If I'm not breastfeeding, how long after giving birth should I wait before doing a mommy makeover?

Thank you for asking about the appropriate waiting period after childbirth before undergoing a breast procedure. This is a crucial consideration for ensuring the best possible outcomes from the surgery.

After pregnancy and childbirth, hormonal changes and milk production cause the breasts to enlarge. It’s essential for the breasts to return to their post-pregnancy state before proceeding with elective breast surgery, which typically occurs within 4 to 6 months after delivery.

Waiting is important for several reasons:

Breast Engorgement and Milk Production: If there’s still milk present in the ducts at the time of surgery, there’s a risk of postoperative complications, such as infection or the formation of lactoceles (localized milk-filled fluid collections). Breast procedures commonly involve cutting or transecting the milk ducts, making it important to ensure milk production has ceased or significantly diminished.

Size Stabilization: Engorged breasts are larger than their normal post-pregnancy size. If a breast lift or reduction is performed too soon, when the breasts are still enlarged, it may result in an inadequate procedure. For instance, if the surgery reduces you from a DDD to a D while the breasts are still enlarged, you might find that your breasts shrink further as they stabilize, leaving you with less lift or reduction than desired.

Regarding presenting a note for work, this varies based on individual circumstances, such as the nature of your job, your recovery process, and the policies of your employer. Some women are able to use maternity leave or Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions to recover from such surgeries, but this is something you should discuss with your plastic surgeon and employer. Each patient’s situation is different, and your approach will depend on your specific needs and the type of work you do.

I hope this provides a clear understanding of why it's important to wait for a certain period post-childbirth before undergoing breast surgery, and how this timing can affect the success of the procedure.

Wishing you the best as you plan your procedure and navigate the decisions around work and recovery.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

I generally recommend waiting at least 6 to 12 months after giving birth before undergoing a mommy makeover, even if you're not breastfeeding. This timeframe allows your body to stabilize after pregnancy, including weight fluctuations and hormonal changes.

Thanks for you question. If you are not breastfeeding after giving birth, I typically recommend my patients wait 6 months before undergoing a mommy makeover. I also recommend to them to make sure that do not plan on having any more children as that would affect their surgery results. Hope this helps. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Dr. Moises Salama, board certified plastic surgeon.

Thanks so much for your question,

If you're not breastfeeding, it's generally recommended to wait at least 6 months after giving birth before undergoing a mommy makeover

Even if you're not breastfeeding, your breasts may still change in size and shape in the months following childbirth. Waiting allows these changes to settle, giving your surgeon a better idea of how to achieve your desired results.

Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your specific situation. They can evaluate your readiness based on your physical condition, how your body has recovered, and your aesthetic goals. This personalized assessment will help determine the best timing for your mommy makeover.

Sincerely,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol

Exciting766012, Excellent Questions! The timeline for indivisuals vary depending on certain situations. The soonest a mommy makeover can occur is 6 months after birth. Common procedures include breast lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction. Navigating post mommy makeover with a full time job is possible. When you feel ready to do your job is highly individualized. Depending on the nature of your job, you may be able to return to work within 2-4 weeks, but you should avoid strenuous activities until fully recovered.

Best Wishes,
ESJ

#TransformationandTruth

I would wait six months after either giving birth or cessation of breastfeeding before proceeding with any breast surgery. Downtime will depend more on the chosen abdominal procedure than the breast procedure. Full tummy tucks can take as long as 3-4 weeks to recover from while most surgeons will not remove lifting restrictions (lifting more than 8-10lbs) for 6 weeks. Your time off of work will depend on your job and its physical requirements, but they should accept a physician's note for time off.

Dear Exciting766012, thanks for sharing your question, you should wait at least 4 months to get this kind of procedures performed
For your job you can get a letter and that should be enough.
Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia.

The time needed to recover from pregnancy and lose the baby fat varies from person to person. Six months is reasonable amount of time. You will probably need two to three weeks of recovery and it depends on the type of job you have: sitting at a desk or heavy lifting at work. You can use FMLA for it.

Thank you for your query. The opinions may differ on this, but I prefer to wait for at least three months after childbirth, if there is no breast feeding, before planning a Mommy makeover. Please find an experienced, board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns. All the best!

Dear Exciting766012,
you should recover and wait for your body to go back to normal after pregnancy. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery