Although the name “Mommy Makeover” sounds light and simple, the procedure itself is actually one of the most complex performed in plastic surgery. Because it includes multiple surgeries during one operation, a Mommy Makeover takes intense planning and preparation on the part of the plastic surgeon and the patient! If you are a woman who is interested in reclaiming your pre-baby body with a Mommy Makeover, here are seven things you should consider before moving forward.
#1 – Are more children in your future?
“If a woman is still on the fence in regards to whether or not she may want to have more children in the future, I generally steer her away from scheduling a Mommy Makeover until she is certain,” explains Dr. Nathan Leigh, a board-certified Plastic Surgeon with Edina Plastic Surgery. “Plastic Surgery is an investment, and I hate to see a patients’ results compromised by the changes her body will go through in a subsequent pregnancy. Plus, if a woman experiences diastatis recti, or the separation of her abdominal muscles from pregnancy, a future Tummy Tuck surgery during her Mommy Makeover can help reverse it. In the end, it’s just best to wait until you are done having children to pursue a Mommy Makeover.”
#2 – Is the timing right for you and your family?
It’s natural to want to reclaim your pre-baby body as soon as possible after the birth of your last child, but the timing may not be right for a woman both physically and mentally. The hormonal fluctuations that occur during pregnancy may need six months or more to even out. During that time, a woman’s body may continue to go through physical changes, and she may experience emotional stress. Recovering from plastic surgery requires an immense amount of energy from your body, and rest is a must. Plus, it can be frustrating at times, making someone who is experiencing stress feel even more off-balance. A surgery like Mommy Makeover is best scheduled at least one year after the birth of your last child when a woman is fully recovered from childbirth, and she can have a strong level of family support at home during her recovery.
#3 – Is your current state of health as optimal as it could be?
“Having combined surgeries like Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck during a Mommy Makeover puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your body during recovery,” says Dr. Leigh. “It is essential for a woman to be in the best possible state of health she can be in to heal well. I advise patients to be within 5-10 pounds of their ideal body weight before considering a Tummy Tuck and within 25 pounds for any breast surgery. The healthier you come into the surgery, the better your recovery. The better your recovery, the better your results!”
#4 – Do you have realistic expectations of your surgery?
“As your plastic surgeon, it is always my goal to exceed your expectations, as long as those expectations are healthy and realistic,” advises Dr. Leigh. “At Edina Plastic Surgery, we are fortunate to have the Vectra 3D Imaging system, which allows us to show a woman digital renderings of what her body may look like after her Mommy Makeover,” he explains. “A patient can even see what her Breast Augmentation may look like with or without a lift and with various sizes of implants. I find this helps manage and set realistic expectations of what a Mommy Makeover can achieve. It also gets patients really excited to have a glimpse of what their future body may look like!”
#5 – Have you considered all of the procedures that can be performed during a Mommy Makeover?
A woman’s body may experience changes throughout her pregnancy and after childbirth that vary significantly from woman to woman. For example, not every woman will benefit from a Breast Lift with her Breast Augmentation during surgery. The term “Mommy Makeover” really just signifies that multiple procedures are performed during a single operation. During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will help you identify which procedures they believe will most benefit you. These may include Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation, Breast Fat Grafting, Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, and even Labiaplasty. Only so many procedures can safely be performed during one operation, so a woman must communicate to her surgeon which areas are of most concern to her during her consultation.
#6 – Is your family ready for your surgery?
“A big concern for many women who are interested in Mommy Makeover surgery is how long after surgery before they can get back to holding, carrying, and lifting their children,” says Dr. Leigh. “Patients quickly realize when we cover restrictions during recovery that they need to prepare their families just as much as they need to prepare themselves!”
Recovery is key when it comes to getting the best result from a Mommy Makeover. To ensure healthy healing and avoid pulling at incisions, restrictions on bending, lifting, jumping, and other everyday movements will be highly restricted for at least four to six weeks after surgery. If a woman has young children at home, they will need to be coached on how to treat Mom when she gets home. Scheduling several family meetings long before your surgery can prepare your family for what to expect during your recovery and also get them excited to be part of your journey.
#7 – Do you have the support you need?
“Many women are superb multi-taskers and are used to doing everything on their own at home with very little assistance from others,” says Dr. Leigh. “So, relying on family and friends during recovery from a Mommy Makeover can feel a bit humbling and frustrating. But, if there was ever a time that a person should relax on the couch for a week and binge-watch their favorite Netflix show while someone else cooks dinner and cleans the house – it is when they are recovering from multiple surgeries! Mommy Makeover surgery is extensive and will require the support of family and friends if you want a speedy recovery and optimal results. Plus – you may be surprised at how excited family and friends are to show their love and support and play a role in your journey and recovery.”
Schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss Mommy Makeover surgery with an Edina Plastic Surgery surgeon by calling (612)688-3177, texting (952)925-1765, or CLICKING HERE!
