What is mommy makeover: You’ve gone through the morning sickness … all the aches and pains. The sleepless nights and growing in and out of clothes sizes. The inability to bend down, let alone see your feet or tie your shoes. And, of course … childbirth.
You’ve gone through all of this and more and now you’re a proud parent. And it hasn’t been easy — right?
One of the top “complaints” we hear from women who’ve had children isn’t that it hasn’t been easy, though. It’s that they look in the mirror now — after having gone through it — and they aren’t quite sure who’s looking back at them.
Having children is one of the most transformative experiences a woman will ever go through. Worth it? Absolutely. But physically transformative nonetheless. It changes your body in untold ways and can make you feel like someone else.
If you are a woman who’s finished having children and you’re wondering how you can get the body you used to know and love back, you’re in the right place, because a mommy makeover may be just what you’ve been looking for.
What Is Mommy Makeover Surgery?
You’ve probably heard of it before, but you may still be wondering, “What is mommy makeover surgery?”
To start with, mommy makeover surgery isn’t just one thing. Rather, it is a combination of procedures, which collectively aim to help a woman get her pre-baby body back.
Now, if you undergo a mommy makeover, this isn’t to say that you’re going to look exactly as you did before having kids. However, depending on which procedures you choose, you’ll be able to achieve a more desirable figure and ideally get a lot of your confidence back.
What does a mommy makeover include?
Most of the time, a mommy makeover will include liposuction, a tummy tuck, and some sort of breast surgery (like a breast lift and/or breast augmentation). Again, there is no single definition for this surgery. Each patient will choose what she wants to focus on, and Dr. Schulman will help design the surgery to fit her needs. Looking at mommy makeover before and after can also let you know if the doctor has enough experience.
As you move toward learning more about this procedure, what to expect in recovery and potentially scheduling a consultation appointment to discuss your options in more detail, here’s a look at five things you should know about mommy makeovers.
5 Things You Should Know About Mommy Makeovers
1. Mommy makeovers generally focus on improving the appearance of the breasts and abdomen.
While you may be interested in improving other areas of your body such as your buttocks, upper arms, or thighs, it’s important to know that most mommy makeovers focus on improving the appearance of just two areas: the breasts and the abdomen. In the majority of cases, these are the areas that are most affected by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Breast surgery options include breast augmentation (implants) or a breast lift. Some patients may choose to get a combination surgery — a mastopexy (breast lift) augmentation. We can help improve the appearance of your abdomen by using both liposuction and a tummy tuck, the latter of which will get rid of drooping, sagging skin that was stretched out during pregnancy.
2. Full tummy tucks are more common than mini tummy tucks.
There are actually four types of tummy tucks: full tummy tucks (also known as traditional tummy tucks), mini tummy tucks, fleur de lis tummy tucks, and extended tummy tucks. In the vast majority of cases, mommy makeovers include full tummy tucks. This means that two incisions are made: one low on the abdomen and the other inside the belly button.
Mini tummy tucks are actually not very common in general. That’s because this tummy tuck will only address excess skin that is present below the belly button, which is rather rare. Depending on the patient’s anatomy, fleur de lis tummy tucks and extended tummy tucks may sometimes be used. These are generally necessary for more extensive skin removal.
3. Patients interested in breast surgery will need to decide what procedure will work best for their aesthetic goals.
As stated above, there are two types of breast surgery that patients may choose from: breast lift surgery (mastopexy) and breast augmentation surgery (breast lifts). Breast lift surgery is best for patients with breasts that tend to droop and appear floppy and deflated.
On the other hand, breast augmentation is for patients who want to increase their breast size overall. Breast surgeries can also be combined, and other issues such as asymmetry, downward projection, and nipple size can be addressed as well.
4. The recovery period after a mommy makeover surgery will be on the longer side.
It is important to take good care of yourself after any type of surgery, but mommy makeover recovery may be even more drawn out than recovery from some other procedures.
This is simply because mommy makeover patients are undergoing multiple surgeries at once. Imagine getting a tummy tuck and going through the extensive recovery that procedure requires. Now, imagine going through it while also going through breast lift recovery and liposuction recovery.
Understanding this is all the more reason to plan ahead when it comes to your recovery. Have all your ducks in a row before heading into surgery, and it will greatly improve your recovery experience.
5. Mommy makeovers aren’t always just for moms.
Finally, keep in mind that not all mommy makeovers are performed on moms. In fact, some patients are simply interested in a combination procedure that addresses all of the same areas as a mommy makeover. Those who have recently lost a significant amount of weight and now have loose skin, for example, may be interested in this procedure. If the procedure is right for you look at mommy makeover before and after photos.
Ready to Schedule a Consultation?
If you’d like to get your pre-baby figure back, today, advanced techniques in surgery have made it possible to have one surgery and one recovery. The mommy makeover procedure can tighten and smooth your abdomen, get rid of pockets of unwanted fat, and help improve the appearance of your breasts — all at the same time.
To find out more about this procedure look at mommy makeover before and after, call our office today and schedule your mommy makeover consultation appointment with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Schulman.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-is-included-in-a-mommy-makeover
