Pregnancy affects the female body in a variety of ways. If you’re thinking about undergoing a procedure, you may be wondering if it’s better to have it before you have children or wait until after the pregnancy. Here’s some info on how a few common cosmetic procedures relate to pregnancy.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is the kind of procedure you can have at any time. Having breast implants will not affect your ability to become pregnant or deliver a baby. Many women with breast implants successfully breast-feed.
If you’re on the fence about the procedure and may be having children in the next couple of years, you may want to wait until after the pregnancy—women frequently lose some breast volume after pregnancy, and if you wait, your breast augmentation can also address that problem at the same time.
Tummy Tuck
Having a tummy tuck will not affect your ability to have children. The pregnancy, however, may re-stretch the muscles and abdominal skin, re-creating the laxity that was present before the procedure. It is typically recommended that you consider waiting until all planned childbearing is completed. Of course, there are situations in which it may be in the patient’s best interest to proceed with the tummy tuck before childbearing is completed, such as, after massive weight loss.
A tummy tuck post-pregnancy can help to eliminate some of the stretch marks that frequently occur at that time. The amount of stretch marks removed after a tummy tuck depends on the location of the stretch marks and the looseness of your skin. If the stretch marks are below the belly button, they will be removed.
The Mommy Makeover
Mommy makeover is a combination treatment for women who desire to enhance their appearance after pregnancy. The mommy makeover helps patients achieve a perkier breast appearance, lessen the prominence of stretch marks and excess skin in the stomach area, and/or add more youthful radiance to the face.
While some women “bounce back” to their pre-baby physiques with ease, many mothers notice that their breasts have lost some of their youthful perkiness and appear somewhat droopy. A breast augmentation procedure can help mothers restore a taut, attractive bustline by performing a breast lift, breast augmentation or a combination of both procedures.
Another body area many mothers feel self-conscious about is the stomach. During pregnancy, the stomach skin expands greatly to accommodate the growing baby. After the delivery, the stomach tissues gradually retract back to their previous position. However, factors such as genetics, size of the baby and the mother’s health sometimes interfere with this process. As a result, some mothers are left with prominent stretch marks and excess stomach skin. These patients can benefit from a tummy tuck, a procedure that removes the excess tissue and creates a flat, beautiful midriff.
Liposuction, a procedure geared towards removing small fatty tissue deposits from various body areas. Mothers most often have stubborn fatty tissue pockets on the hips, buttocks and upper thighs. They can greatly enhance the appearance of these areas by undergoing liposuction. We also offer the body lift, a sophisticated procedure recommended for mothers in need of a comprehensive lower body recontouring.
While pregnancy and delivery can take a major toll on a woman’s body, so can the numerous sleepless nights spent caring for the newborn. Many mothers notice that their eyes look constantly tired and the skin has lost some of its radiance. Thankfully, there are many facial rejuvenation procedures that can help with the problem, including eyelid surgery and a facelift, in addition to non-invasive treatments such as Botox injections, microdermabrasion and chemical peels.
If you would like to explore how surgical and non-surgical procedures can help you regain your pre-baby appearance, contact St. Charles Plastic Surgery to schedule a personal consultation.
