For some moms, postpartum weight loss comes easy, and for others, it is a struggle that lasts for years beyond giving birth. The amount of weight you gain during pregnancy is important for the health of your pregnancy and the long-term health of you and your baby.
Although total weight gain depends on your body before pregnancy, the average woman gains approximately 30 pounds during pregnancy. After nine long months, it is understandable most moms want to put away their maternity wear and get back into their favorite jeans.
Most women lose approximately 13-15 pounds during childbirth. This includes the weight of your baby, amniotic fluid, and the placenta. Additionally, many women continue to lose weight during the first week after delivery as they continue to shed retained fluids. But what about the remaining twenty-plus pounds?
Post Pregnancy Weight Loss
Because each pregnancy is unique, each woman experiences postpartum weight loss differently. Most women should expect to return to their pre-pregnancy weight within six to twelve months after delivery.
Most women lose approximately half of their baby weight in the first six weeks and the rest over the next several weeks and months.
For some women, specific lifestyle choices, activities, and practices before and after the postpartum period impact the speed of their weight loss. For example, some women who breastfeed indicate a quicker rate of weight loss.
Women who return to daily exercise (when cleared to do so by their doctor) also note faster weight loss. A healthy diet can also help with postpartum weight loss before and after your pregnancy.
Postpartum Skin Tightening
Another question many women have, especially after their first pregnancy, is how to get rid of loose skin after pregnancy (postpartum).
Loose skin and sagging skin that accompanies healthy pregnancy weight gain is an expected part of many women's post-pregnancy figures. Regardless of whether you delivered vaginally or via c-section, loose and excess skin on your belly is a common challenge for many new moms.
The amount of loose skin you have will depend on a variety of factors, including how quickly you lose postpartum belly fat, how much excess weight you gained during pregnancy, and the nature of your skin overall.
Many women notice their skin returning to "normal" between 12 and 16 weeks after delivery.
In the majority of cases, the cells in your skin are very flexible and retain the ability to bounce back without help; however, if you gained more than fifty pounds during your pregnancy, the process may take longer and can benefit from various skin tightening procedures offered here at Miami Skin Spa.
How to Lose Postpartum Belly Fat & Tighten Your Skin
Although many women will eventually lose most of their pregnancy weight with time and see their belly return to (almost) the same tone as before pregnancy, some women may not experience the same results.
Miami Skin Spa offers a few treatments to help you get your pre-pregnancy belly back!
TruSculpt iD Body Contouring Treatment
TruSculpt ID is a non-invasive fat-reducing treatment that can help improve weight loss results. While not meant to be a significant weight-loss tool, TruSculpt iD can help you reduce between 11 and 25% of fat cells in the areas treated, meaning after two to four sessions, you can see real results.
TruSculpt iD is also the first treatment on the market that has shown proven success in people with a BMI of 30 or above.
TruSculpt ID works by heating fat cells using monopolar radiofrequency until they die off and are naturally eliminated by your body.
The procedure feels like “a hot stone massage” and leaves minimal redness and post-treatment sensitivity. The TruSculpt ID sessions are quick, and many patients see results at or before the twelve-week mark.
How To Get Rid of Loose Skin Postpartum
Secret RF MicroNeedling
For women who seek to tighten loose skin on their abdomen after pregnancy, Secret RF MicroNeedling treatments are an excellent option.
Secret RF is a radiofrequency microneedling device that rebuilds and revitalizes the skin through promoting the production of collagen and elastin.
Treatments use controlled radiofrequency energy to deliver heat into the deeper layers of the skin, helping to firm tissue, remodel collagen production and minimize the appearance of scars (stretch marks) while leaving the outer layer of skin intact. Secret RF MicroNeedling promotes rapid skin cell regeneration without damaging the underlying layers of skin.
Before your Secret RF MicroNeedling procedure, a topical cream (chemical peel) is applied to the skin for approximately 45 minutes.
Once the treatment has been completed and an anesthetic has taken effect, your microneedling procedure will begin. The procedure takes about 40 to 60 minutes.
You can expect mild redness and swelling; however, recovery time is minimal compared to more invasive procedures.
While some women see improvement after one or two treatments, optimal results require between four and eight sessions approximately four to six weeks apart.
BioTE Hormone Replacement Therapy
BioTE is a hormone replacement therapy that uses pellets (tiny cylindrical-shaped supplements) inserted under the skin.
Over time, the pellets release doses of hormones, so your body receives a steady stream of hormones. The pellets are time-release, which means hormones are delivered to the body in a way like what would naturally occur.
This significantly reduces the potential for adverse side effects. Additionally, BioTE uses bioidentical hormones (synthetic hormones) with the same chemical structures as those naturally produced in the body.
The BioTE implant remains under your skin for three to six months and, depending on your specific needs, is replaced on the same schedule.
BioTE can help reduce symptoms related to hormonal imbalance sometimes experienced after pregnancy, including changes in mood, thinning hair, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse.
The experience of pregnancy and childbirth is amazing and beautiful. Postpartum weight loss and skin tightening are natural challenges many women face as they work to achieve their pre-pregnancy weight and figure.
Although time and many natural practices can help encourage healthy weight loss, specialized techniques offered at Miami Skin Spa can help you achieve your postpartum weight loss and skin tightening goals.
To learn more about our team of practitioners and the procedures provided at Miami Skin Spa, contact us today.