Undoubtedly, becoming a mother is one of the most gratifying experiences that life has to offer. Yet, no new mother is ever truly prepared for the aftermath on her breasts and body. Hormonal changes can swell and stretch the tissues and skin, only to be followed by a deflating effect. It is when the body does not snap back that we see long-lasting changes in pregnancy.
- What is a Mommy Makeover Procedure?
- Ideal Candidates for Mommy Makeover
- What treatments are usually included in a mommy makeover?
- Your Mommy Makeover Consultation
- How is a mommy makeover procedure?
- Mommy Makeover Recovery Process
- What are the potential risks and complications of a mommy makeover?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Mommy Makeover
What is a Mommy Makeover Procedure?
A Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures that help new mothers restore their pre-pregnancy body shape. It typically includes body contouring surgeries like liposuction to remove fat deposits, as well as other cosmetic procedures such as breast surgery (breast augmentation) or tummy tuck to achieve the desired aesthetic goals. Sometimes, a mommy makeover surgery may also include weight loss treatment plans such as diet and exercise routines. The goal of a Mommy Makeover is to help new mothers regain their youthful appearance and feel comfortable in their own skin again.
Ideal Candidates for Mommy Makeover
Ideal candidates for a Mommy Makeover in Pasadena, CA, are women who have experienced significant changes to their bodies due to pregnancy and childbirth. These changes can include sagging breasts, excess skin on the abdomen, and stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet and exercise. Women who have had multiple pregnancies may be particularly good candidates for this procedure as they may have more dramatic changes than those who have only had one child. Additionally, women should be in good overall health and not currently pregnant or nursing in order to qualify for post-pregnancy surgery.
Treatments
What treatments are usually included in a mommy makeover?
The procedures for post-pregnancy surgery vary for each patient, including surgical and nonsurgical treatments. However, most mommy makeovers include:
Liposuction
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that can provide immediate results, and it’s a great option for those with problem areas of stubborn fat that won’t go away regardless of a healthy diet or exercise. This procedure removes unwanted fat from any area in the body, and it works better in conjunction with fat transfer.
Tummy tuck
Due to the effects of pregnancy, the stretching of your skin and shifting of your abdominal muscles can make it extremely difficult to achieve a flat stomach, no matter how much you diet or do crunches.
During tummy tuck surgeries, your surgeon will remove any excess skin and fat, then he will tighten your abdominal muscles so that your midsection has a flatter and more defined appearance.
Breast augmentation
Part of a mommy makeover includes augmentation mammoplasty, which helps to enhance the breast size and even its shape. This procedure can give you more aesthetically youthful breasts and even provides them with a lift.
Breast reduction
In addition to enlarged nipples that produce colostrum during the second trimester, your breasts will likely continue getting bigger even after you give birth. Breast reduction surgery can provide relief for women struggling with the effects of overly large breasts caused by pregnancy.
Your Mommy Makeover Consultation
The best way to determine if you are an ideal candidate for post-pregnancy surgery is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Andree Panossian in Pasadena, CA. During your consultation, your doctor will evaluate your medical history and physical condition before recommending any procedures to help you achieve your desired results. Your doctor will also discuss the risks associated with the surgery so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it is right for you.
How is a mommy makeover procedure?
A mommy makeover is performed after a thorough preoperative evaluation by Dr. Panossian. Not all women will require the same combination of procedures. Therefore, consultation and preoperative photographs are essential for proper planning. The degree of breast ptosis (or, sagging) will dictate whether the breasts will need to be lifted through a lollipop-style incision (vertical breast lift) or an anchor-type incision (Wise pattern breast lift). The surgeon may perform breast augmentation simultaneously to add volume that has been lost.
The abdomen is most often addressed with a standard tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with or without liposuction. The abdominal muscles that have been weakened by the growing fetus are tightened during this procedure, giving back the hourglass shape. In some instances, significant abdominal changes in the skin and soft tissues may occur in a belt-like distribution around the entire midsection. In these cases, a belt lipectomy (or, body lift) may be required. This involves extending a standard tummy tuck scar around the entire lower body in a belt-like fashion. If a body lift is recommended, then staging the breast and body surgeries may sometimes be required.
Recovery
Mommy Makeover Recovery Process
A typical post-pregnancy surgery can take between 4 and 6 hours to perform, depending on the degree of skin laxity and breast ptosis. It requires at least a one or two-day stay in an aftercare facility. Long-acting local anesthesia is combined with general anesthesia to substantially limit pain in the postoperative period. You should have a friend or relative assist you in the first week when you go home. Once your recovery time begins, your initial dressings will include gauze and either an elastic bandage or a compression stocking. Any external stitches or drains (if used) will be removed during the first visit. A specialized compression garment will need to be worn around the clock for the next 4 to 6 weeks.
The recovery period for each procedure is similar to that described under the individual breast and body sections. After surgery, bruising and swelling may occur for the first one to two weeks. As with other body contouring procedures, you should stay home for the first week or two, with limited activities, including light walking, reading, and watching television. The patient should avoid driving during this time, as well as heavy lifting. Be sure to follow all your surgeon’s postoperative instructions.
In 2 weeks, you may begin to gently increase your activity, including more extensive walking, but avoid aggressive exercise or weight lifting. You must avoid running and other strenuous activities for 6 weeks.
There may be some diminished sensation along the lower abdomen and breasts near the incisions. This usually improves over the next several weeks as the swelling goes away. Occasionally, the decreased sensation may be permanent.
Risks and Complications
What are the potential risks and complications of a mommy makeover?
A post-pregnancy surgery is a long and complex procedure that requires a trained aesthetic eye to limit the length and visibility of scars and to produce excellent contour. Basic risks include sensitivity or reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, or infection. A hematoma can be drained in the office with a local anesthetic. An infection may require oral antibiotics and possibly surgical drainage if it occurs. A bad infection may require intravenous antibiotics and a brief hospitalization in more severe cases.
Scars are commonplace for any surgical procedure. In post-pregnancy surgery, the scars can sometimes be quite extensive. They can be raised or can stretch or widen over time. Dr. Panossian has developed a technique for improving the appearance of scars with a combination of products and timing that have provided fantastic results and very happy patients.
Slight asymmetry is always a risk in plastic surgery. After a post-pregnancy surgery, there may be subtle differences between the breasts regarding scarring, shape, or decreased sensation. Once again, these are relatively rare occurrences in experienced hands.
In rare cases, a clot in the legs can form, causing swelling and pain in the calves. This is a “deep venous thrombosis” or DVT. This condition is an emergency and your doctor must evaluate it quickly in an emergency room. Dr. Panossian uses specialized boots during surgery and encourages early walking after surgery to reduce this risk substantially.
Dr. Panossian has vast experience in minimal-scar plastic surgery and body contouring. He will be happy to go over your options during an initial consultation. His staff is always available to answer your questions and address problems should they arise. Call today for a consultation.
Why choose Dr Panossian
- He received his medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.
- Graduated at the top of his class at UCLA, receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors.
- Was accepted into an elite combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
- Completed subspecialty training in craniofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
- Was mentored by Dr. Ron Zuker in the practice of facial paralysis reconstruction. This prestigious fellowship position was available to only one surgeon in the United States.
- Is affiliated with various charitable and educational organizations, including Operation Smile and Mending Kids.
- Is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the highly selective American Association of Plastic Surgeons, reserved for only a select group of individuals nationally who have demonstrated excellence in academic plastic surgery.
- Holds memberships in several other professional societies including the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
- He serves on the Board of Directors for Mending Kids and the Gondobay Manga Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of lives in Sierra Leone.
- Has been nominated by his peers annually since 2012 as a “Super Doctor.”
- Served as an expert medical consultant and appeared on The Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and Nip/Tuck.
- Has been featured as “Top Doctor” in US News and World Report, Pasadena Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mommy Makeover
Results from a post-pregnancy surgery can be seen immediately after surgery but will continue to improve over time as swelling subsides, and incisions heal. Most patients see their final results within 6 months of surgery.
Various factors may affect your Mommy Makeover decision, like the timing of your next pregnancy and what body parts you are looking to modify. Future pregnancies can also impact the final results.
If you are not ready to have children for the next few years, post-pregnancy surgery may be a good option as it does not impact your future prospects of getting pregnant. However, if you want to conceive soon, it is recommended to wait and enjoy your body in its current state.
To achieve the best results, it is advisable to delay until your physique returns to a stable weight. Optimally, you should be at a weight you have kept consistent for no less than three months, during which stretch you observed a steady exercise program and a wholesome diet. Moreover, it is wise to postpone until your breasts have come back to their original size. A sensible suggestion is to postpone for two to three months after concluding breastfeeding.
If you live near Pasadena, CA, Dr. Panossian offers mommy makeover among its services, and is conveniently located at 39 Congress St., Suite 402 Pasadena, CA 91105
Last modified by Dr. Andre Panossian
