What damages to expect

I had a tummy tuck several years ago after my 2nd child who torn my ab muscles.  I'm 37 now & I found out that I'm pregnant.  I've only gain 20-25 lbs with both pregnancies, but I'm 5'2" and have been about 110 to 115lbs since high school.  I work out regularly and run marathons once a year.  I'm curious to what damages I should expect during my pregnany?

[Howard Rosenberg, MD]

Your previous pregnancy permanently stretched the muscle fascia (the tendinous layer) overlying your abdominal muscles.  It could have also separated the muscles in the midline (rectus diastasis).  The muscles themselves were not affected.  The fascia and rectus diastasis (if it was present) were corrected with your previous tummy tuck.  A pregnancy after a tummy (I have have several patients like you) will likely re-stretch the fascial tissues to some extent.  The degree of stretch can only be determined after your pregnancy.