Mommy Makeover Preparation Checklist
1. Find your surgeon
Finding a good plastic surgeon is the first – and most important – mommy makeover checklist item. It may also prove to be the hardest step. A good surgeon should have the requisite skills and experience to perform a highly satisfactory mommy makeover. Start by doing an online search of plastic surgeons in your town or city. Come up with a shortlist of board-qualified specialists who seem to be good at what they do. How do you do this? By checking their past results! Check out mommy makeover before and after photos on their website. Read their About us page to see how many years of experience they have and whether they are board-certified. It is particularly crucial that you only work with surgeons who are board-certified in plastic surgery. The next step is to arrange for a one-on-one consultation. This will give you an opportunity to get to know the surgeon personally and gauge your comfort level.
2. Select your regimen
Mommy makeover is not a single procedure. Rather, it is a combination of cosmetic procedures designed to address stubborn fat deposits, saggy breasts, flabby tummy, and other post-pregnancy concerns. The first preparation step is to choose which areas of your body you want to address.
- Tummy – one of the most obvious side effects of pregnancy is that it causes the belly to extend. This stretches the skin in that area, leading to loss of elasticity and wrinkling after childbearing. Excess fat is also deposited in the abdomen and hips, leading to significant weight gain. Liposuction is one of the most common surgeries after childbirth. Conducted along with other procedures as part of a mommy makeover regiment, this treatment helps address stubborn belly fat and loose skin – giving women a firmer, well-toned abdominal contour.
- Breasts – pregnancy may cause the breasts to sag or lose volume. Including breast enhancement procedures such as augmentation and lift in your mommy makeover can help address these concerns. These treatments use implants or fat grafting to restore the shape and fullness of your breasts after childbearing.
- Butt – a droopy butt is a typical side effect of pregnancy. Through fat grafting – which entails the transfer of fat from other areas of the body to the butt – your plastic surgeon can give your butt a desirable, well-rounded enhancement.
- Face – including non-surgical treatments such as injections can help restore a smooth, youthful facial appearance. These non-invasive treatments address wrinkling and add volume to areas around your eyes, lips, and cheeks.
Your plastic surgeon should be able to listen to your concerns and expectations, then help you come up with a list of procedures that will get you the desired outcome.
3. Prepare for the surgery
Getting ready for your mommy makeover surgery should be a well-considered, deliberate process. It is something that should happen over months. Below are some steps you can take to get ready – emotionally and physically – for this comprehensive cosmetic surgery:
- Get in shape – most plastic surgeons recommend that you are within your ideal body weight range before you can have mommy makeover plastic surgery. Here’s why: a healthy fitness level will improve your safety and recovery rate after the treatment. Being overweight or obese can increase surgical risks and impair healing. Furthermore, the results of a mommy makeover will be more evident when you have attained a healthy, stable weight.
- Get evaluated – your doctor needs to evaluate you to ascertain that you are in good physical and emotional health for the procedure. During your consultation with a plastic surgeon, make sure to share all information related to your medical and health history. Also, make known your expectations from the mommy makeover.
- Quit smoking – smoking can negatively impact recovery after surgery. For this reason, most plastic surgeons will ask that you stay away from the smoke for about a month (or longer) before your mommy makeover. What’s more, avoid alcohol and certain medication such as aspirin. Your doctor will give you precise instructions on what to do or not do.
- Get supplies and arrange for help – getting crucial supplies well before the surgery can help reduce anxiety related to this treatment. Make sure to get a comprehensive list of supplies you will need (including clothing and medication) well in advance. Also, arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home and help out with chores after your hospital stay.
4. Get ready for recovery
Knowing what to expect during recovery is just as important as getting yourself ready for the surgery itself. During recovery, your body gains its strength after the trauma of surgery. Your surgeon will provide surgical compression garments that help stimulate blood circulation, minimize swelling, and speed up recovery. Make sure to wear these as required. Also, make plans for time off work. You do not want to be bothered with important work calls when you are hunkering down to recover from surgery. Because undergoing major surgery can be stressful, you need to have a recovery area with comfy beddings and pillows, magazines, books, and anything else that can help you pass time. During your plastic surgeon consultation, make sure to request a comprehensive list of medication and supplies you will need for a comfortable, uninterrupted recovery.
