Mommy Makeover in Pittsburgh
Dr. Simona Pautler is a leading mommy makeover specialist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with 25 years of experience and over 1,000 procedures performed. She understands that every woman has unique concerns and aesthetic goals, which is why she personalizes each mommy makeover treatment plan. This approach allows her to achieve balanced and natural-looking results.
- 25+ Years of Experience
- Ivy-league educated
- Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
- 1,000+ Mommy Makeovers Performed
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is a combination of procedures that aim to restore a woman’s body after childbirth and breastfeeding. It targets areas most affected by these changes, such as the abdomen, breasts, and waistline.
The makeover is often performed in one session under general anesthesia, and the steps will vary depending on the procedures selected. In most cases, the surgery begins with breast contouring: enlargement with implants, a lift, a reduction, or some combination of these procedures. Then the abdomen is addressed with a tummy tuck where a low incision is made along the bikini line to remove excess tissues and fat and tighten the muscles. The skin is then redraped to achieve a smoother appearance.
If liposuction is part of the plan, small incisions are made in targeted areas to remove stubborn fat and enhance the overall shape.
The procedure may take several hours, depending on the complexity and number of treated areas. And once all selected procedures are complete, the incisions are closed and covered with dressings. Compression garments may be applied to reduce swelling and support healing.
Mommy Makeover Candidates
You may be considered a good candidate for a mommy makeover in Pittsburgh if you meet certain health and lifestyle criteria. The mommy makeover surgery is best suited for women who have good overall health and are non-smokers or willing to quit, since smoking decreases blood circulation, which slows healing and increases the risk of infection. Ideally, you should stop smoking at least 8 weeks before and 6 weeks after surgery.
You should also have a stable weight before surgery to avoid significant weight changes afterward, as this can affect your results. If you plan to lose weight, it’s best to do so before the procedure.
Additionally, mommy makeover candidates should wait at least 6 to 12 months after childbirth and stop breastfeeding for at least six months. This allows the body and hormone levels to stabilize and gives the breasts time to settle into their natural shape.
A mommy makeover may be right for you if:
- You have sagging or deflated breasts from pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- You have loose, excess skin on your stomach from stretched abdominal skin and muscles.
- You struggle with stubborn fat on your thighs, buttocks, or hips that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise.
- You are not planning on having more children, as future pregnancies could reverse your results.
- You have realistic expectations about what the surgery can achieve.
- You are ready to follow all post-operative care instructions. This includes wearing compression garments, attending follow-up visits, avoiding strenuous activity, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Also, weight gain must be avoided!
The best way to determine your candidacy is to schedule a personal mommy makeover consultation with Dr. Pautler. She will review your medical history, assess your goals, and create a plan that prioritizes safety, satisfaction, and long-lasting results.
Mommy Makeover Before & After Photos
See the results for yourself
What Procedures Are Most Commonly Included in a Mommy Makeover Surgery?
As mentioned above, a mommy makeover combines several transformative procedures to target the areas most affected by pregnancy. Whether it’s a breast lift, tummy tuck, or liposuction, these treatments work together to help you regain a more youthful, toned appearance.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure designed to sculpt and firm the abdomen. Pregnancy often causes the skin to stretch and abdominal muscles to weaken, resulting in a protruding belly and loose skin. A tummy tuck addresses these concerns by removing excess skin and fat, tightening the underlying muscles (diastasis recti), and restoring a smoother, more toned midsection.
In most cases, Dr. Pautler will combine liposuction of the waist and back to make the tummy tuck more of a torsoplasty. A standard tummy tuck procedure takes about 90 minutes. For larger clients, where liposuction may be necessary, the procedure takes about 175 minutes.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits that persist after pregnancy. It can be performed alone or to enhance the results of other procedures, such as a tummy tuck.
It is important to note that liposuction is only used to shape the body and not for weight loss. The procedure mostly targets the back, thighs, hips, and flanks, helping to create a more balanced, sculpted appearance. Moreover, fat removal through liposuction alone does not tighten loose skin. In fact, liposuction can sometimes lead to uneven skin shrinkage, necessitating skin removal to achieve smoother results.
As with any surgery, issues such as under-suctioning or over-suctioning can arise. Even though both are manageable, it is much easier to remove more fat than to add it back.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation enhances the size, shape, and symmetry of the breasts by using either saline or silicone implants. It is ideal for women seeking to increase breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss. The implants come in different shapes and sizes, allowing you to choose one that suits your body type and aesthetic goals. For a simple breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Pautler will perform it in under 45 minutes. More complex surgeries, such as those involving a lift, typically take 90-120 minutes.
Breast implants can last 10–20 years, but their age alone doesn’t necessitate replacement. If implants remain intact, soft, symmetrical, and properly sized, there’s usually no need for additional surgery. However, implant replacement becomes essential in cases of rupture or capsular contracture.
Fat Transfer to the Breast
Fat Transfer to the Breast involves harvesting excess fat from other parts of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and flanks, through liposuction. The fat is then purified and injected into the breasts to enhance volume and shape or restore fullness lost after pregnancy. Unlike implants, fat transfer to the breasts offers natural results but not an implanted look. Fat transfer IS NOT a substitute for implants. Fat transfer is more unpredictable because of the risk of absorption, which varies from patient to patient.
Breast Lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and elevates sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. It restores a youthful contour by lifting the breasts and repositioning the nipples to a higher, more natural position. The procedure can also be used to reduce the size of the breast or combined with implants or fat transfer to add volume for those seeking fuller breasts.
Augmentation With Lift
This procedure combines breast implants with a mastopexy to enhance both the volume and shape. The lift repositions the breasts and nipples to a higher, natural position, while implants provide additional volume and symmetry. It is ideal for women who want a single procedure to correct loss of fullness and sagging.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction involves removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to achieve a more proportionate and comfortable breast size. The procedure can also relieve back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by heavy breasts while improving posture and mobility.
Why Choose Dr. Pautler for a Mommy Makeover in Pittsburgh?
Dr. Pautler is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience. She is known for building strong and supportive relationships with her patients, making them feel comfortable discussing every aspect of their care, from the initial consultation to the final follow-up.
Before surgery, she will ensure each patient is at a healthy, stable weight and nicotine-free for at least eight weeks to support optimal healing. She spends considerable time on preoperative markings, measuring each side to ensure symmetry and precision. You’ll also be asked to bring your skimpiest underwear or swimsuit bottoms to the pre-op visit. This helps her plan incision placement so that scars remain discreet, even at the beach or pool.
Each mommy makeover is customized to your unique needs. We’ll review implant sizes, styles, and profiles and go over before-and-after photos so you feel confident in your choices. Depending on the patient’s anatomy, she may recommend a breast surgery (augmentation with implants, breast lift alone, or with an implant, reduction, fat grafting), abdominal tuck (traditional, mini, umbilical float, reverse, fleur-de-lis), and other procedures (liposuction of the waist, flanks, and/or thighs). The best part is that a majority of her patients are able to go home the same day.
All procedures are performed in safe, certified outpatient surgical centers or hospitals.
What Are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover offers several benefits, helping women feel more comfortable in their bodies after pregnancy and childbirth. These include:
Improved Breast Shape and Volume
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can lead to a loss of volume and firmness in the breasts, resulting in sagging. A mommy makeover can include a breast lift, augmentation, or both, depending on your goals. These procedures restore fullness, enhance shape, and help you achieve a more youthful appearance.
Flattened and Toned Abdomen
Loose skin and stretched muscles can leave the belly looking soft or uneven. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) addresses these issues by tightening the abdominal wall and removing excess skin so you can regain a flatter, firmer midsection.
Stubborn Fat Eliminated
Even with diet and exercise, it can still be difficult to eliminate fat in areas like the waist, hips, and thighs after childbirth. Liposuction is often included in a mommy makeover to target these areas, creating a more balanced and sculpted body contour.
Boosted Self-Confidence
The physical changes from pregnancy can impact how you feel about your body. A mommy makeover can restore your shape, improve your body image, and enhance your self-confidence.
Reduced Downtime
Since multiple procedures are performed in a single session, you only need one recovery period. This approach not only saves time but also reduces the need for multiple surgeries and anesthesia sessions, making the process more convenient and efficient.
Long-Lasting Results
With proper aftercare and a healthy lifestyle, the results of a mommy makeover can last for many years.
Customized to Your Needs
Dr. Pautler will design a tailored plan based on your anatomy, lifestyle, and desired outcome. Whether you need a breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, or a combination, every detail is carefully considered to deliver the best possible result.
Reduced Appearance of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, particularly on the lower abdomen, can be reduced or removed during a tummy tuck. This improves the overall texture and appearance of the abdomen.
Discreet Scar Placement
Dr. Pautler takes great care in placing incisions to ensure they are concealed. For instance, tummy tuck scars are often hidden along the bikini line, while breast procedure scars are placed within natural folds to minimize visibility.
Mommy Makeover FAQs
The average time it takes to heal from a mommy makeover is 6 weeks. However, this can differ between patients as a mommy makeover in Pittsburgh can consist of different procedures to match each patient's individual needs.
The first few days after a mommy makeover are typically the most challenging. The swelling, discomfort, and bruising will be at their worst these first few days post-surgery. Pain medications will be prescribed to help manage the pain. Initially after surgery, you may be restricted in your movements but by week two you will become a little more mobile.
At three weeks, most people can return to work and begin light walks. The majority of swelling will have resolved by four to six weeks and depending on the procedures performed your surgeon will begin increasing your activity level. It is important to remember that it can take up to 6 to 12 months for swelling to completely resolve and the final results to become visible. This is especially true if you have had liposuction as part of your makeover. Liposuction areas take a few months to soften and contour.
A mommy makeover procedure typically includes a tummy tuck and breast enhancement in Pittsburgh. The abdominal portion may include an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with or without liposuction, liposuction only, or a mini-abdominoplasty with or without liposuction. Contouring of the breasts can include breast augmentation with or without implants, a breast lift, a combination of augmentation and breast lift, or a breast reduction. The exact procedures performed will depend on each patient’s needs and desires.
Following an abdominoplasty in Pittsburgh, it is typical for women to see a reduction of one to two sizes and sometimes more. The degree of reduction will depend on the amount of excess skin and fat removed during the procedure. An important determinant of the permanency of the outcome is how committed a patient is to maintaining their weight after surgery.
The amount of weight taken off during a mommy makeover depends on the type of surgery performed and the patient’s overall health. Typically, patients undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck will lose between 5 and 15 pounds, however, individual results may vary.
Patients who practice healthy eating habits and exercise regularly will often experience better results with a mommy makeover. While weight loss can be achieved through surgery, maintaining a nutritious diet and regular exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle.
A mommy make over is not a weight loss surgery. The aim is to contour and tighten loose skin and enhance shape. If a patient is very much over their ideal body weight the surgery may be contraindicated.
As with any surgery, risks are involved but a mommy makeover is generally considered safe. Fortunately, the majority of complications are relatively minor and easily treated such as fluid collections, minor bleeding, infections, and wound healing problems. However, more serious complications can occur such as blood clots and cardiopulmonary complications but these are much less common.
Overall, the complications and risks of a mommy makeover will depend on the procedures performed.
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