Ask any woman who has given birth and she will say that having a baby was the biggest and best event of her life, but also one that took a huge toll on her body. Breastfeeding can turn a full C cup into an A cup, and let’s not talk about what happens to that washboard abdominal section after popping out a couple of kids. For many moms, even die-hard months in the gym and steady dieting won’t get rid of the sagging stomach. For these women, it’s a mommy makeover to the rescue. Dr. Camille Cash, one of the top plastic surgeons in Houston, TX, takes a look at 3 things women need to know as they consider this cosmetic cleanup.
Why Is the Mommy Makeover So Popular?
Today’s mothers are a new generation. They want to stay youthful-looking and that’s why the mommy makeover is growing in numbers. Simply put, it’s a series of plastic surgeries that restore and repair the damage done by childbirth. The postpartum redo has attracted the interest of a lot of moms looking for a way to reshape their bodies, according to Dr. Cash.
“Women are concerned about their bodies after having children and nursing.” Dr. Cash says women have their “priority areas” of the body. “They are concerned most about the breast and the tummy and sometimes the flanks or the thighs.”
Dr. Cash is among the best breast and body plastic surgeons in Houston, where she says the mommy makeover is a popular trend because women are realizing they don’t have to “settle” for an unwanted shape after having children.
Typically, women opt for breast augmentation to restore volume after nursing. She says the tummy tuck is also a popular procedure to shape up the ab area after childbirth.
What Are Reasonable Expectations for a Mommy Makeover?
Dr. Cash says that a woman can’t expect to get her “old shape” completely back after a mommy makeover. It won’t happen. Think about getting a new shape that is better, firmer, and fitter, and looks good in the clothes that you wear. Dr. Cash says the procedure will help to restore confidence. She advises women it’s important to remember the surgery has some limitations.
“We can remove skin and lift tissue, but we can’t remove cellulite and stretch marks. We can’t take a magic wand and change you back to how you looked at 18 to 20 years old. We can enhance how you look in your lifestyle right now, and that will be a big, positive change.”
With any cosmetic procedure, it’s wise to have reasonable expectations about the outcome. Dr. Cash says it’s her first tip and one women need to know before considering a mommy makeover.
Should I Lose Weight Before a Mommy Makeover?
Dr. Cash says women need to know it’s important to be at your ideal weight before a mommy makeover. Before embarking on postpartum plastic surgery, it’s important to know the numbers on the scale.
“It’s really important to be at your ideal weight for a lot of reasons,” she says. If you aren’t happy with your weight, she recommends pushing off the procedures for a few months until you can drop a few pounds and get back to a prepartum weight. She says the operation will go more smoothly if your weight is lower.
“A lot of patients don’t think about their weight before seeking a consultation for a mommy makeover, but it’s really important. You don’t have to be at high school weight, but just an appropriate weight for your age.”
What Is the Recovery Time for a Mommy Makeover?
Mommy makeover recovery can take about 6 weeks, though you’ll probably be able to return to work after 1 to 3 weeks. You may think there is an “S” beneath that blouse, but be advised even SuperGirl would need some downtime to get back on her feet after a surgery involving multiple areas of the body. Most women underestimate the amount of time it will take to fully recover. Dr. Cash says women need to know that recovery will take some time.
“It’s really important to understand, that although this is an elective procedure, it’s still surgery and you do have to respect the time it takes to heal.” Be prepared to take time off work or have some extra help at home for a few days after the procedure.
“You will need downtime from being the primary caregiver for small children. You must have someone who can take care of the small children and someone who can take care of you as you recover.”
This is a procedure that will continue to gain popularity and for good reason.
“As women, we really give everything—literally, our bodies, our time, and our energy—to our children. This (procedure) is an opportunity for women to reclaim themselves, to get their self-confidence back, and to like the way they look and feel in their clothing,” says Dr. Cash.
If you would like to learn more about mommy makeover options in Houston, contact Dr. Cash online or call her office at (713) 571-0600.
By Dawn Tongish and Camille Cash, MD
Source: Mommy Makeover: Top Reasons | The Plastic Surgery Channel
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