Your body undergoes some major changes after giving birth. Some of these postpartum body changes only last for a few weeks or months, while others may be permanent. Understanding what to expect after childbirth can help prepare you to embrace this new body. In this article, we’ll explore how to navigate these postpartum changes and consider ways to get you feeling like yourself again through exercise, diet, and even the famed Mommy makeover.
Early Changes
In the first couple weeks after giving birth, your body will experience some dramatic changes. You’ll likely have lost weight and reduced swelling, making your stomach and waist look thinner. Your breasts may also be larger as they are filled with milk if you’re breastfeeding. If you had a Cesarean section, the incision would begin to heal and is less painful.
After about six weeks, your uterus will return to its original size. However, your abdomen may not be back to its pre-pregnancy shape because the muscles have been stretched out. Your doctor will likely allow you to begin exercising now, which can help your muscles get back in shape. Eating healthy will also help you begin to recover from childbirth, giving you more energy and the nutrition your body needs.
Long-term Changes
It can take up to six months for the stretch marks and dark spots on your abdomen and breasts to start to fade. The dark line running down your abdomen will start to fade by now, too. You may experience more hair loss as your estrogen levels are lower now than when you were pregnant.
Many women are still not back to their pre-pregnancy weight for several months after giving birth. This is completely understandable, especially if you’ve had more than one pregnancy. It takes time for your body to readjust. In some cases, you may need extra help to achieve your goals.
Strategies to Help with Postpartum Body Changes
Though we might be in a hurry to get back to our pre-pregnancy weight, be patient and give yourself some grace. Rest is very important for a new mom to have better health and emotional well being. However, the below tips can help you with the postpartum changes.
Exercise
If your physician approves, you can begin working on your postpartum body as soon as your body is healed and ready. Choose a healthy diet with nutritious foods to help you regain your energy. Begin taking walks as you feel like it. The exercise will not only help your body shed any extra weight but will also make you feel better emotionally and mentally.
Once your doctor releases you to exercise, start a program that focuses on the entire body, not just the trouble spots. Don’t focus on cutting calories if you’re breastfeeding because your body needs the nutrition to produce milk. Strength training can help tighten muscles, which will make
you look slimmer.
Consider a Mommy Makeover
If you’ve been eating healthy and exercising but are still not seeing the results you want, you may consider how plastic surgery can help you meet your goals. To reclaim that pre-pregnancy physique, many women who have decided their family is complete choose to have a Mommy makeover.
A Mommy makeover is a group of procedures that can be performed at the same time, usually for women who want to get back their pre-pregnancy body.
Some of the most common procedures in a Mommy makeover include breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, and tummy tuck. Non-surgical procedures, such as dermal fillers, can also be included. The procedures vary for each woman and are determined by the patient and their plastic surgeon based on their personal goals.
Benefits and Risks of a Mommy Makeover
One of the main benefits of having a Mommy makeover is that you can combine procedures to get more results in less time. While recovery with a Mommy makeover is longer than having one procedure, it’s much shorter than having each procedure performed separately. For instance, you can work on multiple areas, such as lifting your breasts or restoring their volume while also
tightening the muscles in your abdomen.
The risks associated with a Mommy makeover procedure are the same as those associated with any plastic surgery. These risks include the potential for infection at the incision sites, excess bleeding, nerve damage, scarring, and fluid buildup. You can reduce these risks by choosing an
accredited plastic surgeon experienced with the type of surgery you’re having.
What to Expect with a Mommy Makeover Procedure
When you decide to have a Mommy makeover, you’ll first schedule a consultation. During this meeting, the plastic surgeon will discuss your goals and determine the details of the surgery,
such as which procedures you want to be done and the location of incisions.
Depending on the procedures you select, it may be outpatient or inpatient. General anesthesia is usually given for
Mommy makeover procedures. Details and surgery times will vary based on your specific plan.
Mommy Makeover Recovery
Once the surgery is scheduled and completed, you may be given compression garments to help reduce swelling and discomfort. When you head home (with a driver), you’ll be restricted on what you can do and how much you can lift. You may need someone to stay with you for a day or two until you begin to feel better. The doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate any discomfort, but many patients only need over-the-counter medicines to make them comfortable.
After the first few weeks, you’ll begin to feel more like yourself as the swelling goes down and the bruising dissipates. At this point, you’ll start to see the results of the procedures.
When to Schedule Your Mommy Makeover
It’s recommended to wait at least six months after childbirth before having a Mommy makeover procedure or any other plastic surgery. Since you’ll be limited on how much weight you can lift after the procedure, you may want to wait until your baby is even older. Additionally, your hormones go through a significant change after childbirth, so you may want to pause until you’re
emotionally ready for the procedure and recovery time.
Talk to your plastic surgeon to help you determine the best time to have plastic surgery after childbirth. They will discuss your goals and help you be prepared for how this procedure can enhance your life.