Are you considering mommy makeover surgery to help you get your pre-pregnancy shape back? You’re on the right track—a mommy makeover can help reverse unwanted changes after childbearing that no amount of dieting and exercise will improve, such as sagging breasts, loose skin, split abdominal muscles, and stretch marks. However, even with all these potential benefits, you’ll still need to think about diet and exercise; a mommy makeover is not a weight loss procedure.
Patients who are reasonably fit going into surgery recover faster and are more satisfied with their results.
That’s why the happiest mommy makeover patients are those who reach or get very close to their preferred body weight before having surgery, through a commitment to a healthy diet and regular exercise. Consider the following benefits of waiting until you have reached your goal weight before having a mommy makeover:
Your risk for complications will be lower
Choosing an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon is one key to ensuring a safe procedure and great results; being healthy is the other critical factor. Patients who are significantly overweight, have high blood pressure, or have unhealthy habits such as smoking are at higher risk for complications such as infection, bleeding, and delayed healing, all of which can sabotage your results. In sum, if you have health or lifestyle issues, you’ll want to address them prior to having surgery. Reputable surgeons will reinforce this and provide guidance on getting your body ready for a mommy makeover. Conversely, if a doctor tells you it is OK to have surgery despite risk factors, they are likely putting profit ahead of your safety and you should choose someone else.
Recovery will be smoother and shorter if you get fit first
Mommy makeover patients have an extra incentive to bounce back quickly—your kids needs you! The sooner you can get back to your normal routine after surgery, the less stressful it will be for you and your family. Patients who are physically fit before surgery recover more quickly after their procedures. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, boosts your immune system, and primes your body to respond more quickly to the stress of surgery. A healthy diet, rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and quality protein helps to ensure your body has the nutrients it needs to heal and also helps control inflammation in the body.
You will likely be happier with your results & they will last longer
If you are at or close to your ideal weight before a mommy makeover, your plastic surgeon will be able to better understand your contours and more closely achieve your aesthetic goals with surgery. Additionally, effectively tightening lax skin depends on your not losing significant weight after the procedure—while losing a few pounds is unlikely to affect your results, significant weight loss will result in additional sagging in the breasts, tummy or other areas. On the other hand, significant weight gain after a mommy makeover can also diminish your results. Thus the closer you are to your ideal, sustainable body weight before surgery, the better.
How long should I wait to have a mommy makeover?
While reaching your ideal body weight and fitness level is the best-case-scenario, don’t feel like you have to be in marathon shape before you can have a mommy makeover. More important is that you adopt a healthy lifestyle you can sustain long-term.
Aim for progress, not perfection. Build back fitness gradually following childbirth. Find workouts that you enjoy and are compatible with your daily routine. Eat healthy, balanced meals comprised of whole, natural foods, and reserve sweets or fast food for occasional treats—work with a registered dietician if you need guidance. Never crash-diet in the weeks before surgery in an attempt to shed pounds quickly. Depleting your body of nutrients will hinder the healing process as well as sap your energy levels and affect your mood. A sudden, dramatic increase in exercise can also put you at risk for injury and places undue stress on your system before surgery.
Additionally, make sure you are fully recovered from pregnancy and childbirth and have finished breastfeeding for several months before having a mommy makeover. As long as you are happy with your weight, your body mass index (BMI) is in a healthy range, and your weight has been stable for several months, you are likely ready for a safe mommy makeover.
It’s never too soon to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon
The best way to find out if you are ready for any plastic surgery procedure is to talk to an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon. If you are considering a breast lift, tummy tuck, or mommy makeover in Eugene, please give our office a call. Dr. Movassaghi has more than 20 years of experience in breast and body surgery, and he will be glad to answer your questions and discuss options for restoring your contours at a personal consultation.