We all wonder in amazement at those celebrity bodies that seem to effortlessly bounce back to normal, pre-baby size in no time at all after having a baby. Women all over the world and especially here in Hawaii would love to get back into swimsuit shape after having a baby as soon as possible and Mommy Makeovers are making that dream come true quicker than ever before. However, the reality is of course that it’s not instantaneous and it is important to understand that all transformations, including when you can have a Mommy Makeover require time. It is a “process”, not an “event”.
Although S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS has done several tummy tucks (abdominopalsties) at the time of delivery, this is not recommended for all or even most patients. After giving birth, it takes several months for your body to recover from pregnancy hormones and all the radical changes it went through. During pregnancy, hormones create all kinds of changes in the body to allow for the birth and growth of a new child. The belly stretches and the breasts become engorged to help provide milk for the baby. Once the baby is out of your body, your skin will contract to varying degrees in an effort to return your body to its pre-pregnancy state. Varying degrees sadly is the key phrase here.
Despite regular diet and exercise and even significant weight loss, some women find that they have excess skin in the lower abdomen, and sagging breasts after having a baby. A “Mommy Makeover” is a set of surgical procedures done to correct these changes and may include an abdominoplasty, liposuction, and either a breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation. At times, even labial reduction becomes necessary after a pregnancy.
These surgeries are body contouring procedures and to ensure that you have a long-lasting result, you should be at three to six months post-pregnancy. You’ll also need to have stopped breastfeeding for 3 months. It’s important to stop breastfeeding to allow your breasts to return to their normal size and shape and stop producing milk. Most women also prefer to be out of childbearing age or sure that they won’t be having any more children before going through with the Mommy Makeover in Hawaii. While you can have a successful pregnancy after a “Mommy Makeover,” you may require more procedures if you have more children or large weight fluctuations after your initial surgeries.
All women recover from pregnancy at different rates but when you feel ready to consider surgery, schedule a consultation at our Hawaii office and we can walk through all the preparations and considerations together. We’ll make sure you’re ready and if not yet, then we’ll help you get there. Rushing can cause significant problems medically as well as cosmetically, so take your time enjoying your little one and we’ll take care of you when you’re ready.