Many women who have given birth are not happy with the appearance of their bodies. There is no doubt that childbearing can take its toll on the figure. However, there are cosmetic procedures, such as a Mommy Makeover, that can restore the figure and improve a woman’s confidence. At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, we are proud to offer the Mommy Makeover to our patients and encourage you to learn more about it.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover is a customizable cosmetic procedure that addresses specific areas of a woman’s body after childbearing. It is normal for women to experience changes in their figures after pregnancy. The most common areas that are addressed during a Mommy Makeover are the waist, breasts, and buttocks. However, there are many procedures that can be administered with a Mommy Makeover, which include:
- Breast lift
- Liposuction
- Breast augmentation
- Tummy tuck
- Butt augmentation
- Vaginal rejuvenation
Who are the Best Candidates for a Mommy Makeover?
The procedure is individualized to meet your unique goals. The best candidates for a Mommy Makeover will be in good health and at an ideal body weight. It also helps tremendously to have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure. Another important factor that determines if a woman is a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover is if she is finished having children. If you are planning to have more children, it is best to wait until your childbearing days are over.
How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?
The cost of a Mommy Makeover will vary based on which procedures that you choose to have administered and many other factors. The specific factors that can influence the cost of a Mommy Makeover are:
- Implant cost
- Hospital or surgery center costs
- Surgeon’s fee
- Cost of anesthesia
- Cost of prescriptions
- Cost of compression garments for post-surgery
- Cost of medical evaluations
In addition, if you choose a plastic surgeon who is board-certified, it may affect the cost of the procedure. It is important to keep in mind that the experience of the plastic surgeon who performs the procedure is just as important as the cost of the procedure.
Preparing for a Mommy Makeover
During your mommy makeover consultation with San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus, you should be ready to discuss your overall goals with the doctor. In addition, it is also important to disclose medical conditions, current medications, and allergies with the plastic surgeon.
Dr. Gallus will give you an examination to determine your health status. The areas that you want treated, which may include the breasts, abdomen, and buttocks, can be examined and measured, and our she can also examine the quality and thickness of your skin. If you have any questions about the procedure, it is important to ask the doctor during the consultation. Some common questions that are asked during a Mommy Makeover consultation include:
- How will you perform the procedure?
- How long will it take for me to recover?
- Where will the procedure be administered?
- What will I need to do to get the best results?
Before the procedure is administered, it is important to stop smoking, and you should avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications, which may include Advil and Motrin. The procedure is typically administered at a surgery center or hospital.
A Mommy Makeover typically includes some of these cosmetic procedures:
Breast Augmentation
If you are having breast augmentation, the doctor will make an opening along the edge of the areolar, the fold of the breast, or in the armpit. The openings are based on the size and type of breast implant that you choose. The implant will be placed beneath the pectoral muscle or behind the breast tissue (over the pectoral muscle). The openings will then be sealed.
Breast Lift
There are three common opening areas for a breast lift, which are around the areola, around the areola and down the breast to the crease, or around the areola and down the breast then horizontally around the crease. The breast tissue can be lifted and reshaped for an improved contour. The nipple may also be repositioned and excess skin can be removed. The openings will then be sealed.
Liposuction
After you are given anesthesia, the doctor will make small openings throughout the targeted area. A thin tube, which is known as a cannula, will be inserted into the openings, and the doctor will loosen the fat so it can be more easily extracted. After the fat is loosened, it will be skillfully removed using specialized techniques.
Butt Augmentation
Butt augmentation may be administered with butt implants or with a fat transfer, which is also known as a Brazilian butt lift. With butt implants, the doctor will make an opening in the buttocks. An implant will be placed in or above the gluteal muscle, and then the openings will be sealed.
If you choose to have a Brazilian Butt Lift with your Mommy Makeover, liposuction must first be performed to harvest donor fat that will be inserted into the buttocks. In most circumstances, the donor fat that is used will be taken from the thighs or stomach. However, it all depends on the unique patient and situation. After the fat is harvested and purified, the doctor will use special techniques to inject the donor fat into the buttocks. The fat will be introduced with a series of injections in different areas of the buttocks.
Tummy Tuck
With a tummy tuck, the doctor may make an opening between the belly button and pubic hairline. The opening will be determined by the amount of excess skin that needs to be removed. When the abdominal skin is lifted, the abdominal muscles can be tightened. In addition, the doctor can create a new opening for your belly button, which can be lifted to the surface of the skin and positioned into place. The openings will then be sealed.
Vaginal Rejuvenation
There are many procedures that encompass vaginal rejuvenation. The procedures include a labia majoraplasty, vaginoplasty, monsplasty, labiaplasty, and clitoral hood reduction. In addition, there are non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation procedures that can be administered with a Mommy Makeover, such as laser treatments. At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, we are proud to offer vaginal rejuvenation using the RejuVAnate laser system. If you would like to have a vaginal rejuvenation procedure with your Mommy Makeover, you can speak with our plastic surgeon to find out if this would best suit your needs.
Recovery and Aftercare Following a Mommy Makeover
After your procedure, you will need to have someone drive you home, and it is also recommended to have someone stay with you for a few nights after the surgery. If you have small children, it may be beneficial to have someone help you care for them the first week after your Mommy Makeover. You will need to walk for short periods a few days after the procedure to prevent blood clots from forming, and you will be prescribed medication to ease any discomfort. You may also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent an infection at the surgical sites. It is important to wear your compression garment as long as our doctor recommends. You will have to take it as easy as possible, and it is important to follow instructions on how to care for yourself to prevent any complications. Most women can return to work in the weeks after the surgery, but it is generally advised to avoid strenuous exercise for about eight weeks following the procedure.
To find out how much a Mommy Makeover will cost, please feel free to contact our office. Here at Restore SD Plastic Surgery, our highest priority is that our patients experience ultimate satisfaction and receive the greatest degree of individual care and attention. At our location in beautiful San Diego, our caring team of dedicated professionals would be more than happy to explain the ins and outs of the Mommy Makeover procedure, address any questions and concerns you may have, and help you get back to the body you’ve always dreamed of having. Contact us today to set up your consultation!
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