What Procedures Are Included in Post-Pregnancy Surgery?
Mon 31st Mar 2025
Post-pregnancy surgery refers to surgical procedures performed after pregnancy and childbirth. Typically, they may include breast surgery, such as Breast Augmentation, Breast Reduction or a Breast Lift, and an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) of some kind. Sometimes, other procedures are performed, such as liposuction or genital surgery. And, as it’s common for patients to require more than one surgery, the procedures are usually conveniently combined and performed at one time, under one anaesthetic.
Importantly, there is no set of ‘post-pregnancy’ procedures—just as no two mothers are the same, no two surgeries are the same. Everything is tailored to the individual.
REASONS FOR UNDERGOING POST-PREGNANCY SURGERY
Post-pregnancy surgery has been on the rise for many years. Essentially, postnatal women choose to have surgery for either cosmetic or medical reasons—or both. As more women elect to undergo these procedures, they are becoming more comfortable with discussing their issues and raising awareness. It’s a snowball effect where more women realise they no longer have to suffer in silence. Excellent surgical procedures are available to help you address some of the medical, functional and aesthetic concerns you may have developed following pregnancy.
BENEFITS OF POST-PREGNANCY SURGERY
MEDICAL
Repairing the diastasis recti: One of the most common medical reasons for post-pregnancy surgery is to correct the abdominal wall muscle separation, technically known as diastasis recti.
During pregnancy, the rectus abdominis (a.k.a. the six-pack) separates due to being stretched to make room for the baby. This muscle runs vertically from your lower rib cage to your pubic bone and is divided into the left and right sides by a band of connective tissue called the linea alba.
Although the linea alba is very elastic and can retract back like a rubber band, sometimes, through repeated stretching or overstretching (think: large baby, twins, multiple pregnancies), it stays permanently gaping, causing the tummy to protrude and the muscles to weaken. These weakened abdominal muscles can negatively affect your spinal or postural health—and can also affect continence. Tummy Tuck surgery can help remedy these problems (as well as offer other improvements).
Repairing hernias: Constant stretching caused by pregnancy can weaken the abdominal wall in various places, resulting in a hernia. There are various types of hernias; however, a hernia of the abdominal wall is when a hole exists in the abdominal wall muscles or connective tissue (e.g., linea alba) through which the contents contained within your abdomen, such as bowel and fatty tissue, protrude through. These hernias can be a few millimetres in diameter or many centimetres wide. They are often located within or near the umbilicus (belly button) and along the midline of your abdominal wall and manifest as a lump or swelling. You’ll notice a bulge in your tummy area, which you’ll notice more when exercising, straining or coughing. Surgery is the only way to repair hernias.
Dealing with excess skin and stretch marks: Often, during the pregnancy, the abdominal wall expands so quickly that the skin is unable to naturally stretch at the same rate, so the skin literally tears. This is what stretch marks are—torn, traumatised skin, which are basically scars. Following pregnancy, this stretched, scarred skin cannot contract and effectively hangs and wrinkles. These can pose both functional and psychological concerns to the patient.
Skin chafing and fungal/bacterial infections: After pregnancy, a woman’s breasts and tummy may have stretched so much that they lose considerable elasticity, causing a ptosis (droop) in the breasts or tummy area. These drooping areas can cause considerable skin chafing or even fungal infections if severe enough. Removing the excess skin and tissues surgically is the only way to remedy this problem.
Scars: If the baby was delivered via a caesarean section, then sometimes the resultant scar can be problematic and disfiguring to the patient.
Vaginal concerns: If the baby was born via a normal vaginal delivery, then this can sometimes result in significant pelvic floor disruption and tears. While post-partum pelvic floor exercises can help with many of these concerns, sometimes surgery is the only way to address the resultant issues.
Improving health and well-being: By repairing the above health issues, the patient can live a more functional and healthier life, significantly improving their physical and mental health and well-being.
COSMETIC
Tightening and flattening the abdominal wall: In addition to improving medical concerns, a Tummy Tuck can remove excess skin and tissue, resulting in a flatter, firmer tummy.
Breast Augmentation: If you have breasts that appear ‘deflated’ and are lacking in volume, then Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants) can help to increase volume in the area, resulting in a fuller, firmer breast.
Breast Lifting: If you have breasts that are drooping (ptosis) but are generally happy with the volume of your breasts, then a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) can improve the breast position and shape while adding volume to the upper area of the breast.
Breast Reduction: If you are unhappy with an increased volume in your breasts, then a Breast Reduction can reduce the size of the breasts while at the same time lifting and improving the shape. NB: Every Breast Reduction also involves a Breast Lift.
Fat removal: Unwanted fatty tissue can be removed via liposuction. Common areas for liposuction include the tummy, waist, mons, and inner and outer thighs.
WHAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN POST-PREGNANCY PROCEDURES?
UPPER BODY PROCEDURES
- Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants)
- Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
- Breast Reduction
- Nipple/Areola surgery
- Liposuction – to the abdomen, waist, back, breasts, arms
LOWER BODY PROCEDURES
- Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
- Liposuction – to the waist, tummy, mons pubis, thighs
- Genital surgery
WHEN TO CONSIDER POST-PREGNANCY SURGERY
The best time to consider post-pregnancy surgery is when you’ve finished having all your children, have stopped lactating and have returned to your ideal sustainable body weight. Your body should have fully recovered from pregnancy (3 to 6 months after breastfeeding your last child is ideal). Finally, you should be in good mental and physical health and thoroughly understand the risks and complications of all surgical procedures you elect to have.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SURGEON FOR POST-PREGNANCY SURGERY
Undergoing plastic surgery, whether reconstructive or cosmetic, is a serious undertaking. That’s why it’s vital you choose the right surgeon—with extensive experience and qualifications—to ensure your procedure has the most positive and safe outcome possible.
If you are looking for a surgeon who provides Post-Pregnancy Surgery, the first thing you want is that they are a fully qualified Plastic Surgeon as recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
The second thing you want in your surgeon is to ensure they have extensive experience in this type of surgery and plenty of examples to showcase some achievable results.
Dr Eddy Dona has been a registered Specialist Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon since 2007. (Med. Reg. #: MED0001177175).
For more information or to request a consultation with Dr Eddy Dona, please use the contact form below to make an enquiry
REFERENCES
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby: Abdominal Separation
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/abdominal-separation
- Health Engine: Hernias
