C section & tummy tuck?

[buttonmoon78]

Is this a media hype thing or does it really happen?

We are ttc #4 and due to spd etc I was offered a section last time and turned it down. Am wondering whether to go for it this time (labour was back to back so hellish with spd) esp as I am wondering about getting a tummy tuck in the future (ie killing two birds with one stone).

The thing is, does it really happen or is it simply a myth from the pages of Heat & the DM that people a la Victoria Beckham have their mummy tummy dealt with too? Would having a private section be necessary? Any experiences of cost if that's the case would be great!

I don't want to look a complete eejit by asking my consultant when I see them!

Not at the same time. It would look stupid if they did it - your uterus still needs to contract.

I doubt you would get it on the NHS, and I am not sure that all consultants would be up for it, but I am sure it happens.

I went to the Portland and was offers (albeit rather jokingly) a nose job (I had expressed a desire for DS to have DH's nose)... so I am sure it does happen.

Oh, and a private section would be around £10K all in.

I think the skill of the surgeon and how much time and care they take over the stitching up from a cosmetic perspective is probably going to influence how it looks afterwards - probably you're more likely to get this attention to non-critical detail if you go privately. They might be able to tidy up a messy scar from previous section. Not a proper tummy tuck though, I wouldn't think, not until your uterus goes back down to pre-pregnancy size.

I've looked into the cost as well, and yes it's around £10K most places, but note it could be quite a bit more than that, especially if you go somewhere posh like the portland, and if you have to stay more nights than you expected, or if your baby needs to go in the private SCBU.

there have been a few threads about this

firstly an obstetrician is not really qualified to perform plastic surgery, so he'd have to get someone else in.

secondly, the uterus is still at a 20 wk pregnant size or so, so you don't get a realistic idea of what the stomach is going to look like

thirdly, a c.s is a big abdominal op, and can have complications anyway, so you need to get through that and worry about your stomach later

if you can avaoid the c.s, i'd try to avoid that too.. that in itself can alter the shape of your stomach after the surgery.. especially if you've laready had 3 vaginal births

I think what this stems from really is fear of not being in control. I'm not a controlling person normally...

I was induced with no 3 because of spd having fought against a section (oh the irony!). He was posterior presentation so after 4 hours of contractions MW said she'd check as she thought (from my signals) I was getting ready to push. Not at all - was only 3 cms. I asked with as much dignity as I could muster for an epidural and was told I was 4th in the queue, that each would take 20 mins. I decided to be generous to the anaesthetist and wait an hour and a half. So then I was told it would be in a few mins. This carried on for another 3 hours. Finally the consultant arrived on pm rounds and started to say something. I can remember saying 'if you're going to tell me it's too late now I'm going to scream'. It was so I did. Ds still took another 2 hours to arrive and although it was the shortest labour I've had it was by far the worst.

I can't face doing this again. I'm fairly sure that the spd will return and the thought of doing another birth with no epidural if I want one (I didn't have one for either of the other two births) really freaks me out.

So I think I'd got to thinking that at least with an elcs I would have everything to an extent. I don't think I really want one as I've always recovered really quickly in the past. I'm just really frightened that I'll be left in this situation again.

Ive had two 2 El CS and would recommend them to anyone who wants one... BUT... I am not at all sure you DO want one... Can you look at a doula or birthing partner to help you if you are in that position again?

Im not sure that an el CS is really what you are after... I DID want El CS, but there is an amazing loss of control, which I was acutely aware with DD (DS wailed when I left him... he was only 13 months old)

I've had an emergency cs and an elective one (although I didn't really want it iyswim). I think if you have to have one then an elective is a much better experience. But it sounds as if you don't need an cs, but you had a difficult time in your last labour. Could you talk it over with the mw and say you definitely want an epidural this time round? Maybe trying to pre-empt some of the issues will help you feel in control?

As for the tummy tuck, I do know someone who insists she had a tummy tuck after each of her 4 sections, but I am not certain it really happens! The surgeon at my elective (NHS) cs spent a fair amount of time tidying up internal scar tissue and giving me a 'better' scar but you do need to accept that it is major surgery and cutting your abdominal muscles can cause a bit of a dropping stomach.

I think you're both right, thank you for the gentle talking to. When (if) we conceive I'll have a proper chat to my consultant. I've read lots of threads where people have been promised priority epidurals so maybe that's the way forward.

I'm not really a person who dwells on things so I'm a little bit surprised by how upset I feel about the last time as I've never thought about it since it happened IYSWIM? The whole thing was a bit naff really as I'm not even sure what DS weighed as the needle never stopped moving and MW (student) went for top weight not middle. I think we were too fazed to complain at the time.

Poor DH kept asking about epidural (and I was begging) but it never arrived. Perhaps I should also be keeping my options open re hospital choice too.

Tummy tuck can wait!

my friend had a c section at john and lizzies,she paid an extra grand and they did remove something.

Threads like this make me smile! There are very very strict rules and guidence around what procedures can be ethically offered, in the UK, privately or otherwise, anyone who insists that they had cosmetic surgery at the time of their private c section, is frankly, er, mistaken. And fwiw I had a private elective section at the Portland, with a surgeon who only does private work and there's no way he would compromise his professional integrity by doing it, even if he had the skill. It's an urban myth and a hospital like the Portland wouldn't risk their reputation by allowing it.
And finally, I didn't need a tummy tuck after my section, the scar was so well hidden and tidy I soon forgot it was there. OP, I hope you find a solution to your anxieties - I was terrified of childbirth and my section was lovely and calm. x

Exactly same experience as BagofHolly at the Portland re: ELCS.

And I quite like my scar; reminds me of the best day in my life, giving birth to DS.

I've had both (tummy tuck and emcs) - can say honestly hand on heart that the emcs recovery was a piece of piss compared to tt! :( I would not have been able to deal with a baby after the TT.

My emcs has left me with an ugly scar - but like fanny I wear it as a badge of pride!

My consultant did say after that once I'm done with the babies they'll tidy my tummy up, but it'll be a separate operation.