Becoming a mother is one of life’s greatest gifts, but it doesn’t come without a price. While it’s possible for mothers to return to their pre-pregnancy bodies without surgery, a mommy makeover helps expedite the process.
After giving birth, roughly 25% of women will have a hard time losing the extra weight they put on during pregnancy, regardless of exercise or eating habits.
And a staggering 90% of women experience at least some form of stretch marks during or after pregnancy. In many cases, they go away in time. But sometimes they’re much more stubborn than that.
There’s no arguing that pregnancy is hard on the body. You might want to consider a mommy makeover to get your mojo back after delivering your beautiful child(ren).
Keep reading to find out what’s involved in a typical mommy makeover and what you should consider when deciding what procedures to include.
Postpartum Life
The months immediately following childbirth are some of the most challenging and trying months most women experience in their lives.
On top of being sleep-deprived, emotional, and tasked with the high-stress job of keeping another human being alive, looking in the mirror can be a nightmare.
New moms have enough to deal with without having to worry about their appearance. We all know that when we look good, we feel good. But for new mothers, looking good is a hard feat to achieve.
Pregnancy can have a permanent impact on your body. In addition to the obvious like weight gain, breast changes, and stomach changes, there are some changes you might not expect.
Hair loss, skin discoloration, an increase in sweating, bladder problems, constipation, and back pain are just a few of the things new moms might endure.
In many cases, it’s a physiological thing that’s totally normal in the months immediately following childbirth. But sometimes, this decrease in sex drive lasts much longer than it should.
And it’s often because you don’t feel sexy or confident in yourself. It’s hard to be in the mood when you’re not happy about your body. Thankfully, there are things you can do to improve your self-image and start to love your body again.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
Sure, eating healthy and regular exercise can help you return to your pre-pregnancy body eventually. But it doesn’t hurt to get a little assistance.
A mommy makeover is an affectionate pet name given to post-pregnancy procedures designed to help new moms get their mojo back. The beauty of mommy makeovers is that they are completely customizable.
The term refers to a personalized combination of cosmetic treatments administered with the purpose of helping women reverse the aesthetic effects of childbearing.
One of the main touted benefits of a mommy makeover is that a surgeon often performs more than one procedure at a time, reducing overall recovery time.
All women recover from pregnancy differently. We all have that friend who bounces back in no time with seemingly no effort at all. But for most women, it’s simply not the case.
Stretch marks often fade over time, but sagging skin does not.
Components of a Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is different for everyone. Some seem to escape relatively unscathed in the boob and stomach department but experience hair loss, skin discoloration, or stubborn cellulite.
Whatever the issue, a mommy makeover has you covered. Some of the main surgical components that can be included are breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, tummy tuck, abdominoplasty, and liposuction.
Non-surgical elements that can be included are skin tightening, cellulite reduction treatment, feminine rejuvenation, injectables like botox or fillers, and skin resurfacing treatments.
Hair replacement treatments can also be a part of the process, though often women will have to see hair transplant specialists in addition to their plastic surgeon.
The most common procedures involved in a mommy makeover are breast surgery and tummy tucks. But each situation calls for different measures.
Mommy Tuck
A mommy tuck, more commonly known as a tummy tuck, is another popular surgery that’s often involved in a mommy makeover.
The procedure sometimes involves abdominoplasty or liposuction and essentially removes excess, saggy skin, recreating the flat pre-pregnancy tummy most women yearn for after childbirth.
Other areas often affected by excess skin are the arms, thighs, and butt. Mommy makeovers can also include thigh lifts, arm lifts, and butt lifts.
Non-Surgical Surgery
A mommy makeover doesn’t have to include surgery. In some cases, women just want their skin tightened up, or their cellulite reduced.
Cellulite is a common occurrence after pregnancy and can be a royal pain to get rid of, even with the best exercise regime.
It can be the single reason for feeling unsexy. Even if you’re happy with the size and shape of your legs, arms, butt, and tummy, cellulite can cause major self-esteem issues.
Cellulite reduction treatment is a non-surgical procedure that can be just the thing to get you back to your former, foxy self.
Some women experience most of their post-pregnancy problems in their face. In this case, all that’s really needed in a mommy makeover are facial injectables like botox or dermal fillers.
Injectables can improve the appearance of fine lines, dark under-eyes, and saggy skin and give a fuller, more voluminous appearance to the face. Sometimes this is all a new mom needs to feel pretty again.
Things to Consider Prior to Mommy Makeover Surgery
The first step after deciding to get a mommy makeover is to do your research to find a reputable surgeon. Read past patient testimonials and ask to see certifications. Make sure your surgeon is a board-certified member of the ASPS.
A good surgeon will take the time to sit down with their potential clients to discuss requirements and any potential risks. They will also ask you to prioritize your concerns to get an understanding of what’s most important to you.
Non-surgical treatments like botox are not recommended while you’re breastfeeding. It’s also wise to wait until you’re finished having children to have a tummy tuck.
Experts don’t recommend a mommy makeover for smokers. Smoking cigarettes reduces blood circulation and can drastically delay healing and recovery time post-surgery.
Being a smoker can increase the chances of complications. Most surgeons recommend that patients quit smoking at least four weeks before going in for surgery. But you might as well just consider quitting altogether.
Smoking has a negative impact on appearance over time, so if you want to continue to look and feel good later in life, way after pregnancy, quitting smoking is one way to do that.
Recovery Time
Most mommy makeovers are outpatient procedures. Meaning you’ll be recovering in the comfort of your own home rather than being cooped up in a hospital bed.
However, for new moms, this can be a bit of a challenge. Heavy lifting is not recommended for up to six weeks post-treatment. This includes babies. If you go in for a mommy makeover, make sure you have lots of help during your recovery.
The initial recovery time should only take one or two weeks, dependent on the type(s) of treatment you’ve received. Any bruising or swelling should subside after 14 days, but heavy lifting should be avoided for at least six weeks.
You also won’t be able to drive until you’ve come off the prescribed pain medications. For surgical procedures like a tummy tuck, your surgeon will prescribe painkillers to ease the pain post-surgery.
Until the cycle of pain medication is over, you’ll need to have help getting around. Make sure to plan for extra support during your recovery for driving, taking care of your baby, and doing housework.
In some cases, swelling can last for up to six months. Sometimes longer. The full aesthetic impact of your treatments won’t be realized until the swelling has completely gone down.
Life After Surgery
While mommy makeovers are an amazing way for new moms to get their confidence back, they are not magic. You still need to stick to a healthy lifestyle and maintain regular exercise.
Don’t rush back to the gym after surgery. Listen to your surgeon and let your body fully recover before taking part in any vigorous exercise. But once you’re able to get back at it, make sure to include regular exercise in your daily routine.
A lot of new moms struggle with finding time for themselves, especially with newborns and toddlers. There are many ways to exercise with your baby, and most gyms and fitness centers offer childcare services.
Wrapping Up
A mommy makeover is an excellent way for moms to regain their confidence and get their lives back after pregnancy. But remember, there’s no rush.
It can take up to six weeks post-surgery to be able to pick up your baby again, which can be a huge challenge for moms with young babies and toddlers.
Most experts recommend waiting for a couple of years after you’ve finished having children so you don’t miss out on important quality time with your newborn.
Regardless of when you decide to have your mommy makeover, make sure you have a good support system during your recovery time.
If you’re in the Atlanta area, contact us for more information about mommy makeovers and other forms of cosmetic surgery.
