure is far less than that experienced after a C-section.
especially with regards to recovery. A C-section involves delivering a baby through an abdominal incision that involves transecting the abdominal muscles. Because this incision is similarly located to a tummy tuck incision, many moms who want to get rid of their post-pregnancy bellies are concerned that a tummy tuck would be similar to a C-section in terms of pain and recovery. read more on what hurts more lipo or c-section/ tummy tuck vs c-section scar.
Tummy Tuck Pain vs C section
Surgery is a big decision. Patients have all kinds of questions for Dr. Bernard Beldholm when they come in for a consultation. Doctor Bernard always makes time to answer all questions. If you are still researching tummy tuck surgery, he wants to put your fears to rest. Knowing what to expect walking into surgery can be a huge relief.
So, is a tummy tuck similar to a c-section in terms of pain? That’s something many women want to know.
While patients have different experiences, most plastic surgeons would agree that a cesarean section is more painful than most tummy tucks. A tummy tuck without muscle repair just involves the top layers of the tummy. A c-section is also a major surgery, but the healing time is longer. We’re talking months for a c-section compared to 6-8 weeks for a tummy tuck. A c-section goes deeper into the abdominal cavity than a tummy tuck without muscle repair.
Is a tummy tuck really that painful?
The first few days are the hardest. Discomfort peaks within the first 72 hours, and then gradually begins to subside. There will be a lot of swelling at first. Swelling can persist for months, but it peaks during the first week. This is one reason the early days of recovery are more difficult. While uncomfortable, may women tolerate the initial discomfort quite well.
It’s important to remember that any pain or discomfort will subside in the coming days and weeks. Simply knowing that can help you push through it. Most women find the inconvenience well worth it in the end. After all, you have a beautiful new body to feel excited about!
When you remain still, whether reclined in bed or lying on the couch, you will not feel much discomfort. Most women say they notice discomfort only when they sit up, stand or shift positions in bed.
It may be tempting to stay in bed and rest 24/7, but that is not a good idea. It is vital that you begin walking the same day of surgery, and continue walking a bit more each day, especially in the first 14 days post-op. The health benefits of walking after tummy tuck are well proven.
Everyone experiences pain differently
No doubt you’ve researched the pain associated with abdominoplasty. That’s probably why you found this article, after all. You can read all sorts of patient experiences online, but the truth is that you won’t know what it’s like until you experience it for yourself. That’s not to say you should be fearful about getting surgery, although this is a natural reaction to the unknown.
The takeaway is, don’t be scared by what you read online. Every patient experiences pain differently. Be strong and stay positive — You can handle it! Many thousands of women around the world have had surgery and managed recovery quite well.
Accepting that you will experience temporary discomfort, swelling and limited mobility for a brief time after surgery makes it easier. It’s all about knowing what to expect and being prepared.
Tips to make tummy tuck recovery more comfortable
In the early phase of recovery, your mobility will be limited. Rest is important to recovery, but so is walking. You should walk for a few minutes every couple of hours, even on Day 1. Dr. Beldholm wants you to have a safe and comfortable recovery.
Here are some tips to reduce pain as you heal from abdominoplasty:
- Avoiding twisting and turning
- Walk bent over
- Remember, pain is only temporary
- Think positive! Your new body is worth it
- Do not attempt to lift groceries, etc.
- Follow aftercare instructions
- Wear compression garments to reduce swelling
- See more tips on preparing for tummy tuck surgery
Not all tummy tucks are the same
The pain may differ based on the type of tummy tuck you had. Some tummy tucks are more extensive than others. For example, one patient may have had a mini tummy tuck, while another had a body lift or fleur-de-lis surgery. A mini tummy tuck has a much quicker healing time and causes less tissue trauma, so the recovery is easier and less painful.
If you had torn abdominal muscle repair (diastasis recti repair), that is a more involved surgery than a tummy tuck without muscle repair. This can affect post-op discomfort.
Some patients also add liposuction to the procedure. All these factors can affect how much discomfort you feel after surgery.
Extensive tummy tucks like a body lift or fleur-de-lis abdominoplasty are more involved procedures. Therefore, the incision, discomfort and recovery time are different. Even still, some women tolerate the discomfort and pain better than others. Not only that, but there are different techniques that cosmetic surgeons may use.
The latest tummy tuck techniques are less painful than the past
Abdominoplasty is always improving. Newer tummy tuck techniques aim to reduce pain and downtime, speed healing and minimize surgical risks.
Dr. Beldholm is constantly studying the latest and greatest tummy tuck techniques to improve the experience for his patients and make recovery easier. Today’s methods are designed to be less invasive, so there is often less tissue trauma than techniques of the past. Dr. Beldholm uses a technique known as VASER lipo-abdominoplasty, aka the Sculpt Tummy Tuck.
In his experience, patients experience less pain with this method. This is a drainless procedure, which also reduces pain, inconvenience and infection risks. Other surgeons still perform tummy tuck with drains. Be sure to ask!
If you heard horror stories about pain from someone who had surgery a long time ago, this could be why. The tummy tuck your mother-in-law had 20 years ago is probably very different from the tummy tuck you will have today. Thus, you can’t really make a precise comparison of the pain. With the old type of tummy tuck, the abdominal flaps are lifted all the way to the ribs, creating a much bigger area of pain.
Some mothers who are scheduled to have a baby wonder whether it is possible to combine the cesarean delivery with a tummy tuck. The idea is to have just one round of anesthetic, one period of delivery, and one operating room. The reality of the matter is that most surgeons will not go along with this. Having a C-section birth together with an abdominoplasty is not recommended, due to the following reasons:
- Disappointing results – a tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that is performed in order to enhance your physique and appearance. Before carrying out this procedure, plastic surgeons will require that you are in good health (emotionally and physically). The nine months of pregnancy usually lead to stretching of the uterus and abdominal skin. This makes it almost impossible for the plastic surgeon to assess how much abdominal skin tightening needs to be carried out, and this could lead to disappointing results after recovery.
- Difficult recovery – recovering from either a tummy tuck or a cesarean delivery is hard. Combining the recovery burden of both surgeries, while also caring for the newborn baby, can be both exhausting and complicated. This is not something any plastic surgeon would want to put you through.
- Surgeon logistics – it is improbable that you will find a plastic surgeon who agrees to perform your abdominoplasty immediately after your C-section. This is more so true given that anything can happen during labor and delivery.
- Complications – just like with any surgical procedure, a tummy tuck and C-section come with their risks. These include complications such as infection, bleeding, fluid retention, and blood clots. There is a greater chance of complication if the risks of both procedures are combined.
Combining a tummy tuck with C-section is out of the question. But this doesn’t mean that you cannot still benefit from a tummy tuck after you have had enough time to fully recover from the C-section.
Recovery from tummy tuck vs C-section
Both a tummy tuck and cesarean section are comparable in terms of mobility and rehabilitation. However, recovery after a tummy tuck is often said to be easier compared to recovery after C-section. The reasoning behind this is that a C-section is a more invasive treatment that entails cutting through the uterus and abdominal muscles. In a tummy tuck, these abdominal muscles are only tightened, repaired, and strengthened. Furthermore, most abdominoplasty patients only have to worry about their well being and recovery. They can sleep and move at their own convenience. The opposite is true to C-section patients who have to be concerned about tending to their own wounds as well as caring for a newborn baby. Another thing to take into consideration when comparing a tummy tuck with C-section is the scarring. A tummy tuck scar tends to be longer. This cosmetic surgery may also need to be combined with liposuction of the back, waste, or other areas, effectively raising its pain threshold. Keep in mind also that not all muscle repair and tightening procedures are the same. Patients who have been through multiple pregnancies, twins, and those with hernias may require more intensive work during the abdominoplasty treatment. Drains may also be left in place following a tummy tuck, slowing down recovery and even adding to the inconvenience. Despite this comparison, it is important to understand that recovery is often an individualized process that can vary from one person to another.
Tummy tuck after C-section
If you are determined to benefit from a tummy tuck following a C-section delivery, talk to a plastic surgeon about it. Most surgeons recommend that you wait at least 6 months (or up to a year) before undergoing cosmetic surgery. This is so as to ensure that you are in a good physical shape for this treatment. If you are planning to get pregnant, your plastic surgeon may recommend that you wait until after you have completed childbearing to have a tummy tuck. Many women will have their tummy tuck as part of a comprehensive mommy makeover treatment.
Pain and discomfort is a normal response to surgery. Dr. Beldholm provides non-narcotic pain medication to ease your pain. When you wake from surgery, local anesthetic blockers make it so you won’t feel much discomfort at all on Day 1. This lasts for about 24 hours. You will just wake up groggy and probably tired from anesthesia.
Surgery, by nature, is controlled damage to skin and underlying tissue. That is how we remove excess body fat and unwanted loose skin, giving you the beautiful, slim tummy of your dreams. Temporary discomfort is to be expected. This usually peaks in the first few days after surgery, then subsides. Every day, you will feel a bit more comfortable. The discomfort does not last forever.
Over the next few days and weeks, you will start to feel much more comfortable. However, some patients report occasional minor shooting pain as the nerves and tissue repair themselves. This is not usually so much painful as it is surprising. You may feel a slight burning sensation. This is nothing to be concerned about.
Reducing swelling can also make you feel more comfortable. Compression garments are used for this purpose. However, some women find them uncomfortable. Doctor Bernard provides high-quality compression garments that are more comfortable to wear than ordinary garments.
In fact, you will wake from surgery with the compression garment already in place when you see Doctor Bernard for a tummy tuck, so there is nothing you need to do. Compression garments also help stabilize your body so there is less tension on the wound as it heals.
Tummy Tuck Vs C-Section Scar
Many women find that after a pregnancy, they have loose, sagging skin around the midsection. Sometimes, the skin will snap back into place, but often, it remains loose, even if the muscles underneath have become toned and flat again. There are many reasons this may happen. For example, as the pregnancy progresses and the skin begins to stretch around the midsection. This means that even after the baby has been born, it can be difficult for the skin to retract back to its original form. Even moisturized and well-cared for skin may remain loose after a pregnancy.
Some women undergo a C-section, in which the child is surgically removed, as opposed to a traditional delivery. Because an incision has already been created in the abdomen, many women wonder if their doctors can reuse C-section scars for a tummy tuck. The answers is not straightforward and depends on the patient’s degree of skin laxity and the location of the c-section scar.
Because the incision is in the same general area as one would be for a tummy tuck, it would be easy for a doctor to simply use the scarred area, instead of making a new incision, which would create a new scar. However, most doctors say that C-section incisions are not as long as tummy tuck incisions, and therefore, are usually cut away as part of the tuck, rather than incorporated into the new incision.
For a very small tummy tuck, however, where only a small amount of skin needs to be removed or lifted, some doctors find that a small C-section incision is lengthy enough. Most women, however, prefer to have the C-section scar removed, along with the skin required to lift the tummy, because C-section scars are notoriously unsightly. Most doctors also recommend this, as it will lower the site of the tummy tuck scar, and remove any cellulite or stretch marks that may exist in the area as a result of weight gain during pregnancy.
In order to be considered as a candidate for a tummy tuck, a person must be completely finished losing whatever weight they want to lose. Some plastic surgeons will perform liposuction during a tummy tuck, to remove additional deposits of fat. Speaking to the doctor performing the surgery will determine whether or not this is a possibility. Candidates must also be sure they do not want any more children, as another pregnancy will reverse the effects of the tummy tuck by further stretching the skin. Patients must also have achieved a stable weight. Tummy tuck surgeons want their patients to demonstrate a healthy lifestyle, and weight that is constantly bouncing up and down does not reflect a healthy life.
As you know, a C-section is a surgical procedure that removes the baby through an incision in the abdomen and uterus. The baby is delivered through that incision to avoid injury or complications to the mother (and baby) during delivery.
Sometimes, a C-section may be performed because vaginal delivery is impossible. For example:
- The fetal head may be too big for vaginal delivery; that often happens with babies born prematurely or conceived by surrogacy.
- If the mother has any medical condition, it is unsafe to go through labor and deliver vaginally (for example, heart disease).
- If there are signs that the umbilical cord might tear during birth (which could cause severe bleeding),
It would also be safer for mom and baby if she had surgery beforehand rather than waiting until after birth to perform any necessary repairs afterward.
What Hurts More Lipo Or C-Section
Liposuction and tummy tuck both may improve the appearance of your abdominal scars. Liposuction can reduce the thickness and visibility of your c-section scar, but it cannot remove them completely. In contrast, tummy tucks fully remove all of your c-section incision lines and loosen stretched overlying skin areas previously covered by abdominal muscles.
If you’re looking for a surgical solution to improve the look of your abdomen following C-section delivery, talk with board-certified plastic surgeons in your area about what procedures suit you.
What’s The Difference Between Liposuction And A Tummy Tuck?
Liposuction and a tummy tuck are procedures for removing fat and tightening the skin. Both are typically done together.
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from areas such as the thighs, hips, or abdomen. Liposuction can be done through several incisions, depending on the treated area.
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery that removes loose skin and fat from the abdominal area. You may also have liposuction along with your tummy tuck to improve the results of your surgery.
There are two main differences between liposuction and tummy tuck. The first is each procedure: Liposuction removes fat from a particular area, while a tummy tuck removes fat and skin. The second significant difference is the procedure: Liposuction can be done in an office under local anesthesia, while a tummy tuck must occur at a hospital with general anesthesia.
How Much Is A Tummy Tuck After C-Section?
The average cost of a tummy tuck after a c-section can vary widely depending on the city where you live and the surgeon who performs your procedure. Some surgeons perform a traditional tummy tuck after a c-section, while others may use other techniques that cost less than traditional tucks.
Here are some general prices:
- Turkey: $1,000 to $5,000
- USA: $6,154
How Much Is Liposuction After C-Section?
The liposuction price is determined by the number of areas to be treated and the type of liposuction performed. For example, liposuction for c-section scars would depend on how many areas are being treated but is usually around $3,000 – $5,000 per area.
The average cost of Liposuction in Turkey ranges between $2,000 – $5,000 per area. That will vary depending on your location, surgeon’s experience, credentials, and procedure performed.
Liposuction In Turkey At Best Prices
Packages include medical fees, hospital accommodation, airport transfers, and personal host.
Benefits Of Liposuction After C-Section Scar Removal
Liposuction after C-section scar removal is a standard procedure, and it can help you eliminate the extra fat and create a smoother, more even skin tone for your body. Here are some of the benefits of Liposuction after C-section scar removal:
- It can help you get rid of the extra fat:
The excess skin may not be able to be removed by other methods, but liposuction can help remove it quickly. It can also reduce other areas with a lot of fat, like the thighs, hips, and backside.
- It can create a smoother, more even skin tone:
Liposuction will remove excess skin and fat in one go so that you have a smoother look than just losing weight alone. That makes it ideal for those who already have children and want their bodies to look better.
- It can improve self-confidence:
Many people who have had liposuction after c-section scar removal report feeling happier with their bodies afterward because they feel more confident about themselves when they know they look good in their clothes or swimsuits.
Benefits Of A Tummy Tuck After C-Section Scar Removal
A tummy tuck can be performed simultaneously with a c-section using a lower abdominal incision, which may result in minimal scarring. However, if you are considering a tummy tuck after C-section scar removal, it is essential to speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits of that procedure.
There are many benefits to that procedure, including the following:
- Completely flat abdomen: The doctor removes all excess skin and fat, resulting in a flat abdomen with no bulges or saggy areas.
- Improved body contour: The procedure also improves your body contour by removing excess fat from the thighs, buttocks, waistline, and back.
- Improved posture: After having a baby, you may slouch forward due to your stretched abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck helps correct that by tightening these muscles to give you a better posture.
- Increased self-confidence: Many women feel better about themselves after having their abdomen restored to its pre-pregnancy shape because they feel more confident in their appearance.
How Long After A C-Section Do You Have To Wait For A Tummy Tuck Or Liposuction?
You should generally wait six weeks after a C-section before undergoing cosmetic surgery. That is because the incision needs time to heal, and you want to ensure it’s completely healed before undergoing any other procedure.
The reason for waiting six weeks is that cutting through skin leaves an open wound that needs time to heal. If there are any complications with the healing process, that can lead to scarring or even infection.
Therefore, waiting a few months before undergoing other procedures on top of your C-section incision is essential.
In addition, the risk of complications is much higher if multiple procedures are performed close to each other than having one procedure followed by another later.
That is because there will be less time for your body to recover from one procedure before another is performed.