A woman’s body changes during and after pregnancy. No woman completely bounces back to her original body without some help. For a lucky few, that help comes from diet, exercise, and the luck of genetics. For everyone else, a mommy makeover, a set of plastic surgeries that addresses the breasts, stomach, and labia, provides the desired changes. Although a common procedure, patients experience the best outcome when using an experienced surgeon who has performed many such procedures successfully, says Dr. Joel Aronowitz.
Most Common Misconceptions about Mommy Makeovers
Many myths surround this collection of plastic surgery procedures. It’s vitally important to go into a mommy makeover knowing what to expect and having planned for every contingency.
Myth 1: A Mom Can Have Her Makeover Right After Childbirth
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, this misconception prevails despite education efforts. A new mother needs to wait at least six months after the birth of her child to undergo a mommy makeover. Abdominal muscles that tear during childbirth must heal before undergoing the tummy tuck that comprises one part of the makeover. The six-month waiting period also lets the new mom complete the integral breastfeeding period.
Myth 2: Every Mommy Makeover Contains the Same Procedures
Although each mommy makeover typically addresses the same areas of a woman’s body, each patient needs a different surgical approach and set of procedures, explains respected surgeon Joel Aronowitz MD. A makeover for a mom might include:• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)• Breast lift • Breast augmentation• Breast reduction• Liposuction• Bladder surgery to address stress urinary incontinence• Labiaplasty.The combination of procedures depends solely on the goals and needs of the woman.
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Myth 3: You See Immediate Results
As with any surgery, patients undergo a recovery period. For the three to six weeks following the surgical procedures, expect swelling in the breast and abdomen area if your mommy makeover addressed those areas. After that, expect to see gradual results that culminate about six months after the surgery, according to The Zoe Report. This benefits the patient because others see the month-to-month change. Unless a patient admits to surgery, people tend to think that they just bounced back like a celebrity.
Myth 4: Patients Have to Repeat the Process to Keep Results
This myth probably developed because some women don’t want to wait until they’ve finished having children to undergo the procedure. Most patients who wait to have a mommy makeover until they have given birth to all the children they plan to have only undergo the process once. Conversely, if a woman chooses to give birth, then have a mommy makeover surgery, and then give birth again, she’ll need a revision surgery to keep her results.
Myth 5: Patients Only Need Help with Big Things Post-Op
Doctors tell their patients to plan for up to six weeks of downtime, depending on their procedures. They mention that the patient will need help getting out of bed, going to and from the toilet, preparing meals, and caring for children. What don’t they mention? In immediate recovery, some patients needed someone to pump soap out of the dispenser for them. There’s no heavy lifting allowed for nearly six weeks to two months, so forget picking up the kids or exercising.
Finding Out if a Mommy Makeover Would Work for You
Contact a local board-certified plastic surgeon for a consultation. Ask for a second opinion from another board-certified plastic surgeon. Find an experienced surgeon near you by using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website.
