If an ad were placed for the job of motherhood, most would be shocked at the job description. It’s highly stressful and often messy. In the 168 hour workweek, there are no breaks. It allows no sick time, no vacation, and no holiday pay.
In fact, there is no pay at all. It is physically and mentally demanding, and all who accept the job run the risk of completely transforming their physique and pre pregnancy appearance. With all of the outlandish requirements, motherhood is often a thankless job.
A Mommy Makeover at Galanis Plastic Surgery is one of the most fulfilling ways a mother can give herself the thanks she deserves.
MAINTAINING YOUR MOMMY MAKEOVER RESULTS
While the benefits will always outweigh the costs, pregnancy often has a way of leaving its distinguishable mark on new mothers in the form of loose, sagging breasts, stretch marks, exercise-resistant stomach pooches, and weakened abdominal muscles. When this happens, Mommy Makeover surgery is a reliable response to those woes.
Mommy Makeover surgery typically combines multiple procedures including breast augmentation, tummy tuck surgery, and liposuction into one surgical procedure, aimed at returning your body to its pre-pregnancy physique.
These surgical procedures are designed to provide you with desirable, long-lasting results—with a caveat that you maintain them.
Long lasting doesn’t mean that additional changes and complications cannot arise. Once you leave the hands of your surgeon, maintaining your results are up to you. The good news is that keeping up your new body may be easier than you would imagine.
WAIT UNTIL AFTER HAVING ALL CHILDREN
Although it’s tempting to undergo surgery as soon as you notice the effects that pregnancy has left on you, it is commonly recommended that you wait to undergo your Mommy Makeover until after you have finished having the number of children you desire.
While these mommy makeover procedures will not affect future pregnancies, additional pregnancies may undo your results—much in the way it changed your body the first time.
The decision on when to have your Mommy Makeover is solely up to you. Touch-up body contouring procedures and plastic surgery is always possible, but it is ultimately up to you to weigh the pros and cons.
STOP SMOKING
By this time, it’s relatively well-known that smoking comes with a laundry list of problems. While refraining from smoking is vital both before and immediately after your surgery to reduce the chances of complications and to aid in the recovery process, keeping the habit away will also help you in the long run.
Smoking affects all parts of your body, even the areas included in your surgery.
RESTORE YOUR CONFIDENCE
Mommy Makeovers are a combination of cosmetic procedures that can completely or almost completely restore your pre-pregnancy body. The mommy makeover journey restores deflated breasts with either breast implants, a breast lift, or both plastic surgery procedures combined.
A tummy tuck is often involved—with or without liposuction—to remove unwanted skin and fat that has collected in the abdomen.
The changes to these areas of the body after childbirth can be extensive, and most women become discouraged when diet and exercise fail to improve any of them.
LIPOSUCTION
Women often find that stubborn fat becomes apparent in the thighs, hips, abdomen, and other areas of the body that were never troublesome in the past.
Liposuction targets this unwanted fat so that the contours of the body are firmer and more flattering. Since liposuction alone will not remedy loose skin that often results in the abdomen after pregnancy, it is often combined with a tummy tuck.
TUMMY TUCK
The tummy tuck will tighten loose abdominal muscles, repair diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles), remove excess skin, and tighten the underlying muscles for a more slender appearance.
The procedure can be customized to improve the lower abdomen only, or it may extend around the body to improve the back as well.
BREAST AUGMENTATION AND BREAST LIFT
Women who have some extent of breast volume loss can benefit from a breast augmentation or a breast lift. A breast augmentation will increase the size of the breasts and improve their shape, while a breast lift will improve any sagging skin and tissue.
Women who have significant sagging or nipples that fall below the breast crease are usually ideal candidates for a breast lift. Many women choose to combine the two procedures for an overall larger, more youthful breast appearance.
Mommy Makeover Recovery
Most mommy makeover patients wonder how long is the healing process going to be following a mommy makeover procedure. Remember that it is extremely important to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Typically, most patients are deemed fully recovered within 3 to 4 months following their mommy makeover.
However, the final results may take approximately 6 to 12 months to manifest, given that the lingering swelling subsides and the tissues settle completely during this period.
Dr. Galanis will lay out a clear path for your mommy makeover recovery period to get you back into your normal routine as efficiently as possible.
Questions and Answers
What should I avoid before a mommy makeover?
Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and herbal supplements prior to surgery as they can cause an increase in bleeding.
What are the cons of a mommy makeover?
Like any surgical procedure, there is inherent risk of complications such as infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. The combination of multiple procedures in a mommy makeover can further elevate the likelihood of complications.
How long will it take my scars to heal?
Although your scars will remain noticeable for at the six-months, they will gradually lose pigmentation, leading to a significant reduction in the intensity of the red or brown coloration. One year post-tummy tuck, the scarring is expected to be considerably less noticeable.
Can a mommy makeover procedure remove stretch marks?
Stretch marks commonly develop when a woman’s abdominal wall and skin undergo stretching, frequently occurring post-pregnancy.
Plastic surgeons will employ specialized surgical techniques to fortify abdominal muscles, tighten excess skin and sagging skin, and address stretch marks. This process yields a more tightened and smoother contour for the woman’s body.
How many sizes might I go down following this plastic surgery?
After undergoing skin tightening and fat removal, some women may experience a reduction of one or two clothing sizes, with variations among individuals. It’s essential to note that your safety and comfort over unrealistic goals or specific pant sizes is always the best outcome.
Book Your Mommy Makeover Consultation
To find out which Mommy Makeover procedures will best meet your needs, schedule a consultation at Galanis Plastic Surgery with board certified plastic surgeon Charles Galanis, M.D. Please call our Beverly Hills office at (310) 858-8930 or our Chicago office at (844) GALANIS. You may also fill out our online contact form for more information.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/mommy-makeover
