Mommy Makeover Surgery: 7 Helpful Facts

While there is much joy in motherhood, there’s no getting around the fact that a woman’s body changes after giving birth as well as after breastfeeding. Mommy makeover surgery was developed to address some of these changes and restore your body’s shape and appearance.

Despite the sweet name, a mommy makeover is surgery and fairly significant surgery, so it’s crucial that anyone considering a mommy makeover surgery fully understand what’s involved and the entire process. Here are a few helpful facts to consider.

1. Many Procedures May Be Involved

A mommy makeover surgery or surgeries can include several different procedures. Typically, the surgery includes breast augmentation (sometimes this includes breast implants) and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), but it also might include liposuction and some women also opt to include vaginal rejuvenation, although we have some non-surgical options for vaginal rejuvenation, as well.

2. Mommy Makeovers Aren’t For Weight Loss

Typically, the best candidates for a mommy makeover are women that are in good health and fairly fit or close to their ideal weight. Mommy makeovers are not meant to help with weight loss. Most of the women who undergo this procedure have lost their “baby weight.” However, despite the weight loss and good overall health, they still have some loose skin around the stomach or sagging breasts, etc. The mommy makeover can help reduce or eliminate these issues.

3. Mommy Makeovers Aren’t For Everyone

While a good candidate should be fairly fit and be in good health overall, mommy makeover surgery is meant for women that do not plan to have any more children. Some women will opt for a breast lift or breast augmentation and save the tummy tuck procedure until after they are finished with childbearing.

Generally, mommy makeover procedures are not recommended for women who smoke, as smoking greatly inhibits the body’s ability to heal. Additionally, these surgeries aren’t recommended for women that are overweight or women with medical certain medical conditions that might increase the risks associated with surgery.

4. Had Twins? A C-Section? A Mommy Makeover Can Be A Great Option

In general, a person who is healthy and fit might be a great candidate for a mommy makeover, and these procedures definitely can help women whose bodies faced some significant changes after giving birth. For instance, a mommy makeover can lessen the appearance of a C-section scar.

While any woman can experience body changes after giving birth, these changes tend to be more significant among women who have had C-sections or births with multiples or perhaps a very traumatic birth experience. While you might dislike the look of sagging skin around your stomach area, this also can be quite uncomfortable and mommy makeover surgery can reduce this discomfort as well as improving the body’s appearance.

5. You’ll Need To Wait Six Months After Birth

While you might be anxious to restore your pre-pregnancy shape quickly, it’s important that you wait for at least six months after childbirth before considering surgery. You really need to give your body time to fully recover from childbirth before putting your body through a surgical procedure.

6. Breastfeeding Also Needs To Be At An End

Typically, we recommend that you also wait until about six months after you stop breastfeeding before undergoing any type of breast augmentation procedure. Breastfeeding, as you probably well know, changes the shape of your breasts, but your breasts continue to adjust for several months after you stop breastfeeding. You need to allow this natural change to occur before undergoing surgery.

7. Recovery Takes Time

While the end results of mommy makeover surgery can be fantastic, there’s no getting around the fact that this is major surgery and it takes time for the body to fully heal. After surgery, it is recommended that you have a two-week period of bed rest. Additionally, with tummy tuck surgery, you should not be lifting anything heavier than 25 pounds for several months after surgery. That can be tricky if you have small children, so be sure you have someone to help you with childcare.

The breast and tummy areas also tend to be swollen for several weeks, sometimes as long as two months. While your body eventually will look great, you do need to understand that it takes time for the body to heal and the appearance to improve. While these procedures definitely improve the shape and contour of the body, it’s not an overnight fix and patients definitely should be aware of this prior to the procedure.

Additionally, because these are major surgical procedures, some pain and discomfort after surgery should be expected. As with any surgical procedure, there is some risk involved and we will discuss these risks fully when you book a consultation for your mommy makeover.

While mommy makeover surgery is not without its risks and discomfort, the end result can be well worth it. Dr. Thaxton can help restore your body to its pre-pregnancy shape which can provide you with a huge boost of confidence and help you feel much more comfortable with your body.

If you’ve been searching for a “mommy makeover near me,” contact our Charleston plastic surgery clinic today and we can set up a consultation. In addition to mommy makeovers, we offer a myriad of surgical and non-surgical procedures as well as many medical spa treatments.