After you have finished your family, you may be interested in how a mommy makeover can help restore your post-pregnancy body. Despite the popularity of this combination of surgical procedures, there still exist several myths about what a mommy makeover is and what it can accomplish. Let us dispel these common misconceptions about mommy makeovers and help you decide whether this procedure is right for you.
One big misconception is that mommy makeover procedures are a standardized set of surgeries that are one size fits all. In other words, the procedures cannot be customized to meet your needs. In reality, mommy makeover is a term used to describe a variety of surgical procedures that are done simultaneously and are highly customized and tailored to meet your needs and cosmetic goals.
Typically, the surgeries include a breast lift, breast augmentation or reduction, tummy tuck, and liposuction. However, the procedures chosen for your mommy makeover can vary to include an arm lift, thigh lift, facial procedure, non-surgical treatments, or vaginal repairs depending on your needs.
Another misconception is that a mommy makeover is only for women who have recently given birth. Instead, these procedures can benefit you at any post-pregnancy stage. It can be months or years since your last child was born.
The key factors that determine whether a mommy makeover is good for you are your underlying medical conditions, time from your last pregnancy, specific aesthetic goals, and that you have finished having your family. This is because any significant weight gain or loss after many of these procedures will negatively affect the results.
You might have heard that someone’s recovery from a mommy makeover was straightforward and fast. However, the recovery you experience from your combination of surgeries will be based on how extensive the surgeries are and your body’s natural healing process. Most people can anticipate several weeks of recovering from surgery. During that time, you will typically need assistance with some activities because of limitations on lifting and exercise.
After mommy makeover, you will notice immediate improvements, but the final results often take several months to be visible. This is because it takes time for the swelling to subside and for your body to heal. While the results of many of these procedures are long-lasting, they are not immune to the effects of aging, weight fluctuations, or future pregnancies.
Some of the procedures remove stubborn areas of fat that have been resistant to diet and exercise. However, a mommy makeover is not an alternative to traditional weight loss methods.
In fact, we recommend that you have achieved your desired weight before undergoing these procedures. A mommy makeover can help reshape and refine your body’s contours but is not weight loss surgery.
While the primary goal is to help improve your post-pregnancy body, it is a misconception that these benefits are only cosmetic. For many women, the surgeries offer functional benefits, such as repairing abdominal muscles that were separated during pregnancy, which leads to improved core strength or reduced back pain. Surgeries may also help reduce certain types of incontinence that are common after pregnancy.
Another misconception is that health insurance may help cover the cost of mommy makeover procedures. Since the surgeries are generally considered elective cosmetic procedures, they are typically not covered.
However, there are certain surgeries that your health insurance might cover. For example, a hernia repair might be performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck.
These may be deemed medically necessary and could be covered by your insurance policy. To have a full understanding of what your insurance plan will cover and understand your out-of-pocket costs, it is important to check with your insurance provider.
We encourage you to call our office today to schedule a consultation to discuss any questions you may have about mommy makeovers and their common misconceptions. It is crucial that you consult with a plastic surgeon who will provide personalized advice and information that is based on the latest medical standards and customized to meet your cosmetic goals.
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