Mommy Makeovers are a popular procedure that many new Mothers seek out in an attempt to restore their body to its former glory pre-pregnancy – especially just before summer in time for bikini season. However, sometimes Mothers jump into the procedure sooner than what is recommended. Your Beverly Hills mommy makeover surgeon, Dr. Golshani, touches on this common question – when is it too soon?

What is a “Mommy Makeover”?

First, I’d like to cover exactly what the Mommy Makeover procedure is and what it entails.

A mommy makeover involves abdominal contouring and breast reshaping. After having children, many women find that they have excess skin and soft-tissue laxity in both their breasts and abdomen. Since exercise and dieting cannot quite address excess skin laxity, a surgical procedure is necessary to remove and tighten these body parts, especially if the level of laxity is beyond minimal.

A mommy makeover is the ideal solution for many women, and comprises procedures to deal with issues involving your post-pregnancy “pouch”, breasts, excess abdominal skin, reshaping the belly button, and abdominal muscles that need tightening. This is accomplished through a variety of procedures that constitute the “Mommy Makeover”:

• Tummy tuck for the abdomen
• Breast lift for the breasts
• Liposuction to help contour excess fat deposits

Keep in mind these are the typical procedures you see in a mommy makeover. Every patient is different and may require other procedures to meet their goals.

When is it too soon for a Mommy Makeover?

For many women, the question is not whether or not a mommy makeover is right for them, but rather how soon they can receive one. During pregnancy, the body releases hormones and changes to provide room for the growth of the baby. Not only does the abdomen stretch to accommodate the new child, but the breasts also engorge to facilitate the delivery of milk for the baby. After birth, the body begins to adjust itself since the changes are no longer needed. The skin contracts to different degrees as the body tries to regain its pre-pregnancy state: a process that takes several months.

A mommy makeover involves a series of body contouring procedures as opposed to weight loss procedures, and you must have fulfilled several requirements for these procedures to have lasting effects:

• You should have attained your post-pregnancy goal weight for a minimum of 6 months
• You should have stopped breast feeding for your breasts to stop producing milk and regain their former shape and size
• You should have completed child bearing – not planning to have any more children

The makeover will not interfere with your ability to successfully give birth, but you will probably have to undergo the same procedures if you have more children afterwards.

Considering that the recovery rate is unique for every woman, you should talk to your Beverly Hills mommy makeover surgeon to discuss and recommend a suitable plan for you, including the right timing for your mommy makeover. It’s not necessarily a topic where a definitive answer is present, but rather is strongly recommended to be discussed in person.

The scheduling should give you enough time for the abdominal wall and skin to stabilize. Don’t be too critical with your recovery rate. The changes were necessary, and took place over a period of several months. Once exercise and diet are no longer effective, a mommy makeover will help you regain your body shape.