For many women across the United States, there is nothing more miraculous than childbirth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2018 alone saw an estimated 3,788,235 births nationwide. And while the figure represents a 2% decline in the annual birthrate from 2017, it shows that pregnancy is still a milestone for millions of adults.
Earlier this year, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) listed the top five female cosmetic surgical procedures for 2018 in its annual report:
- Breast Augmentation – 313,735 procedures
- Liposuction – 229,030 procedures
- Eyelid Surgery – 175,035 procedures
- Rhinoplasty – 161,120 procedures
- Tummy Tuck – 125,189 procedures
With the most popular cosmetic surgeries for women being components of a Mommy Makeover, many new mothers often ask, “How long can you wait before undergoing plastic surgery after pregnancy?”
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How Long Should I Wait to Get It?
Most board-certified plastic surgeons recommend waiting six months after breastfeeding as the earliest possible time to undergo surgery. Several changes take place in the woman’s body throughout pregnancy and childbirth. More often than not, it can take months after giving birth before these post-pregnancy changes begin to settle. These changes include loose skin, weakening of the abdominal muscles, vaginal laxity, and excess fat.
Some women are lucky enough and can correct these issues through an eventual return to diet and exercise. However, other women will need to turn to plastic surgery to reverse these physical changes.
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What Happens if I Decide to Undergo Plastic Surgery Early?
Potential Complications
Undergoing plastic surgery while the body is still recovering from post-pregnancy effects will only leave you vulnerable to more stress. This is especially true for patients undergoing a c-tuck, a controversial and often inadvisable procedure that combines a Caesarian section with a tummy tuck in a single operation. A combination of surgeries will increase the risk of complications during the recovery period, such as infections, blood clots, blood loss, and an increased risk for swelling and bruising.
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Extended Recovery
Undergoing multiple surgeries immediately following childbirth will extend the recovery period. This can leave you unable to provide your newborn with the best care possible, at least without the full support of several family members or a licensed caregiver.
Poor Surgical Results
Cosmetic surgery immediately after pregnancy might lead to inferior results. It is crucial to allow the woman to recover physically and mentally, following delivery, to take care of her newborn without the anesthetic procedure’s burden.
Proceeding to cosmetic surgery too soon might fail to account for changes that will occur as the body continues to settle following the delivery, resulting in inferior cosmetic results and the need for revision surgery.
Simply put: Undergoing cosmetic surgery soon after the pregnancy is not the best course of action. An example from the world of entertainment can be seen with recording artist Cardi B. The singer was forced to cancel several tour dates to recover after returning to the stage immediately after undergoing post-pregnancy plastic surgery.
Why is it Better to Wait?
When it comes to mothers seeking to undergo cosmetic surgery, the best candidates are women who no longer plan to bear more children. Future pregnancies can affect the final results of cosmetic surgery. The best course of action is to wait for your body to heal and adapt to its changes before even considering cosmetic surgery. Not only does this give you time to adjust, but it allows you to provide the best care possible to your newborn at a time when it is needed the most.
So, relax and take it one day at a time. Before you know it, you can begin working out again and, in time, return to a daily routine. When you’re finally ready, you can seek the guidance of a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in body-contouring procedures. Through this, you can attain the best possible results from plastic surgery while being the best mother you can be.
