What You Need to Know about the Mommy Makeover

Pregnancy is a wonderful thing in a woman's life but can cause dramatic body changes such as sagging, extra skin and stretch marks.

A growing number of women undergo mommy makeovers each year in order to restore their pre-pregnancy body, which involve complementary combinations of plastic surgery procedures.

A mommy makeover can include a mix of tummy tuck, breast enhancement, liposuction, upper arm lift, facelift or a vaginal rejuvenation surgery. These procedures are often performed all at once and the goal is to focus on those areas that are most affected by childbearing.

If your pregnancy has negatively affected the size and/or shape of your breasts, if you are distressed about your sagging tummy and deep stretch marks and you cannot lose the pockets of fat on your waist, abdomen, thighs or arms with diet and exercise, then you should consider a mommy makeover. However, there are a few things to understand before you decide to get post-pregnancy surgery. The surgical options vary greatly from person to person and will ultimately depend on your personal goals. Combining several procedures in your mommy makeover can have some benefits:

• you will be exposed to less anesthetic and pain
• you will pay surgery costs only once
• you will have only one recovery period

Recovery time depends on the type and number of procedures performed, but generally, it is best to take 10 to 14 days off work for your recovery. Your final results following your mommy makeover should be visible after approximately 6 months.

When Should I Opt for a Mommy Makeover?

Before having post-pregnancy surgery, you will have to follow a few steps to make sure you are ready for your procedures. Your body should be as close to normal as possible, which means that:

• you should be at a steady weight for 3 months
• you should have a regular fitness routine and a healthy diet
• you should wait 2-3 months after breastfeeding so that your breasts return to normal

Also, if you plan to have more children in the next 2-3 years or sooner, you should postpone surgery, as results from a tummy tuck or breast lift will most likely be compromised if you become pregnant following your makeover. It is best to wait several years before having more children and enjoy your body between pregnancies. There is no need to panic, as these procedures do not affect your ability to become pregnant or your ongoing pregnancy.

The DOs and DON'Ts of Mommy Makeovers

To make sure your transformation goes smoothly and according to plan, there are a few steps that you need to follow before and after the surgery. Remember: as with any surgical procedure, a mommy makeover implies some risks. However, your surgeon will provide you with more detailed instructions during your pre- and post-surgery appointments.

Mommy Makeovers Performed by Dr. James Chao at OasisMD

For a successful mommy makeover, you will need to be in good general health, have a positive attitude and realistic expectations. Some procedures, such as breast implant surgery will need maintenance every few years. Call us for an appointment at 844.627.4763 to discuss all you need to know about a mommy makeover!