Mums, you’re there for your kids all the time, through the birth, teething and onwards to starting school. Many mums will take time out to care for their body, including a nutritious diet and regular exercise, both of which are important to maintain the health and fitness necessary to care for one’s family. Even so, many women experience significant body changes following pregnancy and childbirth. When you desire more significant alterations to your post-baby figure that cannot be achieved with lifestyle changes alone, plastic surgery procedures and cosmetic treatments can offer such alterations.
Dr Milovic and his team have helped many mums achieve the results they want. During a consultation with Dr Vlad Milovic at his Melbourne clinic, you can discuss your goals and work with Dr Milovic to develop a customised treatment plan.
Risks of Surgery
All surgical procedures carry risks and the potential for complications. While Dr Milovic is extensively trained and experienced with a comprehensive array of plastic surgery procedures and utilises advanced techniques to help mitigate those risks, patients considering treatment should always be fully aware of them beforehand. Dr Milovic will go over all risks and potential complications associated with the procedure during the initial consultation, and we are happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.
Risks of this procedure include, but are not limited to:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Excessive bleeding
- Pain/discomfort
- Nerve damage
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Complications relating to anaesthesia
- Seroma (a growth/lump near the surgery site that may become infectious)
- Unsatisfactory cosmetic results
- Death
- Poor wound healing
- Potential for an additional surgery
- Blood clots
- A “looseness” of skin that can be recurrent
- Skin discolouration
- Asymmetrical contour results
- Skin loss
What Post Pregnancy Procedures Will Not Do
Post pregnancy procedures are not a substitute for weight loss, which is best achieved through diet and exercise. For most patients, cosmetic surgery should actually be the final step in the weight loss journey. Generally, you shouldn’t have surgery until you have reached your goal weight (i.e. a weight you’re happy with) and have kept it constant for at least three months before seeing Dr Milovic for your first visit.
Who Is a Candidate for Post Pregnancy Procedures?
Post pregnancy procedures are a very personal decision and you should have realistic goals and expectations before undergoing any surgical or non-surgical procedures. Dr Milovic recommends a healthy diet and exercise regimen to achieve your ideal or goal weight before surgery. Some of our patients have mentioned how important it was to have their core and upper body strength during the immediate recovery period. Moreover, if you are in good health and you are a non-smoker (or you are prepared to give up smoking for at least six weeks prior to and after surgery) then you may be well-suited for post pregnancy plastic surgery.
What Happens During a Post Pregnancy Procedure?
Depending upon your general health, post pregnancy procedures are typically performed during the day or alternatively with an overnight hospital stay. Some patients require a phased approach to potentially enhance safety and minimise risks. When you and Dr Milovic are discussing your plan, he will explain each detail of the process so that you know what to expect. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments can be performed in the comfort of our office, and a customised plan will be created for achieving optimal results.
For information on how each procedure is performed, we encourage you to explore our website to review dedicated pages on the surgeries and treatments you are considering:
What Is Recovery After Post Pregnancy Procedure Like?
Based on your unique plan, Dr Milovic can provide you with a rough estimate of how long you can expect to be recovering, but you must take into account that your recovery may be shorter or longer than average. Prior to any procedure, you will be given detailed post-operative instructions on how to care for yourself once you are home. These instructions should be followed closely to enhance your comfort, promote healing and prevent complications.
It is critical that you attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with Dr Milovic. If you have any questions or urgent concerns that arise during the recovery process you are encouraged to contact our office or Dr Milovic directly—he is available to all post-operative patients after hours.
More Information About Post Pregnancy Procedures
What do post pregnancy surgery scars look like?
As a highly qualified plastic and cosmetic surgeon, Dr Milovic will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible. Any scars that do appear will typically fade over time and, for most of our patients, become barely noticeable. Furthermore, if scarring is a particular concern for you, Dr Milovic will be happy to recommend treatments to potentially expedite scar healing.
Do post pregnancy procedures require anaesthesia?
Most post pregnancy procedures are performed under general anaesthesia. While modern anaesthesia is considered safe and effective when administered by a qualified anaesthetist, it does carry some risks. Rest assured that Dr Milovic enlists the help of an experienced anaesthetist, who is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and NZ College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), for all applicable surgeries.
Prior to your surgery, we ask that you provide a list of all of your current medications and allergies.
Can I get pregnant again after a post pregnancy surgery?
While it is generally safe for many women to become pregnant after they have had cosmetic surgery, Dr Milovic recommends waiting until you have finished having children. Another pregnancy could affect the quality of your results; however, if you should become pregnant it is best not to worry. Some patients find that their figure responds surprisingly well to the pregnancy, while others need only minor procedures or touch-ups to restore their previous results.