Emotional & Support System Questions

Am I being vain?
No. Child birth creates changes to your body that are out of your control. It is not vain to want to get back to the way you used to be.

Will diet and exercise get my body back?
It depends. It can if you are one of the few lucky women whose skin, muscles, and soft tissues did not stretch beyond their ability to snap back. Loose skin, sagging breasts, and loss of breast volume, however, cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone.

Is the cost justifiable? Would it be better to spend the money on my family?
The answer to this difficult question requires you to evaluate your life as a whole. In a way, you are spending the money on your family. The way you feel plays a large role in how you interact with your spouse and children. If you feel good about yourself your entire outlook on life improves.

How could restoring my body affect my relationship with my spouse?
Based on patient feedback, the improved self confidence positively affects marital relations in almost all aspects of life.
"Before I had my procedures done it took me at least an hour to get ready to go out. Nothing fit. I got frustrated and so did my husband," said Mary, mother of two, 6 months after her mommy makeover..

Should I have my breasts done if I am planning to have more children?
Breast augmentation and liposuction can be done at any time. Future pregnancies do not hurt the result significantly.

Should I have my abdominoplasty done if I am planning to have more children?
Tummy tucks, ideally, are best done when you are through having children.

How long after child birth should I wait to have breast augmentation?
You should wait at least four months after child birth or after breast feeding (which ever is last) to have breast augmentation.

How long after childbirth should I wait to have my tummy tuck?
Ideally, at least six months. This gives your body time to heal itself and the tissues to snap back. In addition, it gives you a little time to adjust to your new baby before the procedure. This should be extended if you are still losing your baby weight.

Breast Augmentation Questions

Does breast augmentation affect nipple sensation?
Loss of nipple sensation is unlikely with breast augmentation. The chances increase when the implant size is larger than recommended (i.e. greater than 450 cc in average sized patient).

Should I have a breast augmentation if I am planning on having more children?
Many women have breast augmentation prior to having children. Breast implants will not significantly increase or decrease breast sag after pregnancy. Implant location will not be affected by pregnancy. Your natural breast tissue may or may not sag regardless of whether implant are present. You may as well enjoy enhanced breasts sooner rather than later.

When can I lift my baby after a breast augmentation?
Typically, at 2 weeks you can have someone place the child in your lap. You can play with him/her but shouldn't use your arms much. It will take about 6 weeks before you can lift your baby. This is the hardest part of the procedure. You should tell your child that mommy is hurt so that he/she understands.

When can I go back to work after a breast augmentation?
Women with sedentary jobs frequently go back to work within one week. Some even sooner. Women who use their arms a lot (i.e. waitress) may take six weeks to return to work.

Breast Lift Questions

Does breast lifting affect nipple sensation?
Typically, nipple sensation is maintained during a mild to moderate breast lift. Loss of nipple sensation becomes more significant when the nipple is located greater than 4 cm below the Infra mammary fold.

Should I have a breast lift if I am planning on having more children?
It depends. If you have large breasts it is probably best to wait. Women with large breasts are more likely to have their breast shape change after child birth. In addition, breast lifting is more likely to cause difficulties with breast feeding with larger breasted women. Women with small to moderate breasts may have a breast lift prior to pregnancy. They must understand, that pregnancy may affect breast shape. Another breast lift, however, is not nearly as likely as with larger breasted women.

When can I lift my baby after a breast lift?
Typically, at 2 weeks you can have someone place the child in your lap. You can play with him/her but should not use your arms much. It will take about 6 weeks before you can lift your baby. This is the hardest part of the procedure. You should explain to your child that mommy is hurt so that he/she will understand.

When can I go back to work after a breast lift?
Women with sedentary jobs frequently go back to work within two weeks. Women who use their arms a lot (i.e. waitress) may take 6 weeks to return to work.

When do my drains come out?
Usually at 3-4 days.

Abdominoplasty Questions

Does abdominoplasty affect the sensation of my abdomen?
Yes. You will have very little sensation below your belly button for over 1 year after your tummy tuck. Be careful not to injure yourself in that area since you will have compromised sensation for a while.

Should I have an abdominoplasty if I am planning on having more children?
It is best to wait until you are though having children to have a tummy tuck. It also depends how much time you have until you will have another child. If it is far in the future, you may consider it. If, however, you are planning on having another child within a year of two, it is probably better to wait.

When can I lift my baby after an abdominoplasty?
It will take about two weeks before you have the strength to lift your baby even a little bit. It will take at least 8 weeks before your strength is back. The recovery for a mini tummy tuck is shorter; usually about 4 weeks.

When can I go back to work after an abdominoplasty?
Sedentary jobs; mini tummy tucks take about 1-2 weeks. Standard tummy tucks take 2-3 weeks. Jobs that require lifting/bending; mini tummy tucks take about 3-4 weeks. Standard tummy tucks take 4-8 weeks.

When do my drains come out?
Mini tummy tucks - usually at 1 week.
Standard tummy tuck - usually 10-14 days.
Extended tummy tuck - usually 12-14 days.

Do I have to stay overnight after tummy tuck?
If it is just a mini tummy tuck, you don't. If, however, you have a standard or extended tummy tuck - yes. It is a good idea to have a nurse look over you to make sure you get up and walk around, etc.

Overnight stay is very common with multiple procedures. Especially the Mommy Makeover procedures.