What Is a Mommy Makeover?
You love your children and can’t imagine your life without them.
What you probably can imagine though is how great it would be to get back to your pre-pregnancy body.
For a few women, getting back to that body just requires focusing on healthy eating and exercise.
But for MANY other women, there is no amount of dieting or exercising that can beckon the return of that pre-pregnancy body.
If you’re one of the many women who have encountered this, don’t despair!
The mommy makeover was developed just for you.
The Ravages of Pregnancy
As beautiful and miraculous as pregnancy and childbirth are, they can take a serious toll on a woman’s body.
Pregnancy and nursing render many women feeling less confident about the appearance of their bodies after childbirth.
There are a number of reasons for this. Pregnancy and nursing can result in any (or all) of the following:
- Loss of breast volume
- Separated abdominal muscles
- Loose skin with stretch marks
- Weight gain
- Lifestyle changes
Women suddenly find themselves in bodies they don’t even recognize. This can be physically, mentally, and emotionally trying.
How a Mommy Makeover Helps
Although it might sound like you’ll be spending the afternoon at the makeup counter at the mall, a mommy makeover is really an umbrella term that refers to a combination of body contouring procedures.
And no two mommy makeovers are the same. Each procedure is custom-tailored to fit the patient’s specific needs.
You will consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will, in turn, develop an individualized plan to address your goals.
Then the chosen procedures will be completed together to improve those confidence-draining changes that have lingered after your pregnancy.
There are several procedures which the surgeon may recommend:
- Tummy Tuck
One tell-tale sign that a woman has experienced pregnancy are stretch marks on the skin. Deeper below the skin though, the abdominal muscles have often separated – leaving the belly to hang down and sag.
Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that reduces excessive fat and skin around the abdomen and reconstructs that abdominal wall musculature.
This helps to flatten the belly again and minimize the appearance of those stretch marks.
- Breast Lift/Augmentation
Breasts are prone to sagging after the demands placed upon the body during pregnancy and nursing. Surgery is performed to restore the breasts to their original and more youthful pre-pregnancy position.
Depending on your situation, the plastic surgeon might recommend a breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast lift with either silicone or saline implants.
In some cases, the breasts may become too large after pregnancy and are no longer proportionate to the body. In this case, there would be a breast reduction.
- Liposuction
For those troublesome post-pregnancy spots – typically the stomach, waist, hips, and thighs – where you just can’t seem to lose the fat, the surgeon may recommend liposuction.
With liposuction, small incisions are made in the treatment area and then a thin hollow tube, called a cannula, is inserted through the incisions to loosen excess fat cells. A surgical vacuum is then used to suction the fat out of those areas to create a slimmer body contour.
- Facial Rejuvenation
While this fourth procedure isn’t a mommy makeover “standard,” it is a terrific way to build upon the more youthful appearance that comes from the other procedures.
If the stresses of pregnancy and raising little ones is showing on your face, you’ll want to ask your surgeon about the possibility of adding a facelift or BOTOX.
Recovery from a Mommy Makeover
It’s important to remember that a mommy makeover is surgery.
That means that you’ll be put under anesthesia and need to allow for adequate recovery time.
When you return home, expect that you’ll have to wear compression garments to reduce swelling. This is going to ensure the most optimal results.
Also, prescription pain medication will be prescribed to help manage any discomfort.
It’s difficult to say exactly how long your recovery will take. Given that each surgery is customized to meet the individual needs of the patient, actual recovery times vary.
Most mothers are able to get back to their normal activities within two weeks of the surgery. However, strenuous activities will likely have a longer restriction time.
The final results of your mommy makeover will slowly become apparent in the weeks and months following the surgery. Swelling will subside and you’ll notice a renewed firmness and youthful appearance.
It’s important to note, however, that you’ll need to stay at a steady weight following your mommy makeover to maintain those results.
Are You a Good Candidate?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. You may be a good candidate for a mommy makeover if you:
- are healthy and able to stabilize your weight
- feel dissatisfaction with the changes to your body post-pregnancy
- have realistic expectations and goals
On the other hand, if you are planning on future pregnancies, then you will need to postpone this procedure until after that final pregnancy.
Reclaim Your Figure!
Contact us today to set up a free consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.
A mommy makeover will give you renewed confidence in your appearance so you can focus on what really matters – spending time with your family.
