Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover can mean different things to different people. Still, the key concept is this: pregnancy and breastfeeding cause well-defined changes in your body, and a mommy makeover helps reverse these changes.

It is important to understand how your body has changed and learn about the options available to correct these changes since this is a highly personalized procedure.

The two areas most dramatically affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding are the abdomen and breasts. Our board-certified surgeons at Rapaport Plastic Surgery offer multiple options to enhance and restore these areas.

Learn More About Mommy Makeover

Almost any woman who has unwanted changes from childbirth is a candidate for a mommy makeover, especially since the surgery will be customized to her needs. However, it is typically recommended that patients wait to undergo surgery until they are finished having children. Future pregnancies could undo your results.

It’s also essential to remember that a mommy makeover, which often includes liposuction, is not a replacement for weight loss. Liposuction can remove small areas of stubborn fat but is typically best for patients already at or near their ideal weight. For women who are overall healthy, are done having children, and have finished breastfeeding for at least six months, a mommy makeover can restore their pre-baby body and confidence.

Our team at Rapaport Plastic Surgery always strategically develops mommy makeover plans for each patient. Every woman’s body is different and may experience pregnancy differently, requiring a unique approach to treatment. A mommy makeover most commonly includes abdominoplasty, liposuction, and breast enhancement.

Abdominoplasty

The abdomen inevitably changes during pregnancy because as the uterus stretches to accommodate a developing baby, the muscles and skin of the abdomen need to adjust to make room. The muscles that run up and down the middle of the abdomen, the “six-pack” muscles, or rectus abdominus muscles, spread apart. This results in a rectus diastasis, a relative weakness between the two rectus abdominis muscles that can contribute to an abdominal bulge.

The skin of the abdomen also stretches to accommodate the enlarged uterus. When the baby is delivered, and the uterus returns to its pre-pregnancy size, the skin cannot shrink back to its original dimensions. This can result in an abdomen with extra folds, sagging, creases, or irregularities.

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is the mainstay of mommy makeover procedures. It involves tightening and removing excess skin and repairing the abdominal muscles. The kind of abdominoplasty that is best for you depends on your physical examination. Abdominoplasties can be customized to address each part of the abdomen that has changed. If the rectus muscles have separated, the abdominoplasty includes a repair procedure. If fat has accumulated in undesirable areas, including liposuction may be appropriate. Nearly all patients will have some excess skin, but how it is removed will depend on how much the pregnancy has stretched the skin.

The belly button (umbilicus) may also have undergone some changes with pregnancy. It may appear irregularly shaped or have a bulge caused by a small hernia. Your abdominoplasty can be designed to address these problems as well. In some cases, insurance may cover hernia repairs performed during abdominoplasty surgery.

Liposuction

Liposuction can play a powerful role in complementing an abdominoplasty. Lipo reduces excess fat in key areas, such as the hips, thighs, buttocks, and belly, as well as from the arms and back if needed. The extra fat cells are vacuumed out using a slim tube referred to as a cannula. Liposuction is a popular and safe procedure that helps to restore streamlined contours to the silhouette.

Breast Enhancement

The breasts may undergo several different changes as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding. These changes can include both the size and shape of the breasts. The breasts frequently respond to the hormones of pregnancy by enlarging. Just as the abdominal skin stretches to accommodate the expanding uterus, the skin of the breast can stretch to accommodate the enlarging breast tissue.

After delivery and as breastfeeding commences, the breast tissue frequently decreases in volume. In the same way that the abdominal skin cannot completely contract after it is expanded, the breast skin faces a similar problem. This commonly results in breasts with a sagging, “deflated” appearance. The nipple and areola can also become stretched, enlarged, and asymmetrical after pregnancy.

The proper solution depends on the specific changes that your breasts have undergone. If there has been only a change in breast shape or there is breast ptosis (sagging), a mastopexy (breast lift) might be appropriate. If the breasts have also decreased in volume, a breast augmentation (placement of breast implants) may be helpful in addition to or instead of the mastopexy. Several procedures can also be performed to improve the appearance of nipples and areolas that have undergone the changes mentioned earlier.

The mommy makeover is a combination of procedures designed specifically for you, based on your body’s changes, to help you return to your pre-pregnancy appearance. Therefore, each procedure is unique. In general, mommy makeovers include some form of abdominoplasty and one of the breast procedures we discussed here, as well as liposuction. A mommy makeover may also include additional procedures, such as non-surgical facial rejuvenation.

With an expert staff and experienced surgeons, we can often perform these procedures simultaneously to reduce recovery time and cost. Mommy makeovers may take several hours to complete and typically require general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedures planned. Dr. Rapaport’s board-certified anesthesiologist will administer the anesthesia and monitor our patients throughout surgery and recovery.

The recuperation period from a mommy makeover will vary significantly from patient to patient based on exactly which procedures were performed and individual capacity for healing. Rest assured, however, that Dr. Rapaport’s conservative, expert approach facilitates the most rapid recovery possible with minimized scarring.

Most patients need one to two weeks of downtime after a mommy makeover. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are expected during this time. Complete recovery may take several weeks, during which time you should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting. Patients undergoing breast surgery or abdominoplasty will most likely need to wear a compression garment, as this works to hold the results in place during recovery. Drains may be utilized for one to two weeks to remove excess fluids as you heal.

In every situation, Dr. Rapaport or one of our plastic surgeons will create a detailed, individualized aftercare plan that provides instructions for sleeping, bathing, being out in the sun, returning to work, exercising, and other pertinent topics. Follow-up with our team is critical to how well your recovery progresses. You are encouraged to contact our team at any point, however, should concerns arise.

We will also recommend post-surgical treatments that will enhance your results; these often include skincare and non-surgical maintenance to the treated areas with one of our Aesthetic Specialist Nurses or Aestheticians.

Each woman’s results will depend on her tailored procedure; however, the overall effect of a mommy makeover is a rejuvenated, contoured body rejuvenated from its post-pregnancy state. Depending on your procedures, you may enjoy perkier, fuller breasts and a slim, smooth abdomen without loose skin. These results are typically permanent if you maintain a stable weight and don’t have another pregnancy.

Pairing Your Mommy Makeover with Non-surgical Facial Rejuvenation

Pregnancy can take a toll on you, not just physically but mentally and emotionally, and this added stress can circle back and create signs of aging in the face. That’s why Dr. Rapaport’s team often incorporates a facial rejuvenation plan in each personalized treatment approach. We have mastered the art and science of non-surgical facial renewal and are pleased to offer this as an extension of any body-focused mommy makeover procedure. Wrinkles, fine lines, creases, and volume loss can all be reduced and improved through our extensive variety of dermal fillers, neurotoxins, and skincare options.

Take the Next Step

Every patient’s transformation journey at Rapaport Plastic Surgery begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Rapaport. To learn more about mommy makeover and determine if it’s the right choice for you, fill out the form below or call us at (212) 249-9955 to schedule an appointment. Our team is dedicated to providing the best plastic surgery NYC has to offer.

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