DR Andrew j. HAYDUKE
A mommy makeover, also known as post-pregnancy cosmetic surgery, is any combination of cosmetic procedures that attempt to restore your before-pregnancy physical appearance, typically focusing on the breasts and abdomen. A typical mommy makeover might include a tummy tuck, a breast procedure such as breast augmentation (breast implants), breast lift or breast reduction and sometimes even liposuction of the legs, thighs or trunk. If aging changes of the face also start to become apparent, mini-versions of basic facial cosmetic procedures are occasionally added. The descriptive term “mommy makeover” may be somewhat new, but the combination of procedures within a “mommy makeover” all have long, successful, and safe track records. The specific procedures within a “mommy makeover” vary with the client’s anatomy and particular problems areas that the mommy actually complains about. The term “mommy makeover” is really a general descriptive term for cosmetic plastic surgery to combat the effects of pregnancy and weight fluctuation on the female body (and sometimes face). It usually involves two or more cosmetic plastic surgery procedures performed simultaneously.
BEFORE PREGNANCY DURING PREGNANCY AFTER PREGNANCY
Before pregnancy, the abdominal muscles are close to one another in the vertical midline of the abdomen. The nipple/areolas are in a high “normal” proper position. If patients are in the normal weight range, the abdomen is also usually flat. During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles stretch and separate to accommodate the growing baby. The breasts become larger (hypertrophy) and the nipple/areolas may also enlarge and darken. After pregnancy, loose stretched skin of the abdomen may sag, the permanently separated abdominal muscles form a lower abdominal pooch (protuberance) that is notoriously resistant to both diet and exercise (diastasis recti), permanent stretch marks may form and the breasts may sag, shrink and deflate (post- partum breast atrophy). Multiple pregnancies tend to worsen and magnify all these post-pregnancy effects.
Mommy makeovers are designed to improve the physical changes associated with childbearing and aging. If childbirth has left you with the following characteristics, you may want to consider undergoing a mommy makeover:
-You have sagging breasts, uneven breasts, decreased breast volume, drooping nipples and stretched areolas (the dark skin surrounding the nipple).
-Your breasts have become so much larger after childbirth that they are out of proportion with the rest of your body and they cause back pain.
-Your tummy has loose saggy skin and stretch marks and your waistline has become thick and undefined.
-You had a C-section and now you have areas of fat hanging over your old C-section surgical scar. Your C-section scar looks caved in and unsightly. You have excess fat in the love-handle area, hips, outer thighs or under your chin.
-You have early signs of aging in your face and around your eyes, such as: excess upper eyelid skin, baggy/puffy areas underneath your lower eyelids, or loose hanging skin in your neck. Sometimes a new “double chin” becomes bothersome after childbearing. If weight fluctuation was extreme during your pregnancy, neck and face skin may sag after you lose your pregnancy weight.
If you are in good general health and have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for a mommy makeover. After your private consultation with Dr. Hayduke, a custom plan will be recommended to specifically define your personal “mommy makeover”. This custom plan will be based on your unique post-pregnancy anatomy and your specific wants and needs.
