Women who are currently pregnant – and those who may be interested in having children in the future – often have several questions regarding how certain plastic surgery procedures can affect their bodies, as well as the effects pregnancy and/or breastfeeding can have on the results of a previous cosmetic treatment. Dr. Thomas Lintner is fully aware of these concerns and has provided answers below to some of the most frequently asked questions about plastic surgery and pregnancy.
Is it okay to undergo plastic surgery before having kids?
The answer to this question will ultimately depend on the particular treatment you are considering, though for more extensive extensive body contouring procedures – such as abdominoplasty or liposuction around the midsection – it is generally recommended that you wait until you are done having children. Reason being, the physical changes that often occur during and after pregnancy can negatively affect the outcome of your original surgery, sometimes requiring a revisional and/or secondary procedure to restore your initial results.
Are there any risks if I get pregnant after having plastic surgery?
In general, there are not usually any serious health risks associated with becoming pregnant after plastic surgery, as long as your procedure was performed safely and effectively by an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon. However, one key element to consider is the effect(s) pregnancy can have on the results you were able to achieve from your earlier treatment. For example, if you underwent tummy tuck surgery prior to getting pregnant, you may experience some re-stretching of your abdominal skin and muscles, resulting in an accumulation of loose, excess skin in and around your midsection. To learn more about this specific scenario, check out Dr. Lintner’s blog entry on tummy tuck and pregnancy.
Will pregnancy harm my breast implants?
If you have received a breast augmentation prior to having children, the changes that typically accompany pregnancy should not negatively affect the form and/or integrity of your breast implants. In actuality, implants can generally provide some level of resistance to the volume loss that often occurs after pregnancy, particularly if you plan to breastfeed. For more information, read Dr. Lintner’s blog post about pregnancy and breast implants.
Can I still breastfeed after breast augmentation?
When your breast augmentation is performed correctly by a qualified plastic surgeon, you should be able to breastfeed following your procedure, assuming you were able to do so in the first place. Additionally, in the event of an implant leak and/or rupture, the silicone gel or saline solution inside the implant should not damage any surrounding milk glands or breast tissues, so the concern that implants may contaminate your breast milk is generally unwarranted, particularly when they are placed below the muscle. To learn more, please read Dr. Lintner’s blog entry on breastfeeding after breast augmentation.
What are my options for restoring my pre-pregnancy figure?
Depending on your unique needs and aesthetic goals, there are a vast array of plastic surgical treatments that can help you regain your pre-pregnancy physique with beautiful, natural-looking results. If you are interested in addressing changes such as volume loss and/or drooping in the breasts, procedures like breast augmentation and mastopexy (or a combination of both) can often be excellent solutions. If your concerns are limited to loose, redundant skin and excess fat accumulations in various regions of the body, options including abdominoplasty, body lifting, laser skin tightening, and liposuction may be beneficial. The best news is, should you wish to target a variety of different concerns that encompass the body, breasts, and even the face, a customized Mommy Makeover can be formulated based on your specific desires. This inclusive treatment is an extremely popular option for mothers seeking to comprehensively rejuvenate their appearance following pregnancy and childbirth.
Contact Our Office
If you have any additional questions about pregnancy and plastic surgery, or if you wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lintner, please do not hesitate to contact us today.