Are you worried about your post-pregnancy appearance? Have you lost your slender, toned, and curvaceous look? Is your body confidence waning? If so, worry no more! A tummy tuck or a more comprehensive Mommy Makeover surgery is a perfect solution to help you get your appealing appearance back after childbirth and breastfeeding.
Table of Contents
What Is a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck is a plastic surgery procedure that tones the abdomen by removing skin and fat from the stomach. It can also be used to tighten loose abdominal muscles and recontour the belly button.
What’s a Mommy Makeover?
“Mommy Makeovers” or “Mom Jobs” are catch-all phrases referring to a combo of body contouring procedures meant to restore your youthful looks after childbirth and breastfeeding. The combination of procedures for a Mommy Makeover may include non-surgical and plastic surgery procedures such as:
- Tummy tucks and mini-tummy tucks
- Liposuction
- Breast Lift
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast reduction
- Labiaplasty
- Butt lift
Are you ready for any one or more of these post-pregnancy procedures? If so, here is what you should consider doing to get the best outcomes.
How to Get Ready for a Tummy Tuck or Mommy Makeover
With all body contouring surgeries, there is some element of complexity that requires you to strictly adhere to your board-certified plastic surgeon’s preoperative recommendations and advice.
Before pulling the trigger, you should also consider the cost of this procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) report, the cost of the operation also varies according to the number of procedures required and age, among other factors. For instance, a tummy tuck cost in New York, NY, can start at nearly $6,000 while a Mommy Makeover can go up to $20,000. But this includes the medication, anesthesia, and the operation room booking.
Your surgeon often gives you a list of pre-op instructions on what you should do. But more important is the list of pre-op instructions on what you shouldn’t do before your big day at the clinic.
What Are the Don’ts to Observe Before Plastic Surgery?
- Avoid taking any supplements or medications that can thin your blood in the postoperative period (two to four weeks). Such medications include fish oil, Ginkgo Bilbao, Ibuprofen, aspirin, and Vitamin E. These blood-thinning drugs may lead to increased bleeding and should be avoided.
- Don’t shave any time close to your day of surgery because shaving increases the risk of shaving injuries and possible infection.
- Don’t drink or eat after midnight on the day preceding your surgery.
- Don’t drink any alcoholic drinks or use any intoxicating substances before your makeover procedures. The use of such substances may complicate your reaction to anesthesia and the Mom Job.
- Avoid smoking for at least one month before and after a Mommy Makeover. Smoking may complicate your healing process and the surgical procedure.
Now that you know what not to do, what should you do instead?
Things to Do in the Pre-Body Contouring Period
- It’s prudent to get a pre-operative examination before your Mommy Makeover. The process helps your surgeon determine whether you’re healthy enough for the procedures.
- You should make arrangements to get a comfortable place to sleep after your operation to avoid the risk of injury.
- You should shop for comfortable clothing that you will wear to your surgical appointment and after the surgery to avert bodily harm caused by tight or loose clothing.
- You should talk to your surgeon and get clear on whether you should continue using any other daily medications that you may still use during the scheduled period of surgery.
With all these considerations, you should now be ready for your plastic surgery. But many questions and worries may be bothering your mind. Well, fret not! Here are some of the FAQs that you can get answers to with ease.
FAQs
When is the right time for plastic surgery after childbearing?
A six-month wait is ideal. It isn’t safe to consider getting a tummy tuck or Mommy Makeover at childbirth or shortly after childbearing. The tissues in your breasts, tummy, waistline, hips, and other areas often shrink and adjust as they get back into their natural shape. It’s advisable to wait for such adjustments to take place before planning for plastic surgery.
What should mothers do to maintain the positive results of body contouring?
You should keep healthy by changing your lifestyle and observing proper exercise and nutrition plans. For instance, you should avoid substance abuse, smoking, junk food, and a sedentary lifestyle to maintain the good results of your Mommy Makeover.
How long can it take to get a full recovery after a tummy tuck or Mommy Makeover?
You may get a full recovery after six weeks. But after a night or two at the clinic, you may be transferred to your home if the surgeon sees fit. It often takes two weeks to recover from a tummy tuck, but it may take more time if you’ve undergone multiple surgical procedures. In essence, there is no fixed recovery time. Recovery depends on multiple factors, including your health status, the number and extent of procedures, and the post-operative care you get.
