When to Stop Nursing to Have Mommy Makeover? Doctor Answers, Tips
Mommy Makeover: Q&A
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When to Stop Nursing to Have Mommy Makeover?

I live in New York and the Doctor I want to consult with is in Orlando. I do not want to make several flights. I am breast feeding my fourth child and I am in dire need of a Mommy makeover: Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck etc.

How long do I need to stop nursing to consult and have surgery? I want to combine procedures. Is a virtual consultation an option? On a side note I just had EVLT done today on some veins in my legs. Will that effect how long I need to wait? Thank you in advance.

31 Doctor Answers | Asked by NicoleNY in NY
+2

Stopping nursing before Mommy Makeover

The hormonal and related skin (puerperal) changes after delivery continue during and after nursing. I usually wait 3 to 6 mos. before doing breast and abdominal surgery because they are especially impacted by puerperal changes. Why you would want to leave N.Y.C. to have surgery in Fla. is another question. Good results in surgeries like this require acute and long term follow up and unless you plan on staying there it makes no sense. Travelling back and forth with venous insufficiency is... more
+2

New York to Orlando for mommy makeover

It is a very big surgery you are considering. A virtual consult is inappropriate for this degree of surgery. You and the surgeon need to meet in person and both determine that this is a relationship you both want to get into. Further, there is no need to go to Orlando when you have so many fine surgeons in NY. You would need to stay there for 2 weeks and if you had any problems later you would need to go back.
+1

Dear New Yorker,

You would need to wait at least three months before having any type of breast surgery. You need to allow your breast shape and size to make their final change. Most surgeons will do phone consultations as long as you send photos.

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+1

Wait 3-6 Months for Your Breasts to Stabilize Before Proceeding with the Mommy Makeover

Pregnancy is responsible for multiple changes in a woman’s body. During pregnancy, the breasts increase in size, and this continues with breast feeding. After breast feeding is complete, the breasts shrink and lose volume. This often results in the development of significant breast sag as well. Correction of this problem often requires breast augmentation in combination with breast lift surgery. This can be done in combination with abdominoplasty as well. It typically requires 3 to 6... more
+1

When to undergo mommy makeover surgery

Each plastic surgeon will differ when she/he performs surgery and what her/his postoperative recommendation/instruction would be. I normally wait at least 3 months for patients to reach their stable weight post-pregnancy and to have stopped breast feeding for 3 months. In regards to traveling out of state for surgery, you want to make sure your plastic surgeon knows that you are coming from out-of-state. She/he will want to see you postoperatively. Please be mindful... more
+1

Nursing, breast augmentation, tummy tucks, mommy makeover

Most OBGYN physicians suggest waiting 3 to 6months before having breast surgery after nursing. This reduces the chances for infections, which in turn reduces the chance for capsular contractures around the breast implants. Combinations of breast augmentation with tummy tucks should follow the same guidlines. It is certainly possible to do preliminary consults on line, but more formal consults should be recommended. Virtual... more
+1

Breast feeding and mommy makeover

I would recommend waiting a couple of months to allow your breast to find their end point. Virtual consultations are possible with various procedures if pictures are provided. A physical exam before the procedure is , obviously, required. Your vein procedure is not a problem for the mommy makeover. We do take anti-thrombotic precautions to protect against vein clots in all patients. All the best, Talmage J. Raine MD FACS
+1

Nursing and mommy makeover

Hello, Take your time and finish nursing when its best for you and your family. Although I have out of state and out of the country patients come in for surgery it is recommended that you be near your plastic surgeon for at least a week or two following a tummy tuck. I would wait about 3 months after nursing to get surgery. All the best, Dr Repta
+1

Timing Is Important - Plan for Your Mommy Makeover

First I have to wonder why you are complicating your life by choosing a doctor in Orlando. There are many eminently qualified surgeons in New York with extensive experience in Mommy Makeover surgery. Although patients do travel to have surgery, it is always optimal to have your surgeon close to home during the post-op period. This is particularly true for abdominalplasty surgery, which is part of a Mommy Makeover. Any flight in which you are seated for several hours increases your risk of... more
+1

Mommy Makeover

I generally have my patients stop breast feeding a minimum of six months before surgery. Due to the risks of flying following some types of elective surgery, I would also suggest that you research a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon closer to your home. Should a complication arise following surgery, you are going to want your surgeon to be a cab ride, not a plane ride away. best wishes!
+1

How long to wait after breast feeding for mommy makeover

I generally recommend waiting at least 3 months after breast feeding before considering a mommy makeover.  You want to give time for your breasts to "settle" after breast feeding.  There will be some volume loss and possible more sagging.  In addition, you want to make sure you've lost all your baby weight before opting for a mommy makeover.  Best of luck.
+1

Breast surgery and breast feeding

Usually it is recommended to wait for 3 month after completion of breast feeding to have breast enhancement surgery.  The combination of the procedures you desire spells a large surgery.  I am sure you have done your research  and selected a qualified board certified plastic surgeon, but you have to consider that you will have to stay in the area for a while after surgery and then possibility of complications and ease of dealing with them if you live in NYC and your... more
+1

Timing Mommy Makeover after Nursing

I recommend my patients to consider breast surgery (augmentation, or lift) 6 months after the last breast feeding; same is true for a tummy tuck. The reason to wait is to perform surgery after the effects of hormones of pregnancy have subsided and the tissues have returned to their normal status. Early surgery on breasts may result in cysts in the milk ducts which might still have some residual milk. It has been shown that it takes tissues and milk ducts up to 6 months to return to... more
+1

Breast feeding and timing of mommy makeover

You should stop breastfeeding for at least 3 months prior to considering cosmetic breast surgery.  This applies whether you are planning to have breast implants and/or a breast lift.  Some women may need a longer time period to allow their breast to stop secreting milk/fluid. Discuss this in further detail prior to your planned mommy makover procedure. Best wishes, Dr. Bruno
+1

Breast feeding

If you are actively breast feeding, you want to wait at least until the milk dries up and your breasts go back to normal.  Consider a New York doctor if you live in New York.  How will you get post-op care if your doctor is so far away?
+1

Timing of Mommy Makeover after breastfeeding

Surgery on the breasts, such as breast augmentation, should not be performed while you are nursing, and should be deferred for at least 3 months after you finish breastfeeding. An in person consultation with a plastic surgeon is a prerequisite to any elective surgery.
+1

Preparing for a mommy makeover

You can consult with a board certified plastic surgeon at any time to gain information regarding the procedures you are interested and to have all your questions answered. Once you are done lactating and nursing your child and know you are definately done having children, you can schedule a second consultation to discuss your best and safest possible options as soon as you reach your goal weight to prevent any revisionary surgery in case you lose more weight. Unfortunately... more
+1

Have your mommy makeover after you stopped nursing.

A mommy makeover is a combination of abdominal and breast surgery. For this reason, it is important that the surgery only be performed after your body has stopped changing from the process of pregnancy. It is best to wait at least 3 to 4 months after you stop nursing before even considering surgery on your breasts. This will minimize the chance of you developing an infection or abnormal collections of milk. It is also best to wait for the results of the hormones from the pregnancy to... more
+1

When to stop nursing before mommy makeover

There are a few questions within your question, so let's talk about the travel aspect first. High prices in New York are a motivation for some to travel elsewhere, particularly if they have a friend or family member to stay with and recommend a good plastic surgeon in the community. However, scheduling a major procedure such as the mommy makeover with a surgeon you haven't met personally is not the best idea. Also, the travel after this type of surgery may increase the risk of blood clots,... more
+1

Mommy makeover - traveling far to have surgery

Mommy makeover is a combined surgery of breast and body. The question posted was when to do after you stop nursing (I would wait 3-6 months, and be close to your ideal weight if possible), but the bigger issue I see is your travel from New York (place with many great doctors) to Florida for surgery. There are short surgeries with easy recoveries, and there are long surgeries with long recoveries. Mommy makeovers are usually two surgeries done at one sitting. In most healthy women, it is... more
+1

Mommy Makeover

You already have chosen your plastic surgeon. ASK AND FOLLOW the instructions of your plastic surgeon. After EVLT you need to wait 6 weeks and have a doppler studies before surgery. ASK YOUR PLASTIC SURGEON. Every one of us have their own level of comfort, so is your plastic surgeon.
+1

Best timing for Mommy Makeovers after pregnancy

The breast and abdominal surgery are usual after pregnancy. My question is what is the etc. The distance between NY and Florida is small enough that I do not see this increasing the risk of any problems. Flying from India to Florida or vise versa is quite different because the long flight time increases the risk of clots forming in the deep leg veins and their moving up into the lungs. I prefer to wait at least 6months after stabilization of weight loss/after delivery for the abominoplasty... more
+1

Mommy Makeover

I generally say 3-6 months, but it really depends on when the breast return to baseline and when the lactation stops. Secondly, I am a bit concerned about patients who travel to other cities to have large surgeries, like the one you describe. The problem is that the rate of blood clots, DVT, goes up. Also other issue to consider, with such a big surgery, what happens if you have complications from it, would you fly back and forth on a weekly or biweekly manner to see your surgeon? You... more
+1

Mommy Makeover Emergency

There is no question that a "mommy makeover" is a great cure to the many unwanted changes that occur to a womans' body after giving birth (especially 4). However, safety should be the first concern for any patient who is interested in pursuing plastic surgery. Some of the higher complication rates can occur with large combination procedures, such as a breast implant/lift and tummy tuck. The most serious of these are often related to blood clots in the leg. Previous vein surgery... more
+1

Long-Distance Mommy MakeOver etc

Hi Nichole, Your question raises many issues to which I would like to respond. Let's put things in perspective. There is NO URGENCY. While there often is a "DIRE NEED" for a heart, liver or pancreas transplant; there may be a dire need for a coronary bypass - there is never a DIRE need for a Mommy Make Over. Your situation can be improved BUT it is NOT urgent and you should not act as if it is. Doing so may really complicate matters. New York is FULL of excellent Plastic surgeons.... more
+1

I discourage traveling for mommy makeover

Hi Nicholekeyser! With regard to timing of surgery relative to breast feeding, I would recommend waiting at least 6 months after completion of breast feeding, however, this is a loose number and a few visits with your surgeon would be required to ensure optimal timing. Having said that, I would discourage you from travel from NY to FL for surgery. You are not looking to get a mole removed or a quick little office procedure. The surgeries you are looking to have done are great, with a high... more
+1

You should have your surgery done locally

Why travel when you have some of the best plastic sureons in the world in NY? Also, what happens if you have a problem and need more surgery or a revision -- are you going to keep going down to Orlando? Save Orlando for Disney World and have your surgery up here. When you want the surgery, stop nursing 3 to 6 months before.
+1

Stop nursing for 3-6 months before Mommy Makeover

As other other expert posters have answered, 3 to 6 months to be safe. I prefer 4 months in my practice. As for EVLT it does slightly increase some of your risks so I would than wait 6 full months. The best consultation is an in person evaluation, there the doctor can examine you and get an idea of any issues or concern. Otherwise, e-mailing photos is okay, or as you state, a virtual consult can be done (like over Skype). Regards.
+1

Breast Feeding and my Mommy Makeover

Hi there- You really raise several questions. With regard to breast feeding, I do think that waiting 3-6 months after ceasing is important, as it allows the breasts to return to a more normal state before surgery. It would be important for you to check with your EVLT doctor before air travel, to be sure this will not complicate your outcome or increase your risk of problems with blood clots in your legs or lungs... Equally important would be the concern for these risks around the time of... more
+1

Mommy Makeover

Dear Nichole First of all, why travel? A mommy makeover is rather extensive surgery and you will need to be followed for some time. As a plastic surgeon in Boca Raton Florida I see many patients who come to me for various procedures outside of the area. The bigger the operation the longer they need to stay in the area to recuperate. My other concern is always what happens if there is a problem a month after surgery when you are back up in NY. Are you prepared to pay a plastic surgeon several... more
+1

Mommy Makeover: how long to wait after pregnancy, lactation & nursing

SEE VIDEO BELOW: The EVLT may place you at higher risk for blood clots especially when combined with recent airline flight. In fact, any airline travel within TWO weeks of surgery, especially prolonged surgery such as the Mommy Makeover places you at higher risk for a DVT and PE. To reduce this risk you should arrive two weeks prior to surgery and remain for two weeks after. In regards to nursing, this issue has been raised numerous times on this website and I have read the reviews with... more
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Comments (1)

mariamante 13 Jan 2013
I am in the same situation and opted for the TT now, which I had on 1/3/13, and breasts later. For me it was impossible to determine exactly when I could stop breastfeeding, and plan accordingly, because my baby's needs come first. Im very glad i made that decision mostly because it was so painful, just having the TT alone with the lipo, that the breast augmentation would have been too much. I feel horribly guilty not being able to carry my baby in my arms, suddenly having her go cold turkey from what she loves would have devastated me. Hence the term post op depression. This is major surgery ladies don"t let anybody fool you. Make sure you have help!!!! Good luck.

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