A mommy makeover is a set of procedures performed to address the changes to the body that occurs after childbearing. Some of these changes include saggy deflated breasts and loose stretched out abdominal skin. Unfortunately, these changes do not improve with diet or exercise. A good candidate for a mommy makeover includes a patient who has these changes and has completed childbearing. They should also be healthy and be non-smokers.
The mommy makeover addresses the breast and abdominal areas. As part of the operation, a breast lift or mastopexy may be performed. This is a procedure that can lift the breasts, correct the nipple position, make the breasts rounder and perkier and can also improve asymmetries and reduce the size of the areola. Sometimes, the breast lift can be combined with breast implants in order to improve upper pole fullness and cleavage. For those patients who have small breasts and little loose skin, a breast augmentation alone can be performed. For those who have larger breasts, a breast reduction might be the ideal choice.
Now, the breast procedure is typically combined with a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. This is a procedure that can tighten the abdominal musculature, eliminate the loose abdominal skin and also improve the shape and contour of the abdomen. It is usually combined with liposuction, which can trim the waistline and also further improve the shape of the lower body. Additional procedures can be performed and really depends on each individual situation.
The mommy makeover is performed under general anesthesia. It’s about three to five hours long depending on how much work is being done. Typically, patients are able to go home on the same day after the operation. Much of the pain is restricted to the first few days and is easily controlled with pain medication. Recovery is about one to two weeks and patients are able to return to light duty work after that time. Beyond that, there are restrictions on heavy lifting, exercise and strenuous activity for about 6 weeks.
