When performed on a qualified patient by a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in the complexity and time constraints of combining procedures, Mommy Makeover surgery is safe. It’s a bit nerve-wracking to undergo any surgical procedure, even when it’s elective plastic surgery. So, our surgeons understand when women who want to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies ask us, “Are Mommy Makeovers safe?” Our Denver, Colorado plastic surgeons are always happy to discuss the safety of combining multiple surgical procedures during a single operation with our patients.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover is an increasingly popular choice for women concerned about the physical changes that occur after having children. These procedures most commonly include:
When performed by one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, the Mommy Makeover procedure is safe and gets excellent results. You can learn more about the procedure’s safety and risks from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Not all patients need the same procedures. Some women are happy with the size of their breasts, for example, but want a breast lift to create a perkier appearance. Others might only need a mini tummy tuck rather than a full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). How you customize your Mommy Makeover procedure is up to you and your surgeon.
Why Combine Procedures?
Not all patients thinking about cosmetic surgery after having children decide to have the combination procedure. Some are more concerned about 1 area of the body or decide to get a breast lift first and postpone a tummy tuck for another time. That’s fine, but there are some compelling reasons to combine procedures.
- Your busy life: Having just one surgery and recovery can be especially beneficial if time is limited or you still have children at home. The truth is that scheduling time to recover after a single surgery can be tricky. Having separate surgeries and two or more rounds of downtime might not even be realistic for many people. Even though Mommy Makeover recovery might be a little more complicated than that of a single surgery, it typically doesn’t take any more time.
- Comprehensive results: Think about planning a kitchen remodel and only replacing the counters. The cupboards and appliances now look even more dated, and you realize it probably made more sense to tackle the whole project at once. That’s how some patients feel if they get only 1 procedure at a time. The satisfaction created by addressing all of your concerns at the same time is worth it in most cases.
- Complementary procedures: When you combine complementary procedures, you enhance your results. For example, restoring your breasts’ volume and youthful appearance by combining a breast lift with implants can also enhance the slimmer, more toned midsection created by a tummy tuck and liposuction.
Besides the reasons listed above, combining procedures in a single operation can be cost-effective. Operating room and anesthesia fees, for example, are charged only once instead of multiple times for individual operations. The Mommy Makeover cost savings in some cases at our Denver practice can be significant.
What Not To Do Before a Mommy Makeover
- Discontinue use of certain medications and supplements. Your surgeon will give you a list of what is not safe to take before surgery, including NSAIDs (such as, Advil), aspirin, supplements, and other medications.
- Stop smoking, vaping, and other nicotine use. These products can impair the healing process, increase the risk of blood clots, and cause other complications.
- Do not plan to have more babies. Consider postponing your post-pregnancy tummy tuck and breast enhancement surgery until after you’ve completed your family. Having more children after these procedures can undo the results leaving you wanting further surgery.
How To Prepare for a Mommy Makeover
- Give your body time to recover. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding mess with your hormones and put stress on your body. Wait at least 6 months after having your baby or stopping breastfeeding (whichever is longer) before having plastic surgery.
- Reach your target weight. Be sure you’re at or close to a healthy, stable weight. Although a tummy tuck and liposuction will go a long way towards restoring your pre-baby contours, they are not weight loss procedures.
- Review before-and-after photos to get a realistic idea of your expected results. Yes, you’ll look better, but you’ll have some scars along with your transformation. A skilled surgeon can hide the scars that will fade considerably with time, but some scarring is inevitable.
- Choose your plastic surgeon wisely! He or she should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. You can confirm this by checking on the American Board of Plastic Surgery website. Don’t settle for less. This is your body and surgical changes are permanent. You want to be sure you’re in capable hands.
If you’ve been thinking about getting plastic surgery after having children, you can read an earlier blog post about certain habits that can enhance your recovery. You can also check out the types of results our surgeons create by viewing our gallery of before-and-after photos.
If you’re considering a Mommy Makeover or have questions about safe plastic surgery, use the online form to request a consultation or call us at (303) 278-2600 to schedule an appointment. Women come to our Colorado plastic surgeons for Mommy Makeover surgery from throughout the state, including Colorado Springs, and beyond.
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