c-tuck

Rumor Patrol: The C-Tuck - Should a C-Section and Tummy Tuck be Performed in Combination?

By Danielle Briones

Published on December 18, 2007

Celebrity Post-Pregnancy Super Slim-Down

Do celebrity moms schedule combined C-sections and tummy tucks to ensure a speedy return to their pre-pregnancy figures? Online gossipers claim they do, but we're not so sure. DocShop's Rumor Patrol calls this story in for questioning!

The "C-Tuck" - Combined C-Section and Tummy Tuck

Rumor has it that celebrity moms-to-be are scheduling C-sections during their eighth month of pregnancy to avoid the extra bulging and stretching that occur during the ninth month of baby-bearing.

Of course, delivering a baby early can limit some of the weight gain resulting from pregnancy. Diet and exercise can take care of the rest. But what about the excess skin marred by the appearance of stretch marks?

According to Internet buzz, some of today's starlets undergo a tummy tuck procedure immediately after C-section to trim off this excess skin and ensure that stretch marks don't see the light of flashbulbs. Celebrity bloggers claim that Britney Spears, Denise Richards, Jaime Pressly, and Gwen Stefani all used the "C-tuck" method to regain their famously photogenic figures.

However, not a single celeb has 'fessed up to undergoing the C-tuck. And it is important to note that obstetricians and plastic surgeons do not recommend combining a cesarean-section with a tummy tuck. So is the C-tuck rumor completely false? Or is there nip of truth to this gossip?

We decided to ask San Diego breast augmentation surgeon Scott Miller, MD, to shed some light on the C-tuck for us. Can the procedure be performed at all, let alone safely? Does Dr. Miller believe that celebrities use this method to shape up after pregnancy?

The Skinny on the C-Tuck

"I would not recommend people undergo C-section and tummy tuck in combination because I think it leads to more surgery than is necessary with a higher risk of infection than is appropriate," says Dr. Miller.

According to Dr. Miller, the C-tuck procedures would result in a number of added risks for the patient. As it is, most obstetricians will not perform a C-section more than one week before the woman's scheduled due date in order to minimize these risks, he says.

"Most OB-GYNs won't do that without an amniocentesis, which is an extra procedure and puts the child at risk, so I think that's very, very uncommon."

Another problem the C-tuck poses is the increased risk of infection.

"The fact is that there's a lot of contamination at the same time as the C-section with the different fluids and different cavities exposed." Dr. Miller warns. "That would really increase the potential for risks combined with that little tummy tuck."

Dr. Miller also notes that a C-section leaves a telltale scar, one that could be avoided if the woman has a vaginal delivery. Further, if a woman undergoes a tummy tuck immediately following C-section, she will end up with a larger scar than is necessary.

"What you'd be doing in many cases is cutting and tucking a lot of tissue that was going to shrink all by itself."

Dr. Miller says that patients should wait at least six months after child birth to schedule a consultation for a tummy tuck to allow enough time for the body to heal from pregnancy.

"The less tissue you have to tuck, the shorter that scar can be. So you'd really want to give that skin a chance to shrink and contract."

Then How Do Celebs Slim Down So Quickly after Pregnancy?

"The best thing you can do is control weight gain during your pregnancy with appropriate exercise," says Dr. Miller.

But what about shaping up after giving birth?

"[It’s important to get] back to your exercise program soon after pregnancy," Dr. Miller advises. "Certainly youth and a personal trainer can help."

Like all women, celebrity moms will benefit most from a steady diet and exercise routine, especially if they are young and in good health.

"Many of these people that we're talking about are younger, they're very healthy, have very good skin," Dr. Miller notes, adding that these factors likely help the celebrity moms snap back into shape after pregnancy. "Especially since they do have all the advantages of having personal chefs and personal trainers. And I think that probably explains that phenomenon better than early C-sections combined with tummy tucks," Dr. Miller says.

And the Rumor Patrol Verdict Is…

DocShop's Rumor Patrol called this story in for questioning, got expert testimony from Dr. Miller, and found the celebrity C-tuck rumor to be complete hearsay on the part of celebrity bloggers.

"I think many people assume that the celebrities resorted to secrets and gimmicks because that makes them feel a little better," Dr. Miller says. But "the fact is that having a C-section involves having a post-operative recovery and a limitation of activities that would be very counterproductive to getting back into shape as fast as you can."

Plus, as Dr. Miller adds, a C-tuck would only create further distraction for new mothers at a time when they will have more important things to consider.

"You're giving them healing issues and recovery issues in a period of time where they really should be bonding with their baby."

 

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Keyword Tags: tummy tuck, docshop tv, after pregnancy

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Comments

1

Dr. Miller, what if I have to have a C-section anyway because I can't give normal birth, cutting the skin is already going to have to be done can't I just get the tummy tuck and kill 2 birds with one stone? I have already had 2 C-sections so my tummy skin is flappy and with stretch marks, and this will be my last child birth.
Thanks, Rocio Rivera

Rocio Rivera
about 1 year ago

2

Dr, Miller, I already did two c sections. last one happen in 2003.
now i want to do tummy tuck.please tell me the side effects.and one more thing, what are the difference bwt c-section & tummy tuck side effects?

thaks, aparna

aparna
about 1 year ago

3

I had a baby a year ago and I have built up about a half inch of scar tissue under my scar. It is painful and prevents me from doing many exercises that are necessary for losing the belly fat. Would a c-tuck be a good alternative to getting rid of this scar tissue while taking care of the belly flab? We would like to have one more child and after that we are finished so getting the c-tuck after that birth would not be wasted right? What is your advice?

missi
about 1 year ago

4

hi i was wondering if you could advise me on a birthing matter, i had a planned c section with my daughter 4 years ago im 27 now i had preg diabetes but was controlled by heathy eating i had to have a tummy tuck at the same time as my c section and was and was in the room for quite a while i had alot of lose skin at the bottom of my stomach so the had to cut higher in order to get the baby out i was very poorly afterwards with 4 drains in my stomach it took a very long time for me to get over it the scar was a bit bigger and is a bit wonky the hospital are not being very helpfull as to what i am supose to go for having a normal birth or a c section, i have booked in for a c section only due to the fact its only a phone call away if i change my mind , im also worried about a normal birth incase i get a rupture ,
please can u advise me as i dont know which way to go
karen

kaz
about 1 year ago

5

I had a tummy tuck in April of this year. I just found out that i am pregnant. How will my pregnancy affect my tummy tuck surgery since it hasen't even been a year? Also, can I request to have a c-section & a tummy tuck since this will be my last pregnancy? i will be getting my tubes tied to avoid anymore pregnancies. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Arlene
about 1 year ago

6

I already had 2 C-sections, so I know my 3rd child will also be a C-Section. This article recomended against a "C-tuck" because of the downtime. There's already downtime with a C-section, which is mandatory in my case. Wouldn't it make more sense to have the tummy tuck at the same time, instead of having the 2 surgeries 6 months apart?

Charlene
9 months ago

7

I don't have too much skin sagging after my c-section. My top abs are pretty toned but the area that I am concerned about is around my belly button (mid) and below (the little pouch). I only have 15 more pounds to loose to be my same old self, but the belly fat bugs me a bit becasue it makes a big difference. I also have fat left-over after the pregnancy between the back and breast area.
I only have one child and I have juvenile diabetes, that's the reason why the doctor did the c-section on my 7th month. I am terrified of surgeries, I had bed rest the whole pregnancy and hated the c-section. But thought about the c-tuck in case we decided to have another child. My child is 2 yrs. 8 mo.
The last 15 pounds are the hardest so far. I am 4" 10 and 135 pounds.

P
4 months ago

8

I had tummy tuck in October 2006 after my 2nd child, but I desided to have another one. How will my pregnancy affect my tummy tuck surgery and also can i do "c-tuck" or should I wait and do later.Any information greatly appreciated.

Melineh
4 months ago

9

Dr. Miller,

I recieved a mini tummy tuck from you on march 29, of this year.. and now my husband is begging me to have another baby... i am concearned about the after math of pregnancy on my new tummy!! Is it going to completely ruin it again.. or, if i gain minimal weight, should it go back ok? What is the most common outcome you have seen of this situation?? Thank you so much... Melissa

Melissa Johnston
3 months ago

10

Dr. Miller,

I'm 29 years old and currently in my 28th Week pregnant with un-identical Twins. Things were ok until I started hearing about Twin Skin and saw some photos. Its devasting for me to think that this will soon happen to my body. So far I haven't gained more weight than I should, I'm eating healthy, drinking a lot of water and using non-perfumed cream on my belly every day. I also haven't seen any significant stretch marks on my belly so far. The pregnancy books I have seems to go lightly over this topic, but online researching seems to be more negative news that negative, as if its a given that pregnant women with twins will get twin skin.
I'm not sure how I should address this issue and from what angle should I base my research and more importantly how much do I really have to fear? My mother didn't have strech marks when she gave birth to me, neither did she have twin skin, but then hers was a singleton pregnancy....
Post delivering I intend to excercise and do my best to gain back my form.
Thank you beforehand for your advise,
Sam

Sam
2 months ago

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