After going through childbirth, you — like so many other women — may wish you could get your old body back. Mommy makeover is a combination of cosmetic procedures designed to restore your previous figure. Plastic surgeon Dr. Arnold Breitbart recommends when the best time is to schedule your mommy makeover, based on several factors:
When Your Body Has Recovered and Taken Off the Weight from Childbirth
Pregnancy takes a toll on your body, and no doctor would recommend scheduling elective surgery while your body is still recuperating. Although every woman recovers at her own pace, in general, most plastic surgeons recommend waiting at least six months following birth to undergo mommy makeover. A mommy makeover typically involves some combination of a tummy tuck, breast lift and/or augmentation, and liposuction.
A six-month period is perhaps an unfair timeframe to get back down to your pre-pregnancy weight. Ideally, you want to be as close to your goal weight as you can muster before mommy makeover surgery, in order to achieve an optimal result. If you, like most new mothers, have difficulty finding the time to exercise, set a more realistic timeline for your goals and reward yourself with mommy makeover afterwards.
When You Are Done Nursing
Since so many women want to address their breasts as part of a mommy makeover, it makes the most sense to wait until you are done nursing. Your breasts get larger when you nurse, so the doctor will have a better idea of what they look like after they have dried out of milk, allowing him to make your desired changes.
When You Are Confident Your Childbearing Days Are Behind You
You ought to be pretty certain that you will not be getting pregnant again when you come in for a mommy makeover, in particular with regards to the tummy tuck portion of the mommy makeover. To be blunt, mommy makeover is neither inexpensive nor quick to recover from. Although most women consider their procedures worthwhile, it is most worthwhile when you allow the results to last.
Having seen what pregnancy did to your body the first time around, expect similar results if you are to get pregnant again in the future. With a new pregnancy, your body may not retain its shape from a previous mommy makeover, and revision of the mommy makeover may be indicated.
When You Have Adequate Parenting Support
One mistake that mommy makeover patients frequently make is underestimating how long they will need extra support during recovery. For a week or two while you recover from your surgeries, you will need to rely on a partner, relative or caretaker to not only tend to your needs, but also look after your children.
Women who are not confident that they have the support system to handle childcare and household responsibilities may want to delay their procedures.
After considering these factors, the right solution for you may be to wait until you have the support in place to handle childcare and household responsibilities for at least 1-2 weeks during your recovery.
Discuss with Dr. Breitbart
Dr. Breitbart is happy to discuss all the aspects of mommy makeover with you to determine if and when the right time is to schedule your procedures. Call (516) 365-3511 to schedule a consultation.
