If you have recently given birth, you might find it difficult to accept your present physical appearance, including excess skin and stretch marks. You may even feel like a stranger when you look in the mirror, as your body has undergone significant changes since before pregnancy.
It’s possible that you feel dissatisfied with the fit of your clothing or are dealing with body aches and sagging in new areas of your body.
While each body differs in terms of post-pregnancy effects, the emotional strains and longing for that “pre-baby body” are very common feelings among women who have recently given childbirth.
What are your options? Well, a positive outlook and the desire to kick your health and fitness into gear will help you return to pre pregnancy shape—but sometimes a little extra help through surgical enhancements can set you on the right path towards feeling even more fabulous in that post-baby body after all.
Surgical Mommy Makeover Procedures
The “mommy makeover,” which includes a combination of procedures, typically tummy tuck and breast augmentation surgery such as a breast lift with or without implants or breast reduction surgery, may be incredibly desirable to those whose bodies have been permanently changed by pregnancy and childbirth.
Still, if you are going under the knife, you’ll want to speak to your surgeon first to clear up any mommy makeover questions or concerns you may have in order to be best prepared. Your doctor will debunk any myths, direct you towards which procedures are the most fitting for your body type and needs, and explain what to expect in the first few weeks or months after your procedures as you heal and adjust to your new figure.
Here’s what to know about the “mommy makeover” before booking an appointment. Also, for mommy makeover patients be sure to touch on all these aspects with your surgeon during your consultation, as well.
YOU CAN’T GET THAT Mommy MAKEOVER RIGHT AFTER LEAVING THE HOSPITAL
A top San Francisco plastic surgeon will make sure you are done having children and will ask you to wait at least six months after giving birth to undergo such intensive surgery, so don’t assume your body will snap right back to the way it was before giving birth.
For instance, the skin and muscles in your abdomen have gone through quite a lot to accommodate a growing baby, so the other abdominal muscles and tissue must be given adequate time to recover prior to getting a tummy tuck.
However, during this time you can schedule consultations, do your research, save up money—whatever it may be—to prepare yourself for the upcoming procedure.
IT TAKES TIME TO ADJUST
Just as you must wait to get the mommy makeover done, you’ll also need a few weeks or months to fully enjoy the lasting effects of your procedures and to be completely healed. For instance, breast implants take several months to settle into place. They might appear very swollen and a bit high at first (think Dolly Parton style), but as the weeks pass by, they’ll ease right into place and look just as they should.
YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY TAKE IT EASY AT FIRST
In order to speed your recovery and keep your procedures safe and beautiful long-term (you don’t want to disrupt progress or break and misshapen something), mommy makeover procedure, you must take it easy for the number of weeks required to heal before resuming your normal daily regimen. With a mommy makeover, you’ve likely undergone quite a few intensive surgeries, and they can take a toll on your body for the short-term.
Your doctor will tell you if you need a few weeks to a few months to heal, depending on the procedures you requested, and it’s critical to follow such guidance and give your body the downtime it needs.
That means, you don’t want to go out for a five-mile run or hit a HIIT class a few days after getting a breast augmentation or tummy tuck. First off—it would be incredibly uncomfortable but also dangerous. Increasing your heart rate after surgery can increase your risk of bleeding, or you may pop some internal stitches. You shouldn’t sit around in bed all day, and movement is encouraged, but make sure your surgeon approves the activities you’re doing. It’s also important to listen to your body as to not over exert yourself throughout recovery.
BUT DON’T SIT AROUND
While you need to move slower to heal well, you also don’t want to be bed-ridden during your weeks or months of mommy makeover surgery recovery. Choose low-impact activities that are approved by your surgeon for each step of the way.
You might start by walking, and over the next few weeks, you can build up to more moderate exercise, like riding a stationary bike. Each procedure requires a different time frame, which your surgeon will discuss with you, but typically most patients are released to full activity after 6 weeks.
IT DOESN’T GIVE YOU A PASS FOR HEALTHY LIVING
Just because you’ve had a mommy makeover surgery doesn’t mean you should stop eating healthy or to skip exercising. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors may diminish the wonderful effects of the mommy makeover procedures that you just invested in and spent so much time healing from. And it’s also not great for your health, regardless!
After you’ve healed, maintain a healthy lifestyle moving forward. Focus on eating nutrient-rich foods and try to engage in regular activity, whether it be different exercise classes, cooking more at home with wholesome ingredients, or adding in self-care rituals to keep stress at bay.
All of these factors will keep your body in tip-top-shape post-makeover, and you’ll likely have a better quality of life as well!
THE Mommy Makeover Surgery TAKEAWAY
If you’re considering getting a mommy makeover, keep these factors in mind regarding how soon to schedule your cosmetic surgery procedures like breast lift, what to expect after surgery, and how long to wait before resuming all activity. The safer and more careful you are about your new body, the better your recovery will be.
Having a mommy makeover the right way can be a great decision that’ll improve your happiness and make you feel more confident in your post-baby body*.
Do your research on mommy makeover cost and find the right board certified plastic surgeon for the job and develop a relationship built on trust. Dr. Sieber is always there for his patients every step of the way, and he helps to prepare his patients so they can ease back to normal life following the mommy-makeover.
It’s totally normal for emotions during recovery to be erratic at first, but once you take a glance in that mirror or try that dress back on after everything has settled, it’ll all be worth it*.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.
