Post-pregnancy makeover or mommy makeover is one of the best ways to regain a woman’s pre-pregnancy figure. It is a cosmetic surgery that involves many small surgeries or procedures like breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck, etc. Let us find out more about this post-pregnancy cosmetic surgery.
| Note
It is recommended that women undergo mommy makeover surgery only after completing childbearing. |
The pleasure of becoming a mother exceeds all other feelings in the world. The joy of bringing a new life in this world cannot be explained in words. To become a mother, a woman makes a lot of sacrifices, and one among them is her physical appearance. Pregnancy and breastfeeding results in physical changes like stretch marks, drooping breasts, enlarged areolas, protruding tummies, and localized body fat on many areas. These changes are very difficult to correct even with proper exercise and a healthy diet. But there is one way by which you can regain your pre-pregnancy body, it’s mommy makeover.
Mommy Makeover Surgery
Mommy makeover is a combination of different surgical procedures done to correct the physical effects of childbearing. This surgery helps remove extra fat deposition in the body, tightens the skin, removes stretch marks and wrinkles, and uplifts sagging breasts. The procedure involves a series of surgeries one after the other, over a series of appointments. Your plastic surgeon will discuss the procedures with you, and will decide the number of surgeries according to your requirement. Basically, a mommy makeover involves the following surgeries:
- Breast Lift
- Breast Reduction
- Tummy Tuck
- Liposuction
▶ Breast Lift
During pregnancy, complete growth of the breasts take place, and after pregnancy and breast feeding, you may observe sagging breasts, drooping nipples, and stretched aureolas. These changes can be corrected with the help of a breast lift procedure or mastopexy. It is done by trimming off excess skin, and tightening the surrounding tissues. This procedure can only lift the breasts and make them firmer, but it may not help in reducing the size of the breasts.
▶ Breast Reduction
As the breasts swell to a fuller size and shape in pregnancy, and a breast lift procedure is not enough to reduce the size of the breasts, breast reduction is considered a good option. It is suitable for women with extra large breasts, or those who prefer slimmer and smaller breasts. This procedure involves removal of fat and glandular tissues, and tightening of the skin. It relieves many problems related to increased breast size, like improper posture, rashes, breathing problems, low self-esteem, etc. This surgery is not recommended for women who intend to breastfeed, as it involves removal of milk ducts. It is advised that a woman should undergo this surgery at least 9 months after she has delivered her last child.
▶ Tummy Tuck
After pregnancy, the most prominent change is seen in the abdominal area. You can observe stretch marks, loose skin, protruding tummy, and a straighter waistline. All these changes are difficult to be corrected with the help of exercise or dieting. So, the quicker way to rectify these changes is by going for a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. This procedure includes removal of excess skin, tightening of surrounding muscles, removal of stretch marks, and defining the waistline. This procedure is not recommend for women who are planning to get pregnant again, as it may again loosen the skin.
▶ Liposuction
During and after pregnancy, there is excess amount of fat deposition in the abdomen, waist, thighs, buttocks, and arms. With the help of liposuction, undesirable fat can be removed from these areas. There are different methods involved in liposuction, which includes ultrasound-assisted lipectomy (UAL) and suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL). In both the types, a fluid is injected into the targeted area which breaks down the fat layer, and then the fat is suctioned out.
The minimum recovery period for a mommy makeover is 2 to 3 weeks. The recovery period also depends upon the number of surgeries one has opted for. It is recommended to avoid any weight-bearing or strenuous activity after surgery, for several weeks.
Risks Associated with Mommy Makeover
Like any other cosmetic surgery, there are risks and complications associated with mommy makeover. Some of the common complications are:
- Irregularity or asymmetry between the sides of the body
- Infection at the incision site
- Fluid collection under the skin or seroma
- Numbness or tingling sensation may be observed due to nerve damage
- Necrosis, as a result of poor blood flow
- Hematoma, which is a collection of blood under the surface of the skin
Before undergoing this surgery, verify that the surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon, and has experience in mommy makeover surgery. Disclose all your medical history to your surgeon. This will help him plan your surgeries accordingly. Follow all the pre- and post-surgical instructions given by your doctor. A mommy makeover cost can range from $8,500-$15,000. This figure may vary according to the number of surgeries, location, and surgeon fees.
Disclaimer: This HerHaleness article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
