As a woman, you already know your body is capable of miracles. You not only carried a baby to term, but you gave birth and even nourished your child with your breast milk.
However, all these amazing feats came with a cost – stretch marks, sagging breasts, and a poochy belly you can’t shake, no matter how much you diet and exercise. But you shouldn’t lose hope: A mommy makeover is the key to restoring your pre-pregnancy form and helping you regain your confidence after having a baby.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is an umbrella term for a combination of cosmetic surgical procedures used to address some of women’s most common post-pregnancy complaints. While the process is highly customizable, it generally encompasses the following:
- Tummy tuck to tighten loose abdominal muscles
- Liposuction
- Breast lift and/or breast augmentation
If desired, Dr. Sayed also offers fat grafting to enhance the buttocks – a procedure called the Brazilian butt lift.
How to Prepare for a Mommy Makeover
The first step in getting ready for a mommy makeover is to get as close to your target weight as possible through diet and exercise. Being in good physical health is essential to successfully recovering from surgery. You should also wait until your hormone levels are back to where they were pre-pregnancy, which usually takes at least half a year after childbirth and breastfeeding.
If you are a smoker, you should also quit before your surgery. Smoking cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict, which will reduce the amount of oxygen in blood cells and negatively impacts your body’s ability to heal quickly.
The final – and perhaps most crucial – tip in mommy makeover preparation is to arrange for someone to help you around the house during your recovery period. This person could be your spouse, a neighbor, a family member, or a close friend. Successful recovery from a mommy makeover requires you to commit fully to a recovery period of at least two to three weeks. You’ll need someone to help you with daily tasks such as looking after your children, doing laundry, and preparing meals, in addition to medical needs such as keeping your incision sites clean and disinfected. For the best healing, you’ll need to be as stress-free as possible, so make sure whoever you ask to help you is trustworthy and capable.
Things to Know as You Recover From a Mommy Makeover
First, you’ll need to plan at least two weeks of downtime for your mommy makeover recovery. If your OB-GYN put you on bed rest at some point during your pregnancy, you’ll already be familiar with this concept. However, that doesn’t mean you should be immobile all day, every day. Getting up and walking around – in moderation – can help with your recovery process. No, you shouldn’t expect to be able to do an intense workout, but make a point of standing up and moving around for a few minutes each day.
Before your surgery, it’s best to prepare your recovery room with plenty of comfortable pillows, soft blankets, and anything you need to keep yourself entertained – whether that’s curating the perfect playlist, stocking up your Netflix queue, or downloading plenty of books or magazines to your e-reader. As a mom, you’re probably not used to having much “me time,” but since you’re on doctor’s orders to take it easy, you might as well seize the opportunity.
Put those super-mom planning skills to work in the week or so ahead of your surgery and make time to meal prep, laundry, cleaning, ironing, and other chores you won’t be able to do while you recover. You’ll be glad you did – and so will your designated caretaker.
Also, be prepared to be on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster during your recovery period. Surgery itself can be an intense experience, and combined with the effects of the pain medication, you should expect some mood swings – often, your emotions will fluctuate from elation to sadness minute by minute. Make sure you and your family are ready for this side effect.
Talk to Us About Your Mommy Makeover
Getting a mommy makeover is the best way for women to reclaim their bodies after pregnancy and restore a firmer figure. Is this surgery right for you? Contact our office to schedule your private consultation with Dr. Sayed.
