After pregnancy and childbirth, many women grapple with physical changes such as stretched abdominal muscles, sagging breasts, excess skin, and stubborn pockets of fat that can affect their self-esteem and confidence. It is no wonder that mommy makeover procedures have become increasingly popular, offering a comprehensive solution to address post-pregnancy body changes.
In this blog post, I’ll explore what a mommy makeover typically includes, providing insights into the various procedures involved and shedding light on how this comprehensive approach can help women reclaim their pre-pregnancy bodies. Read on to discover the transformative possibilities this personalized combination of cosmetic procedures offers.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
Many patients who have undergone pregnancies, breast-fed, or have undergone weight loss may have experienced changes in their bodies which cause concern or dissatisfaction. Classic findings include breast deflation and droopiness as well as excessive abdominal skin, bulge, and laxity. Occasionally patients will also have labia minora hypertrophy (which may or may not have been present previously). The mommy makeover addresses all of these issues in one procedure.
Most patients who undergo a full mommy makeover will typically stay in our overnight stay facility with 24-hour nurse monitoring and they go home the next morning following surgery. The surgery itself can take anywhere from 4-8 hours, depending on what specifically is performed.
Breasts
Most patients either undergo a simple breast augmentation (dual-plane vs subfascial) with or without a breast lift. Need for a concurrent mastopexy (breast lift) is dictated by preoperative nipple position and skin laxity.
Generally speaking, if the nipple position is below the level of the inframammary fold, a lift will be needed to reposition the breast. If there is a significant amount of loose lower pole skin, particularly if it has dropped below the inframammary fold, a lift will likely be needed. It is a common misconception that placing larger implants negate the need for a mastopexy.
If the patient already has breast implants and there is an aesthetic concern with the previously placed implants, then a breast augmentation revision can also be performed during the mommy makeover. Such revisions can be straightforward, but they can also be complex, requiring possible site/pocket changes or revisions, materials like scaffolding and mesh, and possibly a mastopexy as well.
The breast portion of the mommy makeover can take anywhere from 1-5 hours to perform, and the overall aesthetic result should be profoundly improved.
Abdomen
The abdomen is oftentimes the primary concern of the patient seeking a mommy makeover. Physical findings include skin laxity in both the mid and lower abdominal regions as well as a separation of the abdominal wall muscles (diastasis rectus), creating a bulging or protuberance of the abdomen. Oftentimes there is excessive fatty tissue in the love handles, the upper abdomen, or even the back.
The abdominoplasty (aka tummy tuck) addresses all of these concerns. Performed through a low horizontal incision (two-piece bathing suits are still an option post-procedure), the tummy tuck will remove the excess skin and will tighten and reconstruct the abdominal wall with permanent sutures to create an amazing contour and definition of the entire abdomen. Oftentimes, liposuction will be performed of the love handles, the upper abdomen, and even the back to create a true 360° result!
Depending on the extent of the work required, the abdominal component of the mommy makeover can take from 3-4 hours to perform.
Because safety is of utmost concern, all of our tummy tuck/mommy makeover patients will be placed on a blood thinner for 5 days after surgery to minimize the risk of blood clots (DVT) in the calves.
Additionally, patients are given sequential compression devices that squeeze the calves to also reduce the risks of DVT. Our patients are monitored closely in our post-op recovery care center by amazing nurses.
Labiaplasty
Occasionally patients will also present with labia minora hypertrophy. In such patients, either one or both labia minora are inherently large, asymmetric, or unsightly. Such patients can experience pain or discomfort in certain sitting positions or even during sex. Labiaplasty is a procedure that corrects this problem and is oftentimes performed at the time of a mommy makeover.
This procedure simply removes the excessive tissue. Several different techniques are used to perform this procedure, and the specific technique will vary based on surgeon’s preference or the patient’s anatomy. This procedure can add up to 30 minutes to the mommy makeover.
Postoperatively, patients may experience swelling and slight discomfort for 1-2 weeks but typically, the recovery is quite straightforward.
Take the Next Step
In conclusion, the mommy makeover is a combination of procedures that are specifically chosen and performed based on your anatomy and aesthetic goals. It is a fully customized operation which is designed to reverse the effects of pregnancy, child-rearing, weight loss, or just the natural aging process. Typically, patients are literally blown away by the transformation provided by this procedure and the results will speak for themselves.
If you are interested in learning more about how a mommy makeover can restore your appearance, request a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons or call our Scottsdale, AZ, office today at (480) 423-1973 to schedule your appointment.
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