What is a Mommy Makeover?
The toll that pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can have on a woman’s
body can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. Even with proper diet
and exercise, oftentimes it is near impossible to restore one’s post-pregnancy
body to what it was before pregnancy.
Some of these physical effects include:
- Abdominal bulging
- Stretching and loosening of the skin
- Excess fat deposits in the belly, back, hips, and thighs
- Stretch marks on the breasts, belly, and thighs
For mothers out there who want to restore a firmer, tighter body, even months after childbirth, a Mommy Makeover is an excellent option. This cosmetic procedure was developed by plastic surgeons with the specific needs and desires of mothers in mind. The procedure brings together the best of several popular surgical procedures to reconstruct and rejuvenate a mother’s body back to her pre-pregnancy appearance, as close as possible.
What the Mommy Makeover Won’t Do
The Mommy Makeover yields impressive results for many women, but it is not a replacement of proper diet and exercise. Rather, when this procedure is utilized in conjunction with a consistently healthy diet and proper exercise, the results can be both transformative and longer-lasting.
There are some important things you should consider before having a Mommy Makeover. If you are planning on dramatic weight loss or plan to become pregnant again, it is advisable and more cost-efficient to postpone the procedure, as significant weight loss or pregnancy can have adverse effects on results. Furthermore, for your own personal mental and physical health and for a better surgical outcome, we advocate achieving your journey to your goal weight or getting within 10 pounds of your goal weight before moving forward with your decision to have surgery.
We recommend waiting at least 6 weeks and even up to 6 months after you stop breastfeeding before undergoing a cosmetic procedure. This time period will allow for your body to heal naturally from the stress of pregnancy and childbirth. Additionally, it gives the skin and muscles time to ’snap back’ as much as they will, which aids in the early restoration process of your body.
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Is it right for me?
As with any cosmetic plastic surgery, you should first consider your motivations
for surgery to be sure that you’re choosing surgery for yourself and not to
fulfill someone else’s’ desires or expectations of you or your body. Mothering
is perhaps the most important job there is and the sacrifices made by mothers
everywhere deserve respect and compassion. It is a very personal matter and
any decision for surgery should come after careful consideration of all the
facts and emotions involved.
The Mommy Makeover may be a good option for you if you:
- Maintain good physical health and weight
- Don’t smoke
- Have realistic expectations
- Are frustrated by the seemingly irreversible effects of childbirth and
your attempts at weight loss and firming of your body with diet and exercise
alone - Have stretch marks
- Have sagging breasts and/or enlarged areolas
Every woman’s body is different and the needs of each women vary. A doctor
can guide you along the right path in deciding which procedures will be right
for you.
Options for Mommy Makeover Surgery
This cosmetic plastic surgery procedure is comprised of several different cosmetic procedures that, when used in conjunction, produce stunning results. However, because every woman has different restorative needs, the combination of procedures will vary from one body to another. The Mommy Makeover is not a ‘cookie cutter’ procedure, but one that can be tailored to meet your individual needs, which is one reason why the procedure is so revolutionary in its design. It can include the following cosmetic procedures.
Tummy Tuck and/or Liposuction
The skin and muscle tissues in the abdominal areas stretch during pregnancy
and will leave skin looser and “flabby.” Even after weight loss, physical training,
and dieting, the skin may remain loose and unsightly. An abdominoplasty, also
known as a Tummy Tuck, can revitalize your stomach and abdominal area by removing
excess skin, tightening the inner walls of your stomach muscles, and removing
unwanted fatty deposits through liposuction, producing a tighter, flatter abdominal
profile. The use of liposuction during the Tummy Tuck portion of the Mommy Makeover
allows for the removal of excess fat that develops during pregnancy, as well
as handle the stubborn areas that are unresponsive to diet and exercise.
Breast Lift, Breast Augmentation, and Reduction
The procedure known as mastopexy, or the ‘Breast Lift’ reconstructs the breast
in such a way that excess fat and skin is removed, thus tightening the tissues
of the breasts, giving a ‘lifted’ appearance. This restores the breast appearance
back to that of the pre-pregnancy, more youthful breast contours. The mastopexy
will also address the tissue surrounding the nipple, or areola, which oftentimes
becomes stretched due to the same effects.
If you desire fuller, larger breasts, the surgeon can perform a Breast Augmentation
along with the lift. This cosmetic enhancement uses either saline
or silicone breast implants to create a bust line that has more volume and firmness than pre-pregnancy breasts. Once again, the option of Breast Augmentation should be discussed with your doctor in your consultation to determine the best course of treatment.
Breast Reduction surgery is an option for women who have large breasts that may cause symptoms of back pain and general discomfort. Pregnancy and breastfeeding may inflate these symptoms, so in reducing the size of the breasts, a patient not only receives a fresh aesthetic, but symptoms can also be alleviated. This procedure is designed to lighten the breasts by removing excess skin and fatty tissue.
If you have any questions regarding your options for a Mommy Makeover or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Adams, contact us today!
We know plastic surgery can be a private, vulnerable decision- especially when it comes to being a mom & wanting to do something special for yourself.
Our daily goal for our patients is an enjoyable, relaxing, unique, trustworthy experience from start to finish, and beyond. You deserve it.
