Mommy Makeover
Introduction to
Mommy Makeover
After childbirth and breastfeeding, many women are unhappy with their sagging breasts, loose stomach skin or extra fat pockets on their flanks, inner and/or outer thighs. A mommy makeover is any procedure that combines some element of breast enhancement and abdominal contouring. Possible tummy procedures could include: abdominoplasty with or without liposuction, liposuction alone, or mini abdominoplasty with or without liposuction. For breast contouring, procedures include augmentation, augmentation with mastopexy, mastopexy alone, or reduction. Both silicone and saline implants can be used. Candidates for this surgery are most often women who have had multiple pregnancies, but massive weight loss patients also comprise a large part of Dr. Pautler’s mommy makeover population, even if they aren’t “mommies.” Recovering from both breast and body procedures at once to minimize time away from family and work is one of the main benefits of a mommy makeover.
Mommy Makeover Candidates
You may be considered a good candidate to have a mommy makeover if you identify with the following:
- You are in good health overall
- You have sagging and/or deflated breasts from pregnancy/breastfeeding
- You have excess, loose skin on your stomach
- You have pockets of fat on your thighs, buttocks and/or hips
- You are at a healthy weight for your build
- You are not planning on having more children
- You are a non-smoker. If you are a smoker, Dr. Pautler will strongly urge you to cease as soon as possible. It is important for you to stop smoking at least 8 weeks prior to and 6 weeks after your planned surgery. Cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerful substance that decreases blood circulation especially in the areas that need it the most: surgical wounds. Wound healing is slowed, infections risk is increased, and recovery from surgery may be prolonged.
Mommy Makeover Photos
See the results for yourself
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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