Can I Have a Mommy Makeover if I Want to Have More Kids?
There is a lot to love about becoming a mom, but the physical changes that come with pregnancy and childbirth can be tough to accept. The full, voluptuous curves enjoyed during pregnancy often give way to stretch marks and drooping breasts, and that lovely prenatal “glow” can be quickly extinguished by sleepless nights caring for a newborn.
You may have heard of a “mommy makeover,” a set of cosmetic surgery procedures designed to address unwelcome changes to your body after having a baby. Typically involving procedures that target drooping breasts, loose tummy muscles, and sagging abdominal skin, a mommy makeover can be a rewarding experience that helps a woman feel more confident in her appearance and more comfortable in her body.
As a general rule, plastic surgeons recommend waiting to have a mommy makeover until you are finished having children. This is not a safety issue, as a prior cosmetic surgery does not carry any added risk for you or your developing baby. The main concern is the effect that a future pregnancy could have on your cosmetic surgery results. Stretched abdominal muscles, enlarged breasts, and a little weight gain are par for the course during pregnancy, and no procedure can stop these changes from happening again if a patient becomes pregnant after a mommy makeover.
But what if you are just starting your family? While it probably is best to wait to have restorative breast or body procedures until you are finished growing your family, that does not mean you have to put your appearance “on hold” for years. There are a number of options that can help you feel beautiful, confident and feminine in your “between baby body.”
Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover Options to Rejuvenate & Refresh
A common complaint among moms is how much older we think we look since having kids. It’s no wonder—the stress of a busy life and months or years of too little sleep can wreak havoc on a once-youthful face.
Injectable treatments are an excellent option to help smooth lines and wrinkles and refresh your appearance in the midst of motherhood, providing quick results with convenient treatments most moms can fit into their busy schedules. Botox Cosmetic is a top choice among my patients who want to appear better rested; it’s especially effective for smoothing frown lines and brow furrows, and the wrinkle reducing effects last for 3 – 4 months. Fillers like Juvederm or Restylane can safely smooth nasolabial folds (around the mouth) or plump the lips for about 1 year.
Skincare treatments are another great solution to counteract some of the visible effects of aging and stress. Fluctuating hormones and other physiological changes during pregnancy can wreak havoc on the skin. While certain conditions like the dark spots of melasma (a.k.a. “pregnancy mask”) should subside on their own, a targeted skin care plan can help boost your healthy glow. My patients have given me great feedback so far about mybody Skincare—the at-home skincare programs can be tailored to target specific goals, such as improving acne, reducing age spots and firming the skin.
You Can Say “Yes” to Face Procedures
Who says a mommy makeover has to include a breast enhancement or Fort Worth tummy tuck? Face procedures such as rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, or chin augmentation can enhance your appearance for years to come, and the results will not be affected by future pregnancies. Even certain liposuction procedures can be worth not waiting for—neck contouring, which involves liposuction to treat a full or “double” chin, is a good example.
One important thing to keep in mind: if you are considering a cosmetic surgery after pregnancy, you will need to wait until you are finished recovering from childbirth before having any procedure, regardless of whether or not you are planning to have more children. For most women, 6 months is the recommended minimum time.
Whether pregnancy and childbirth have left some unwelcome changes or you have always wanted to change something about your appearance, there’s no reason to put off looking your best as long as you understand how future pregnancy might affect the results.
If you have questions about the different Fort Worth mommy makeover options, I invite you to come in for a consultation. I will be happy to help you learn more about the treatments available to help you refresh your appearance and restore your confidence.
