Mommy Makeover is a popular type of plastic surgery, common among women who have had children. It usually involves a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast surgery such as a breast lift or breast augmentation. Often, patients also opt for vaginal rejuvenation. These procedures are carried out either at once or in separate sessions.
There is no fixed rule that establishes the combination of procedures included in the mommy makeover. It all depends on the initial condition of the woman’s body and the desired results. These interventions focus on the areas of the body that have undergone the most visible changes due to pregnancy. The most common surgeries are:
Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck
During pregnancy, women gain and subsequently lose a significant amount of weight. The abdominal muscles and skin stretch to make room for the growing baby, resulting in sagging skin and an abdomen that continues to appear prominent, even after the postpartum period.
Some women develop diastasis recti, a condition in which the muscles of the abdominal wall separate. Abdominoplasty is an effective method of tightening the abdominal muscles and removing excess skin. The plastic surgeon makes an incision from one hip to the other to remove fat deposits and sagging skin.
Liposuction
In addition to weight gain and loss, many women notice that body fat distribution changes during pregnancy. Liposuction, a procedure by which fat is sucked out of the body, helps to reshape certain areas and remove excess fat. After pregnancy, many women choose liposuction on the hips, thighs, abdomen or buttocks. In the most common form of liposuction, the surgeon injects a solution into the affected areas, then removes the fat with the help of a vacuum through cannulas placed under the skin.
Recovery after liposuction is an essential step in achieving the desired results. The recovery period can last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the procedure, the areas treated, the type of liposuction performed, and the body’s individual response to healing. Find out more in our previous article: Recovery after liposuction.
Breast augmentation
Many women notice that their breasts become smaller, “empty” or “sagging” after pregnancy, due to factors such as breastfeeding and significant weight fluctuations. Breast augmentation helps to reshape and resize the breasts, making them appear rounder and fuller after birth. During general anesthesia, the surgeon will make incisions and place implants either above or below the chest muscles. Breast implants are usually filled with saline or silicone. It is recommended that you wait until you are done breastfeeding and when you are sure that you do not want any more children before performing this intervention.
Learn more about breast augmentation from our previous article: Breast augmentation through augmentation: Types of breast implants.
Breast lifting
Breast augmentation is often combined with a breast lift (mastopexy) as part of a mommy makeover. A breast lift involves making one to three incisions on the breast to remove excess skin and tissue. The surgeon may also lift the areola and nipple, a procedure that helps correct the appearance of sagging breasts that many women experience after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
You may also be interested in: Mastopexy or breast lift without implant.
Vaginal rejuvenation
Hormonal changes and the birth process can affect both the vulva and the vagina, which can lead to vaginal dryness, tears, stretched vaginal muscles, and/or labia majora. Some women who are bothered by these changes choose to have vaginal rejuvenation. This may involve tightening the vaginal muscles and/or removing excess skin. Some studies suggest that the procedure may improve sexual satisfaction due to the extra friction. On the other hand, there is also a risk of scarring and loss of sensation.
The options for operations performed in this case are:
- Vaginoplasty: Vaginoplasty repositions the muscles, and excess skin on the back wall of the vagina is removed.
- Clitoroplasty: Surgical procedure that changes the appearance of a person’s clitoris, by shrinking or repositioning.
- Labiaplasty: Surgery that reduces or increases the size of the labia.
Mommy makeover – Benefits
A mommy makeover offers numerous advantages, including:
- Relieving symptoms of diastasis recti: Some women experience lower back and pelvic pain due to this condition. Abdominoplasty helps relieve these symptoms.
- Regaining the pre-pregnancy appearance: Breast lifts, with or without breast augmentation, help to reshape and contour the breasts, helping to reduce or reverse the effects of aging, weight loss and/or breastfeeding on the size and appearance of the breasts.
- Improved sex life: Some women experience an increase in sexual self-esteem after having cosmetic surgery, which means they feel more confident in expressing their sexuality.
- Increased self-confidence: Studies suggest that some women feel more confident and have higher self-esteem after going through a “mommy makeover,” which can have a positive impact on their quality of life.
Recovery after mommy makeover
The recovery time after a mommy makeover varies considerably, depending on the procedures chosen and the possible side effects you may experience. In general, most women manage to return to work in about a month.
After a mommy makeover, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Swelling;
- Bruises;
- Pain;
- Sensibility;
The effects of the intervention will begin to be visible in a few months, during which time it is essential to follow the surgeon’s instructions to optimize the results and protect your health. To make sure your recovery goes smoothly, here are some steps you can take:
- Rest: Your body needs time to heal, so make sure you’re getting enough rest.
- Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods: Hydration and a balanced diet are crucial for healing.
- Walk to stimulate circulation: Even light movements help prevent complications and improve blood circulation.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects (including children) for 4-6 weeks: It is important not to put pressure on the operated areas to allow for proper healing.
- Wear compression garments according to your doctor’s instructions: They help reduce swelling and shape the body properly.
- Protects the affected areas until the drains are removed: Follow all the surgeon’s recommendations for skin care during recovery.
- Avoid smoking before and after surgery: Smoking can negatively affect the healing process, increasing the risk of complications.
- Don’t expose scars to UV light or the sun: Protects scars to prevent hyperpigmentation and other skin problems.
- Use silicone sheets, gentle cleansing, and vitamin E for scar care: These methods can help minimize scarring and improve the appearance of the skin.
It is essential to follow all of these recommendations and work closely with your surgeon throughout the recovery process to ensure that you are getting the best results and that your health is protected.
Mommy makeover – Price
The price of a mommy makeover intervention varies significantly, depending on the procedures chosen, the surgeon’s experience and the location of the clinic. At Soma Clinic, we offer personalized consultations where you can get a detailed treatment plan and an estimated cost. Check out our Pricing page.
Find out from Dr. Nicoleta Ferariu what are the points to consider before and after the aesthetics of maternity, from an interview given CSID.ro.
Psychological aspects
The decision to do a mommy makeover is an important one, which can significantly influence self-confidence and self-esteem. Many women experience an increase in confidence in their own bodies after the procedure, which can help them feel more comfortable and happy in their own skin. However, it is essential to have realistic expectations and understand that this physical transformation can also bring emotional changes.
Feelings can range from excitement to periods of uncertainty or anxiety throughout the recovery process. A balanced and informed attitude will help you fully enjoy your new image and improve your quality of life as you adapt to the changes this experience brings.
References
Everything You Need to Know About a ‘Mommy Makeover’ – Health
Mommy Makeover – LMR Plastic Surgery
Mommy Makeover – Stanford Medicine
