Atlanta surgeon says timing is key for a Mommy Makeover

By AI, Created 4:26 PM UTC, May 26, 2026, /AGP/ – Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Lintner says women should wait until postpartum recovery is complete, weight is stable and future pregnancies are off the table before scheduling a Mommy Makeover. The guidance is meant to improve safety and help preserve surgical results.

Why it matters: - A Mommy Makeover can help address pregnancy-related changes that diet and exercise may not fully correct. - Timing affects both safety and how long the results last. - Women who schedule too early may face shifting hormones, changing breast tissue and ongoing abdominal recovery.

What happened: - Dr. Thomas Lintner, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Atlanta, outlined when women should consider a Mommy Makeover. - He said women should generally wait at least one year after childbirth before scheduling the procedure. - He also said candidates should be at or near their goal weight and should have finished having children before moving forward.

The details: - A Mommy Makeover is a customized set of procedures that typically includes breast surgery and body contouring. - Dr. Lintner said postpartum healing continues for months after delivery as hormone levels fluctuate, abdominal muscles regain tone and breast tissue changes. - The first year after childbirth is an important period for the body to heal and settle. - Stable weight helps surgeons deliver more predictable, longer-lasting results. - Significant weight changes after surgery can alter outcomes. - A Mommy Makeover is not a weight-loss procedure. - The procedure is meant to address issues such as excess skin, separated abdominal muscles and loss of breast volume. - Dr. Lintner said pregnancy after a Mommy Makeover can be medically safe for both mother and baby. - A later pregnancy is likely to affect the surgical results by stretching skin, changing breast tissue and reopening abdominal separation. - Dr. Lintner recommends women wait until family planning is complete before having the procedure.

Between the lines: - The guidance reflects a broader shift toward treating cosmetic surgery as a long-term planning decision, not just a post-pregnancy fix. - The emphasis on recovery, weight stability and family planning suggests that candidacy matters as much as surgical technique. - The message also pushes patients to discuss goals and timing with a board-certified plastic surgeon rather than rushing into surgery.

What’s next: - Women interested in the procedure are being encouraged to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon for an individualized evaluation. - Dr. Lintner says a surgeon can assess each patient’s circumstances and goals to determine candidacy. - More information is available on Dr. Lintner’s website, tomlintnermd.com, atlantamommymakeover.com and facebook.com/tomlintnermd.

The bottom line: - For a Mommy Makeover, the best results usually come when the body has healed, weight has stabilized and childbearing is complete.