Most will agree that bringing a child into the world marks a momentous change in a woman’s life, a complete shift in responsibilities, thoughts, and general outlook on life. That said, most women will comfortably fall into motherhood and become accustomed to a life of early morning wakeups, frequent feedings, diaper changes, and much more. The one thing that many women will have trouble coming to terms with, however, is their post-pregnancy bodies. Although giving birth is an exciting and rewarding experience, the journey can quickly take a toll on a woman’s body. After giving birth, many women will notice that the shape of their breasts have changed and many will be unhappy with the appearance of their stomach. As a result, more and more women are turning to mommy makeovers to help them get their pre-pregnancy bodies back.
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WHAT IS A MOMMY MAKEOVER?
For those who may not be familiar with a mommy makeover, it is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of cosmetic surgery procedures used to undo the effects of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childbirth. Some of the most commonly performed procedures include
- Breast augmentation
- Breast reduction
- Breast lifts
- Liposuction
- Tummy tucks
- Vaginal rejuvenation
Of course, this list does not fully encapsulate all of the cosmetic surgery procedures that make up a mommy makeover as there are many more; however, these are some of the most common. In most cases, women will choose a procedure that addresses the area or areas that she finds to be the most troublesome first and follow-up with additional treatments until she is satisfied with how her body looks. Statistically speaking, the first procedure that most women choose to undergo is breast augmentation surgery, which is used to restore fullness and lost volume caused by the combination of breastfeeding and childbirth.
Coming in at a close second is a tummy tuck, which is also known as a circumferential abdominoplasty. This cosmetic procedure is ideal for women who are not satisfied with the appearance of their stomach after childbirth. In simple terms, tummy tucks are used to make a woman’s abdomen thinner and also more firm. To achieve this goal, a cosmetic surgeon will remove excess skin as well as fat from the middle and lower abdomen, which will enable them to tighten the muscles and fascia that make up the abdomen wall. When it is all said and done, women who have undergone the procedure will have a flatter stomach that, in many cases, is even flatter than it was before they became pregnant.
HOW SOON AFTER CHILDBIRTH SHOULD YOU GET A MOMMY MAKEOVER?
Now that we know what is possible with mommy makeovers, let’s take a moment to discuss how soon after giving birth should a woman undergo one of these procedures. Ultimately, how long a woman should wait comes down to the cosmetic procedure that she is interested in and how long it has been since she gave birth. According to an article published in Verywell Health, an online resource for reliable, understandable, and up-to-date health information, women are encouraged to wait at least 6 months before undergoing any form of plastic surgery as it will take about that much time for the stomach, breasts, and other tissues to shrink and settle back down. Of course, these recommendations are merely general guidelines for those considering a mommy makeover. Ideally, women should speak with their cosmetic surgeon in regards to timing and what procedures will work best for them.
SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A MOMMY MAKEOVER IF YOU PLAN TO HAVE MORE CHILDREN?
If you’re a woman who plans to have a large family, meaning 2 or more children, it would be a good idea to postpone all makeover procedures until after you have had your last child. After all, undergoing any of these procedures and then having more children will mean you will need to undergo more procedures after each childbirth, which can become quite costly. This is especially true when it comes to tummy tucks, liposuction, and breast augmentation procedures. Additional factors that should be considered before a mommy makeover include
WEIGHT
Although weight gain is a sensitive topic for most women, it should still be addressed. Gaining weight is a natural part of carrying a baby for 9 months, and the weight doesn’t automatically come off after giving birth. That said, many women view liposuction and tummy tuck procedure as an easy way to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies; however, most cosmetic surgeons will agree that women should work toward reaching their pre-pregnancy weight before undergoing these cosmetic procedures. Fortunately, there is a wide range of exercise and diet programs available to help women lose weight.
BREASTFEEDING
Women who are interested in breast augmentation surgery and are currently breastfeeding their newborn should wait until after they have stopped breastfeeding before undergoing the procedure. Generally speaking, a woman’s breasts will shrink after once they have stopped breastfeeding. Waiting until you have stopped breastfeeding will enable you to make a better decision concerning how much bigger or smaller you want your breasts to be. Furthermore, studies show that breast augmentation may compromise your ability to feed your baby due to excess scar tissue that can result from the procedure.
C-SECTIONS
Although vaginal births are the most common, some women will have to undergo a C-Section (cesarean section) when giving birth, which can cause a variety of side effects, some of which include fatigue, blood loss, elevated estrogen levels, and a compromised immune system. Most physicians and cosmetic surgeons, including Dr. William A. Ross, a Naples-based mommy makeover expert, will agree that while a woman is in this physical state cosmetic surgery of any kind would be ill-advised. Ideally, women should wait until after they have made a full recovery.
BOTTOM LINE
Mommy makeovers are a great way for women to reclaim their pre-pregnancy bodies after giving birth; however, multiple factors need to be considered before undergoing any of the procedures that make up a mommy makeover. To learn more about these procedures or to schedule a consultation, feel free to visit aestheticsurgerycenter today.
