A mommy makeover is a customized combination of cosmetic procedures targeting specific areas of the body after pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Plastic surgeons may be able to perform several procedures during a single operative session, and patients can be prescribed methods to improve their recovery period. Because pregnancy alters many different parts of the body, individuals might select a surgical approach to modify their structural contours. Medical practitioners evaluate each patient prior to any procedures to review what the patient wants and how to approach surgery.
Body Contouring
Fat often accumulates around the abdomen during pregnancy, and it can stay after childbirth. Typical diets and exercise may yield positive results for some individuals, but others struggle to lose weight and return to pre-pregnancy form, which is one reason why some want a mommy makeover. Surgeons use specialized tools to break up fat cells using liposuction techniques. Liposuction removes the targeted excess fatty tissue through very small incisions placed along the body’s natural folds. As the specialized tools pass under the skin, they extract fat cells from the tissue.
Although liposuction targets fat deposits, the procedure is classified as a contouring tool rather than a weight loss method. Medical professionals evaluate a patient’s total body mass index during the initial physical examination. The procedure alters the physical silhouette, and physicians often require a stable baseline weight from the patient for at least six months prior.
Skin Tightening
Excess skin and stretched musculature can be addressed through a procedure called a tummy tuck. If a patient exhibits loose abdominal skin, doctors perform this surgery to remove the excess tissue from the lower abdomen. The surgeon often uses stitches to pull the abdominal muscle tissue together to flatten the profile of the abdomen. This muscular repair creates a firm internal foundation for the skin.
Medical providers measure how much excess skin an individual has around their abdomen, and they mark the planned surgical incisions accordingly. After the surgeon makes a cut across the lower abdomen, they reposition the navel to match the tightened skin. Nurses monitor the patient during and after the surgery. Patients are often prescribed specialized medical compression garments to wear over the surgical site for several weeks following the operation, which help stabilize the body.
Breast Resizing
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can alter the size and shape of breast tissue. Some individuals lose volume after they finish breastfeeding, and they can opt for a breast augmentation to fill loose skin. Because synthetic implants add volume to the chest wall, surgeons select implant size based on the patient’s measurements. The chosen medical implant is positioned in the breast by the surgeon.
Other individuals may find pregnancy and feeding increase breast tissue volume. If a patient experiences chronic discomfort from heavy breasts, a board-certified surgeon can perform a breast reduction instead. Breast reduction surgery removes excess tissue, fat deposits, and loose skin. The operative procedure often decreases the load on the upper spine, and recovering patients may notice an immediate difference in their basic postural alignment.
Plan Your Mommy Makeover
Whether you are experiencing loose skin or stubborn fat, a mommy makeover can help with achieving your aesthetic goals. Explore your options and consult with a doctor to find an approach that’s right for you. Contact an aesthetics clinic to begin planning your mommy makeover.
