Having children changes your body, but you don’t need us to tell you that. For a large percentage of women, pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can create major changes to your body, and some of these changes can only be addressed with plastic surgery. A mommy makeover at our Charlotte, N.C., plastic surgery practice is typically a single surgery that combines procedures such as breast augmentation and tummy tuck to help you reverse those changes.
A lot of women that are considering a mommy makeover worry about the timing of the procedure and how to prepare for surgery. While some women do choose to wait until their children are older to get the procedure, we see many patients that have preschool-aged children who want to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies as soon as possible.
For those of you that do want to get back to your pre-pregnancy body, we have a few general guidelines to consider before you schedule a mommy makeover consultation.
Do You Feel “Back To Normal?”
Going through a 9-month pregnancy and childbirth takes a toll on your body, not to mention the added stress of bringing a new child to the world. During this time, you experience a lot of changes to your body. It usually takes around 6 months for the body to completely heal, keep in mind everyone heals differently but that’s about the average. Before you get your mommy makeover, we recommend waiting at least 6 months before you schedule a mommy makeover.
Do You Have Plans To Have More Children?
The mommy makeover procedure is a solution that addresses the physical changes you occur during and after pregnancy. For example, cosmetic breast surgery helps with restoring the fullness and share of your breast. Tummy tuck surgery helps with removing excess skin and can repair your abdominal muscles. You can have children after a mommy makeover, but if you do, you run the risk damaging the results. We always recommend you wait to schedule your surgery until you’re completely sure you’ll have no more children.
Are You Finished With Breastfeeding?
While you go through your pregnancy, your breasts will change sizes and shapes. Even during breastfeeding, your breast can change. Once you stop breastfeeding, your breasts can change again. Since mommy makeovers usually involve cosmetic breast surgery, such as a breast lift or breast augmentation, it’s important to wait for at least 6 months after you’ve finished breastfeeding to get a mommy makeover. This gives your breasts time to heal and stabilize.
Are You Able To Maintain A Stable Weight?
When you are pregnant, your weight changes a lot. You don’t necessarily have to lose weight before surgery, but we do want you to reach and maintain a stable and healthy weight. We usually recommend patients sustain a stable weight for around 6 months before scheduling a mommy makeover. This is for your safety and to ensure the body is fully recovered from the stress that comes with pregnancy and childbirth.
If you want to learn more about board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Gear or mommy makeover procedures, be sure to contact our plastic surgery practice in Charlotte, N.C., to schedule a consultation. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have and address any concerns you may have.
