How Soon Is “Too Soon” for a Mommy Makeover

Bringing a baby into the world is a life-changing experience, but the process can take a toll on your body. Many new mothers struggle with sagging breasts, loose belly skin, and new pockets of unwanted fat. One of the most effective ways to directly address these changes is via plastic surgery. We offer the mommy makeover to help Tracy, San Ramon, and Modesto, CA, women regain their old pre-pregnancy bodies.

Still, we hear a common question from new mothers: How soon is “too soon” for a mommy makeover? Most doctors will tell you to wait for 6 to 12 months before having surgery, but a few factors influence that time frame.

Family Planning

When it comes to scheduling a mommy makeover, it is important to consider your family plans. Surgery won’t affect your ability to become pregnant, but pregnancy may reverse the results of your procedure. For this reason, we recommend waiting until you’re finished having children before you undergo a mommy makeover. This is the best way to make sure you can enjoy the full potential of your results for many years to come.

In addition, give yourself time to fully heal from your last pregnancy. It’s important to wait at least 6 months after you’ve stopped breastfeeding, as nursing causes hormone fluctuations that often change the shape of your body.

Weight Loss

While a mommy makeover lifts and contours your body with procedures like liposuction and tummy tuck surgery, it isn’t a weight loss procedure. You shouldn’t be heading into surgery hoping to change the number on the scale.

Ideal patients should be within 15 to 20 pounds of their goal weight before considering treatment. Diet and exercise are the best tools for burning fat and trimming trouble spots—but a mommy makeover can fix those last stubborn areas.

Your Recovery Period

Parenting places heavy demands on your time, energy, and attention, but surgery requires committed recovery time. Make sure you can afford to take time off from work before scheduling your mommy makeover.

Let your loved ones know that you’ll be undergoing surgery and will require a bit of help around the house. Form a good support system and preschedule things such as childcare, transportation, or other household responsibilities. While at home, remember to avoid picking up small children or reaching for items high above your head. The more care and attention you invest in recovery, the better your plastic surgery results will be.

Many women find the wait and recovery planning are well worth the transformative results of a mommy makeover. If you’re interested in reshaping your body with a mommy makeover in the Tracy, San Ramon, or Modesto, CA, area, please request a consultation online. You can also contact our practice by phone at (209) 834-0626.