Childbirth is a wonderful, natural experience for many women. Nurturing new life is an incredible process that is so rewarding in so many ways. However, going through pregnancy can often leave an impression on a woman’s body that is unwanted. This comes in the form of loose skin and muscle separation which negatively affects many things. This includes loose skin, muscle separation, urinary incontinence, the way your clothes fit, core strength, and your self esteem. Women who are dealing with these issues may want a mommy makeover.
Pregnancy will often result in permanent changes to your body despite a quick return to exercise and healthy eating. This is the unfortunate reality for many mothers who do not see a return to their former body. Most women who are surveyed, according to BabyCenter.com, claim that they both did not have their abdomen return to normal and that losing weight after a second pregnancy is more difficult than the first.
A mommy makeover is not necessarily one specific procedure, but instead is a combination of complementary procedures that restore a woman’s body to her pre-baby look. The specific procedures themselves can vary depending on a patient’s needs, but mommy makeovers often consist of liposuction, a tummy tuck, and a breast lift and/or breast augmentation.
The abdomen’s skin and muscles stretch for nine months to accomodate a baby during a woman’s pregnancy, and women often do not experience a return to their pre-baby body no matter what they try. This usually manifests itself in stretch marks and excess skin that detract from a woman’s confidence. The changes created in the volume of your breasts during pregnancy and breastfeeding can make a woman’s breasts saggy and deflated. A mommy makeover can change this as well.
Dr. Rammos will assess your body’s current state during your initial consultation for a mommy makeover. He will also take measurements and discuss your areas of concern with you. Dr. Rammos uses powerful imaging technology to help you visualize how your body can look after your mommy makeover procedure. You will discuss your desired results with Dr. Rammos and can even bring reference photos of your pre-baby body to determine the best plan. Working closely with our doctor will create a great combination of procedures that can achieve your best possible results.
Our goal is to address the problems that cause discomfort and to restore your desired contours. Some women find that they look even better after their mommy makeover procedure than their pre-baby body did.
Who is a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
A consultation with Dr. Rammos is the best way to be sure you’re the right candidate for a mommy makeover, but usually women who are in good health and wish to improve the contours of their body are good candidates for this procedure.
It is possible to carry another child after a tummy tuck or having another abdominal procedure, but the positive results the procedure has can be undone by sustaining another pregnancy. This could mean requiring another mommy makeover procedure. You should consider a mommy makeover procedure when you are most certain that you’re not going to be pregnant again and are finished with breastfeeding your children.
Dr. Rammos’ thorough initial examination will determine which set of procedures can address your concerns the best; each patient’s body and medical history varies.
Mommy Makeover Techniques
The needs of a patient are unique to them, but usually mommy makeovers consist of a combination of tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast lift and/or breast augmentation. These sets of procedures can be done in an outpatient setting in one day. Dr. Rammos specializes in a variety of techniques including the mommy makeover.
Dr. Rammos may perform a procedure such as a breast augmentation by making a small incision, typically underneath the breast, and putting in a saline or silicone breast implant. This is usually done alongside a breast lift to lift the breasts to another higher point on the chest wall. Sometimes breast lifts are adequate without the implants to improve breast sagging. Certain kinds of incisions that are made during a breast lift procedure have the potential to disrupt your milk glands. This is part of why it is so important to be certain you are done having children when scheduling a mommy makeover procedure.
A tummy tuck is usually the next necessary step after a breast augmentation or breast lift. A tummy tuck procedure can re-contour your abdomen. An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, means removing excess skin along with repairing your abdominal muscles. Pregnancy causes abdominal muscles to stretch apart. They can be repaired while this procedure is being done which creates a flat, firm stomach. Liposuction may be done as well if you have unwanted fatty deposits in areas such as the hips, flanks, and abdomen.
Preparing For Your Mommy Makeover Procedure
You should cease taking any and all supplements or medication that increase your risk of bleeding. Be sure to check with your doctor and stop taking them two weeks or more before surgery.
Popular over-the-counter supplements such as fish oil, St. John’s wort, and gingko biloba have been found to increase your risk of bleeding. Vaping and smoking should also be ceased at least a few weeks before your procedure to avoid risk of complications.
A mommy makeover is certainly a major surgery no matter what set of procedures you have done. Make sure you have adequate time away from work and have the assistance you need during recovery. Your recovery time will vary depending on which procedures you had done. It will be a week or more before you are able to resume your usual activity level.
Recovering from Mommy Makeover Surgery
Recovery time is determined by the combination of procedures you have done during your mommy makeover surgery. A drain can sometimes be necessary for the best recovery process. You will have drains placed in you during your surgery to assist with the accumulation of fluid after surgery if this is the case. A compression garment is necessary after surgery for several weeks to help reduce swelling. The drains can be removed in a week or so, but you will wear the compression garment for several weeks to make sure you maintain your new contours and heal properly.
Swelling will be the most noticeable during the first two week to four weeks after you mommy makeover surgery. This is very common with these procedures and will go away over time. You can also experience muscle spasms and tightness in the abdomen. This is due to the reconstruction of those abdominal muscles and is normal.
Pain will likely lessen after around a week or so. Your abdomen can have sensations of pulling, tightness, tugging, numbness, and tingling. This is an indication of your body recovering and can last for a few months, although they will lessen over time.
Make sure not to lift anything that is heavier than ten pounds. This is extremely important for the first month. Those who have small children must have help around at all times when they are recovering. Refrain from any exercise for two weeks after your surgery. You may return to some moderate exercise after two weeks, and can resume all normal activity after around six weeks.
