Mommy makeover is a suite of surgeries that target changes to a woman’s body that occur during pregnancy. Women can expect to gain 25 to 35 pounds when pregnant. Most of the added weight is fat that accumulates in the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and breasts. It’s all part of the natural plan to cushion the baby during gestation, and prepare for the months of nursing to come.
Below, skilled Southeastern Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda examines a topic of great interest to many new moms: When are tummy tuck and other mommy makeover procedures appropriate? To ensure the most satisfying and successful result, the timing is key.
Many Choices
Dr. Gowda’s mommy makeover arsenal includes liposuction, to target specific areas of stubborn fat; abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, to repair the abdominal wall and pare away excess folds of skin; breast lift to restore the natural profile and firmness to breasts; and breast implants to compensate for lost volume.
Timeline
The first step in choosing one of these procedures is to allow your body time to bounce back after pregnancy. Dr. Gowda recommends waiting at least six months after childbirth to see how much of the weight and shape of pregnancy was temporary, and how much might need a surgical solution. Your genetic inheritance has a lot to do with whether your body quickly returns to its pre-pregnancy profile, or whether your new dimensions are the new normal.
This also allows time for the skin, muscle and uterus to regain their typical size and shape, and for weight to return to baseline. Moms who are breastfeeding should wait several months after a baby is weaned before undergoing any procedure with anesthesia.
With a few exceptions, it is also recommended that women wait until after their final pregnancy before undergoing tummy tuck. Pregnancy can undo the results of an earlier tummy tuck or other mommy makeover procedure. During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles are stretched and weight gain is expected; the muscles that were repaired can separate, and the tightened skin can loosen.
Recovery for Body, Mind and Emotions
In light of these recommendations, Dr. Gowda advises against a procedure that has gained popularity in recent years: the so-called “C-tuck.” This is when tummy tuck is performed right after a Caesarean birth. Your body needs time to recover from the stress of pregnancy and to heal. In addition, the stretching of the abdomen and uterus can make it difficult for a surgeon to determine the extent of the tightening you will need. And of course, you will feel weak and exhausted from labor.
If you would like to learn more about mommy makeover, we invite you to schedule a personal consultation with experienced Southeastern Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Mune Gowda by using our email form, or calling our Novi office at (248) 305-8400 or our Troy office at (248) 530-0000.