What Happens to Your Body After Pregnancy?

Pregnancy and childbirth can change your body in ways that don't always resolve once you've recovered or returned to your pre-pregnancy weight. Stretched abdominal muscles and skin, stubborn pockets of fat, breast volume loss or sagging, and other changes are all common after pregnancy, and some simply can't be corrected through diet and exercise alone. At The Oregon Clinic, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean McNally offers personalized body contouring procedures in Portland, OR that can address these concerns and help women restore or enhance their post-pregnancy contours. 

Whether you're bothered by changes in your breasts after pregnancy, midsection, or multiple areas, keep reading to learn more about what can happen to your body after having kids and which cosmetic surgery options may help you feel more confident in your shape. 

 

How can a tummy tuck address loose skin and separated abs after pregnancy? 

As your abdomen expands during pregnancy, the skin and connective tissues stretch to accommodate your growing baby. The abdominal muscles may also separate, a condition known as diastasis recti. While losing pregnancy weight can reduce excess fat, it can't remove stretched skin or repair separated abdominal muscles. 

A tummy tuck allows Dr. McNally to remove excess abdominal skin and tighten the underlying tissues to create a flatter, firmer midsection. Liposuction after pregnancy may also be incorporated when stubborn pockets of fat are contributing to fullness or reducing definition around the abdomen and waist. 

 

Should I get a breast augmentation vs. lift to restore my breasts after pregnancy? 

The right breast surgery after pregnancy depends on how your breasts have changed and what you'd like to restore. Breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, and pregnancy can leave the breasts looking deflated, lower on the chest, or different in size and shape. A breast augmentation uses implants to restore or add volume, while a breast lift reshapes and removes excess skin and repositions the remaining tissues. 

Some women benefit from combining the two procedures when they have multiple goals. In general, the concerns each option may address include:  

• Lost breast volume 
• Deflated-looking breasts 
• Sagging or drooping 
• Changes in breast shape 
• Downward-pointing or lower-positioned nipples 
• Breast asymmetry 

 

What’s included in a mommy makeover? 

A mommy makeover combines cosmetic procedures into a customized surgical plan to address several areas affected by pregnancy and childbirth. There isn't one standard combination that every patient receives. Depending on your concerns, a mommy makeover may include a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift, or a combination of breast procedures. 

Addressing multiple areas during one surgical plan can be particularly appealing for women who have changes in both the breasts and abdomen. During your consultation, Dr. McNally can evaluate the areas you'd like to improve and recommend a combination of procedures based on your anatomy, goals, and overall health. 

 

How long after pregnancy should you wait to have body contouring surgery? 

Body contouring generally isn't recommended right after having a baby. Your body needs time to recover from pregnancy and childbirth, and your breasts, abdomen, weight, and skin can continue changing for months afterward. It's typically best to wait until you've finished breastfeeding, your weight has stabilized, and you've had adequate time to recover before considering elective surgery. 

Women planning additional pregnancies may also choose to postpone procedures like a tummy tuck, since another pregnancy can stretch the skin and abdominal tissues again, and affect the results. As part of your consultation, Dr. McNally can help you determine when the timing for a mommy makeover is appropriate based on your recovery, family plans, and desired procedures. 

 

Restore your post-pregnancy contours with a mommy makeover and more in Portland, OR 

If pregnancy has left you with changes that haven't improved as much as you'd hoped with time, diet, and exercise, a personalized surgical plan can address the areas that continue to bother you. At The Oregon Clinic, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sean McNally offers tummy tuck surgery, breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, mommy makeover surgery, and other body contouring options in Portland, OR. Contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your post-pregnancy concerns and explore which procedures may help you achieve the contours you have in mind.