The mommy makeover is one of the most popular procedures for rejuvenating and revitalizing a woman’s body after she experiences unwanted changes from pregnancy. The classic mommy makeover involves a tummy tuck and breast lift or augmentation, targeting the two areas most affected by pregnancy. Depending on the patient, a mommy makeover could also include a mini or extended tummy tuck, liposuction, and a thigh lift or arm lift.
While a mommy makeover is a no brainer for mothers who experienced unwanted changes during pregnancy, women who have not yet had children often ask: Can you have a mommy makeover before having children? Or are mommy makeover exclusively for… well, mommies. The answer to this question is a resounding YES – you don’t actually have to be a mommy to have a mommy makeover! Below we go over some key points to consider if you are interested in having a mommy makeover before you have had children:
What Does a Mommy Makeover Do?
A mommy makeover is the popularized term for a personalized set of cosmetic procedures designed to help a women address common effects of childbearing and aging on the face, breasts, and body and restore or improve upon her pre-pregnancy appearance. However, bearing children isn’t the only reason women experience these unwanted changes to their bodies. Oftentimes, again can bring on unwanted bodily and facial changes. Additionally, undergoing extreme weight gain followed by weight loss can result in excess skin around the midsection, arms and legs. Whatever your unique bodily concerns are, there is a mommy makeover that can be personalized just for you!
How is the Procedure Performed?
A mommy makeover may take three to six hours. Exact surgery times vary depending on how many procedures are involved in your mommy makeover. Most mommy makeovers are performed under general anesthesia and require a post-operative overnight stay at the hospital or at an aftercare facility.
Mommy makeovers can be done all together, or procedure by procedure. The benefit of doing various procedures at the same time is that you only have to go under anesthesia once and experience recovery once. While this can be beneficial if you have children or cannot take a lot of time off of work, the recovery period will be more difficult because you will be even more restricted in movement and what you are able to do. If you do decide to undergo a mommy makeover, you and your doctor can decide which type of procedure of combination of procedures is right for you.
What is Recovery Like After a Mommy Makeover?
After a mommy makeover, patients can usually drive by one week, walk five miles on a flat surface by two weeks, and run after four weeks. Some women will feel ready to return to work after just one week, but most women need two to four weeks of recovery time before returning to work. You should not lift more than five pounds during the first three to four weeks after breast surgery, and following a tummy tuck, avoid twisting motions and using your core for four to six weeks.
Compression garments and prescribed medication will be provided to reduce pain and swelling post-surgery. Make sure to enlist support to help with daily activities and childcare, as you will likely be very tired the first few weeks following surgery. If you have no small children, your recovery may be slightly easier, as you won’t have to worry about care-taking during this time!
What if I Decide to Have Children After Having my Mommy Makeover?
Having children is a completely personal decision. However, if you decide to have children after you have undergone a mommy makeover, please be aware that your mommy makeover results may be affected. During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes, such as breast enlargement with milk production, skin stretching around the abdomen as the fetus grows, and overall weight gain. While many women are able to bounce back to the pre-baby bodies after pregnancy, others, due to genetics or lifestyle, are not as fortunate. This is why many women wait until they are done having children to have a mommy makeover. The decision is entirely yours and depends on your unique needs and desires.
How Can I Make my Mommy Makeover Last?
To make your mommy makeover last, make sure to follow all the designated post-op instructions and to go about your recovery as designated by your doctor. Following a healthy diet and maintaining an active lifestyle are pertinent if you want to maintain your results. Weight gain is usually the reason why many patients come back seeking follow-up procedures years after they have undergone a mommy makeover. Lastly, if you decide to have children, be aware that your results may be compromised from the normal bodily changes that accompany pregnancy, such as breast enlargement and stretching of the skin around the abdomen.