How Pregnancy Affects Plastic Surgery
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Pregnancy is definitely a whole different experience. It’s a life-altering one that can bring joy and happiness to a woman’s life. However, it also impacts a woman’s body, sometimes leading to dissatisfaction with her appearance. Therefore, some women turn to professional surgeons and plastic surgery to address their concerns. But the question is: how pregnancy affects plastic surgery?
In this article, we will explore the effects of pregnancy on plastic surgery and what you need to know before undergoing any procedure. Stay tuned.
Pregnancy and Plastic Surgery: Understanding the Risks
As we’re all aware, pregnancy can bring many changes to a woman’s body, such as:
- skin stretching,
- breast enlargement,
- weight gain.
Therefore, it’s vital to know from the start that all of these changes can affect the outcome of the surgery. Additionally, it’s of critical importance to be aware of the risks such procedures can cause after pregnancy.
For instance, breast augmentation after pregnancy could increase the risk of bleeding or infections. Or, if you undergo the tummy tuck procedure right after being pregnant, there’s a risk of developing something called ‘seroma.’ That is a pocket of fluid that can form under the skin. Therefore, like everything in life, it’s vital to research, find professionals to put your confidence in, and have the right team by your side.
Timing is crucial when talking about how pregnancy affects plastic surgery. But first, giving your body time to heal is vital.
In addition to possible risks, it’s important to think of the recovery process too. Patients should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity during recovery to prevent complications and ensure proper healing. So, if you’re in the middle of a moving process, heavy lifting might be one of the things you’d be thinking of tackling. However, this activity will undoubtedly strain your body and slow healing. Thus, it’s wise to listen to professional advice from the team behind Best Movers NYC and seek help from friends and family or hire movers who can help you make your move easier and allow you to focus on your recovery.
The Timing of Plastic Surgery After Giving Birth
Regarding how pregnancy affects plastic surgery, it’s essential to remember that timing is everything. First and foremost, it’s crucial to wait until your body has completely healed and returned to its pre-pregnancy state before undergoing any procedures. Typically, this period takes six months to a year after giving birth.
In the time between, your body will continue to change. That is why undergoing plastic surgery too soon can lead to unsatisfactory results. Do not forget to consult your gynecologist about having thoughts about plastic surgery. They will be the ones to ensure your body is ready for the procedure and give you the green light.
How Pregnancy Affects Plastic Surgery: The Ultimate List
With all of the previously stated, it’s time to dig deeper into how pregnancy affects plastic surgery.
Change in Skin Elasticity
The woman’s skin stretches during pregnancy to accommodate the fetus. However, this also is likely to result in changes in skin elasticity, especially in the abdominal area. Then, as a result, procedures like tummy tucks can lead to unsatisfactory results. For example, breast lift procedures rely on the skin’s elasticity to reshape and lift the breasts. But, if the skin has lost its elasticity during pregnancy, the procedure might not be as effective.
Change in Breast Size and Shape
The breasts are prone to significant changes in size and shape during pregnancy. Subsequently, this is yet another example of how pregnancy affects plastic surgery. For instance, if a patient undergoes breast augmentation before pregnancy and then experiences significant breast growth during pregnancy, the enlargement results may be less noticeable.
Abdominal Muscle Separation
A widespread condition that pregnant women experience is the so-called ‘diastasis recti’ or the separation of abdominal muscles. This condition usually results in bulging in the abdominal area, which is difficult to correct without surgery. However, patients that withstand the tummy tuck surgery may require additional muscle repair to correct the separation. Again, this can impact the results of the procedure as well as the recovery time.
If you give your body time to heal, the tummy tuck procedure results or liposuction will be more effective.
Fluid Accumulation
After pregnancy, there’s an increased risk of seroma or fluid accumulation after procedures like liposuction or tummy tuck. This is mainly because the body’s natural healing process and ability might be compromised in the period after pregnancy. However, while seromas aren’t usually dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and require other approaches and treatment.
Healing Time
Finally, we shouldn’t forget that the body needs time to heal fully after pregnancy and childbirth. Patients who wish to undergo plastic surgery too soon after giving birth may experience complications, such as infection or delayed healing. Additionally, a woman’s body might continue to change months after giving birth, which can also have an effect on the procedure done too early. On the other hand, patients who allow their bodies to completely heal and stabilize before undergoing plastic surgeries are more likely to achieve desired results.
Common Procedures After Pregnancy
So, now that you’re aware of all the risks and wish to proceed with plastic surgery, it would be good to know your options. This is a list of several most common plastic surgeries women consider after childbearing to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies.
- Tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) – The procedure that removes excess fat or skin from the abdomen and tightens abdominal muscles;
- Breast augmentation – Insertion of implants to increase the size of breasts and improve their shape;
- Breast lift (or mastopexy) – The procedure of lifting sagging breasts;
- Liposuction – A method that removes excess fat from various areas of the body;
- Mommy makeover – A combination of techniques designed to restore a woman’s pre-pregnancy body.
Your plastic surgery results can be fascinating if done correctly and at the right time.
Final Thoughts on How Pregnancy Affects Plastic Surgery
Pregnancy, indeed, does have a significant impact on a woman’s body. And, it’s only natural for her to wish to restore her pre-pregnancy body and feel like herself again. However, it’s important to know the risks involved and how pregnancy affects plastic surgery. So, if you’re considering plastic procedures after birth, discussing your options with a professional surgeon would be wise to ensure you get the best possible outcome.