The Mommy Makeover
A Mommy Makeover can easily address the unwanted physical effects of pregnancy that can not be reversed with diet and exercise alone. And while some women may be able to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight, they remain unsatisfied as their bodies have drastically changed. Women opting for this tailored surgical procedure have found that the physical bodily changes incurred from pregnancy aren’t going away with time. These changes may include loose or separated abdominal muscles, stretch marks, spider veins, loose skin, weight gain due to hormonal changes, deflated breasts, a residual belly that sticks out and other bodily changes. Because each woman’s body reacts differently to pregnancy, the Mommy Makeover is a combination of contouring procedures tailored specifically to each female patient. The goal is to focus on areas of the woman’s body most impacted by pregnancy and childbearing including the breasts, stomach, waistline and thighs. A Mommy Makeover most commonly includes a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty), a breast lift combined with a breast augmentation, liposuction, and in some cases a breast reduction. Patients may also be interested in undergoing vaginal tightening or labiaplasty.
Women who are unhappy with their bodies gravitate to the Mommy Makeover because it addresses their nagging concerns all at once, combining the recovery times, as well as leaving less time to take off work and spending time with their families. Women opting for a Mommy Makeover will have to wait until they are fully recovered from their pregnancy, are no longer breastfeeding, as well should have decided they will not be bearing anymore children.
After fully recovering from pregnancy, through diet and exercise, some women are able to achieve the flat abdominals they had prior to bearing children. For other women, the stomach muscles separate, resulting in excess skin and laxity that no physical exercise can address. After breastfeeding, some women may also find that their breasts have deflated and appear droopy. For these reasons, a Mommy Makeover typically includes a tummy tuck and breast lift and/or augmentation. Liposuction may also be used to address any unwanted fat deposits.
The surgical options vary from one woman to the next, however when performed by an experienced board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon, multiple surgeries can be performed at once safely and effectively. After a thorough consultation with the patient, Dr. Adibfar begins by making preoperative markings on the patient’s body to allow for efficiency during surgery and give the patient a look at the targeted areas.
Surgically contouring the abdomen will include correcting the separated muscles by suturing them securely back together. This will press the abdominals in and allow for a flatter, smoother stomach. Any residual loose skin or fat may also be removed from the lower abdomen and sides of the waist for a leaner, more sculpted silhouette. An incision line is typically made just over the groin resulting in a scar that’s easily hidden by undergarments.
The breast augmentation will also vary greatly depending on the patient. Some women find they lost significant volume in their breasts, while others are in need of a reduction to better balance their silhouette and alleviate physical symptoms. Typically, a Mommy Makeover will include a breast lift and augmentation using implants. Sagging breasts are lifted to appear more perky and implants address the volume lost from breastfeeding, leaving these moms with a younger, tighter, and more attractive shape.
The length of recovery will vary depending on the patient’s goals, tissues and combination of surgical procedures. Patients are typically advised to take 10-14 days off work with gradual improvements appearing over the next 6 months. Patients are advised to rest however will be able to walk the following day after surgery and are encouraged to walk to stimulate circulation, reduce risk of infection and aid in the healing process.
Bearing children is a miraculous feat, however, many women feel their bodies changed so much that they no longer feel confident in the way they look or fit in their clothes. Women having undergone a Mommy Makeover are some of the most satisfied and pleased patients of any procedure. These patients often report they feel more motivated in their daily life and work environment, feel a sense of restored wellbeing, are more confident in their clothes and are enjoying the benefits of a firmer looking figure that resembles their pre-pregnancy body.
Click here to learn more about the Mommy Makeover or to book a consultation with one of Toronto’s best and most experienced cosmetic plastic surgeons, Dr. Adibfar.