One of the most important decisions a patient makes when considering mommy makeover is when to schedule the surgery. There are physiological and emotional factors to consider. After all, a recent pregnancy is a major event for both mind and body. Here, trusted Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Craft discusses key factors that should govern your decision, to ensure the most satisfying result.

Surgical Benefits and Choices

Mommy makeover is the broad term for a group of customized body contouring surgeries that target changes to a woman’s body that occur during pregnancy. The customization aspect is important, because every woman has her own set of needs and expectations, and relies on her plastic surgeon to achieve very specific results.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body takes on an average 25 to 35 extra pounds, much of it in the hips, thighs, breasts, buttocks and abdomen. Abdominal muscles in particular undergo significant stress, expanding and sometimes separating. If separation occurs, the stomach can develop a bulge that is largely resistant to diet and exercise.

This expansion also affects the skin, creating abdominal stretch marks. With breasts, eventual weight loss can have the opposite effect, creating a sagging profile that is sometimes referred to as a “pancake” look.

For mommy makeover, women typically choose among liposuction, tummy tuck, breast lift and sometimes breast augmentation. Liposuction targets stubborn pockets of fat, while tummy tuck repairs the breach in the abdominal wall and restores muscle integrity. Breast lift restores a youthful profile to breasts that have just experienced wide fluctuations in volume.

Optimal Timing

The key to timing your mommy makeover is patience, allowing your body time to recover after pregnancy. It is recommended that women wait six months or more after giving birth to see how much healing will occur naturally. During this time, you skin, muscle and uterus may begin to return to a normal size and consistency.

With a few exceptions, it is also recommended that women wait until after their final pregnancy before undergoing mommy makeover. Pregnancy can undo the results of an earlier tummy tuck or other mommy makeover procedure. With a new pregnancy, the muscles that were repaired can separate once again, and the tightened skin can loosen.

If you would like more information on mommy makeover, schedule a personal consultation with experienced Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Craft today.