A mommy makeover refers to a combination of cosmetic procedures designed to help women restore their bodies after the tolls of pregnancy and childbirth. After carrying a child, many mothers find that their bodies have changed in ways exercise and diet alone cannot fix. Breasts may lose volume or sag, abdominal muscles can separate, and skin may lose elasticity.
A mommy makeover offers a way for mothers to get their pre-baby bodies back by targeting these common postpartum issues in one coordinated surgery. The most popular mommy makeover procedures reshape the breasts, flatten the stomach, remove fat, and tighten loose skin. The customized set of procedures included depends on each patient’s aesthetic goals and the problem areas they want to improve. Speak with a surgeon to learn about the services available and how they may benefit you.
Breast Enhancement
One of the most popular components of a mommy makeover is breast enhancement surgery, either with implants or a breast lift. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause breasts to lose volume and elasticity, resulting in sagging. Breast augmentation uses saline or silicone breast implants to increase breast size. A breast lift resolves sagging by removing excess skin and reshaping the breasts. Many women combine implants with a lift for optimal breast enhancement.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, also called abdominoplasty, is an integral part of most mommy makeovers. Pregnancy can wreak havoc on the abdominal region, causing stomach muscles to separate and skin to lose elasticity. A tummy tuck helps create a flatter, tighter, and more toned abdominal profile by surgically tightening the muscles and removing excess fat and skin.
The traditional tummy tuck uses a horizontally oriented incision placed low on the abdomen between the hip bones. This incision allows the plastic surgeon access to tighten the abdominal muscles with sutures and remove any stretched-out, overlying skin. The extended incision of a full tummy tuck also permits the removal of stretch marks below the belly button and thinning of the outer hip areas if needed.
Liposuction
Liposuction is often paired with a tummy tuck to refine body contours. It removes pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. The most common areas treated with liposuction during a mommy makeover include the abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs, knees, arms, and neck. Liposuction can provide a more shapely profile by slimming areas with disproportionate fat.
Body Lift
A body lift, or belt lipectomy, can be incorporated in a mommy makeover for dramatic reshaping of the lower body. This procedure tightens loose, hanging skin around the belly, hips, outer thighs, and buttocks. During a body lift, a circumferential incision is made around the waistline to remove excess skin and lift the tissues. The combined effect eliminates sagging to reveal a trimmer, more youthful figure.
Fat Grafting
Some women choose to include fat grafting techniques like a Brazilian butt lift in their mommy makeover. Fat grafting involves harvesting fat via liposuction from other areas like the thighs or stomach, then injecting it into the buttocks to create more fullness and lift. Many mothers experience deflation of the buttocks after pregnancy, so this addition can restore shapely contours.
The customized combination of procedures included in a mommy makeover helps mothers regain their pre-baby bodies. By directly addressing areas like the breasts, abdomen, waistline, and buttocks, they can see dramatic improvements in their figure with one coordinated surgery. An increasing number of women are taking advantage of the rejuvenating benefits of a mommy makeover. You may wish to, as well.