After pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, there are many women who discover that their bodies are not getting back to the shape and size they had before. During pregnancy, there are many changes that occur in the body, especially the breasts and tummy. Even after losing all the baby weight, women after childbirth might not be happy with the new shape of their bodies. The breasts might become saggier and the tummy less firm than before.
The Mommy Makeover aims to help new mothers get the shape and size of their bodies that they desire. It consists of a combination of procedures to target the breasts and tummy, which can be via a breast lift or breast augmentation, along with a tummy tuck or liposuction.
There are certain dos and don’ts before the Mommy Makeover that patients should be aware of before scheduling their procedure.
Dos before the Mommy Makeover
It is important to wait a minimum of six to eight months after breastfeeding has stopped before considering the procedure. The body should have time to get back to its initial shape or close to it before the procedure is performed. Otherwise, the body might continue to change after the surgery, and this can ruin the aesthetic results achieved.
Before the Mommy Makeover, do ask the plastic surgeon’s advice in terms of what medication you can continue taking in the month before the procedure. Generally speaking, birth control pills should be stopped a month before the surgery and anti-inflammatory medication and natural supplements two weeks before.
Do make sure that you have a friend or family member to help you with the chores and the children for a few days after the procedure as, during this initial stage of the recovery period, the patient can experience a certain level of pain and discomfort.
Don’ts after the Mommy Makeover
The recovery period is about two weeks. During the first few days, the patient is advised to walk around the house every couple of hours and to get off the bed as soon as possible after the surgery. A strict don’t after the Mommy Makeover is spending all day and night in bed resting. While rest is certainly important after any type of surgical procedure, getting off the bed and walking is essential to speed up the recovery period and avoid complications.
Another important don’t after the Mommy Makeover is engaging in intense physical activities too soon after the procedure. Physical exercises performed in the first few weeks post-op can trigger complications such as wound opening. When resuming exercise or work, make sure to discuss the issue with the plastic surgeon during the follow-up consultation.