How To Transform Your Post-Baby Body

Cosmetic Treatments, Doctor's Talk August 16, 2019 By Sarah Head

If getting to the gym after having a baby sounds like an enormous task, then a mommy makeover may be a cosmetic procedure to consider. Dr. Daniel Careaga is an award-winning plastic surgeon who specializes in a range of body, face, and breast procedures. By utilizing his extensive experience in all these fields, Dr. Careaga has gained a reputation for being a meticulous plastic surgeon with a powerful practice: Careaga Plastic Surgery. Renowned Miami plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Careaga divulged to Haute Beauty about everything you need to know about a mommy makeover.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Haute Beauty: What procedures are most popular in a mommy makeover?

Dr. Daniel Careaga: ‘Mommy Makeover’ is a term that describes any combination of procedures to enhance the breast and body after a woman has completed childbearing. The most common procedures are breast augmentation with a tummy tuck and liposuction of the waist. If the breasts have drooped a lift may be necessary.

HB: When should women seek out this makeover?

DC: There is no specific time in which to have a MM, but the ideal is after a woman has completed childbearing. I recommend to first lose all the pregnancy weight to obtain the best post-operative result possible. The minimum time to have any abdominal contouring after childbirth is 3 months for a vaginal delivery and 6 months for a C-section. For a breast procedure, it is 3 months after the completion of breastfeeding.

HB: What benefits can be expected?

DC: A mommy makeover can have a very dramatic improvement on a woman’s body and thus her self-esteem. Motherhood can cause significant changes to the breasts and abdomen and a mommy makeover addresses those issues so that the tummy can be flat and firm again and the breasts full and perky.

HB: What does recovery look like?

DC: Recovery from a mommy makeover depends on what procedures were performed. For a tummy tuck and breast augmentation, the average time back to work is 10-14 days. Most patients can return to the gym at one month starting with low-impact cardio.

HB: How do you know if a surgeon is qualified?

DC: The most important thing to look for is board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is the only board recognized to certify that a surgeon has received the proper training and experience to be able to competently perform any aesthetic procedure. A recent study demonstrated that almost half of the patients did not know the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon. There is NO formal training program for cosmetic surgery and there is NO certifying board for cosmetic surgery. Your body and your health deserve the best. Seek out a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Photo Credit: Dr. Daniel Careaga

HB: What is a day like at the office of Dr. Careaga?

DC: Careaga Plastic Surgery is a high-end aesthetic plastic surgery practice that revolves around improving its patients’ self-esteem through safe plastic surgery. Dr. Careaga and Dr. Durand both perform surgery daily as well as see follow-up patients to monitor patients’ progress and provide new consultations to educate them about their options to further meet their aesthetic goals. Our PA, Reana Myers spends her day seeing patients for facial rejuvenation through the use of Botox, fillers and laser treatments. Also, our med-spa is one of the most technology-driven med-spas around. Sculpsure for non-invasive fat removal and EmSculpt for ab and gluteal muscle augmentation allow a level of high definition enhancement without the need for surgery.