How Soon Can I Have Mommy Makeover Surgery after Pregnancy? Trillium Plastic Surgery

August 12th, 2014

The patients that I see for mommy makeover surgery typically fall into one of two categories: those who have recently had a child and those who had their last child several years before. If you're in the first category, one of the big questions you likely have is, "When can I have the procedure?"

As with any cosmetic surgery - from body contouring to blepharoplasty - I need to make sure you're healthy and there are no medical issues that need to be addressed first (including recovering from the hormonal changes of pregnancy, which can take up to 6 months to go away). This ensures that you are a good candidate for an elective cosmetic procedure.

Here are a few general guidelines that can help you evaluate when you'll be ready for mommy makeover surgery.

Physically Recovered from Pregnancy

You need to give your body the time it needs to recuperate from having a child. This time varies based on the patient, whether or not you've had multiple children, and other factors, but this time might anywhere from several months to one year.

In part, your recovery allows you to regain some of the energy you've expended during pregnancy and labor. It also gives you the opportunity to exercise, lose weight, and get a good feeling what changes related to your pregnancy are long-lasting. Some women are able to "bounce back" very well - we've all seen the picture of celebrities who don't look like they've ever had children shortly after giving birth. Other women have stretch marks, extra skin, and damage to the muscles of the abdomen that never recover without surgery - typically a tummy tuck or breast lift.

Finished Breastfeeding

I typically recommend that you wait at least three-to-six months after finishing breastfeeding to have a mommy makeover. This is particularly important with a procedure such as a breast augmentation or breast lift.

Ready for Mommy Makeover Surgery

Pregnancy and the post-partum period are incredibly powerful events in a woman's life. Combine emotional highs and lows with exhaustion and stress, and it can be hard to feel confident about major decisions regarding your body in the time immediately after giving birth.

After some time has passed - typically around 6 months after you have finished breastfeeding at the earliest, we need to sit down together in order to see what kinds of changes are possible to get you back to where you were before you had your baby (or better than before!). Once you feel ready for a mommy makeover, I can help guide you through the process and help you know what the right choices for you are at my Knoxville Plastic Surgery clinic.