The mommy makeover has become immensely popular over the past few decades for the amazing results it delivers. It is usually a combination of procedures that allows people to address multiple issues in a single surgery and achieve the toned and trimmed body they long for.
Mommy makeover procedures safely and effectively rejuvenate the areas of the body that are affected by pregnancy, breastfeeding, aging, and other factors. They usually involve a tummy tuck and breast lift, but there are many variations. They may include liposuction, breast augmentation, as well as breast lift or reduction, and labia reduction, depending on your individual body and health goals.
However, it is essential to know that not all mommy makeover procedures are created equal, or your specific concerns and goals may not require multiple surgeries. Do your research to determine what combination of procedures will work best for your needs and how much healing time you will require after the surgery.
Important Things You Should Know about a Mommy Makeover
Here are five things you need to know about a mommy makeover that can help determine if this is the right option for you.
There Is No Standard or One-Size-Fits-All Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. It is a surgery that is personalized to suit your specific needs, lifestyle, and anatomy. Also, the name mommy makeover can be misleading as it is not only meant for women who have been through childbirth. While sagging breasts, excess belly fat, and loose skin or excess fat anywhere else in the body usually result from pregnancy, they can occur for various other reasons too, such as aging, hormonal changes and menopause.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain, or loss can exact a toll on your body contour. The skin on the abdomen may stretch beyond its ability to bounce back, leaving you with unwanted rolls of droopy, sagging skin and contour irregularities. You may lose volume in the breasts or develop stubborn pockets of fat in the abdomen, hips, and flanks that do not get better with diet and exercise.
Depending on how your body has changed over time and your goals for a younger, shapelier, and more toned appearance, your mommy makeover may include breast augmentation, breast reduction or a breast lift, liposuction, and other procedures. Your surgeon will pick the right timing and combination of procedures to best tackle your problem areas and address them most effectively to achieve the desired results.
A Mommy Makeover Typically Includes the Abdomen and Breasts
The goal of mommy makeover is to address the effects of childbearing, significant weight loss, or aging on a woman’s body, which are most evident in the abdomen and breasts. Thus, a mommy makeover includes some form of breast surgery and a tummy tuck, as they are the most common post-pregnancy complaints.
Breast lift reshapes and repositions the breast mound and nipples for enhanced projection. Excess skin is removed, and the breast is raised to a higher position on the chest wall. A tummy tuck can give you a flatter, toned abdomen as it removes excess, drooping skin and tightens the abdominal muscles. Focusing on breasts and abdomen can restore youthful looks and lost body contours.
With time, the mommy makeover has evolved, and now it can include a combination of procedures such as:
- Breast augmentation
- Breast reduction
- Buttock augmentation
- Liposuction
- Arm lift
- Thigh lift
The specific combination of procedures in your mommy makeover is customized to your needs and aesthetic goals. It focuses on restoring your pre-pregnancy figure using the most advanced techniques and surgical options.
Breast Augmentation vs. Breast Lift
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause the breasts to deflate, which makes breast surgery an essential component of the mommy makeover. Breast augmentation and breast lifts are popular ways to boost your appearance, but they offer different benefits. While breast augmentation increases the cup size of your breasts, a lift raises drooping tissue.
Breasts droop as women bear children, age, or fluctuate in weight. A breast lift will help correct drooping by volumetrically reshaping and repositioning the breasts and restoring the nipple to the center of the breast. Excess skin is removed, and the breast is lifted to a higher position on the chest wall.
Breast augmentation focuses on the size and shape of the breast by using implants. A breast implant is a safe and excellent method for improving the fullness of the breast and repairing your deflated breast tissue. It is a great procedure for women who desire more volume or symmetry. However, a breast augmentation on its own will not adjust the position of your breasts. If you want a more youthful, perky look, a breast lift is necessary.
Depending on how your body responds to pregnancy and your breast size before pregnancy, you may want to choose between breast augmentation and breast lift. If needed, your surgeon may combine both procedures to get the breast shape, position, and size you desire.
A Full Tummy Tuck Is Usually a Part of a Mommy Makeover
The abdomen is a problem area for most women who seek mommy makeovers. It is because they have given birth or have gained and lost significant weight and now have the issue of sagging skin and loose muscles. A tummy tuck can help with all these problems.
There are two options when it comes to tummy tuck:
- Full tummy tuck
- Mini tummy tuck
Women who have excess fat and loose skin above the belly button require a full tummy tuck. The lower abdominal skin is removed, the abdominal skin is tightened, and the belly button is repositioned to a new location, resulting in a flat, taut stomach.
The ideal candidate for a mini tummy has loose skin exclusively below the belly button. This means most new mothers are ruled out from this minimally invasive procedure. The full procedure is significant and requires downtime. However, it delivers a lean, fit-looking contour of the whole abdomen within just a couple of months of recovery.
Most women prefer the minimally invasive mini tummy tuck as it implies shorter incisions and shorter recovery, but they require full surgery. However, it is necessary to remember that a mini tummy tuck is still a procedure that requires proper rest and healing time.
Read more: Mommy Makeover Pricing Breakdown
Planning for Your Recovery Is Significant
Surgical procedures in a mommy makeover require time for recovery. Perfuming routine tasks may become much more difficult as incision sites need time to heal. Recovery also depends on the procedures performed. You will need to rest at home for at least two weeks if you are getting a tummy tuck and follow the surgeon’s instructions for complete healing.
If you have young children, plan to have a friend or a family member stay with you for the first week or more to care for them so you have time to rest. You will have to take it easy for 3 to 4 weeks, avoid lifting heavy objects, and need help with cooking, shopping, and other household chores.
Most people take about two weeks off from work after a mommy makeover, or even longer if their job entails lifting, bending, stretching, or other strenuous activity. You can look forward to the best outcomes if you plan accordingly and give your body the time and energy it needs to heal properly.
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Am I a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover – Some Factors to Consider Before Surgery
Mommy makeover surgery is a highly individualized procedure. You should go for it if you have some health or aesthetic goals in mind and want to achieve them.
You may be a candidate for mommy makeover surgery if:
- You are in good medical health
- You are at your ideal body weight
- You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations
- You gave birth at least a few months ago
One of the most important factors to consider before opting for a mommy makeover procedure is future pregnancies. While a mommy makeover does not affect your fertility, becoming pregnant may negate some of the results of your mommy makeover, and require further surgery to restore them. It is best to go for a mommy makeover procedure when you are finished having children.
Some other factors to keep in mind are:
- Recovery can take some time and may be difficult. You may experience numbness and swelling up to a year following the surgery.
- You will need to take some time off to recover after surgery till you are ready to resume routine activities such as caring for your home and children and getting back to work.
- You will be advised to wear compression garments. They may be difficult to put on or uncomfortable, but compression garments help to keep the swelling down and promote healing.
- Eating healthy is necessary before and after the procedure. Your body needs balanced, nutritious foods to fuel your recovery, so start eating well before surgery. Include lean protein, high fiber, and low salt foods in your diet, and cut down on sugary, processed, and fried foods as they delay healing.
A positive outlook, realistic expectations, and willingness to maintain a healthy lifestyle make you a good candidate for a mommy makeover.
Call Millennial Plastic Surgery and schedule an appointment with Dr. David Shokrian to find out how a mommy makeover may benefit you and if the surgical procedures can address your problem areas. Dr. Shokrian is one of the best plastic surgeons in New York and has helped thousands of people achieve their aesthetic goals with exceptional excellence and dedication. He works with you to evaluate your situation, identifies if this is what you truly need, and recommends the best procedures to ensure you enjoy a toned, youthful figure most successfully.