Motherhood is a beautiful journey, but it can also bring a lot of changes to your body that you may not entirely like. If you’ve been thinking about reclaiming your pre-baby body, you might be wondering, “ When is the best time to get a Mommy Makeover ?”
The best time for a Mommy Makeover is highly individual. It depends on various factors, including your personal health, lifestyle, and family plans.
But first, remember this article isn’t a substitute for medical advice. It is purely for your education. Always consult with a qualified plastic surgeon before making any decisions about cosmetic surgery.
A mommy makeover is a custom-tailored package of surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures that help you reclaim your pre-pregnancy physique. The specific procedures vary by person since they address your aesthetic goals and concerns. Some popular procedures often included in a mommy makeover package include:
- A tummy tuck to repair diastasis recti and for a tighter, flatter-looking belly.
- A breast lift to reverse sagging from pregnancy and nursing.
- Liposuction to resculpt your proportions as your body may retain extra fat in different places.
- Breast augmentation or reduction, depending on your goals.
- Any other body lift or cosmetic procedure, depending on your needs.
If you are considering a mommy makeover, here are a few things to consider when scheduling your makeover procedures.
What are your plans for your family?
If you’re planning to have more children in the near future, it might be best to wait until that pregnancy and childbirth is done and the child is weaned. While retreatment is a possibility, a new pregnancy can reverse some of your makeover results. You most likely will want to avoid the additional expense and recovery time associated with additional surgery if you can.
If you breastfeed your child, you may want to wait until you’ve stopped before your Mommy Makeover. Breastfeeding can change the size and shape of your breasts, which could affect the results if your makeover involves a breast lift, reduction, or augmentation.
Have you recovered from childbirth?
Your body needs time to recover from childbirth before getting a Mommy Makeover. Usually, that can take around six months after giving birth, but the exact timing depends on your health and recovery. While you are probably excited about your mommy makeover, surgery is stressful for the body.
Is your weight stable?
We recommend people wait until their weight is stable after childbirth and nursing before opting for a mommy makeover. Your body changes in the months following birth, and your best bet is to wait for your weight to settle. Weight gain or loss can change the results of many procedures, including a tummy tuck or a breast lift.
Also, if your BMI is too high, that makes safely dosing anesthetics hard. In addition to a stable weight, your BMI should be within or close to your healthy range for safety.
Do you have time for recovery?
All surgical procedures require recovery or downtime. How long varies by the specific operation and your own natural healing ability.
Still, chances are if you are considering a mommy makeover, you have children at home. You may not be able to lift them and chase after them for a few days or weeks as you recover. You’ll need help with childcare and household chores while you recover. Make sure you have a support system in place before scheduling your surgery.
Also, plan to take time off work and away from social events while you recuperate. Talk with your plastic surgeon for specific guidelines about how much time you should plan for your own recovery.
How is your overall health?
Elective surgery is best suited to people who are generally in good health, within 20 pounds of their goal weight, non-smokers, and those who are not battling health issues that get in the way of healing. All surgery carries some degree of risk; how much varies by the procedure and your personal risk factors.
While some health issues may be outside your control, you can make healthy changes if needed. For example, if you are a smoker, quit a few months before your operation since smoking interferes with your body’s ability to heal.
Talk with your plastic surgeon about whether there are any changes you need to make to get ready for your mommy makeover.
Are you hoping to be ready for a big event?
While there are already a lot of things to consider, many people also have a self-imposed deadline because they want to look their best for a big event like a wedding, class reunion, or beach vacation. If that is the case for you, schedule your mommy makeover several months before that big day so you have time to recover.
Schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to start planning for your mommy makeover .
The first step in planning for a mommy makeover is a consultation with a plastic surgeon. Since it refers to a custom package, the specifics vary by the treatments you want. During this appointment, speak frankly about your aesthetic goals, lifestyle, plans, and concerns. Take the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Take your time to find a plastic surgeon you feel comfortable with, as that person will be with you before and after your procedures for follow-up care. Ask to see examples of prior work and about the kind of results you can realistically hope for.
Most plastic surgeons will suggest waiting at least 6 months to a year after childbirth to make sure your body has time to heal and for your lifestyle and weight to stabilize. While we know you are excited to reclaim your physique, we want to ensure your safety and best results.
If you live in or near the Charlotte, NC, area, Charlotte Plastic Surgery has been a trusted name in the community for decades. We feel privileged that mothers trust their bodies to us and aim for the best results for each of our patients. Contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment.
