PREFACE: This entry is in no way promoting or discouraging cosmetic/plastic surgery. This blog post stems from my constant role as “information gatherer”. I understand many people have strong thoughts one way or the other on the topic of plastic surgery and I would love to hear them. Personally as a mom — and honestly as a woman– the seed of questioning around what plastic surgery actually entails (and could deliver) had been planted in my head long ago.
I was recently contacted by a local doctor who was interested in answering questions moms may have about cosmetic surgery and I thought it would be a great opportunity to find out and share the information he could provide. Hopefully some of you will find his feedback on this topic interesting too — even if you never intend to take the route of a cosmetic surgery procedure.
Below are my questions regarding cosmetic/plastic surgery and Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson’s answers:
Q: What are some common procedures you see women seeking after having children and what kind of benefits can Moms expect to find from plastic surgery post-children? Sometimes the childbirth process as well as pregnancy can cause physical conditions that can be corrected by surgery (diastasis, etc.); do you perform these procedures and why should women seek plastic surgery to fix them?
A: Pregnancy and childbirth cause very predictable physical changes for most women — the breasts lose shape and volume, the abdominal muscles spread apart (rectus diastasis), the flanks and low abdomen accumulate stubborn fat, stretch marks appear on the trunk, and occasionally the labia minora enlarge. The extent to which these areas change varies widely, and there is usually no amount of diet or exercise that will yield significant improvement. Many women who visit my practice seek to restore their pre pregnancy features via breast lifting/augmentation, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction and/or labiaplasty for functional and cosmetic reasons. While having plastic surgery is always a very personal decision, my patients typically say they look better, feel better, and perform social, occupational, intimate and athletic roles with greater confidence and success.
Q: When is the right time to seek information about surgical options available after having a child? Should you wait until you are done having children? Is there a prime period of time to seek treatment?
A: A good rule of thumb is nine months to develop a baby, and nine months for the mother’s physical recovery afterward. I typically defer consultations until at least six months post-partum. Some operations, such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) should wait until a patient is done having children; others, such as breast surgery, may be performed at any time as long as their potential effects on future breastfeeding are fully understood.
Q: Lets be honest, a lot of women who would NEVER consider plastic surgery find themselves looking into a mirror after having children and wondering how their bodies changed so much. In some circles there is a bit of a social stigma associated with elective plastic surgery. What would you say to those women who would like to regain some of their previous form but feel conflicted by the idea of surgery?
A: Thirty years ago, plastic surgery was seldom discussed and considered quite taboo — it was fashionably decried as a male-driven phenomenon! Today, it is widely discussed across every media and has been embraced by many women as a personal choice to seize control of her own body. For some, it is considered the finishing touch that complements fitness and health; others consider it a deserved reward after years of focus on children and other responsibilities. Regardless, the overwhelming majority of my patients say their only regret is that they didn’t do it sooner.
Q: Plastic surgery is an expense. Does insurance cover any part of procedures? What are the ranges of costs associated with common
procedures?
A: Insurance does not cover any procedure that is deemed cosmetic, but as premiums and deductibles rise, plastic surgery now seems more affordable than ever when compared to traditional healthcare. There are excellent financing options, and numerous advancements have created shorter operative times and faster recovery. Minimally invasive options such as Botox and Juvederm start around $500; breast and body contouring procedures range from $3000 to $10,000 in my practice.
Q: Being a Mom means constant movement and constantly being needed –the idea of ”recovery time” seems impossible to many. What is a realistic expectation for recovering from some of the common procedures — and how have you seen patients navigate this role of Mom and patient?
A: Recovery is determined by procedural type, surgical skill and technique, and patient health. My average “young, healthy mom” tends to heal from breast augmentation or labiaplasty over a long weekend (3-4 days), liposuction in 5-7 days and tummy tuck in 7-10 days. I suggest a full release from maternal duties for the first few days,followed by a gradual return thereafter. Most moms revel the opportunity to “take off” for a short while, and then return with renewed energy and sense of self. Most dads perceive an opportunity to “give back.”
A Thank You to Dr. Donaldson for taking the time to answer my questions.
Dr. Jeffrey Donaldson is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with a private practice in Central Ohio. Dr. Donaldson puts great importance in being on the forefront of new procedures that provide better results, and is very familiar with trends and best practices in the industry. www.donaldsonplasticsurgery.
*During the month of October Dr. Donaldson will donate $1 to the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research
Donaldson Plastic Surgery for every Facebook “Like” his practice receives.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m one of those who never would have considered it before having kids…but I have to say that looking at my boobs after just ONE baby? I feel like I should give them a little help when I’m done having kids so they’re not at my KNEES by the time I’m 60!
i am more concerned of having cosmetic surgery before having babies? would it undo everything? for example you have tummy tuck surgery and after a couple of years you plan to have baby?