Having Cosmetic Surgery after Pregnancy

Popular Cosmetic Surgery Procedures for Women Who Have Been Pregnant

After pregnancy, you will notice your body may not be the same as it was before you were pregnant. Some women can return to their pre-baby body easier than others. Some are happy with their new body – after all, it shows off that your body has managed to carry a child. And for others, it can cause lower self-esteem or body image issues. That’s when cosmetic surgery comes in, as this can help enhance a person’s existing features. Women may opt to have one procedure or have what has been coined the ‘mummy makeover‘.

But what are the most popular procedures for women who have been pregnant?

Liposuction

Liposuction removes excess fat from areas of the body such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and arms. Unlike a tummy tuck, liposuction does not target excess skin. Liposuction allows you to remove excess fat and improve the proportions and contours of your body.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is the ideal post-pregnancy procedure. Generally, it is referred to as an abdominoplasty, which removes excess loose skin from the abdomen and tightens the muscles. For those with less excess skin, a mini tummy tuck may be a suitable alternative option. It has a smaller incision line and removes a smaller amount of skin. Generally, you should wait at least six months to one year after having a child before you have a mini tummy tuck.

Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift

Breast augmentation involves inserting implants into the breasts to enhance their size and shape. If you are not a fan of implants but wish to have bigger breasts, you can always opt for a fat transfer. This involves using liposuction to remove fat from a donor area—generally the abdomen, hips, or thighs. This fat is then treated and injected into the breasts, making the breasts bigger without the need for a foreign object such as implants.

RELATED: Breastfeeding After a Boob Job

Alternatively, a breast lift removes excess skin around the breast and raises the position of the breasts, without the need for implants. These procedures can help the breasts appear closer to their pre-pregnancy appearance.

RELATED: Should I Get A Breast lift With Implants?

Cosmetic Gynaecology 

Childbirth can drastically change the vaginal canal. A vaginoplasty is a popular procedure not only for those who have been pregnant but for those who were born with certain vaginal defects. For those who have been pregnant, a vaginoplasty can restore the vaginal canal to pre-pregnancy condition, as well as improve sexual pleasure and increase self-esteem.

Some women may also wish to consider a labiaplasty, which is done for aesthetic reasons to decrease the size of the labia.

RELATED: Should I Get Labiaplasty Before Or After Pregnancy?

What if I am considering having children again in the future? 

Before you have an initial cosmetic procedure, it is important to know that another pregnancy may change the results of your procedure, or even pose other complications. Sometimes, if you are planning to have children again in the future, it is best to wait until you have finished having children before you have any procedures. So what should you know if you are considering having a procedure and having children?

• Tummy Tuck: if you have already had a tummy tuck, you will still be able to carry a child to full term without any negative impacts on the child. However, this may affect the results of the original tummy tuck, and you may need to undergo a second tummy tuck procedure later down the line to maintain the results. You may experience stretch marks, weight gain or muscle separation.
• Breast augmentation: when performed by an experienced surgeon, you should have no problem with breastfeeding if you have already had breast implants.
• Breast uplift: you will be able to breastfeed if you have a breast uplift.
• Breastfeeding after nipple or areola reduction surgery: it will depend on what type of surgery you have. Some nipple and areola surgery will result in the inability for you to breastfeed, while some methods will ensure you will still be able to breastfeed. If you are planning to have more children and wish to undergo nipple or areola surgery, it is important to discuss this with the surgeon in the consultation to ensure the correct surgical method is undertaken.