Mommy Makeovers

Mommy makeovers are becoming one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures. As the name indicates, mommy makeovers are for moms, addressing the three most common areas that seem to plague most post-partum women:

breasts, abdomen, and the redistribution of fat more stubborn that what she might have had prior to pregnancy. Many women find that after working to lose the extra weight gained during pregnancy, there are changes that exercise and diet just won’t fix.

The mommy makeover is a combination of procedures that includes a breast augmentation or reduction and lift, a tummy tuck, and liposuction to remove any fat that survived the diet and exercise regimens.

Breasts tend to sag after being stretched and enlarged by weight gain and loss, hormonal changes and breast-feeding. Sometimes they lose their pre-pregnancy fullness, and for other women they simply remain too large, refusing to return to their former size.

Stomach muscles and skin are stretched significantly during pregnancy, and though still very elastic, may not return to pre-pregnancy tautness. Stomach muscles may separate and become lax. Fat, the enemy of all women seems to get a grip during pregnancy. It shows up in places where they had not had fat before, such as thighs and hips. No amount of exercise seems to tone these muscles sufficiently to return to a nice flat belly, or get rid of these new “side saddles”.

Most women who have chosen to undergo these procedures are thrilled at the results. Their praise ranges form increased self-confidence, greater personal satisfaction, greater motivation to keep up their appearance, generally feel better, healthier and more physically fit.

As successful as these results are, women who intend to have more children are advised to postpone cosmetic surgery until after they have had all the children they want, as skin stretching and muscle separation is likely to occur, again, with each pregnancy. Patients who have had any or all of the mommy makeover procedures are also advised to maintain stable weight, because subsequent weight gain will also cause stretching and possibly separate the vertical stomach muscles.

Don’t forget to consider the recovery period when planning when to schedule surgery. While you can return to light activities within two weeks, complete recovery can take several months. The healthier you are, the faster and easier your recovery.

One more thing to consider is whether or not your insurance will cover all or part of your surgery. If any part of your surgery is considered reconstructive surgery, with a definite health benefit, it may be covered. Any part of the surgery that is primarily cosmetic in nature will be designated as such and not covered.

For more information about mommy makeovers or for a consultation, contact Dr. Paul Angelchik, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member in good standing of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).