Benefits and Choices
Mommy makeover is the broad term for a group of customized body contouring surgeries that target changes to a woman’s body that occur during pregnancy. The customization aspect is important, because every woman has her own set of needs and expectations, and relies on her plastic surgeon to achieve very specific results.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body takes on an average 25 to 35 extra pounds, much of it in the hips, thighs, breasts, buttocks and abdomen. Abdominal muscles in particular undergo significant stress, expanding and sometimes separating. If separation occurs, the stomach can develop a bulge that is largely resistant to diet and exercise.
This expansion also affects the skin, creating abdominal stretch marks. With breasts, eventual weight loss can have the opposite effect, creating a sagging profile that is sometimes referred to as a “pancake” look.
For mommy makeover, women typically choose among liposuction, tummy tuck, breast lift and sometimes breast augmentation. Liposuction targets stubborn pockets of fat, while tummy tuck repairs the breach in the abdominal wall and restores muscle integrity. Breast lift restores a youthful profile to breasts that have just experienced wide fluctuations in volume.
Timing Your Surgery
The key to timing your mommy makeover is patience, allowing your body time to recover after pregnancy. It is recommended that women wait six months or more after giving birth to see how much healing will occur naturally. During this time, your skin, muscle and uterus may begin to return to a normal size and consistency.
With a few exceptions, it is also recommended that women wait until after their final pregnancy before undergoing mommy makeover. Pregnancy can undo the results of an earlier tummy tuck or other mommy makeover procedure. With a new pregnancy, the muscles that were repaired can separate once again, and the tightened skin can loosen.
To learn more about mommy makeover, schedule a personal consultation with one of the experienced plastic surgeons of Atlanta Plastic & Reconstructive Specialists. Call our Northside office at (404) 255-2975 or our Piedmont office at (404) 343-0897 today.