Before your mommy makeover consultation, it’s best to be as informed as you can be. This allows you to ask important questions from an educated perspective. Here are eight things you should know about the surgery before your consultation with Dr. Willis at Charlottesville Plastic Surgery.
1. Mommy Makeovers Involve Multiple Procedures
The typical mommy makeover addresses two primary areas: the breasts and abdomen. These areas are usually the most noticeably affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding. This means that a mommy makeover will include multiple procedures, with breast augmentation, breast lift, and abdominoplasty being the most common. Many patients may choose liposuction or labiaplasty in their mommy makeover as well. Most plastic surgeons will recommend operating on no more than three areas in a single surgery, making a mommy makeover safe for a majority of patients.
2. Recovery is Less Painful Than You Might Guess
As with any surgery, you can expect some discomfort after your mommy makeover. However, most patients find that recovering from the procedure is less painful than they feared it might be. Dr. Willis will prescribe pain medication to keep you comfortable in the early days of the recovery process and make recommendations for fast and easy healing.
3. Mommy Makeovers are Outpatient Surgeries
A mommy makeover is an outpatient surgery, also referred to as a day surgery. This means that you can return home the same day as your procedure. While the total procedure time varies depending on what you are including, most mommy makeovers are completed in about five to six hours. After your surgery, you will soon be able to get up and gently walk around the room. This means that you can return home with the help of a trusted family member or friend to drive you and care for you.
4. Plan for a Few Weeks of Recovery
Most patients require about one to two weeks of downtime after their mommy makeover. During this time, you should be focused on resting and healing, and must avoid lifting anything heavy, including your children. This means that it’s important to arrange for help caring for yourself and your family as you recover.
5. Consider the Time of Year When Scheduling
The most important consideration when you’re deciding the time of year to have surgery is whether family members or friends will be available to assist you as you recover. Certain times of year, such as summer vacations or the holidays, are busier than others. Coordinate with someone you trust to decide the most convenient time. You may also consider the timeframe when you hope to have completed recovery. For example, you may schedule your surgery for the fall or winter, allowing you several months to heal before showing more skin in the summer.
6. Wait Until After Having Children Before Pursuing a Mommy Makeover
If you are planning to have more children, you should wait to have a mommy makeover. Additional pregnancies can jeopardize your results, requiring a revision abdominoplasty or breast lift, for example. Most surgeons will advise you to wait until you have completed your family before pursuing the procedure.
7. Maintain Your Weight Prior to a Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is not a weight loss surgery. While some excess skin or fat is removed in an abdominoplasty, patients should be at or near a healthy weight before choosing the surgery. Your weight should remain stable for at least six months before your mommy makeover. Further weight fluctuations could change your results, creating additional loose skin or disrupting the body contour you have created.
8. Prepare for Your Mommy Makeover Consultation
One of the most important steps in the mommy makeover process is the consultation. This is your chance to ask any questions you may have and review your goals for the procedure. Your plastic surgeon will also review your health history to ensure you can safely undergo the surgery.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about mommy makeover options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Willis. Call Charlottesville Plastic Surgery at (434) 278-7841 or contact us online.
Meet Dr. Willis
With an eye for finding the unique beauty in each individual, Dr. Willis incorporates the most modern techniques with a conservative touch, and strives to build lasting relationships with every patient.
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