Nonsurgical Postpartum Abdominal Rejuvenation: A Review and Our Experience

BACKGROUND A significant population of aesthetic patients are postpartum women motivated to achieve a more youthful abdomen. Although traditionally, abdominoplasty was the treatment of choice, minimally invasive procedures have grown in popularity because of minimal downtime and the favorable side effect profile. so many women share concerns regarding their postpartum abdominal appearance, a limited number of studies focus specifically on postpartum abdominal rejuvenation. OBJECTIVE To review pertinent aspects of abdominal anatomy, associated changes with pregnancy, available nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, and to provide our experience to help guide treatment combinations which comprehensively address the concerns of the postpartum patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS A review of the literature surrounding nonsurgical treatment options for postpartum abdominal lipohypertrophy, muscle changes, tissue laxity, and striae gravidarum, along with the authors' experience in this area are provided. CONCLUSION This review summarizes available nonsurgical modalities to address postpartum abdominal defects, including procedures that tone muscles, reduce fat, tighten skin, and improve the appearance of striae. Both the published literature and the authors' experience favor a combination of treatments to address the various lamellae affected by pregnancy. Further clinical trials focusing on the postpartum patient would further help create a standardized approach for postpartum abdominal rejuvenation.