Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD - The Aesthetic Institute
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Category: Mommy Makeover

How to Prepare for Mommy Makeover Surgery?

5 Minute Read: 

A woman holding a child.

Becoming a mom is a beautiful experience. However, during those nine months of pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes. And while you can get back into shape through diet and exercise, this might not be enough. Some parts of your body might never look the same after giving birth.

And here comes Mommy Makeover surgery to the rescue. This combination of procedures can help any woman regain her pre-pregnancy body or improve her post-pregnancy body.

Nevertheless, all surgeries require some preparation. And being prepared will also help calm your anxiety before surgery. So, here’s how to prepare for Mommy Makeover surgery.

How to Prepare for Mommy Makeover Surgery? Get Well-informed

Before deciding to undergo a Mommy Makeover surgery, you have to do your research. And don’t rely solely on the internet. Talk to a plastic surgeon to learn more about the procedure and whether you’re a good candidate. It’s also important to ask about potential risks, complications, and recovery time. All of this will help you make a well-informed decision.

A faceless doctor holding a stethoscope in his hand.

One of the best ideas on how to prepare for Mommy Makeover surgery is to talk to a plastic surgeon.

Furthermore, you should know that Mommy Makeover surgery is a combination of procedures. And depending on your post-surgical goals and your doctor’s recommendations, you can customize it. This means that you can choose from several procedures, the ones that best suit your needs. Here are some of these procedures:

  • Liposuction
  • Tummy tuck
  • Breast lift
  • Breast augmentation

Make Healthy Decisions

When you ask a plastic surgeon how to prepare for Mommy Makeover surgery, they will first inquire about your health. Since this is not a minor procedure, you must ensure you’re in good health. Any underlying illnesses can cause complications during or after surgery. Therefore, you should first treat any such medical issues. 

You should also diet and exercise until you reach your ideal weight. While Mommy Makeover surgery will help reshape your body, it can’t remove all excess weight and fat. Therefore, to get the best results, losing a bit of weight beforehand is recommended.

A pink weighing scale and a measuring tape.

To prepare for Mommy Makeover surgery, you should get as close as possible to your ideal weight.

Finally, it would be best if you stopped smoking. Since smoking affects blood flow, it can cause heart and lung complications during the procedure. Moreover, in some instances, it can also prevent proper healing of the wounds. So, you should take this very seriously.

Plan Your Time Off

You need to be aware that recovery time varies from one person to another. And, of course, it also depends on the extent of the procedures included in your mommy makeover surgery. But in any case, you won’t be able to resume your daily routine immediately after. To speed up recovery, you must take it easy and get plenty of sleep.

So, ensure you can take enough time off from work and let your employer know about it in advance.

Prepare Your Home for Recovery

Since you must avoid strenuous activities right after surgery, you must prepare your home in advance. This will help you have a stress-free recovery. So here are some ideas on how to prepare your home for post-surgical recovery.

Make Your Home Spotless

Before undergoing your Mommy Makeover surgery, you must thoroughly clean. On the one hand, this helps prevent post-surgical infections. On the other hand, you won’t be able to do it during your recovery. So, make sure your home is spotless.

Create a Rest Area

Since you will need plenty of rest during your recovery, you should create a cozy rest area. Of course, you can use your bedroom for that, but this might not be so practical. After surgery, you’ll need a bit of time to recover your mobility, so it’s good to have easy access to everything you need

For example, you should make sure that you have a clear path to the bathroom. This means removing any obstacles, such as small pieces of furniture and rugs that you can trip over. And if you have no idea where to place these items, you can use storage to declutter your home. Since renting a unit is a good idea, you should not worry about the money you will spend on the monthly rental – it will be well-spent.

It would be best if you also thought practically in terms of location. For example, if your bedroom is upstairs, you might want to create a rest area downstairs. This way, you can be close to the bathroom and kitchen. Plus, you’ll avoid the effort of constantly climbing up the stairs.

Now, if you create a rest area in another part of your home other than your bedroom, you’ll have to rearrange some of the furniture.

If this is the case, the specialists at mastermovingguide.com recommend hiring labor-only services to take care of that because you wouldn’t want to hurt your back right before surgery.

Do Some Shopping

Firstly, ask your doctor what medical supplies and medication you’ll need after surgery. For example, you might require certain items for wound dressing. And it’s essential to go and buy everything beforehand because you won’t be able to afterward.

Moreover, since you won’t be able to go shopping for a while, you should also stock up on food. Think about some meals that are easy to make and write down the ingredients on your shopping list. And if you won’t feel like cooking, ask a friend or family member for help.

Seek Some Help

Since you’re a mom now, you also have a child to think of. However, during your recovery, you should avoid things like carrying or lifting your child. Not to mention the fact that you need to rest, and an active child will make that impossible.

So, ask a friend or a family member to move in with you temporarily to help with childcare. This way, you can have a smooth recovery and know that your child is in good hands.

A mom resting in bed while her daughter is dancing on it.

Make sure you find someone to help you with childcare during your post-surgical recovery.

Final Thoughts

Being pregnant and giving birth is an excellent and unique experience. However, with your body going through so many changes, it might never look the same as before. Certainly, dieting and exercising are highly recommended. But this might not solve all the problems. So, you might want to opt for a Mommy Makeover surgery. Of course, you must do some thorough research beforehand to make a well-informed decision. And if you decide to do it, you should apply these ideas to prepare for Mommy Makeover surgery.

Body Contouring Procedures After Pregnancy and Childbirth

6 Minute Read: 

Three curvy women in colored bikinis standing arm-in-arm.

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Childbirth is the most incredible experience a woman can go through. The result of it is the most precious gift and the source of joy unlike any other. Still, the immense happiness comes at a considerable price for a new mom’s body. Namely, pregnancy, giving birth, losing a substantial amount of weight, and breastfeeding come with some not so delightful physical changes. And the consequences of these changes may linger for quite a long time. Some of these are excess loose skin and stretched abdominal muscles. Unfortunately, there is little strict dieting, and strenuous exercise can do about this. Thankfully, body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth are a great option that gives fantastic results.

What Is Body Contouring?

Body contouring or body sculpting has become very popular with young moms trying to get their old figure back after childbirth. It involves several procedures that all give excellent results relatively quickly. The most popular surgical practices included under the umbrella term body contouring are tummy tuck, liposuction, breast enhancement, and vaginal rejuvenation. If we combine all of these procedures, we get what is knows as Mommy Makeover

Who Are Ideal Candidates for Body Sculpting?

To be considered a good candidate for one of the body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth, you need to fulfill the following requirements:

  • your weight is ideal or near that number
  • your weight doesn’t oscillate much
  • you are not a smoker or willing to quit
  • you are in good general health
  • your expectations and goals are realistic.

Given that there is a range of factors that can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for body sculpting procedures, it would be best to schedule a consultation with your doctor. They will be happy to answer all your questions and resolve any dilemmas. Furthermore, a medical professional is the only person who can advise you on the adequate procedure for your particular situation.

Close-up image of a pregnant belly against a peach background.

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A woman has to take care of herself during pregnancy and after.

Also, it’s necessary that you are in an appropriate physical and mental state to undergo any of the surgical procedures. Just like you need proper preparation and care during pregnancy, you also need to take care of yourself after pregnancy. That way, you will ensure you are a good candidate for the surgical practice you wish or need. 

Different Body Contouring Procedures After Pregnancy and Childbirth to Consider

As mentioned, there are several surgical procedures that body sculpting involves. Let’s take a look at them.

Cosmetic Procedures Around the Abdomen

During pregnancy, the skin stretches. If a woman carries multiple babies or she has had multiple pregnancies, there can be excessive stretching. After childbirth, it is expected that the skin doesn’t go back to its original state. Consequently, there can be a lot of excess sagging skin. Moreover, abdominal wall muscles can separate; even despite the regular physical activity, a woman can still have a big pregnancy-like stomach. And, of course, there will likely be a few stretch marks.

While these are reminders of a beautiful period of a woman’s life and the greatest gift of all, they can severely impact her confidence. Luckily, two procedures can help tremendously around the tummy area.

Liposuction

Liposuction involves breaking up fat cells and removing excess fat from various areas of the body. Many women struggle to eliminate stubborn fat deposits from their abdomen, arms, legs, and bottom. Therefore, they decide to try liposuction. This plastic surgery procedure can do wonders in restoring a woman’s confidence and help her get her pre-pregnancy body back. Moreover, this procedure is relatively simple, and recovery doesn’t take long.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure that many women undergo after childbirth. Like liposuction, abdominoplasty also involves the removal of fat deposits. However, it also removes excess skin. Women usually opt for this surgery if there is loose skin they can’t get rid of. Also, in case abdominal wall muscles separated during pregnancy, this procedure will tighten them. While this is as standard a procedure as liposuction, it is more invasive too, and thus, the recovery takes a bit longer.

A woman representing all the benefits of body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth

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After tummy tuck and liposuction, the stomach is flatter and firmer.

After the procedure, the stomach will be firmer and flatter, and the waistline will be better defined. If you have had a C-section, the scar can possibly be incorporated into the existing one. If not, the scar will be positioned on the lower abdomen. That way, it can be easily hidden with most undergarments or swimwear. Moreover, abdominoplasty can remove stretch marks in the lower part of the abdomen.

Vaginal Rejuvenation

Women who didn’t have a C-section may want to schedule vaginal rejuvenation, i.e., labiaplasty. The reason behind this decision is that they are worried about their vaginas not being as tight anymore. Therefore, they believe it may make sex less pleasant both for them and their partners. This procedure, hence, helps women regain their sexual confidence by eliminating those worries and fears. It involves reducing and reshaping the inner labia, and it doesn’t affect the clitoris.

Breast Enhancement

Besides that abdominal area, pregnancy and childbirth can severely affect a woman’s breasts. They expand relatively quickly during pregnancy and can potentially lose elasticity while breastfeeding. Therefore, after everything, they can look deflated, making the woman lose her confidence. However, breast lift or breast augmentation can make an incredible difference. Your breasts can look just as great or even better than before the baby.

A woman posing for a painting wearing black undergarments

*Model
Body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth can help a woman regain her confidence and feel good about her body.

Having a baby is a beautiful experience that women have the privilege to experience. However, what this blessing can do to their bodies is less appreciated. And becoming a mother will imply giving all you have to your little bundle of joy. You will need a lot of time for the baby, a lot of patience, piles of toys, parenting books, baby food recipes. Then, you will need lots of onesies, tiny shoes, bottles, pacifiers, and other adorable baby clothes. Still, don’t forget that you need to do something for yourself.

Being a good and dedicated parent doesn’t mean forgetting and disregarding your needs and feelings entirely—quite the opposite. So, once you have finished breastfeeding and have a bit more time for yourself, body contouring procedures after pregnancy and childbirth can help you regain your confidence and start feeling good in your body again. If you are in good general health, these surgeries are perfectly safe, and it won’t take ages to recover from them.

What Should I Expect During My Mommy Makeover Recovery?

Many patients decide to undergo Mommy Makeover surgery, which can reverse many of the adverse effects of pregnancy and childbirth. While most women prepare sufficiently for the days leading up to the surgery, not very many typically look into what they should plan for after their surgery is completed. 

 

So what should you expect during your post-op recovery? Here are some details on what you will likely experience and some tips on how to have a comfortable and smooth recuperation.

Woman resting in bed

What Happens After I Get Home?

Every Mommy Makeover is customized to match each patient’s needs, so the procedures that were included in your surgery will affect your recovery. 

 

Typically, the breasts and midsection are wrapped in a support bra or a compression garment. You may feel sensitivity and tightness in the chest region and experience mild bruising and swelling. Redness may also occur around the incision locations.

 

Discomfort can be addressed with prescription pain medication. Refrain from physical activities such as lifting, pulling, pushing, twisting, or anything that can irritate the skin or body. Your surgeon tracks your progress and will let you know when it is safe to resume regular activities.

How Can I Ensure a Comfortable Experience?

Establish a relaxing environment by preparing things prior to your surgery is the best way to make sure that you are comfortable and content during your recuperation. Some tips for a comforting atmosphere include:

 

  • Having all of your prescriptions filled before your procedure
  • Following all of your post-surgical care instructions
  • Arranging for adequate childcare, as you will be unable to lift anything
  • Scheduling a friend or loved one to drive you home and stay with you for the first few days
  • Stocking plenty of pillows where you will be spending most of your time
  • Sleeping and getting plenty of rest
  • Drinking water to stay hydrated
  • Gathering plenty of entertainment, such as books, magazines, television, electronic devices, and your cell phone
  • Being sure to have all charging cables and spare batteries handy
  • Beginning to walk around the house after the first day or two

When Can I Resume Work?

Every patient will feel different after their procedure, but most patients can return to work in a couple of weeks. 

 

After at least four weeks, you can begin introducing regular activities, as long as your doctor has cleared it. It is important to listen to your surgeon and your body; avoid overexerting yourself—it can prolong your healing process.

 

It will usually take a few months for you to feel back to normal. Remain patient with your recovery and get plenty of rest.

What Results Should I Expect?

Dr. Robert Wald takes his time with each patient to understand their desires and preferences and creates a personalized surgical plan accordingly. 

 

Mommy Makeover before and after photo

In their Mommy Makeover, most patients choose to include breast augmentation to enhance their breast volume and cleavage, a breast lift to improve their nipples and areolas while simultaneously raising the breasts, a tummy tuck to remove excess abdominal fat and skin for a tighter stomach, and liposuction to reduce fat in stubborn locations. 

 

Regardless of which procedures you decide to include in your Mommy Makeover, most patients feel a significant improvement in their overall body contour after they have healed. 

 

To learn more about Mommy Makeover surgery, please call our office for a consultation at (714) 312-3549. You can also fill out our contact form.

I Want My Pre-Baby Body Back!

Although they are a wonderful gift, a lot of sacrifices come with having children. A woman’s entire life changes when she decides to start a family. Among the most frustrating transformations involves her body. Pregnancy and breastfeeding wreak havoc on the physique; the stomach expands to make room for a growing baby, the body begins to develop excess fat, and the breasts change in size as they start to produce milk for breastfeeding. After childbirth, the body might not revert to its original, pre-baby state. Many women find that diet and exercise fail to address these inevitable changes. Mommy Makeover surgery is an ideal option many mothers consider.

What Can I Achieve With Mommy Makeover Surgery?

A Mommy Makeover combines procedures for postpartum body contouring. Breast and body procedures can help a woman to reverse the effects of pregnancy to create firmer, more youthful contours. Depending on the characteristics that need to be addressed, Dr. Wald can create an individual surgery plan for your Mommy Makeover.

Rejuvenate Sagging Breasts and Loss of Fullness

Breast Lift Before and After PhotosThe breasts are completely different following pregnancy. Once a woman is finished breastfeeding, she might start losing the volume and shape of the breasts she once had. Breast lift surgery is an ideal procedure performed to restore lost skin elasticity that causes the breasts to sag (ptosis) by lifting them into a more youthful position.

Increase the Size and Improve the Shape of the Breasts

Some women will lose a significant amount of breast volume after pregnancy and notice they no longer have the large, full breasts that they once had. Breast augmentation surgery is designed to change the size and shape of the breasts by inserting saline or silicone implants. With so many breast implant types and incision options, a woman can have breasts that uniquely fit with the rest of her body. Breast lift surgery is commonly combined with breast augmentation to create larger breasts while correcting ptosis.

Flatten the Abdomen and Restore the Abdominal Muscles

A developing baby needs room for growth. The stomach expands throughout pregnancy and often results in weak abdominal muscles, excess tissue, and stretch marks. Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, is designed to restore the abdominal muscles and get rid of the belly “pooch.” An incision is made from hip bone to hip bone just above the pubic line. Through the incision, fat is excised, and weak abdominal muscles are tightened and sutured together. Excess skin is removed, resulting in a reduction in stretch marks. Patients are happy with their slimmer, more toned abdomen.

Remove Unwanted Fatty Tissue

In addition to abdominal fat, many mothers gain excess bulges in other areas of their bodies. Even with a regular diet and exercise routine, unwanted fat is often unresponsive. Liposuction can be performed on any area of the body. Commonly, post-pregnancy women address the stomach, love handles, thighs, and hips. Liposuction involves the removal of excess fatty tissue using a cannula hooked up to a vacuum device. Many tummy tuck patients also undergo liposuction to help them achieve an overall better shape in the abdominal area.

 

If you are ready to get your pre-baby body back, Dr. Wald can help! He can evaluate your body and goals to help you decide on the right procedure for you. Schedule your consultation by calling us at (714) 312-3549 or by filling out our online contact form.

Mommy Makeover Surgery In Orange County

Mommy Makeover Results

mommy makeover surgeryWomen who have had their children notice the effects of pregnancy and age.  It’s quite concerning for a woman who has always looked good, but now has a tummy that has gained fat and loose skin and breasts that are smaller and more saggy.  Unfortunately, diet and exercise can not improve these problems.

To correct these problems, some sort of abdominal suturing or tightening is required.  Not uncommonly, a breast augmentation is performed at the same time.  These 2 operations are very common and usually called a Mommy Makeover.  My advice to my patients is to do this surgery earlier in life.  The younger this makeover is performed, the longer the woman can enjoy it.  This procedure is extremely satisfying to the patient.  She can now go back to the youthful appearance she had prior to her pregnancies and increasing age.

mommy makeover procedureTo determine exactly what needs to be done, a woman needs to see a plastic surgeon.  There are several options available to treat the abdomen. These include an Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) or some modification of this procedure.  There are short scar Abdominoplasties combined with liposuction. Occasionally, liposuction can be done alone if the skin envelop is without a lot of loose skin and stretched muscles.

The breasts are also of concerns following pregnancy.  The breasts usually deflate and sagginess can occur.  There are 2 options to treat the breasts.  This can include placement of a breast implant alone or a Mastopexy or breast lift.  A breast lift can be done alone or in combination with a breast implant.

mommy makeover surgeonA woman who decides to do this procedure must take 2 weeks off work and her motherly duties.  At 2 weeks, a person can drive, shower normally and perform some household chores.  Heavy lifting and exercise cannot be done for 4 to 6 weeks.  The results of this surgery are seen instantly but final results are not experienced for 6 months.  Scars fade, breast soften and swelling gradually diminishes over several months.  For the first few days following surgery, activity is limited and there is some discomfort.  Contrary to what is commonly statedonline, the pain is not excessive.

My patients are extremely pleased with the result of these procedures.  It is one of the most satisfying surgeries I perform.  If one wants to rid the bodily consequences of age and pregnancy, these procedures can accomplish your goals.

 

Dr. Wald Looks forward to
helping you reach your
cosmetic goals.
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Robert Wald, MD
100 E. Valencia Mesa Drive, Suite 300
Fullerton, CA 92835


Phone: 714-312-3549
Fax: 714-738-1862

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