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Plastic surgeons often recommend that women wait to undergo plastic surgery until after they have finished having children. This is due to the fact that pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding demand a physical toll on a woman’s body, a price that—more often than not—dampens the results accomplished with body contouring or breast enhancement.
While childbearing does impact body contours (both natural and those accomplished with plastic surgery), there are instances when waiting may not be necessary and may not be the best course of action.
How Can Women Benefit From Plastic Surgery Before Children?
Women desire body and breast cosmetic procedures for numerous reasons, but they all connect to one overarching concern: to feel more confident in their bodies and, therefore, in themselves.
Suppose a woman has lost significant weight and is forced to deal with excess skin, has oversized or sagging breasts that are causing physical and emotional pain, or is dealing with some other body concern that can be remedied with surgery. Why should she wait if the presence of that concern is negatively impacting the way she sees herself now?
Plastic surgery (especially breast and body contouring) allows women to feel more comfortable, confident, and sexy in their bodies. For some women, the desire for these procedures comes long before settling down for family life.
So, what contributes to this?
Have You Lost Significant Weight?
Loose, hanging skin is the dark side of weight loss; unfortunately, it is unavoidable in some cases.
The skin has the ability to stretch in times of weight gain; however, it cannot always contract, especially if it has been stretched for a long period or does not have the strength and elasticity to bounce back.
Weight loss can target fat and muscles, but it can do nothing for collections of loose skin—skin that is visible in bathing suits, tight clothing, and during moments of intimacy.
If you have lost weight and have this skin, it is almost guaranteed that you will feel more comfortable without it (both physically and emotionally). Body contouring procedures, including body lift surgery, tummy tuck surgery, thigh lift surgery, and arm lift surgery, are available to eliminate this drooping, sagging skin.
Do You Have Overly Large or Drooping Breasts?
Many women develop large breasts during their teen years that only continue to grow into adulthood.
Women with large breasts, no matter their age, usually also experience premature breast sagging due to the excessive weight of the breasts. It can be emotionally taxing for a woman to see herself with overly large, elongated breasts, which can hinder her confidence in both social and intimate settings.
Breast reduction surgery with a breast lift can eliminate this discomfort and allow a woman greater confidence and comfort in her body.
Do You Wish You Had a Little More Breast?
Just like some women wish they had smaller breasts, others wish they had larger ones.
There are many young women whose breasts never develop enough to “fill out” tops and dresses the way they want. Breast augmentation with implants is the most popular plastic surgery procedure among young women, many of whom have not had children.
When Should I Wait for My Plastic Surgery Procedure?
While there are times when plastic surgery can be performed prior to pregnancy, there are also times when it is right to wait.
If you know that you are planning on becoming pregnant in the near future, then there is little reason to undergo a surgical procedure right now. Additionally, if you are looking for plastic surgery—such as a Mommy Makeover— to address the physical changes of a previous pregnancy (but are still looking forward to another), then you really don’t want to jump under the knife just yet.
Interested in Learning More?
While there are recommendations for “when to consider plastic surgery,” there is no rule. The right time for plastic surgery varies between patients, and only you will know when the right time is for you.
If you are looking to improve your body contours, contact Dr. O’Toole at Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation. You will have the chance to discuss your goals and desires with a board-certified plastic surgeon and learn if you are the right candidate for body or breast enhancement surgery. Call us at (626) 449-8910 or fill out our online contact form.