Like you, a mommy makeover is unique. It’s a group of plastic surgeries that are performed together to rejuvenate the body after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although the surgery at the core of a mommy makeover is usually a tummy tuck, aka abdominoplasty, the combination options are pretty much limitless.
Your mommy makeover might include a tummy tuck and breast augmentation, while another person’s customized plan might include liposuction, a breast lift, and a tummy tuck. Since the procedure typically does involve multiple surgeries, recovery afterward can be longer and more complex compared to recovery after a single surgery.
The unique needs of moms also mean that a mommy makeover recovery process looks a little different compared to other plastic surgeries. Before you schedule a consultation, it helps to know if your current schedule will allow for a mommy makeover.
What Is Your Current Home Situation Like?
One of the first things to ask yourself when deciding whether or not a mommy makeover will fit into your current life is what is your current life like? How many kids do you have at home? If the kids aren’t in school yet or are home for the summer, is someone available to watch and care for them as you rest up after your surgery?
Another thing to consider is the age of your children. Younger kids might not understand why mommy needs quiet time to herself, which can make it difficult to get the rest you need after your surgeries. Older children might understand better but are likely to still have questions about why you want the surgery or why you need to rest after it.
How Much Time Can You Take Off From Work?
If your current home situation is flexible enough to allow for the surgery, the next thing to consider is your job. Are you able to take enough time off from work to fully recover from your mommy makeover?
How much time you need for recovery depends in large part on the type of job you have and how your body responds to the surgery. If you work in an office or in another environment that lets you sit for much of the day, you may be ready to return to work sooner than someone who has a job that requires them to be on their feet for hours on end.
Be sure to clear your time off with human resources or the appropriate party at your job well in advance, especially if you are using paid time off. You don’t want a paperwork snafu to stand in the way of your plans.
Is Someone Available to Go to Bat for You?
The more support you have around the house, the smoother your recovery will be after a mommy makeover. If you are usually the person responsible for cleaning up the house, making sure the kids have their lunches and homework and for general meal prep and planning, it’s a good idea to make sure someone (or several someones) is available to step in and take over your responsibilities while you’re resting and recovering.
That person could be your spouse or it could be a close friend. You might also consider hiring people on a short-term basis to do your housework, cook meals, and make sure the kids get off to school each day.
What Are Your Future Plans for Babies and Breastfeeding?
Because of the time and expense involved in a mommy makeover, it’s usually a procedure that’s best left until after you are certain that you finished having kids and after you’ve weaned all of your children. Future pregnancies and continued breastfeeding can change the shape of the breasts and abdominal area, potentially undoing the results of the mommy makeover.
Other Questions to Ask Before a Mommy Makeover
In addition to making sure that a mommy makeover will fit in with the demands of your current schedule or that your current schedule is flexible enough to accommodate the temporary changes required by a mommy makeover, there are a few questions to ask yourself to confirm that it’s a good option for you.
- What do you want to change about your body? A mommy makeover is customizable, but it is still important to know what types of changes you’d like to make, such as getting a flatter stomach or increasing the size of your breasts.
- When did you have your last child? It’s usually a good idea to leave plenty of time between having your last child and scheduling a mommy makeover. You know that having a baby involves a lot of work. You want to be there for your little one, not stuck resting in bed for weeks. Waiting several months, if not a year or longer, after having your baby also gives your body time to change and adjust from the effects of pregnancy.
- How close are you to your goal weight? The surgeries involved in a mommy makeover aren’t designed to help you lose weight. If you have a few post-baby pounds to lose still, it’s a good idea to wait until you’ve reached your weight or are very close to it before you start to think about a mommy makeover.
Dr. Paul Vitenas is one of Houston’s top-rated plastic surgeons. A board-certified plastic surgeon with three decades of experience, he performs many mommy makeovers at his practice each year. If you are considering the procedure and want to learn more about how it can work with your schedule, book a virtual consultation with Dr. Vitenas today or call us at 281-607-5842 to schedule an appointment.
