Pregnancy will undoubtedly affect all women’s bodies, as it stretches and forms with the growth of the unborn baby. Many women, particularly who have endured multiple pregnancies are now seeking cosmetic surgery to help restore the body to it’s original or improved form after giving birth.

According to plastic surgeon Dr. Kourosh Tavakoli, as many as 30 percent of the patients he treats undergo post-pregnancy body improvement procedures. The most common procedures sought by these mothers are abdominoplasty, liposuction and breast enhancement.

Abdominoplasty is often helpful to alleviate the signs of sagging skin caused by the stretching of the abdominal wall. Abdominoplasty, also commonly referred to as a ‘tummy tuck’, is most commonly sought by patients who have had multiple pregnancies or whose bodies have not fully recovered from a large baby. This procedure is frequently performed with liposuction as well.

Liposuction may be an excellent option for post-pregnancy patients who had problem areas prior to the baby. Pregnancy can often worsen areas of the body that may already be out of shape and liposuction can help restore a fitter appearance.

Lastly, breast enhancement is not uncommon following a pregnancy. The degree of breast change occurring during pregnancy and your child’s infancy is dependent on breastfeeding. Typically, women who breastfeed are more likely to experience differences in their breasts. Common post breast feeding complaints include a change of shape and reduction in volume. These problems can be remedied by a breast lift or breast enhancement. Women may also experience excessive growth of breast tissue and may desire a breast reduction following pregnancy.

Dr. Tavakoli emphasizes that there must be an extensive recovery period for the body after pregnancy before undergoing plastic surgery. “This period can range from 12 to 24 months, I would not recommend any cosmetic work within a year after pregnancy,” Tavakoli comments.

The recovery period for post-pregnancy procedures will vary depending on the procedure. According to Dr. Tavakoli, some women undergo multiple procedures such as abdominoplasty and breast enhancement, at the same time. Though this may lengthen the recovery process, it may be easier to address all the needs at once.

“Cosmetic surgery after pregnancy can have a very positive effect. As long as the expectations are realistic, the overall satisfaction rate in this group of patients is very high,” says Tavakoli.