Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, however all opinions expressed are my own.
I’ve had two children via c-section. One of the things I dislike most about my after baby body is the c-section area. I’ve got the “mommy pouch.” Could it be because I’m a little heavy? Maybe, but I have seen some slender frames with this same little bulge above our scars. I guess it’s like a battle scar right? I’ll take it. But what if I didn’t have to keep it?
In recent years I’ve heard about more mothers going to plastic surgeons for “mommy makeovers.” Like any good information seeker, I went straight to the source and asked Atlanta plastic surgeon D?r. David Brothers to answer my questions about mommy makeovers. I have to admit I am very intrigued by the process and have never been opposed. I think you’ll get a lot of answers if you’ve ever considered a mommy makeover.
First a little about Dr. David Brothers
D?r. David Brothers is a board certified plastic surgeon serving cosmetic surgery patients in Atlanta and surrounding areas. Dr. Brothers is the founder of the P?lastic Surgery Centre of Atlanta, PC? and has served as the chief of plastic surgery at Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta, Northside Hospital and Perimeter Surgery Center of Atlanta.
1. You’ve decided to get a mommy makeover. What’s the first step?
Perhaps the most important step for any cosmetic surgery procedure is research. Look for qualified, board certified plastic surgeons in your area and peruse any before and after photos they have on their websites. Choosing a surgeon who has skill and experience in crucial for your safety and the success of your surgery. Finding a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable is also highly important. For this reason, it’s ok to “shop around.” Schedule consultations with different surgeons and feel free to make notes on how you felt during the process. You will find your perfect fit. There are hundreds of cosmetic surgeons which will be able to help you achieve the look you want!
2. What procedures or treatments may be included in a mommy makeover?
The great thing about a “m?ommy makeover” ?is that it can be completely customized to your needs and concerns. While most mommy makeovers include a combination of breast enhancement and body contouring procedures, such as a b?reast lift ?and tummy tuck, there is no standard procedure set.
Some mothers just need a little liposuction or a breast life with augmentation to restore a shapelier contour, while others chose to make more dramatic changes. Your mommy makeover may also include skincare treatments to address the changes your skin goes through during pregnancy, sclerotherapy to reduce varicose veins or injectables to address lost volume in the face after post-pregnancy weight loss.
3. Do you need to lose weight before considering a tummy tuck?
For any procedure, it’s important for patients to be in general good health and at or near their ideal weight. This both decreases the risk of complication and helps to avoid impacting your results with further weight fluctuation.
Before a tummy tuck, you should strive to lose most of your pregnancy weight through a healthy diet and exercise routine.
L?iposuction can be incorporated to remove stubborn deposits of fat in the lower abdomen for enhanced results, though neither procedure is a weight loss alternative.
4. How should you prepare for a mommy makeover?
There are three main types of preparation you should expect: physical, emotional, and logistical. Physically, you’ll want to reach your goal weight, take any supplements your surgeon may recommend, and avoid behaviors, medications, or foods that may impact your ability to heal (your surgeon will provide this information).
It’s equally important to prepare yourself emotionally. The mommy makeover procedures have a very high rate of patient satisfaction, though it is perfectly normal to experience a wide spectrum of emotions during your recovery. You will need lots of rest while you’re healing, which means being temporarily dependent on another person for certain things. You may have to avoid picking up your children or joining in on play time for a while. All of these things can be difficult, and you may experience the post-op blues for a bit. It will pass, and having a strong support team around you can definitely help.
Planning the logistics of recovery is a part of preparation that should definitely not be ignored. After your mommy makeover, particularly if you have a t?ummy tuck,? you will likely be in bed for at least a few days. Make sure you plan for this. Some things to consider: pre-preparing meals (or having your partner don his or her chef’s apron); setting up child care; making sure you have loose, comfortable clothing; and having books, movies, or Netflix at the ready.
5. How soon after I have my baby can I get a mommy makeover?
Unfortunately, there’s no standard answer to this question. A number of things can affect when you are in a good place for surgery after childbirth.
Are you still breastfeeding? If so, I recommend waiting three to six months after you’ve finished before considering surgery—you want to ensure your breasts are done changing before pursuing enhancement.
Are you close to your pre-pregnancy weight? It’s best to be at or near a healthy weight before body contouring surgery. Depending on a number of factors (age, genetics, lifestyle habits), this can take anywhere from 3 months to a year.
Are you done having children? While this is not necessary, I highly recommend waiting until you’ve finished having kids before getting a mommy makeover. It will be difficult to maintain your results through another pregnancy, and you may find yourself back in the same position you were before.
Do you have help with childcare? After a mommy makeover, you’ll likely be limited in your ability to perform many household tasks for at least two weeks. This may prove to be a problem while caring for an infant.
One thing you don’t have to wait on, however, is scheduling a consultation. You can speak to a surgeon as soon as you’re ready, and he or she will be able to help you determine when the right time is for you.
6. Who is the ideal mommy makeover patient?
In terms of basic criteria, ideal candidates are non-smokers in general good health who are at or near their ideal weight. Those who benefit most from mommy makeovers are those who are unhappy with their breasts or body after pregnancy and childbirth. Because of all the changes your body goes through to accommodate a growing baby and milk production, new mothers often experience sagging or “deflated” breasts and excess, loose skin and stubborn fat on the lower abdomen. If you’re unhappy with these two areas in particular, you will likely benefit from a mommy makeover.
7. How long is the mommy makeover recovery?
The mommy makeover recovery period is variable, based on a number of factors unique to each patient. Which procedures you’re having done and whether or not you’re having them done at the same time impacts the length of your healing, as do individual factors such as age, general health, and genetics.
For a healthy patient without any wound healing risks undergoing a typical mommy makeover (breast lift with or without augmentation plus a tummy tuck), you can typically expect to return to work in about two weeks. Strenuous activity and exercise should be avoided for several weeks to avoid straining the incision sites or compromising results. While you’ll see positive changes relatively soon after surgery, patience is important—final results may not be visible for up to 6 months.
8. If someone is afraid to “go under the knife” what other procedures would you recommend for a mom trying to update her look?
There are many nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedures that can help improve your appearance, though it’s important to understand that your results will not be as dramatic without surgery.
At my p?ractice,? we offer nonsurgical body contouring with t?ruSculpt™. ?T?reatment is quick, comfortable, and requires no downtime. It’s important to note, however, that this will only benefit mothers looking to remove a small amount of fat and who have good skin elasticity. truSculpt will not treat sagging skin or larger fat deposits.
I also recommend professional laser or skincare services to restore the glow many moms enjoyed early on in pregnancy.
