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Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Five

HEALT H & BEAUTY Baby Body Why the race to get back to your pre-baby weight can be unhealthy Renowned plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr Dilip Gahankari says post-pregnancy wellness procedures can address many of the unwanted, permanent physical changes women may experience after childbirth. However, he warns against the race to get back to a pre-baby body. “Almost every woman who has been through child birth says it is one of the most rewarding and monumental events in her life, and one she would not trade for anything in the world. But pregnancy and child birth can take their toll on the female body,” Dr Gahankari says. “We have many clients who have shared with us that the changes pregnancy has made to their bodies have left them feeling unhappy, often depressed. Sometimes the breasts and stomach will not return to their pre-baby form, no matter how much she diets or exercises. As a result, a woman can feel selfconscious and her self-esteem can plummet.” Dr Gahankari says these unwanted physical changes can cause serious emotional problems for new mothers, who are often already feeling anxious and vulnerable, focusing on these issues. “Mothers play perhaps the most important role in a child’s life, and if a mother is experiencing feelings of depression or hopelessness as a result of these physical changes, it can impact on the wellbeing of the whole family.” Dr Gahankari says it is important to distinguish between the short-term changes that can be addressed with diet and exercise, and the permanent changes which cannot. He says it is often helpful for a new mother to know that these more permanent changes can be addressed surgically. “As a society we should not be putting pressure on women to get back to their pre baby body quickly. It is always my advice in the months following childbirth that a woman focuses on the beautiful life they have created. Yes, there may be a little weight gain but with proper diet and exercise – and time – this can be addressed. If, after a time, there are ongoing issues that are causing distress, then we offer a surgical solution.” Surgical advancements mean that post pregnancy wellness surgical procedures can be tailored to give women back their pre-baby body, and in many cases, also correct issues that pre-date the pregnancy. These surgical options include breast enlargement, breast reduction, breast lift, liposuction and tummy tuck. Dr Gahankari says it is important for women to allow themselves time to adjust to motherhood and give their body a chance to recover, then, if there are problem areas, they can be corrected surgically, restoring the woman’s self-esteem and allowing her to regain her life with confidence. “The results we see from these post pregnancy surgeries are life-changing,” Dr Gahankari says. “Often when the patients first come to us they are incredibly self-conscious and depressed, and it is impacting on their experience as a mother, and a woman. It gives us a real sense of pride and accomplishment to restore a woman’s confidence and allow her to get back to a rich and full life.” However, he stresses the decision to turn to surgical procedures to restore body image such as breast lifts, implants or tummy tucks were best undertaken when family planning was complete. “Procedures such as breast lift and breast augmentation may interfere with future breast feeding and the tummy tuck procedure often involves tightening of the stretched muscles in the tummy,” he says. “Any future pregnancy therefore, can undo all the good work from surgery and re-stretch the muscles. My recommendation is to allow at least one year after your last planned pregnancy, complete breastfeeding if you wish, and allow nature to revert the physiologic changes caused by pregnancy and lactation. pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 59


Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Five
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