Tummy tuck after a caesarean in Berlin

I examine the scar's location, its mobility, the skin above it and any symptoms. For a localised scar concern, targeted scar revision may be sufficient. If there is more extensive excess skin, the skin envelope needs to be assessed as a whole.

A superficial scar indentation can be released where conditions are suitable. Adhesions inside the abdomen are a different matter and are not routinely treated by an aesthetic tummy tuck. Persistent pain, a lump or a bulge requires separate investigation.

A mini abdominoplasty may be suitable when the excess skin is mainly below the navel. It can only address changes above the navel to a limited extent. In a mini tummy tuck alone, the navel often does not need to be brought through a new opening in the skin; the exact approach is individual.

With extensive excess skin above and below the navel, a full tummy tuck may be necessary. The navel is usually brought through a new opening in the tightened skin. A mini procedure is not necessarily safer or sufficiently effective simply because of its name.

After pregnancy, the connective tissue along the midline between the rectus abdominal muscles may be widened. This diastasis recti is not the same as an abdominal wall hernia. An examination and, if necessary, further investigations establish what is actually present.

Where appropriately indicated, an abdominal wall repair mainly tightens the connective tissue sheath; the muscles are not simply shortened. A hernia, existing mesh or symptoms may require joint planning with another medical specialty. Targeted physiotherapy may be part of the approach, depending on the findings.

If the caesarean scar lies within the area of skin to be removed, it can be incorporated into the tummy tuck. This is not possible in every case. The new horizontal scar may be considerably longer than the old one; a full tummy tuck usually also leaves a scar around the navel.

The transition to the pubic mound, or mons pubis, can also be assessed if needed. An additional lift is not automatically included. Stretch marks only disappear where the affected skin is removed; the remaining marks and natural skin texture stay.

I do not plan aesthetic abdominal surgery as a routine addition to a caesarean. First, the body should be given time to recover from pregnancy and heal, weight and tissues should be as stable as possible, and your medical suitability should be established. Breastfeeding, nutrition and your physical capacity are explicitly taken into account.

It is usually preferable to have completed your family. A later pregnancy can alter the result again and needs to be discussed individually. It would not be appropriate to make blanket statements that every procedure leaves future pregnancies unaffected.

Lifting a child out of bed, carrying a car seat or moving a pushchair over steps puts strain on the abdomen. Arrange support for these tasks in advance. Particularly after an additional abdominal wall repair, individual limits on physical strain apply for several weeks.

Compression garments, wound care and follow-up appointments are agreed individually. Gentle movement that has been approved is different from sport or heavy housework. If a wound looks unusual or symptoms increase, an examination is needed before activity levels are increased.