After pregnancy and breastfeeding, many women experience changes to their bodies that may not bounce back to the way they looked before having children. Despite a healthy diet and regular exercise, it’s very common to develop excess fat in areas like the mid-section, hips, and buttocks, volume loss in the breasts, and stretched abdominal musculature. A comprehensive plastic surgery procedure known as a Mommy Makeover offers an effective solution for addressing these concerns. Mommy Makeovers are custom-tailored treatment plans that consist of two or more procedures designed to help mothers improve and enhance a variety of areas to restore their pre-baby body.
Since Mommy Makeovers often involve major surgeries that focus on the abdomen and breasts, it is important to wait a safe and practical amount of time before undergoing these treatments. Generally, it’s best to wait at least six months to one year after giving birth before pursuing plastic surgery for the following reasons:
- To provide the body with ample time to heal after childbirth (this is necessary for both vaginal and cesarean section deliveries)
- To allow the abdomen and breasts time to stabilize after pregnancy
- To enable patients to reach a healthy, ideal weight range
- To give patients time to plan for home care assistance and help during the recovery process – Mommy Makeovers that involve multiple invasive surgeries may require a minimum of one to four weeks of rest and several weeks before lifting over 10 pounds (including babies and older children) is advisable
Additionally, it is recommended to wait if you plan to expand your family in the future. Additional pregnancies can compromise the results of your procedures and the associated physical changes you sought to improve in the first place may occur again.
Our board-certified San Jose-area plastic surgeon, Dr. Eric Okamoto, has helped countless women achieve their cosmetic goals with a Mommy Makeover. Some of the most popular procedures Dr. Okamoto performs as part of this treatment include tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty), liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction surgery. Overall, if you are considering a Mommy Makeover, Dr. Okamoto suggests discussing your aesthetic concerns and goals with an experienced, qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon to seek personal guidance. This will help you gain a better understanding of when the safest and most effective results for your unique needs, desires, lifestyle, and health may be achieved.
To learn more about Mommy Makeover procedures, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Okamoto, please contact us today.