4 Common Misconceptions About Mommy Makeovers
Sometimes becoming the “new you” means getting back to the “old you”. Any mother can tell you: Bringing a child into the world changes you. And some of those changes might not be ones you want sticking around for the rest of your life. That’s where getting back to the “old you” comes in: Thanks to mommy makeovers, you can restore your body back to its pre-childbirth state!
At the office of board certified plastic surgeon Richard J. Brown, we’ve gotten a lot of questions about mommy makeovers. It’s a very popular procedure AND a highly misunderstood one. A lot of misconceptions surround this life-changing, life-enhancing process. Let us clear up the confusion by debunking four of the most common misconceptions about mommy makeovers.
Related: 5 Ways a Mommy Makeover Will Boost Your Confidence
Myth #1: Mommy Makeovers Are Just Another Name For Tummy Tucks
A mommy makeover is a combination of cosmetic surgery procedures that restores your pre-pregnancy appearance. Mommy makeovers often include tummy tucks as part of the bundle of treatments provided, which can also include any of the following surgeries:
- Liposuction
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Reduction
- Breast Lift
Mommy makeovers tend to focus on the breasts and abdomen. It’s not uncommon for patients getting a mommy makeover to also get facial work or Botox done as well, as part of their process to restore themselves to a pre-maternal figure. Arm lifts may also be done, if an excess amount of skin or fat has built up in the arms following childbirth that can’t be eliminated by proper dieting and exercise.
Related: Which Plastic Surgery Procedures Should Be Done Together to Save Money and Recovery Time
Myth #2: It’s All Or Nothing
One of the biggest misconceptions about mommy makeovers is the idea that they are a one-size-fits-all-procedure. “Mommy makeovers” is a blanket term: It doesn’t refer to a specific surgery or even a specific set of surgeries. The surgeries performed during a mommy makeover are tailored to meet the goals and desires of that individual patient. Just because you know someone who got a tummy tuck and a breast lift AND a breast augmentation doesn’t mean that your mommy makeover has to involve the same set of procedures. You get to pick and choose and shape the direction your body is going towards, with the help of Dr. Brown’s expert advice and observations.
Related: 5 Things to Know Before Having a Mommy Makeover
Myth #3: It’s A Substitute For Diet And Exercise
Some people think that mommy makeovers are being done to remove weight that could be fixed through exercise and dieting, but this is simply not the case. In fact it’s recommended that a patient be at a stable, healthy weight BEFORE they undergo surgery. Because mommy makeovers are such an extensive and transformative process, patients are better off being in the best possible shape so their recovery process can be as quick and smooth as possible.
Mommy makeovers are done to fix changes that happen to your body after childbirth that CAN’T be fixed by diet and exercise. Some pockets of fat can get stored in your body that can’t be burned off after pregnancy. You may end up with excess skin that can only be removed with surgery. Your abdominal muscles could loosen and not be able to regain their normal tone, even after strict abdominal workouts. Your breasts can also lose their shape and volume, which is a body change that also cannot be altered by good habits and good routines.
Thinking of mommy makeovers as an “easy fix” solution is wrong. They’re meant to enhance and complement a healthy lifestyle by addressing problem areas that conventional means can’t deal with. And once you’ve had the procedures done, that isn’t an excuse to stop taking care of yourself. Some of the positive changes brought on by a mommy makeover can be undone by serious weight gain and poor health. Consider your mommy makeover an investment in your future: You don’t want to waste it.
Related: How a Mommy Makeover Can Help You Have It All
Myth #4: Only Young Moms Should Have Mommy Makeovers
There is no one age for mommy makeover surgery. It can help new mothers just as well as it can help mothers who’ve had a few kids. It’s usually recommended that patients pursue these procedures when they’re done having children. Future pregnancies and childbirth could have an impact on your mommy makeover results.
That being said: Mommy makeovers aren’t a one-time deal, either. You can undergo these procedures several times. So if you have a child, get a mommy makeover, and decide to have another child later on you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Related: Can I Get a Mommy Makeover Twice?
If you have any questions about mommy makeovers or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Richard J. Brown, call our office at 480-568-3804.
