Renowned Bollywood choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan has opened up about her challenging seven-year journey to lose postpartum weight after delivering triplets through IVF. The 60-year-old celebrity shared her emotional struggle during a candid conversation with Soha Ali Khan on her YouTube podcast.
The Long Road to Recovery
Farah Khan emphasized that her weight loss journey began after turning 50, with the primary goal being health rather than just appearance. She revealed attending detox programs at VIVAMAYR, where she received vitamin drips and lymphatic massages. However, the filmmaker stressed that maintaining results required consistent effort over an extended period.
"It took me more than seven years to lose weight after delivering three children through IVF," Farah confessed during the podcast interview. The Tees Maar Khan director has been remarkably transparent about her IVF experience and the physical challenges that followed.
The Surgical Intervention
After four to five years of struggling with excess skin, Khan decided to undergo tummy tuck surgery. "At one point, after 4-5 years, I had to go and do a tummy tuck surgery because there was so much extra skin. It was horrible," she revealed, highlighting the emotional toll of her postpartum body changes.
Dr Mansi Sharma, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals in Kharadi, Pune, explained that such challenges are common after childbirth. "Muscle separation, loose skin, and weight challenges are very common after childbirth and improve gradually with time, exercise, lifestyle changes, and physiotherapy," she noted.
Understanding Tummy Tuck Surgery
Dr Vashisht Dikshit, consultant in plastic and cosmetic surgery at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, clarified that a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is not a weight-loss procedure but rather addresses excess skin and loose muscles. Many women choose this surgery after pregnancy because the skin and muscles of the stomach often get stretched beyond a point where exercise or diet cannot bring them back to shape.
The procedure offers multiple benefits according to Dr Dikshit: "It tightens the abdominal muscles, which may become separated during pregnancy. This separation can cause a lower belly bulge, back pain, and poor posture. After a tummy tuck, many women feel stronger, more confident, and more comfortable in their clothes."
Dr Sharma emphasized that the surgery works best for women close to their ideal weight but struggling with loose skin and muscle weakness. She also stressed the importance of proper recovery: "A good recovery plan, rest, and avoiding heavy lifting for a few weeks are essential."
Postpartum Realities and Recovery
Both medical experts highlighted that postpartum recovery varies significantly among women. Dr Sharma explained common physical changes: "The skin often stretches to accommodate the growing baby and, in some cases, it doesn't return to its original firmness. The abdominal muscles may also become loose or separated, a condition known as diastasis recti."
Guidance from healthcare professionals becomes crucial during postpartum recovery, helping new mothers understand normal recovery timelines and appropriate strengthening exercises. When performed by qualified surgeons, tummy tuck procedures can offer long-lasting and natural-looking results according to medical professionals.
Farah Khan's journey serves as an important reminder about the realities of postpartum recovery, especially for women who have undergone multiple pregnancies or IVF treatments. Her openness about both natural methods and surgical interventions provides valuable insight into the complex journey many women face after childbirth.
