What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of My Lower Belly Pooch?

What’s the best way to get rid of my lower belly pooch? Ever since I gave birth to my children, I’ve struggled with this area of my body. My abs are flat save for this pooch. Help!

Dr. Niki ChristopoulosUnfortunately, the problem that you are facing is a very common one. After giving birth, many women find that most of their body rebounds, but the skin around their stomach does not. Particularly after a second or third child, women who had no trouble getting their bodies back after the first few pregnancies often find that their bodies have stopped responding the way they once did.

This is perfectly natural and, again, very common. But if your little pooch is making you feel less confident or less beautiful, there are a number of options that can help you feel like yourself again.

The first option is a mini tummy tuck. In my office in Chicago, tummy tuck procedures have helped quite a few mothers feel rejuvenated following pregnancy. The mini tummy tuck is great because it gets rid of excess skin and leaves you with a tighter abdomen without leaving a significant scar. The mini tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction if necessary to help give you the flat belly you’ve been missing.
If the skin has become quite loose, you may need a full tummy tuck in order to get back your pre-pregnancy body. The main difference between full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck is that a larger incision is needed in order to address the area of concern. The incision is made from the inside of one hip to the inside of the other hip below your panty line so that the scar will not show when you wear a bikini. Over time and with the right care, your scar should fade substantially. For more information on your tummy tuck options and what might be entailed, read our blog Tummy Tucks: Traditional vs. Extended vs. Mini.
If, on the other hand, your skin is actually tight, but you’re dealing with a pooch of hard to get rid of fat underneath your skin, you might want to consider liposuction. With the latest advances in liposuction technology, you can achieve highly customized results that are in line with your particular wishes. Liposuction doesn’t require any major incisions, and the downtime is quite short, which is a big part of why liposuction is so popular in the United States.

If you’re interested in tummy tucks or liposuction in Chicago, contact my office schedule a consultation. I’d be happy to talk to you about all of your options for restoring your body to its pre-mommy peak.

Pregnancy Planning and Tummy Tuck Surgery

Most mothers have three big questions when it comes to having a tummy tuck and pregnancy: when is the right time to get a tummy tuck after giving birth, can I have more children after a tummy tuck, and are there any risks to my baby if I become pregnant after a tummy tuck? Let’s take a look at each of these questions one at a time.

When is the ideal time to get tummy tuck surgery?

The popularity of abdominoplasty, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, has gone up significantly over the last ten years. New moms in particular are realizing that tummy tucks can help them get rid of the loose skin and pooches that are sometimes impossible to reduce after having a baby. Of course, if you plan to get pregnant again, that loose skin and pooch can definitely come back.

If you can plan it this way, it makes the most sense to have a tummy tuck after you have finished giving birth to all of your children. Once you’ve decided your family is complete, a good rule of thumb is to wait at least one year after your last birth before having a tummy tuck. This gives your body time to heal and return to its normal, pre-baby state.

If you’re still unhappy with your stomach on your child’s first birthday, it’s probably time to schedule your tummy tuck in Chicago. Remember, recovery from a tummy tuck can take up to two whole weeks, and you will probably have trouble caring for your children during that time. Make sure you have ample help and are no longer breastfeeding before scheduling your surgery.

Can I have more children after a tummy tuck?

The majority of doctors agree that it is safe to have a baby after having a tummy tuck. Unfortunately, your new pregnancy will likely undo the effects of your first tummy tuck, so you may need to get a second one down the line. If you fall into this type of situation, choosing a board certified plastic surgeon that is highly experienced, such as Dr. Niki Christopoulos, is a must.

Are there any risks to my baby if I become pregnant after a tummy tuck?

If you become unexpectedly pregnant or decide to have another child a few years after your tummy tuck, don’t worry. Your procedure shouldn’t have any negative effects on your pregnancy. If you’re concerned, talk to your OB/GYN and your plastic surgeon.

Dr. Christopoulos understands women’s bodies and the negative emotions women feel when their post pregnancy shape doesn’t look as they’d hoped. Even with dieting and exercise, women may be left with the infamous “pregnancy pooch”. Instead of continuing to struggle, women can contact Dr. Christopoulos to arrange a private consultation so they can discuss what may be achieved with tummy tuck surgery.

Tummy Tucks: Traditional vs. Extended vs. Mini

When most men and women talk about “problem areas,” the first item on the list is the tummy. Even extremely fit people can have a tough time getting rid of that little pouch that falls directly under the belly button. The internet abounds with tricks and tips to get rid of those last few pounds, but we’ve yet to find one that works. Likewise, many people who have conquered the long battle of getting fit are often disappointed to find that, once the fat is gone, a lot of excess skin remains.

This is where a tummy tuck can help. A tummy tuck is the colloquial term for abdominoplasty, an elective surgery that can be used to remove excess fat and skin from the midsection… but you probably already knew that. What you may not know is that there are actually three different kinds of tummy tucks.

If you’re not sure which type may be right for you and your body, the best thing for you to do is to visit Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Niki Christopoulos and discuss your wishes during a private consultation. However, if you’d like to start exploring the different type of tummy tucks before you meet with Dr. Christopoulos, here’s a quick run-down to get you started:

The Mini

A mini tummy tuck is the least invasive tuck, as the name implies. With this tuck, you’ll have the smallest incision, usually just a few inches long across your lower abdomen. Dr. Christopoulos will use this incision to remove small amounts of excess fat and skin from the area of your stomach that falls below your belly button. This is usually the area of the stomach that fit people have the hardest time defeating with diet and exercise alone.

The Traditional

A traditional tummy tuck requires a larger incision, usually across the lower belly from the inside of each hip. With this procedure, Dr. Christopoulos can remove excess fat and skin from the entire abdomen, from the ribs below your chest down to your pubic bone. Additionally, during this type of tummy tuck, Dr. Christopoulos often chooses to combine liposuction for even better results.

A traditional tummy tuck has a slightly longer recovery time than the mini, but the results are also more dramatic. A traditional tummy tuck is a great way for people who have recently lost a fair amount of weight (or given birth) to remove the poochy excess skin that can keep you from looking and feeling your best.

The Extended

The extended tummy tuck is for people who have lost a great deal of weight and want their figure to match the way they feel. With an incision that extends beyond the hips, this procedure can remove excess fat and skin from the entire abdomen, the upper hips, and the lower back. This procedure generally involves liposuction to help shape the torso and leave you with a silhouette you’ll love.

If you’d like to learn more about a tummy tuck in Chicago, please set up your consultation by contacting the office of Dr. Niki Christopoulos today.