After spending the last nine months growing a child inside your body, you’ve brought the baby into the world. You may feel that your body has changed from all recognition, but you have options on how to make yourself feel more your pre-pregnancy self. Getting fit may be the last thing on your mind when you have a baby to look after but feeling that your body has changed completely may make you feel down or anxious at a time when your life has changed so much.
Is it possible to get back in shape after pregnancy?
Everyone is different and everyone’s journey is different; if in doubt about your health, always seek advice from your doctor, but yes, it is possible to get back in shape after pregnancy.
Post-pregnancy workouts
Safe exercises that are safe after pregnancy include:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Low-impact aerobics
- Cycling
Regular exercise after you’ve had a baby will strengthen and tone your muscles and help you recover from labour. It can raise your energy levels so you feel less tired and may help you to also lose weight and become fitter.
Exercise is good for your mental wellbeing as it relieves stress and helps prevent postnatal depression. You are also more likely to get outside and meet people. But don’t worry about not getting enough exercise, caring for a newborn can be hard work, and you might not have the energy or time to work out as regularly as you’d like. There are other options to help you regain your pre-pregnancy shape.
Make sure you eat well and remember your vitamins
It may be a good idea to keep up with your prenatal vitamins, especially if you’re breastfeeding. You need to restore the nutrients you may have lost during pregnancy, and support your body while it’s producing breast milk. Healthy eating will maximize the little energy you probably have as a new mum and help with your post-pregnancy exercise regime. Make sure you get all the nutrients you and your baby need to benefit both of you.
Liposuction after childbirth
One of the most common complaints from women following childbirth is excess fat left on their stomach that even with lots of exercise is difficult to shift. So, many women turn to liposuction in particular to help reduce this stubborn area of fat. It can be a very effective treatment for reducing excess fat from the body but following childbirth.
Liposuction is a cosmetic treatment which involves the removal of unwanted fatty deposits in areas where it is difficult to lose with exercising and dieting alone. It is most successful in women who are near average in weight and have elastic skin in the treatment area. Liposuction is sometimes thought of as a way to treat obesity but this is not the case and it is an excellent way to improve the way you feel about your body . In order to get the most out of the treatment and achieve long-lasting results, it is important to maintain your weight with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
What does liposuction surgery involve?
Liposuction is carried out using a cannula, a thin tube that is inserted through tiny cuts in the skin. The cannula loosens the fat and alters the shape of the body area. Then, a special suction device is attached to the cannula, and the fat is sucked away from the body.
How long do you wait to have liposuction following pregnancy?
How long you wait to have liposuction following pregnancy will vary. Some surgeons recommend you wait for three to four months after giving birth, whereas some suggest six to nine months, others will consider it appropriate to wait for a year. Your surgeon will consider your personal lifestyle and circumstances as your body will need to fully heal and settle, and this may take longer for some women. If you have a young baby to take care of you will need extra support during the recovery process, so you may have to consider having appropriate help available to allow for a comfortable recovery. The type of birth you experienced will also determine when you have liposuction. You may choose to wait until you have completed your family before undergoing any procedure, although it is still successful for women who go on to have more children following the surgery. If you speak to the team at Enhance Medical, they will be happy to discuss your personal situation and advise you accordingly.
Allow yourself time after giving birth to your baby before you make any decisions
Remember, everybody changes shape at different rates, so don’t be too quick to judge your postpartum body, or compare your post-pregnancy shape to anyone else’s. Allow yourself time to heal, both physically and mentally, before making decisions about any kind of plastic surgery.
