What is a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover is a cluster of procedures designed to be done in one setting, with one recovery, to help reverse the effects of pregnacy and return the body back to – or better than – it was before having children. A mommy makeover should be individualized for the patient; each one is not the same. A mommy makeover commonly addresses the breast and the abdomen, but can include the thighs, hips and buttocks.
One surgery ranges between 3 to 6 hours with a one week downtime recovery, and two weeks until cardio and 6 weeks to core strengthening.
A mommy makeover can typically relieve the frustration from the lingering effects of the pregnancy on the body and the exhaustion of trying to reverse them. Working out, dieting, and sit ups may not reverse these effects and that contributes to the frustration. All of these issues can take its toll on a mother’s self confidence after pregnancy.
Pregnancy can have predictable physical side effects that can have a psychological impact on a mother. It is common for a woman to be frustrated and exhausted with trying to reverse the effects of pregnancy through diet and exercise. Pregnancy has numerous effects on the body, some are reversible like extra weight and breast size and some require surgical treatment like extra skin, sagging breasts, and stretched muscles. Sagging and deflated breast and a prominent abdomen are common after effects of pregnancy, which may not go away with working out and diet. A mommy makeover can reverse these long-lasting physical effects of pregnancy through a predictable cluster of plastic surgery procedures involving the breast and abdomen. This procedure can not only improve form but can boost self confidence as well address functional core strength issues.
Common complaints of woman inquiring about a mommy makeover
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My belly looks pregnant though I am not
Why: because the abdominal central fascia or linea alba has been stretched and has not recoiled. This called a diatstasis recti which will malaligns the core and makes it difficult to tone the central abdominal muscles. No amount of situps or crunches will correct this leading to the frustration of returning to a pre-pregnancy form. Multiple babies, twins, large babies, significant weight gain, during pregnancy, babies in short succession (Irish twins), all contribute to the degree of abdominal laxity and excess skin.
The abdominal component of a mommy makeover will typically repair a diastasis recti which can help to align the muscles and flattening the abdomen.
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My breasts were huge during pregnancy and now they are smaller and sagging
Why: during pregnancy the breasts enlarge and engorge with milk production. This stretches the ligaments and skin of the breast. After pregnancy and breast feeding the ligaments and skin may not recoil leading to sagging and the breast tissue shrinks leading to loss of volume. Sagging can be corrected with a breast lift or mastopexy, and volume can be replaced with a breast implant. These can be combined and included in a mommy makeover.
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I have stretch marks that will not go away
Why: stretch marks are a sign of permanent damage to the skin and the effect of it being stretched so much that it will not recoil. Stretch marks do not respond to creams or cutaneous energy like lasers, but can be removed with excisional surgery such as a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty which can be part of a mommy makeover.
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My C-Section scar is indented and the fold shows through my clothes
Why: skin laxity around the scar can cause the skin to hang over the C-section scar. A tummy tuck incision will be placed at or below the c section scar eliminating the deformity.
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My nipples are too big and are difficult to cover
Why: pregnancy and breast feeding will expand and stretch the areola and the nipple. The areola diameter can become wider making it difficult to cover as well the nipple length can increase making them prone to show through clothing and be vulnerable to irritation. The areola can be decreased in diameter with a breast lift and the nipple can be reduced in length with a nipple reduction.
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My belly button is now an outie after having kids
Why: the belly button or umbilicus can be stretched just like the fascia and can be a site of a hernia or hole in the abdominal wall. The hernia typically forms during pregnancy and often does not go away after giving birth. The bulge is typically a piece of abdominal wall fat stuck in the hernia. An umbilical hernia can be performed at the time of a tummy tuck and helps to reshape the belly button.
Mommy Makeover Before & After
