Stories about celebrity moms “bouncing back” from pregnancy and wearing bikinis weeks after delivery put unrealistic pressure on women who have recently had children. Many of these non-celebrity moms exercise and eat right, but can’t regain their pre-pregnancy shapes within just a few months. That’s because it’s one thing to lose weight gained during pregnancy, but other physical changes such as excess abdominal skin and saggy breasts can only be corrected with surgery.
Enter the Mommy Makeover. At my Los Angeles plastic surgery practice, I offer women the option of combining multiple procedures in a single operation that addresses the physical toll taken by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Even though many women wait years after having their last child to get a Mommy Makeover—which typically combines a tummy tuck and liposuction with breast enhancement surgery—some of my patients are eager to schedule the operation soon after giving birth. When I’m asked how soon after having a baby can someone undergo cosmetic surgery, I tell them it can depend on a few different factors.
You’ll Need to Be Patient
Hormonal and physical changes occur during pregnancy and it can take several months after giving birth for those changes to taper off. If a mother breastfeeds her baby, it will be months after she weans the child before breast tissue is no longer changing. Stress and exhaustion can also peak during the first year of having a child and Mommy Makeover patients should be rested and mentally prepared before undergoing surgery.
As you can probably guess, there isn’t a firm answer for patients who want to know how soon they can schedule a Mommy Makeover after having a baby. For women who don’t choose to breastfeed, I recommend waiting at least 6 months. For breastfeeding mothers, it’s best to wait 6 months after you wean to give your breasts time to stop producing milk and to ensure they are no longer changing in size or shape. Other factors to consider before getting a Mommy Makeover can include:
Have you maintained your goal weight for at least 6 months? A Mommy Makeover isn’t weight-loss surgery and if you lose significant weight after the procedure it may compromise the results.
Do you plan to have more children? Getting pregnant after a Mommy Makeover can undo the results of the procedure, and you’ll likely need additional cosmetic surgery to restore your pre-pregnancy body.
Do you have other young children at home? You won’t be able to lift a crying toddler during your recovery from Mommy Makeover surgery and you’ll need full-time childcare so you can rest.
The benefits of a Mommy Makeover are unmistakable, as you can see in before-and-after photos of my actual patients.
Having young children at home is an exciting and demanding time of life. It’s important that you’re both physically and mentally prepared to have Mommy Makeover surgery. Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon is one of the first steps you should take in making this decision. You can contact us using the online form or call us at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment.
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