Not everyone is aware of the role that weight plays during plastic surgery procedures such as Mommy Makeover surgery. This blog discusses why weight matters, why some patients may need to lose weight before surgery, and the ideal weight for a Mommy Makeover.
Preparing for Your Mommy Makeover
Many women desire to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies after childbirth and breastfeeding has altered their appearance. Weight fluctuations and hormonal changes during pregnancy and after childbirth can result in stubborn fat deposits, droopy excess skin, and sagging breasts. It can be difficult to get your body to “bounce back” after pregnancy, especially when you’re adapting to a new lifestyle of caring for your child. Many new moms often find it challenging to dedicate the time and energy to exercise and prepare healthy meals.
Mommy Makeover surgery can provide stunning body contouring results, helping women feel comfortable and confident. When planning a Mommy Makeover, many women want to know if they need to lose weight before their procedure. Most board-certified plastic surgeons recommend that candidates be at or near their goal weight before plastic surgery, which will give the best results.
Why Does Weight Matter for a Mommy Makeover?
Understanding the importance of weight in Mommy Makeover surgery is critical for having a successful and safe procedure. Weight plays an important role in a few key factors regarding the surgical procedure and the longevity of your results.
A Mommy Makeover typically consists of procedures like a tummy tuck and a breast lift, both of which remove excess skin from their respective body areas. If a patient loses significant weight after their procedure, they may develop new skin excess that causes sagging and obscures their contoured results. Similarly, the results can be compromised if weight is gained after surgery.
Overall Health
With the right candidate and the expertise of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, Mommy Makeover surgery can safely be performed. Being in overall good health is a key component in deciphering if someone is eligible for a Mommy Makeover. People who are overweight or obese are usually at a higher risk for certain health issues, which raises their risk of complications during and after surgery. Complications may include issues with anesthesia administration, cardiovascular problems, and prolonged wound healing times. Surgeons often recommend that overweight patients lose weight before having a Mommy Makeover as a safety precaution. Not meeting the weight requirements can increase the risk of these complications, potentially leading to less aesthetic results and longer recovery times.
Creating the Best Possible Results
Patients often have high expectations for what they want their results to look like. This makes sense when you factor in the time and money patients must invest to achieve their ideal Mommy Makeover results. At Town and Country Plastic Surgeons, we want all our patients to fall in love with their new bodies. To create the desired sculpted body contours, it is in the patient’s best interest to be within 10 to 15 pounds of their goal weight. This is because significant amounts of excess fat can make it difficult to achieve the patient’s aesthetic goals. Some surgeons also use body mass index (BMI) to assess Mommy Makeover candidacy. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight, and a BMI under 30 is often a requirement for a safe Mommy Makeover surgery.
Maintaining Results
After all the effort you’ve invested in your procedure, you’ll likely want your results to last as long as possible. Maintaining a stable weight is crucial for the longevity of your Mommy Makeover results, and it takes a sense of responsibility and commitment. Since Mommy Makeover surgery typically involves removing excess skin and fat, significant weight fluctuations after surgery can dramatically impact your results. Being at a stable weight before your Mommy Makeover is a good way of assessing your ability to maintain a stable weight after surgery.
What Is the Ideal Weight for a Mommy Makeover?
Every woman’s body is unique, so it makes sense that everyone will have different goal weights and their own aesthetic vision for their results. We typically recommend that patients are within 10 to 15 pounds of their personal goal weight.
Stable Weight
Patients should be able to maintain a stable weight for at least six months before their Mommy Makeover. Since staying at a stable weight is crucial for the longevity of your results, we want patients to know that they are at a manageable weight for themselves.
Some patients may be in the middle of a weight loss journey when they start to consider Mommy Makeover surgery. It’s important for these patients to keep working towards their goal before having their Mommy Makeover to avoid future weight loss from negatively impacting their results.
Aligns With Patient’s Body Goals
When choosing your goal weight, set realistic expectations for yourself. Be honest about what results will make you satisfied with your body, but also keep in mind that you will need to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain that weight. For example, a realistic goal could be to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes or to have a more toned abdomen. Setting realistic and achievable body goals allows you to feel empowered and in control of your journey to a Mommy Makeover.
Discuss Weight With Your Surgeon During a Consultation
Your Mommy Makeover consultation is an opportunity to review your medical history, have your body physically examined by a surgeon, and determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. This is also when you’ll discuss your goal weight and desired surgical results, and your surgeon can assess if you are at a healthy weight for surgery. Your surgeon may recommend losing weight if you are not yet at or close to your goal. Make sure to be as honest as possible with your surgeon, as they are there to assist you in your journey to get the desired results.
Want to Know More About Mommy Makeover Surgery in Houston and Lake Jackson, TX?
For those at or near their goal weight, you can start your Mommy Makeover journey by scheduling a consultation with Town and Country Plastic Surgeons in Houston or Lake Jackson, Texas. Dr. Bartlett and Dr. Yarish are ready to discuss your aesthetic vision and help make your body goals a reality.
Potential Mommy Makeover candidates who are not yet near their goal weight can contact our office for more information about the procedure. To learn more about Mommy Makeover surgery or to schedule your consultations with us, call (713) 467-0146 or fill out our online contact form today.