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Am I A Good Candidate?

If you’ve recently given birth and have noticed that your body has changed in a way that you’re unhappy with, then you might be a good candidate for Mommy Makeover. There is more to being a good candidate than simply wanting to get your pre-pregnancy figure back however. When you have a consultation with your surgeon, they’ll do a full assessment and let you know if you are a good candidate and are in good enough health to undergo the procedures.

If you’d like to get a good idea of whether you’d qualify as a good candidate, below are some of the main things that surgeons take into consideration –

  • You are not excessively overweight
    It’s important that you’re not excessively overweight since it will affect the results that can be achieved. Liposuction should never be used as an alternative to weight loss and is only effective at targeting specific areas of fat that are hard to remove otherwise. Because of this you should make sure you’re as close to your ideal weight as possible before getting a Mommy Makeover.
  •  You are free from serious medical conditions
    You should ideally be free of any serious medical conditions that might affect with your ability to fully recover from the surgeries. This is why your surgeon will ask if you have any medical conditions that you need to take medication for during your consultation.
  •  You have tried dieting and exercise
    This is very important. A Mommy Makeover should be used to treat things that cannot be removed through diet and exercise alone. Things such as loose skin and stubborn pockets of fat can be removed effectively using liposuction and a tummy tuck but if you’ve only recently given birth then you should give yourself enough time to diet and exercise so you can see if you’re able to get your pre-pregnancy figure back without the need for surgery.
  •  You are unhappy with the size and shape of your breasts after childbirth
    It’s not uncommon for the size and shape of your breasts to change after childbirth. If you find that you’re unhappy with the appearance of your breasts then a breast lift/enhancement could be just what you’re looking for. Breast reduction is also sometimes performed as part of a Mommy Makeover, particularly for women who have found that their breasts have increased in size to the point where it causes them pain

The Pros and Cons of A Mommy Makeover

If you’re considering a Mommy Makeover then you’ll want to take the pros and cons into account so you can make an informed decision. This Mommy Makeover guide should help you considerably when making a decision.

Pros of A Mommy Makeover

  • Get your confidence back
    This is one of the biggest reasons why women decide to get a Mommy Makeover. When you notice changes in your body after pregnancy, such as sagging skin and drooping breasts, it can very easily affect your confidence. The procedures in a Mommy Makeover provide a very practical and effective way to get your pre-pregnancy figure back.
  •  Wear what you want
    This is another key reason to get a Mommy Makeover. If you find that you have stretch marks and loose skin around your stomach following a pregnancy, then it could very easily deter you from wearing a bikini or other revealing clothing. You won’t have this worry after a Mommy Makeover.
  •  Restore a more youthful look to your breasts and tummy
    We all want to stay looking young but unfortunately a lot of women find that pregnancy takes a bit toll on their body that diet and exercise alone cannot correct. A Mommy Makeover provides a way to restore a natural youthful look to your breasts and tummy.
  •  Help your clothes fit better
    Loose skin around the stomach can make wearing tight-fitting clothes uncomfortable. A tummy tuck when performed with liposuction will help to ensure your tummy is completely smooth and free of unwanted loose skin and fat deposits.

Cons of A Mommy Makeover

  • You’ll need to stay in shape to retain the results
    This isn’t too much of a problem since most women who undergo the procedures in a Mommy Makeover do so because they want to get rid of small pockets of fat rather than seeing it as an alternative to weight loss. As long as you stay in reasonably good shape, you’ll be able to retain your results.
  •  You should be certain you don’t want more kids
    This is particularly important if you get breast implants as part of a Mommy Makeover since they can cause complications with breastfeeding. Further pregnancy will also affect the results of your surgeries so it’s a good idea to be sure you’re finished having kids before you opt for a Mommy Makeover.
  •  If you get implants, they’ll need replacing eventually
    It’s important to note that implants typically need replacing every 10 years or so. This isn’t too big of a deal but it’s worth noting since it’s sometimes believed that they last forever.

Choosing The Right Surgeon & Questions to Ask

Choosing the right surgeon to perform your Mommy Makeover is absolutely crucial. You want to be sure that you’re in good hands and that the surgeon has a great deal of experience in performing the procedures that make up a Mommy Makeover.

Choosing The Right Surgeon For Mommy Makeover

Below are the most important things to consider when choosing a plastic surgeon –

  • Training and qualifications
    This is extremely important. You should find out exactly what training the surgeon has had, where they trained and what they specialise in. Any surgeon you go to should be board-certified in plastic surgery. This information should be easy to obtain online but if not you should ask the surgeon themselves to provide you with this information. Any credible plastic surgeon will be very forthcoming when it comes to their training and qualifications.
  • Number of procedures performed
    This is another crucially important thing to take into account. The number of Mommy Makeovers that a surgeon has performed will let you know how experienced they are. Cosmetic surgery is a mix of art and science and therefore to achieve the best results, a great deal of skill and experience is required. Ideally you want to select a surgeon who specialises in Mommy Makeovers.
  • Level of comfort with the surgeon
    In addition to the training and experience of a surgeon, you should also think about how comfortable you are with them. You’ll be able to tell at the consultation if you’re comfortable with them or not. Undergoing cosmetic surgery can be stressful so it’s very important that you choose a surgeon who puts you at ease and that you’re completely comfortable with.

Questions to Ask About Mommy Makeover

Below are some of the key questions you should ask at your consultation –

  • Am I a good candidate for this type of surgery?
  • What results can I realistically expect to achieve?
  • When will I be able to return to work/every day activities?
  • Where will the scars from surgery be located?
  • What are the potential risks?
  • What are the common side effects?
  • What happens if I’m unhappy with the results?
  • What will the final cost be and are there any payment plans available?
  • Do you have before and after pictures I can see of other patients you’ve worked on?

Mommy Makeover FAQ

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A Mommy Makeover is an umbrella term given to a combination of surgical procedures that are used to correct the negative effects that pregnancy can have on a woman’s body. The typical procedures in a Mommy Makeover are liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and a breast lift/enhancement.

What makes a good candidate?

A good candidate for a Mommy Makeover will be someone who is unhappy with certain aspects of their body following pregnancy, such as loose skin around the stomach and sagging breasts. A good candidate should also be in good health and close to their ideal body weight.

How do I choose the right surgeon?

When choosing a surgeon to perform your Mommy Makeover there are certain key factors you should take into account. These include –

  • Their training and qualifications
  • Their experience performing the procedures included in a Mommy Makeover
  • Their manner and your comfort level with them

How long will the results last?

How long the results last will vary from one patient to the next and will depend largely on your health and lifestyle. Patients who eat healthy, exercise regularly and stay close to their ideal weight will see the best results that last the longest.

Do I need to have had children to get a Mommy Makeover?

Absolutely not. A Mommy Makeover is simply a name given to a combination of surgeries that are popular with women who have given birth and want to get their pre-pregnancy figure back. However there is nothing to prevent you from having liposuction, a tummy tuck or breast surgery without having had children.

Will I be able to have more kids after a Mommy Makeover?

There’s nothing about the surgery that will prevent you from having children in the future but it’s always advised that you wait until you’re sure you’ve finished having children before getting a Mommy Makeover. This is for a couple of reasons. Firstly

Will I be left with scars?

Yes. In order to perform the procedures in a Mommy Makeover, it’s necessary to make incisions. However your surgeon will take care to make sure the scars are as small as possible and made in discreet areas, such as underneath the breasts.

 What is the recovery time like?

There is some recovery time after a Mommy Makeover so it’s a good idea to find friends and family who can support you during this time. The typical recovery time following surgery is 1-4 weeks.

Dr. Gregory T. Lynam

Dr. Gregory T. Lynam is Richmond's only board-certified plastic and maxillofacial surgeon. He has helped numerous people within the community tumor surgeries, breast reconstructions, and facial trauma surgeries.

Dr. Lynam was voted one of Richmond's "Top Docs" in plastic surgery and one of Richmond's "Best Plastic Surgeons to take you back 20 years" by Richmond Magazine in 2010. Additionally, he is known as an expert plastic surgeon on RealSelf and was honored as one of the Top 100 Doctors on RealSelf in 2013.

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