If you’ve had children and noticed a change in your shape from pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, you might be interested in finding a procedure that will give you back that pre-baby body. A “mommy makeover” may be the answer you’re looking for to help you feel and look your best.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is designed to help a woman get her pre-pregnancy shape back. Even with exercise and a healthy diet, the changes a body experiences during pregnancy can be hard to undo. Loose skin, stretch marks, and firm breasts may be out of reach without a little extra help.
Some make the mistake of thinking the mommy makeover is a single procedure. It’s actually a combination of procedures that focus on the areas of the body that change with childbearing. Collectively, these procedures are known as the mommy makeover — most often consisting of a tummy tuck, breast surgery, and liposuction.
Are you thinking about a mommy makeover? Start by finding a doctor who will work with you to discuss your goals and create a personalized plan for the work you’d like done. Regardless of the exact procedures you choose for your mommy makeover, you can expect to address breasts and abdomen, as those are the areas of the body most impacted by giving birth.
Who Should Get a Mommy Makeover?
The ideal mommy makeover candidate is someone who is finished with having children — this ensures the results are long-lasting and won’t be impacted by future childbirth. Of course, life happens (and you can safely have children following procedures like a tummy tuck) but it’s best to plan your mommy makeover once your family is complete.
Moms that are in good health, exercising, and eating healthy to get back to their preferred weight are the best candidates. You should be healthy with no known medical conditions which could impact the procedure. The doctor will perform an assessment before determining if you are a good candidate for the surgeries involved in the makeover. Several factors will impact whether you should have the mommy makeover plastic surgery:
You Can’t Lose the Weight Even with Exercise
If you’ve been working hard at getting your pre-baby body back — hitting the gym or going for a run every day — you’re a good candidate for the procedure. You should be healthy, active, and not drink or smoke to reduce risks and improve recovery time. The key is to attempt to lose weight and get back in shape through healthy methods. Avoid fad diets or severe restrictions, which cause more harm than good. Once you’ve worked to get healthy and lose as much weight as possible, a mommy makeover can help you achieve your best results.
You Have All the Kids You Want
While you can have a mommy makeover any time, you should wait until you decide you don’t plan to have any more children. If you have the procedure and then get pregnant, you’ll undo the results of the makeover. You’ll need to have it done again if you want to get the same benefits, which means double the expense and more recovery time.
You’re Six Months Postpartum
It’s best to wait at least six months after giving birth before getting a mommy makeover. Your body needs time to recover from childbirth and pregnancy, and you should be working to get healthy before starting this next phase. You also want to wait until you’ve stopped breastfeeding if you plan to have breast surgery. Once you’ve finished breastfeeding, your breasts will develop their permanent shape, and you’ll know what changes need to be made.
You Have Scarring from Childbirth
If you had a C-section, you probably ended up with a scar you’d like to get rid of. A mommy makeover can take care of that unsightly reminder of your wonderful children. In fact, this procedure is ideal for removing any blemishes that occurred from pregnancy.
What to Expect with a Mommy Makeover
The exact combination of procedures that make up your makeover will vary based on your individual goals and the shape of your body. In general, this procedure includes a tummy tuck to get rid of loose skin while liposuction will remove any stubborn fat. You will probably want a breast lift and may need breast augmentation if your breasts have lost their fullness and firmness.
Surgery can take from four to eight hours, depending on how much work you’re having done. You will spend the night in the hospital and have surgical drains for the fluids to leave the incision sites. The doctor will expect you to wear compression garments to help reduce swelling and to allow the skin to heal in the correct placement.
Recovery Time with a Mommy Makeover
One of the advantages of a mommy makeover is that it allows for multiple procedures to be done at once, so there’s only one recovery period. Unfortunately, it also makes the initial recovery period more intense. The doctor will prescribe medication for the pain to make it tolerable. You will be able to get up and walk around the day after your procedure, but you will be restricted for several weeks following the surgery. Light exercise will help you heal faster as long as you follow doctor’s guidelines.
Schedule an Appointment for a Mommy Makeover
If you’re wondering “What does a mommy makeover include for you?” schedule an appointment for a free consultation with Dr. Leo Lapuerta to learn about amommy makeover in Houston. He has been working with patients just like you for more than 20 years. As a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Lapuerta understands what women want from their mommy makeovers and he’ll work with you to get the best results.Contact us today to find out more about what a mommy makeover can do for you.