They say pregnancy changes your life forever, but that doesn’t mean your body can’t look the way it used to. A skilled cosmetic surgeon can reduce or eliminate stretch marks, sagging skin, and extra weight in the abdomen, hips, or buttocks that occur after childbirth. Salas Plastic Surgery provides customized sets of surgical procedures as part of our mommy makeover surgery packages.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover procedure is a process for making you happier with your post-pregnancy body. Every mother’s journey is unique, and mommy makeover procedures exist to help those who need an extra boost to achieve their goals.
A mommy makeover includes both plastic surgery, such as tummy tucks and breast implants, and non-surgical procedures, such as Botox, the use of compression garments, exercises, and dietary changes.
Am I a Good Mommy Makeover Candidate?
When you visit Salas Plastic Surgery, you will have a consultation with one of our experienced plastic surgeons. Dr. Salas will go over your medical history in detail, including any past surgeries you might have had, any allergies, your childbirth experience, and any other medical conditions that might increase the risk of surgical complications such as blood clots.
The surgeon will also ask about your current situation. They may inquire about tobacco, drug, or alcohol use, as well as any prescription medications you may take, and existing medical conditions such as diabetes or liver and kidney problems.
Any surgery places stress on the body’s organs and blood vessels. Your health is important to us, and we do not want to perform any procedure that would put your health at risk, even if that means postponing mommy makeover surgery until you are in better health.
In general, a good candidate for mommy makeover surgery is:
- Not currently a smoker
- Not currently breastfeeding (for procedures that affect breast tissue or breast milk)
- Not planning to have more children (for certain abdominal surgeries)
- Not taking any medication that would increase the risk of blood clots (for surgical procedures)
- Someone with a solid social support network who can help with childcare and other obligations during recovery
If you have been diagnosed with clinical depression, your surgeon might want you to treat this condition before surgery. Any cosmetic surgery procedure can drastically change your physical appearance. Acclimating to a new look while facing depression may be challenging without proper support.
The Components of a Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover includes a variety of surgical procedures, which work together to help you look younger and roll back some of the changes you experienced during pregnancy. While each procedure below is not required to make your procedure an official “Mommy Makeover,” each of these surgeries is a standard procedure that can be part of a mommy makeover plan. Be sure to discuss any questions you have about these procedures with your surgeon.
Tummy Tuck
Many women have a loose, sagging abdomen with excess fat after childbirth. Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, removes some of that fat and tightens up abdominal muscles and connective tissue. The final results include a more toned and sculpted look, improved range of movement, and reduced water retention in the abdominal region.
The tummy tuck can work in conjunction with liposuction, exercise, and dietary changes to create a leaner appearance. A mini tummy tuck is a similar, more conservative procedure that focuses on the parts of the abdomen below the navel without affecting anything above the navel.
Breast Augmentation
Once women have finished breastfeeding, they often express a desire to improve the look or shape of their breasts. Breast augmentation with implants filled with silicone gel or saline solution gives the breasts a fuller appearance and can correct asymmetry or irregularity in the shape of the breasts.
Breast augmentation does not change how the nipple or areola look, but it might indirectly affect their appearance by changing the breast’s shape and size overall.
Some women opt for breast reduction surgery. Pregnancy can cause an increase in the size of the breasts and put a strain on the back, hips, and knees. Smaller breasts might be more comfortable or aesthetically appealing.
Both breast augmentation and breast reduction cause some pain, swelling, and soreness, but these symptoms subside over time. The Mayo Clinic considers both silicone and saline implants safe for use in cosmetic surgery procedures.
Breast Lift
Breastfeeding can strain the breasts, which can cause breasts to lose their natural shape and firmness. A breast lift tightens the tissue surrounding the breast, giving it a higher and firmer appearance. During the procedure, the surgeon will cut into the breast near the areola to reshape the breast tissue and reposition the nipple and the areola.
Liposuction
Weight gain is common during pregnancy. It is a natural part of the body’s changes and helps to nourish and support the child in the mother’s womb. After childbirth, weight gained during pregnancy may be challenging for mothers to lose.
Liposuction is a simple procedure where the plastic surgeon uses suction to remove fat tissue from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and other parts of the body through a tube called a cannula.
To reduce the risk of complications, your surgeon will remove about ten pounds of fat at most. In combination with healthy exercise and a lower calorie diet, liposuction can contribute to ideal body weight.
Vaginal Rejuvenation Surgery
Traditional childbirth methods stretch the muscles of the vagina. When necessary, the doctor may perform an episiotomy, which places an incision in the vaginal opening to allow the child to pass through more easily.
Women who undergo this procedure may develop scar tissue at the incision site, leading to further complications in vaginal appearance and function.
Vaginoplasty and perineoplasty procedures improve the appearance of the vaginal area.
Mommy Makeover Surgery Procedure
The mommy makeover takes place over three phases: preparing for surgery, the surgical procedure, and the recovery period. Each of these phases is essential and contributes to the quality of the final result. Your surgeon will guide you each step of the way.
Preparation
One of the most critical parts of mommy makeover surgery is the initial consultation with the plastic surgeon. This informative discussion will help your doctor understand your goals so that you and the surgeon can decide which procedures are best for your needs.
As you create a custom mommy makeover plan, you and your doctor will create a timeline of surgical and non-surgical procedures that allows you to plan recovery periods, breastfeeding, and other concurrent medical procedures.
Before surgery, your plastic surgeon will order physical exams and blood tests to rule out any medical conditions that increase your risk during surgery. If your surgeon finds any problems, they will discuss steps you can take to resolve them before surgery.
Keep your primary care physician, gynecologist, and other doctors aware of your plans for mommy makeover surgery and listen to their recommendations.
Once your surgeon clears you for surgery, you will get a final cost estimate and discuss payment and financing options. In the days before your surgery, your doctor might ask you to stop taking some medications such as blood thinners.
The Surgery
Before the procedure begins, you will be given general anesthesia to prevent pain and allow the surgeon to work. The surgeon will make incisions to remove fat tissue and shape the body contours.
Each type of surgical procedure has risk factors and potential complications. Talk to your surgeon before the day of your procedure to ensure that you have a clear understanding of what to expect.
Recovery
The recovery time for your mommy makeover surgery depends on which procedures you undergo. At Salas Plastic Surgery, our surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis. This means that you can recover in the comfort of your own home.
You should plan on being sore and tired for up to two weeks after surgery. For this reason, it’s important to have someone you can count on for help with daily activities. For more complex procedures, you might have a recovery period of up to four weeks.
During your recovery, avoid driving while on prescribed medications. If you have had abdominal, vaginal, or breast surgery, you might have restrictions on lifting, bending, exercising, and other activities that could tear sutures or put stress on body tissues that are still healing after the surgery.
Your surgeon will go over any limitations or restrictions during recovery in consultation before the procedure. Take careful note of these restrictions and abide by them during the recovery period. Your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that you are healing properly.
Schedule A Consultation For A Mommy Makeover In Miami
If you’re interested in taking the next step towards your dream body, you should schedule a Mommy Makeover consultation with Dr. Salas today. You can give us a call at 305-928-7757 or send us an email to schedule an appointment today.
