Pregnancy changes a woman’s body, and it’s common that things don’t always go back to the way they were before. Many women work hard to get their pre-baby bodies back, but diet and exercise doesn’t always get the job done. One option many moms choose is a “mommy makeover”, which is a combination of procedures chosen specifically to address each patient’s specific issues to help women get the bodies they desire.
A mommy makeover can reverse the physical changes women’s bodies go through during pregnancy. Most women want their mommy makeover to address their breasts and tummy, including droopy or saggy breasts, loose skin on the stomach and lower abdomen, fatty pockets around the hips and waist and the everlasting “baby bump” women get from the separation of the abdomen muscles.
While it is always up to the patient, most plastic surgeons advise having a mommy makeover after you are done having children. It is also important to keep in mind that this is major surgery and you won’t be able to lift your child for six weeks after surgery. Therefore, it might be best to wait until your children are older or you have help caring for them while you recover. (Some women ask how soon after pregnancy they can have a mommy makeover. The answer is at least three months. That’s the approximate amount of time it takes for breast tissue to recover from milk production. This time also gives a woman’s body time to fully recover after childbirth. Ideally, a patient should also be close to their pre-pregnancy weight.)
Along with a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, the breasts are repaired by a breast augmentation and/or a breast lift. During your initial consultation, one of our plastic surgeons will evaluate your current condition and customize a plan based on your goals. Your doctor may recommend breast implants, a breast lift, a combination of a breast augmentation with a lift and even liposuction with fat transfer to the breasts to restore the shape of the breasts.
One of the biggest things to consider for a mommy makeover is the recovery time. During the first few days of recovery you will need someone with you to help do almost everything. During the first few weeks, activities should be very limited. No cleaning, no cooking, no taking care of the children. For many mothers, having a few weeks like this available can be hard to come by, so this is something you’ll need to plan for. After two to three weeks, many patients are able to return to work and perform basic daily activities without overdoing it. After around 6 weeks patients can typically return to normal routines. Due to the amount of time needed for recovery as well as the time needed for the incision scars to heal and fade, winter is a great time to have a procedure like this.
If you’re interested in a mommy makeover, call Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with one of our award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Peter Butler, Dr. Jocelyn Leveque and Dr. Nathan Patterson.
