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- The Science Behind Post-pregnancy Body Changes
- What Is Included In A Mommy Makeover?
- What To Expect For Your Mommy Makeover Surgery
- Planning Your Mommy Makeover Timeline Around Family And Work
- Who Is A Good Candidate?
- The Procedure
- Timeline For Mommy Makeover Recovery
- What Are The Risks?
- Choosing The Right Time For A Mommy Makeover In Southeast Michigan
- Schedule A Consultation
Childbirth is one of the most exciting times for many women, but pregnancy can also lead to lasting, unwanted changes in a mother’s body after birth. The mommy makeover includes a customized combination of surgical procedures designed to boost your confidence and help you feel more comfortable in your post-pregnancy body.
The Science Behind Post-Pregnancy Body Changes
A woman’s body undergoes a whirlwind of changes as the baby develops. The body produces hormones that help prepare the uterus and other organs for childbirth. After the baby is born, the body must then adjust to its new state. For example, skin and abdominal muscles stretched during pregnancy may not fully retract, leaving excess skin and weakened, separated muscles. This can result in the “mommy pooch” many women experience. Similarly, hormonal shifts after childbirth can affect breast tissue, skin elasticity, and fat distribution, leading to sagging breasts and skin, breast deflation or redistribution of fat in areas like the stomach, hips, and thighs.
The Impact of Breastfeeding on Breast Tissue and Shape
Breastfeeding, while incredibly beneficial for both mother and baby, can cause significant changes to the shape, size, and firmness of the breasts. During pregnancy, the body prepares for milk production by enlarging the breasts, but after breastfeeding, many women notice that their breasts may become smaller, sag, or lose firmness. The prolonged expansion and contraction of the breast tissue due to milk production can cause the skin to lose elasticity, leading to a deflated or drooping appearance.
How Pregnancy Affects Abdominal Muscles and Skin Elasticity
The abdomen undergoes significant changes during pregnancy, with the abdominal muscles stretching and separating to accommodate the growing baby. For many women, the muscles remain separated with a central gap after childbirth. This condition is known as diastasis recti. No amount of exercise can fully correct this issue. Diastasis recti can reduce core strength and often leaves the stomach looking less toned and firm.
What is Included in a Mommy Makeover?
Pregnancy, associated weight fluctuations, and breastfeeding leave many women with excess skin, and loose/separated muscle and stubborn fat. The mommy makeover is a cosmetic procedure that includes a customized combination of surgeries to target each area of the body affected by pregnancy. Common procedures in the mommy makeover include:
Breast Surgery
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts often sag or lose volume, which can lead to a deflated or asymmetrical look. A breast lift is a popular procedure for women who want to rejuvenate their pre-pregnancy bodies. During the procedure, the breasts will be lifted to their natural position on the chest wall, excess skin will be carefully removed, and the nipple position is also elevated. A breast augmentation can be included with the lift or performed alone to add volume to deflated breasts. At our office, we offer saline and silicone implants in a variety of sizes. Sometimes fat grafting is used for further shape and contour enhancement. Your options can be discussed in greater detail at your consultation.
Breast reduction is another breast surgery option. After breastfeeding, the breasts can permanently become larger, which can be uncomfortable for some women. During the procedure, your breasts will be reduced to a natural-looking size that fits your unique body contours while also being lifted in position on your chest.
Tummy Tuck
During pregnancy, all three layers of the abdominal wall can be affected – stretched skin, stubborn fat pockets, and stretched/separated muscles. During the tummy tuck procedure, the excess skin is removed, liposuction sculpts stubborn fat, and the abdominal muscles are tightened to strengthen them and restore the look of a toned, smooth stomach. Stretch marks that are present on the lower stomach are removed with the loose skin.
Liposuction
Although most weight gain can be resolved with diet and exercise, some fat is resistant. Liposuction is another popular plastic surgery procedure included in mommy makeovers. It is often combined with tummy tuck surgery to remove stubborn pockets of fat left after pregnancy weight fluctuations. Excess fat can also be removed from the hips, bra line, upper arms, and thighs, if desired. Liposuction only requires tiny incisions that leave very little scarring.
What to Expect for Your Mommy Makeover Surgery
Anesthesia
Local with IV sedation at our surgical center.
Length of Surgery
3-6 hours, depending on the number of treatment areas.
In / Outpatient
Outpatient.
Planning Your Mommy Makeover Timeline Around Family and Work
One of the most important considerations when planning your mommy makeover is finding the right balance between recovery and your responsibilities at home and work. While recovery times vary depending on the extent of the procedures, it’s essential to plan ahead for help with childcare and household duties.
For women with young children, arranging for assistance with daily tasks is crucial during the first few weeks after surgery. Most patients can return to light activities, such as walking or driving, within two weeks, but more strenuous activities should be avoided for up to six weeks. To ensure the best possible recovery, consider scheduling your surgery during a time when you can have full support at home.
expectations
What to expect for your Mommy Makeover surgery
Anesthesia
Local with IV sedation at our surgical center or general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
Length of Surgery
3-5 hours, depending on the number of treatment areas.
In / Outpatient
Outpatient.
- Do you lose weight after a mommy makeover?
- What is all included in a Mommy Makeover?
- How many plastic surgeries can be done at once?
Who is a Good Candidate?
The best candidates for a mommy makeover are women who are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding and want to restore their body’s contours. It’s best that patients are done having children since future pregnancies will reverse the results of your mommy makeover. The best results occur when you are at a stable weight. Candidates should also be in good health and in control of any underlying medical conditions. Your medical history and desired goals for your mommy makeover surgery will be discussed in detail at your consultation with Dr. Baca or Dr. Sabbagh.
The Procedure
The mommy makeover includes a combination of plastic surgery procedures customized to each patient’s concerns and desired results. This procedure is performed at our on-site surgical center under IV sedation.
Timeline For Mommy Makeover Recovery
After a mommy makeover procedure, it is important to give yourself time to rest and recover. Swelling and bruising are common, but will improve significantly over the first month. Patients will be instructed on compression garment use to help with swelling. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks. At your consultation, you will be provided with detailed post-operative instructions to guide you through a safe and successful recovery. Light activities can be resumed in about 2 weeks but more strenuous activity should be avoided for up to 6 weeks. Results last many years but can be affected gradually by natural aging.
On average, patients can expect the following recovery timeline:
- Week 1: The first week post-surgery will likely involve the most discomfort. Swelling and bruising are common, and you’ll need to take it easy during this time.
- Week 2: Many patients can return to light activities, like walking, but strenuous exercise and lifting should still be avoided.
- Weeks 3-4: Swelling and bruising will begin to subside, but full recovery will still take time. By the end of the fourth week, you may be able to resume light work tasks.
- Weeks 5-6: At this point, most women can return to their normal routine, but it’s important to listen to your body and avoid overexertion. Full recovery may take up to 6 months.
Long-Term Results: What Patients Can Expect
A mommy makeover is designed to provide long-lasting results that help you regain confidence in your post-pregnancy body. Many women enjoy the results of their mommy makeover for years, as the procedures aim to restore a more youthful and toned appearance. However, it’s important to remember that factors such as aging, weight fluctuations, and future pregnancies can affect the longevity of the results. To maintain the results, it’s essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and balanced nutrition.
2-6 weeks
Mommy Makeover Recovery
After a mommy makeover procedure, it is important to give yourself time to rest and recover. Swelling and bruising are common, but will improve significantly over the first month. Patients will be instructed on compression garment use to help with swelling. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks. At your consultation, you will be provided with detailed post-operative instructions to guide you through a safe and successful recovery. Light activities can be resumed in about 2 weeks but more strenuous activity should be avoided for up to 6 weeks. Results last many years but can be affected gradually by natural aging.
What Are the Risks?
Although there are risks with any surgical procedure, our board-certified plastic surgeons have many years of experience and have trained at top medical programs in the country. During your consultation, risks will be reviewed, and ways to minimize risk will be discussed. Dr. Marissa Baca is a female plastic surgeon in Detroit and a mom herself – she understands the desire for women to feel confident and beautiful, especially when faced with body changes after pregnancy. She and Dr. William Sabbagh are dedicated to creating the best possible experience for our patients and you can expect beautiful, natural-looking results from your mommy makeover at the Straith Clinic.
Choosing the Right Time for a Mommy Makeover in Southeast Michigan
Timing is key when considering a mommy makeover, and it’s essential to choose a time that aligns with your lifestyle and future plans. The best candidates for a mommy makeover are women who are done having children and are at a stable weight; the surgery is typically not recommended for women planning to have more children, as future pregnancies can reverse the results.
Many patients choose to schedule their procedures during the winter months when the recovery time aligns with a more indoor lifestyle; others may opt for a procedure after school vacations. At your consultation, we’ll work with you to determine the best timing for your surgery based on your individual needs and goals.
Schedule a Consultation
With an established track record of 90 years, an accredited facility, and thousands of satisfied patients throughout Dearborn, metro Detroit, Michigan, and the U.S., the Straith Clinic has earned an excellent reputation for cosmetic surgery of the face and body. To learn more about the mommy makeover and develop your customized procedure, contact our office at 248-270-5272 or fill out an online contact form to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sabbagh or Dr. Baca.