What Is the Ideal Weight for a Mommy Makeover?

Posted July 30, 2024 in Mommy Makeover

Many prospective Mommy Makeover patients want to know what weight they should be before their procedure. This blog discusses weight fluctuations after childbirth and losing weight before a Mommy Makeover.

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Preparing for a Mommy Makeover

For those planning to get a Mommy Makeover, looking forward to your body contouring results can be exciting. Many women have an idea of their ideal body and what they hope to achieve with Mommy Makeover surgery. 

A Mommy Makeover is, for some, a way to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies; this is often done by tightening the abdominal skin, lifting the breasts, and restoring lost breast volume. For others, Mommy Makeover surgery provides an option to enhance their bodies so they can feel comfortable and confident in their skin. Some Mommy Makeover candidates may not even be mothers but simply women who are looking to improve the appearance of multiple body areas in one procedure.  

Weight Fluctuations After Childbirth 

It’s no secret that women gain weight during pregnancy; after all, they are growing a human in their bodies. However, it’s important to note that many women often experience weight fluctuations after they’ve given birth as well. How long it takes to lose postpartum weight will depend on how much weight a woman gains during pregnancy. 

Many women lose the bulk of their baby weight around six weeks after childbirth. Generally speaking, most women will continue to experience weight fluctuations for six months to a year after giving birth due to hormonal changes in their bodies. 

Do I Need to Lose Weight for a Mommy Makeover? 

Most people choose to have liposuction and tummy tuck surgery as a part of their Mommy Makeover to remove stubborn fat and tighten the skin. Since excess fat and skin are removed during these procedures, patients usually experience some weight loss post-surgery. However, it is essential to note that a Mommy Makeover (and any procedures performed during Mommy Makeover surgery) is not meant to be a weight loss procedure. Prospective patients should view a Mommy Makeover as a body contouring procedure that will lift, sculpt, and tighten their bodies to match their aesthetic vision.  

A limited amount of fat can be removed with liposuction and a tummy tuck, which is why we recommend Mommy Makeover patients be at or near their ideal weight before their surgery. Depending on their body proportions, Mommy Makeover candidates should ideally be within 10 to 20 pounds of their goal weight. The right weight for each woman will vary depending on their frame, build, and body goals. At the end of the day, the ideal weight is mainly up to your own personal preferences. 

Most surgeons recommend that patients have a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or lower prior to their Mommy Makeover. The BMI is often used to determine if you are at a healthy weight, as patients must be in overall good health to be a candidate for Mommy Makeover surgery. This ensures that patients can safely undergo the procedure. 

If you are planning on losing weight, it is best to postpone your Mommy Makeover until you are close to or have reached your goals for this. Weight fluctuations after a Mommy Makeover can compromise your results and, in some cases, reverse them entirely. Staying at a stable weight post-surgery is the best way to maintain your Mommy Makeover results. 

In rare, extreme, instances, however, a patient may need a tummy tuck or panniculectomy prior to losing weight because the abdominal tissue impedes their ability to exercise, making it very difficult to lose weight. In these instances, a more “functional” tummy tuck is performed, which often kick-starts the patient’s weight loss journey. Once the patient obtains their goal weight, an aesthetic tummy tuck is then performed, followed by other Mommy Makeover procedures to reach the desired goal.

Want to Know More About Mommy Makeover Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ? 

To learn more about Mommy Makeover surgery in Scottsdale, AZ, call Dr. Prichard’s office at (480) 752-7874 or fill out our online contact form.