What is a Mommy Makeover?
Many mothers would love to rejuvenate their figures after giving birth through plastic surgery. But busy parenting schedules may restrict their ability to make time for multiple procedures. Thankfully, surgeons are accounting for these road blocks by offering a group of procedures known as the mommy makeover.
In essence, a mommy makeover allows busy mothers an opportunity to achieve a head-to-toe result while minimizing the time taken away from family commitments. It also simplifies the process of revitalizing a post-pregnancy body by combining the three procedures most beneficial to those who have given birth.
Mommy Makeover Procedures
The effects of pregnancy are most apparent in the breasts, stomach and thigh region. Plastic surgeons address these areas with liposuction, abdominoplasty and breast-related procedures.Liposuction - Weight gain is a normal and expected part of pregnancy. Unfortunately, while the body quickly and easily adds extra pounds to the stomach and thigh area to support children's growth in the womb, shedding that excess weight after the baby is born is rarely so simple.
Plastic surgeons perform targeted liposuction on the areas most affected by pregnancy weight gain -- generally the upper thighs and abdomen. They remove the excess fat from these areas as a step in the process of returning mothers' bodies to their pre-pregnancy forms.
Abdominoplasty - Pregnancy not only stretches the skin of the abdominal area, but the stomach muscles as well. This can make returning the stomach to its previous shape through traditional means difficult, if not impossible.
In abdominoplasty, commonly known as a tummy tuck, surgeons remove the excess, stretched skin and reshape the abdominal muscles. While the external effects of this procedure are obvious, many patients also benefit from regained strength in stomach muscles weakened by pregnancy.
Breast Procedures - The third component of a mommy makeover involves procedures to lift or revive the shape of the breasts. The specifics of these procedures depend on the shape and wishes of the woman involved.
Milk production during and after pregnancy stretches breast tissue and skin, causing sagging and other changes. Plastic surgeons can address these issues with a procedure called a breast lift, in which excess skin is removed and the breasts are tightened. Many mothers also opt for breast augmentation, involving implants, to restore the previous fullness and shape of the breasts.
Considerations
Although the concept of the mommy makeover is centered around convenience, it still involves multiple surgical procedures. For this reason, women undertaking this process should be in good health and able to undergo anesthesia. Recovery time should also be accounted for, however one of the greatest benefits of grouping procedures in this manner is that the hospital stay and recovery time are consolidated.Plastic surgery procedures are not recommended for smokers, due to health risks created by nicotine's constricting effect on the blood vessels. Additionally, the best results in liposuction are achieved when the woman undergoing the procedure is no more than 30 pounds above her desired weight.
If you are considering a mommy makeover, discuss your expectations and concerns honestly with your plastic surgeon before undergoing any of the above procedures.
Writing regularly in both print and online media on plastic surgery and aesthetic issues, Dr. Bruce A. Mast offers easy-to-understand, expert insight into various ways available for enhancing patients' outward appearance. Possessing decades of experience helping men and women accomplish their goals of a more vibrant and youthful look, Dr. Mast offers compassionate, personable care as chief of the Plastic Surgery unit at UF Florida Center for Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics. Dr. Mast carefully listens to patient concerns and goals to provide the most effective treatment for your individual situation. In addition to addressing concerns about appearance, the Florida plastic surgeon also help those affected by disease and accidents regain their prior look.
Find the best treatment and care for addressing issues with your appearance � whether they're simple aesthetic concerns or stem from an accident or illness � by visiting the offices of Dr. Bruce A. Mast at U.F. Or browse around for more insights into how you can safely enhance your outward appearance through plastic surgery and non-surgical, aesthetic treatments. Besides offering the best hands-on care, Dr. Mast also helps the public at large better understand plastic and cosmetic treatments and what to expect.