What Is a Mommy Makeover?

The miracle of life is just that, a miracle. And while becoming a mother is the greatest gift a woman can receive, the unwanted weight gain leaves many mothers struggling with loose skin and an altered body, even after losing the baby weight.

When healthy habits alone are unable to refurbish the female exterior, many women turn to plastic surgery to restore and reshape their body after having a child.

A Mommy Makeover is a multi-part surgical procedure that targets body issues accompanied by motherhood, typically addressing the abdomen, waist, breasts and buttocks. It is commonly performed as a single-stage procedure, but should be discussed in great detail with your surgeon at your consultation.

 

Common Mommy Makeover Procedures

 

TUMMY TUCK

Also known as Abdominoplasty, this procedure removes excess fat and skin, and restores weakened or separated muscles that occur during pregnancy. The results are a smoother and firmer abdominal profile. Please note that this procedure is not a substitute for dieting and exercise, and results can be less-than satisfactory if your weight fluctuates. A Tummy Tuck does not correct stretch marks, although some may be removed when the excess abdominal skin is excised during the procedure.

BREAST PROCEDURES

There are several breast procedure options available during a Mommy Makeover: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift and Breast Reduction.

  • A Breast Augmentation increases the size of your breasts, with many available options that should be discussed with your surgeon, including: implant type, size, implant placement and suture placement.Silicone and saline are the two implant types used in breast augmentation, or Mammoplasty. Silicone implants feel more like natural breasts, but they require a larger incision. Both types are safe.

    Implants are placed behind each breast, underneath either breast tissue or the muscle that is behind the breast.  Incisions are made in inconspicuous places to minimize scarring, and are usually placed in the crease on the underside of the breast, around the areola, or the armpit.

    There are advantages and disadvantages to each placement that should be discussed with your surgeon. Implants come in two surface textures: smooth or textured, which should also be discussed prior to the procedure.

    Augmentation with Ideal Implants is another choice, but limited to a network of board-certified plastic surgeons. Ideal implants have many advantages over silicone gel implants, including a design that conforms to the natural curve of the chest wall. Ideal Implants are constructed of a series of implant shells, with two separate chambers that hold saline. This internal structure controls its movement, and supports the implant edges to reduce any wrinkling or folding.

    • Breast Augmentation with Fat Transplantation uses liposuction to harvest excess fat from other parts of your body that is then injected into the breasts. This procedure is usually performed on women who want a small increase in breast size and want them to look and feel as natural as possible. Prior to this surgery, external tissue expanders are utilized to expand the breasts and increase the amount of fat they hold. This procedure is not for everyone, and should be discussed with your surgeon to see if you are a candidate for fat transplantation.
  • A Breast Lift, or Mastopexy, can alleviate sagging or uneven breasts, lost volume, dropping nipples and stretched areolas. Excess skin is removed and the supporting tissue is tightened for an uplifted and more youthful look. Your breast size will not change after a breast lift, but they will be higher on the chest and firmer to the touch. For many women, childbirth leaves their breasts with a natural reduction that droop, or with larger breasts that can cause back pain, improper posture and shoulder grooves.
  • Breast Reduction removes fat and glandular tissue, tightens the skin, and produces smaller, lighter breasts. Please keep in mind that this surgery is not recommended if you intend to breastfeed in the future, since many of the milk ducts will be removed during the surgery.

LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction slims and reshapes the body by removing excess fat deposits, which can improve your body contours and proportions. Liposuction is used to treat the following areas, and can be performed alone or with other Mommy Makeover plastic surgery procedures, such as a tummy tuck or breast reduction:

  • Hips and Buttocks
  • Upper Arms
  • Back
  • Thighs
  • Abdomen and Waist
  • Chest Area
  • Calves and Ankles
  • Inner Knee

As with other procedures, Liposuction is not a substitute for proper diet and exercise. It is also ineffective on cellulite. Ask your surgeon about the available cellulite treatments offered.

The above procedures can also be combined with skin tighteners, and cellulite and stretch mark treatments.

If you’re not planning on having any more children, this surgery could be beneficial. If you are planning on having more, wait until your family is complete before contemplating these procedures.

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