For many women, having a child is one of life’s best highlights. However, while there’s nothing like welcoming a new family member home, you could certainly do without the physical post-pregnancy woes! The process of pregnancy and breastfeeding inevitably take a toll on the female body. This results in unsightly stretch marks, loose skin, weakened abdominal muscles, and other maladies. While it doesn’t take much to get your once-stellar physique looking a little unkempt, the good news is that you can do something about it. Today, women have an option to fix the physical side effects of pregnancy through a process called a “mommy makeover.” If you’re wondering “what is a mommy makeover?” the answer is that it’s a surgical procedure performed by a qualified plastic surgeon like Dr. Applebaum. The procedure, you’ll find, is a fast and effective way to get your body back to its youthful shape.
Why Do You Need The Procedure?
If you’re unhappy with the body you’re seeing in the mirror, it could very well be time to consider a mommy makeover. The surgery is geared towards women who are experiencing sagging abdominal skin or deflated breasts due to pregnancies, getting older, or both. Although this procedure is technically one comprehensive surgery, it’s actually made up of several individual cosmetic procedures. You can choose to have anywhere from one to all of the procedures to restore your body back to its desired shape. Your options for the mommy makeover include a tummy tuck, breast lift, breast augmentation, liposuction, and a labiaplasty. If you don’t know what all of these terms mean, don’t worry! We’re here to help explain each procedure and the benefits it can provide you.
Tummy Tuck
Perhaps you’re wondering “what is a mommy makeover without a tummy tuck?” And you’re right – the tummy tuck is one of the most popular parts of the makeover package. A tummy tuck, which is also called a lipoabdominoplasty, is one type of surgical procedure that you can get as part of a mommy makeover. A tummy tuck is designed to remove excess abdominal fat from the midsection. This tightens loose and flabby skin, and it will make your stomach nice and firm again. Your surgeon will tighten the skin after making an incision. Any leftover fat can be removed with liposuction.
Breast Lift
A breast lift is a procedure that lifts and defines drooping breasts. Before performing the breast lift, your surgeon will work with you to find just the right shape and placement that you’re looking for. If you get a breast lift, you’ll be able to specify minute details like nipple placement and shaping of the areola. What’s important to know about a breast lift is that it makes your breasts youthful and perky again, but it doesn’t add volume like breast augmentation does.
Breast Augmentation
A breast augmentation is a procedure that adds fullness and volume to your breasts. There are two types of breast augmentation available, which are surgical and non-surgical. Surgical breast augmentation uses breast implants of the desired size and shape to add fullness to your breasts. Non-surgical breast augmentation uses either injectable fillers or a fat transfer to add volume to the desired area. Breast augmentation is sometimes combined with a breast lift to make your breasts fuller and perkier than before.
Labiaplasty
A labiaplasty is another procedure commonly performed in the makeover package. This procedure is designed to restore your labia to their youthful or pre-pregnancy look. The combination of childbirth and aging can cause your labia to loosen, stretch, and become misshapen over time. Ultimately, you’ll need surgical intervention to get back to the shape you want. The surgery can either be performed on its own or in conjunction with others. Either way, a labiaplasty is a great way to restore confidence and look better in shape-hugging clothes.
Liposuction
Liposuction essentially eliminates unwanted fat. It is precise and sophisticated, which makes it a great way to target small problem areas for improvement. Along with the abdominal area, liposuction can also be used to remove excess and sagging skin from around the ankles, under the arms, below the chin, and anywhere else you have unsightly fat. Along with the abdominal area, it’s also a very popular way to get rid or excess fat in the hips and thighs. Liposuction can be used alone or as part of another procedure, such as a tummy tuck. Depending on how many areas you want to target, the liposuction will last anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia.
Who Should Or Shouldn’t Get A Mommy Makeover?
Usually, doctors recommend waiting at least six months after giving birth to have a mommy makeover. This is due to the fact that your body is still changing for several months after delivering a baby. You should also wait to schedule an appointment until you’ve finished breastfeeding, as the size and position of your breasts can change while you’re still nursing. Women who plan to have more children in the future should also hold off on getting a mommy makeover. Otherwise, you’ll most likely encounter the same problems and have to have the same procedures performed again. Some procedures, like a tummy tuck, can actually cause muscular damage after a follow-up pregnancy. Therefore, women who aren’t done having children, or who haven’t made that decision, are not ideal candidates for the procedure.
What To Expect During And After Surgery
So what is a mommy makeover procedure like? The surgery time varies depending on how many areas you will be addressing. You will probably be placed under general anesthesia for the surgery. Depending on the length of the surgery and how well you feel afterwards, you may be released the same day or stay overnight in a post-op recovery area. You will probably have some bruising and swelling after the procedure, and the incision sites may be more prominent. However, these effects will subside as your body heals. Ideally, your surgeon should make discrete incisions wherever possible that you can hide under clothes or a bathing suit. After having the procedure, your surgeon will recommend a schedule of follow-up visits to make sure you’re happy and healing as planned.
A mommy makeover is one of the most effective ways to bounce back from the physical tolls of pregnancy. For this procedure, like any other, it’s important to trust your surgeon and make sure you’re both in agreement about what you are envisioning in the end. Many people ask around for references and patient feedback before deciding on a surgeon, which is another good way to ensure you’re working with someone you trust. You might also consider scheduling consultations with several different doctors to see which one you like best. This is also a good way to compare pricing and find out more about your surgeon’s training, credentials, and areas of specialty. If you’re looking for a skilled surgeon in Beverly Hills, CA, look no further than Dr. Applebaum!
Medically reviewed by Dr. Robert Applebaum
Dr. Robert Applebaum is a world renowned and highly respected Plastic Surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In his nearly 30 years as a practicing physician, Dr. Applebaum has become known as an innovator in the field of laser technology techniques for plastic surgery procedures. He has published numerous articles and scientific papers about the use of laser technology and educates physicians worldwide on the applications of laser technology for plastic surgery. Dr. Applebaum primarily practices out of his private outpatient surgery center, Four Thirty Six Aesthetic Surgery Center, which is located in Beverly Hills.