mommy makeover model

Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can all be rewarding experiences, but they can also take a toll on your body. Many moms lament the loss of their natural curves, and simply wish there was a way for them to look a bit more like they did pre-kids. Fortunately, a surgical process known as the mommy makeover can address some of the less-than-desirable effects of motherhood, helping you look and feel your best.

Patients who seek a mommy makeover usually want some assurance that their results will be long-lasting. Generally speaking, the outcomes from your mommy makeover can last for a very long time if you follow the right steps to maintain your results.

Choose the Right Time for Your Mommy Makeover

One of the best ways to maintain the results of your mommy makeover is to get the timing right.

We recommend that women get a mommy makeover once they are sure they are done having kids. It is also best to save your mommy makeover for after you are done breastfeeding.

If you have a mommy makeover but then decide to get pregnant again or continue breastfeeding, it may compromise some of your results.

Ensure Your Eligibility

Another important step in the process is scheduling a consultation with your plastic surgeon. During this appointment, your surgeon will verify your candidacy for a safe and successful mommy makeover procedure.

Eligibility for a mommy makeover means being done having kids, having clear expectations about the procedure, and being in good health overall. The best candidates also do not have any underlying health concerns that might impede their ability to heal.

Your surgeon will carefully assess your health and review your medical history before confirming that you are a good candidate for surgery. This is a crucial way to ensure positive results from your mommy makeover.

Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

Much of the time, getting a mommy makeover involves a tummy tuck and/or liposuction. These procedures can help improve your natural contours, eliminate stubborn fat and flab, and provide you with a tight, aesthetic tummy.

It is crucial to note that these procedures are not actually intended to help you lose weight. In fact, before having a mommy makeover, it is recommended that you be fairly close to your ideal body weight, and that you have a healthy lifestyle that enables you to maintain that body weight.

If you have significant weight fluctuations following your mommy makeover, it may undo some of your good results.

Stop Smoking and Using Nicotine Products

We recommend you stop smoking and discontinue using all nicotine and marijuana (THC) products, including patches and vaping devices, before your mommy makeover and throughout your recovery process.

Using tobacco products, nicotine replacements, and marijuana can severely compromise your body’s healing ability, which might lead to complications or extend your recovery time. Additionally, marijuana, similar to nicotine, causes arterial disease, which reduces blood flow to the skin and could lead to wound-healing complications. It’s also worth noting that smoking and using these substances are detrimental to your health in general.

Protect Your Incisions

Following any kind of plastic surgery, you can anticipate some minor scarring. Naturally, you will want to do everything in your power to conceal those scars and minimize their visibility.

One way to minimize scar visibility is to keep your incisions out of direct sunlight. Keep them covered by clothing until they have fully healed, as direct exposure to UV rays can darken them, increasing their prominence.

Additionally, avoid submerging your incisions in the bathtub or jacuzzi until they are fully healed. Getting them too wet can increase your risk of infection, potentially delaying or complicating your recovery.

Follow All Aftercare Instructions

Before you are discharged from the surgery center, you will be provided with a complete set of postoperative guidelines. These guidelines will include information about how long you need to rest and recover, what you should be eating, when you may resume normal exercise and other activities, and more.

These guidelines are intended to help you heal completely, to avoid unwanted complications, and to get the best possible results from your mommy makeover. Make sure you follow them to the letter and contact your surgeon if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Eat Right

It is hard to overstate the importance of sound nutrition during your mommy makeover recovery. The right nutrition will not only fuel your healing but will also help you maintain optimal body weight.

So, what does sound nutrition mean? Generally speaking, you will want a diet that emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. Avoid greasy foods, dairy-heavy diets, and anything that is heavy on processed sugar. Also, be sure you stay hydrated during your mommy makeover recovery.

Be Patient

Women who pursue a mommy makeover tend to be very excited about their final outcome. It can be a little bit deflating to be discharged from surgery and not see immediate results. Due to swelling, bruising, and other temporary side effects, it may be a few weeks or even a couple of months before you get a full sense of your outcome.

Be patient with the process and go easy on yourself as you rest and recover. Know that the vast majority of women who get a mommy makeover are extremely satisfied with their results, particularly once they get out of that recovery phase.

Find Out More About Getting a Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover can help you look and feel like your best, most youthful self. And with the right lifestyle, you can maintain those results for a good long while. With any questions about having a mommy makeover, reach out to a certified plastic surgeon in your area. 

If you live in the Walnut Creek, CA area, schedule your consultation with Dr. Vivian Ting at your next opportunity.