THE MOMMY MAKEOVER

The Mommy Makeover is often a term that basically describes a combination of procedures done to help a women correct some of the changes that occur after pregnancy. These areas is particular are the breasts and tummy. Often some liposuction will also be combined in other areas. Specifically talking, the most common surgery tends to be a tummy tuck and breast lift.

Think about all that a woman goes through with childbearing, and the effects on the body such as excess body fat, stretch marks, stretching of the abdominal wall. The tummy tuck portion of the procedure is designed to reverse some of changes. The abdominal wall gets an “internal corset”, thereby tightening some of the loose abdominal muscles, and removing much of the excess skin, fat, and many of the stretch marks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy also changes the breasts quite a bit. Initially the breasts are much larger in size, and then often after breast feeding is complete, they can become deflated appearing, with less volume and sagging to boot. To reverse this, we often offer a patient a breast lift to reverse the sagging. The lift can also be combined with implants enhancing not just the shape, but the size of the breasts if they are left deflated after breast feeding or pregnancy.

The recovery from a mommy makeover (breast procedure and tummy tuck) typically involves one to two weeks off of work. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity is to be avoided for approximately four to six weeks. The pain is usually manageable with oral pain medications. Sometimes you can also request a pain pump to be inserted at the time of surgery which can also help. Make sure you continue to have lots of help at home– this cannot be stressed enough. Good pain control, including pain pumps, are important, but so is good planning and arranging for support after your procedure.

Many women compare the recovery from a tummy tuck to that of a C-section. Most would agree that the C-section is more painful as it involves cutting of the abdominal muscles and uterus.

The cost of a Mommy Makeover varies tremendously geographically and by which exact procedure is recommended. More important is to have a good surgeon that you like and trust. Some additional criterion are that the surgeon be Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and experienced in this operation.