Thinking About Plastic Surgery But Aren’t Sure You’re “Done” Having Babies?
Dr. Phillip Chang
Board Certified By The American Board of Plastic Surgeons.
Voted Top Plastic Surgeon in Loudoun, Virginia
Offices in Leesburg, Virginia.
There are a lot of myths and misinformation regarding what you can and can’t do to enhance your body if you are in the midst of your reproductive years. If you are unsure about having another child – or having children altogether – there are many surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures from which you can still benefit.
There are a lot of myths and misinformation regarding what you can and can’t do to enhance your body if you are in the midst of your reproductive years. If you are unsure about having another child – or having children altogether – there are many surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures from which you can still benefit. While parts of the Mommy Makeover may require some forethought, others have no impact when it comes to potential pregnancies down the road. As with all cosmetic procedures, making an informed decision is crucial to meeting your goals.
Breast Lifts and Augmentations
Breast lift surgeries are tricky when it comes to future pregnancies and breastfeeding. During a breast lift, breast tissue is removed through an incision either in a donut, lollipop, or anchor shape on the breast. In some surgeries, the size and placement of the areola complex is also changed for a more pleasing appearance. It is possible to lose sensitivity in the nipple and breast after the procedure, with the risk being highest when the areola is repositioned. Sensation loss can be permanent in extremely rare cases. The procedure may also alter your milk supply when attempting to breastfeed.
Breast augmentations are perfectly safe to have before a pregnancy. Although there is a slight chance of a decreased milk supply, it is not common. Many women successfully breastfeed after augmentation surgery every year.
Our thoughts: This is a personal choice. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, breasts become larger and fuller. There’s no way to know how your breasts will bounce back after this stretching. If you are planning on more babies in the very near future, go ahead and wait to have the procedures until after you are “done.” If you are unsure about more children, an augmentation is an excellent way to enhance your appearance. Although most breast lifts also go smoothly, there is a chance of having to repeat the lift after the stretching from pregnancy – making the ultimate decision up to you.
Tummy Tucks
Tummy tucks remove excess fat and skin from the abdomen, making the profile smoother and firmer. Many women have tummy tucks followed by successful pregnancies and births. If you are planning on having another child, it’s best to wait at least one year after surgery to make sure you are completely healed from the procedure.
Our thoughts: This is a personal choice. There is a risk of losing most of the procedure’s benefits after another pregnancy. If you know you are going to have another child, you have to keep that in mind. On the other hand, many patients report that their pregnancies look better following a tummy tuck and that their bodies bounced back better than with previous pregnancies.
Liposuction and Sculpsure
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat from the body. SculpSure is a non-surgical alternative to destroying fat cells in problem areas. Both procedures are safe for women who may become pregnant, having no known complications.
Our thoughts: This is a personal choice. There’s no way of knowing what your body is going to do – even from pregnancy to pregnancy! If you are healthy and looking for a way to get rid of stubborn fat deposits, both liposuction and SculpSure are safe, effective options. They may even improve the look of your pregnancy and the ability of your body to return to its original shape. Every person is different, though, and it’s understandable if you want to wait to see what that additional pregnancy may do to your body.
Photofacials and Profractional Laser Procedures
Photofacials and Profractional laser treatments tighten skin, remove fine lines and wrinkles, and help with skin discoloration. They are completely safe before pregnancy but are not recommended for women who are currently pregnant.
Our thoughts: These treatments are great before and after babies.
BOTOX®
BOTOX® is a wonderful way to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. There isn’t much research when it comes to BOTOX®, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Most experts agree that you should wait three to four months after an injection before trying to get pregnant, and avoid getting injections while pregnant and breastfeeding.
Our thoughts: This treatment is perfect before babies and after breastfeeding is done.
Juvéderm® Injectable Gel
Juvéderm® Injectable Gel restores cheek and lip volume, contours the nose, and reduces fine lines. Although it is not FDA-approved to use during pregnancy, the procedure is not known to cause any pregnancy complications.
Our thoughts: This treatment is fabulous before and after babies.
Summary
If you have never had children, it’s hard to know what pregnancy will do to your body. If you’ve already had a child, you may have a better idea of what to expect – but then again, all pregnancies can be different. Consult your doctor and cosmetic surgeon before you make any decisions about what is right for you. It’s important to discuss risks and the possibilities of having to touch up procedures if you aren’t “done.” Remember that it’s always a personal decision; choose what works best for you and your situation.
FAQs
Most frequent questions and answers
Acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S. affecting nearly 50 million Americans at any time. Acne is caused when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It can often be persistent and unsightly.
The Acne Clear BBL is a cutting-edge acne treatment that uses the power of light to comfortably and effectively clear acne without expensive creams or toxic medicines…
Brown sun and age spots are some of the first signs of aging and sun damage.
Treatment options include
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- Forever Young BBL – Cutting edge technology providing the most powerful and effective IPL option.
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What to expect from the Forever Young BBL:
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- Up to 80% improvement after a single treatment.
- Most patients will benefit from adding a Micro Laser Peel and a Profractional Laser Peel ( Triple Laser Package )
Fine facial lines and wrinkles are a result of UV sun damage, the breakdown of collagen, and a decrease in skin hydration. The Micro Laser Peel and the Profractional Laser are ablative lasers designed to reverse these changes.
- The Micro Laser Peel precisely ablates the surface skin in order to remove UV damaged skin
- The Profractional Laser ablates deep columns of skin that can reach to the deep dermis. This allows for skin contraction but it also encourages new cell grown and organizes new collagen
Results depend on the depth of treatment. Recovery from a maintenance treatment can be as little as a day; but recovery from aggressive treatments can be as much as 7 days. Many patients will benefit from the addition of the Forever Young BBL ( Triple Laser Package ).
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