RECLAIM YOUR pre-baby body

A GUIDE TO MOMMY MAKEOVERS

BY ANNETTE BROOKS

Have you ever wondered what’s included in a Mommy Makeover?

The broad answer is it includes whatever you require to reshape and restore the appearance of your body after childbearing. Here are a few of the most popular procedures.

Breast Augmentation – Mommy Makeovers typically include breast enhancement. Augmentation, designed to restore firmness, fullness, and lost volume, is usually achieved by placing breast implants. Innovations in breast implant technology, along with a wide variety of implant types, shapes, and even textures, enable you to choose a breast size, feel, shape, profile, and projection.

During your consultation, expect your plastic surgeon to discuss the types of implants available and breast implant placement options. Placement may be through the armpit to avoid a scar directly on the breasts if you’re a good candidate and under or over the muscle. Talk with your plastic surgeon about the best option for you and why.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy) – A breast lift raises droopy breasts to a perkier position on the chest and improves the overall shape. This is achieved through excess skin removal, breast tissue redistribution, and placing the nipple in a more appealing (usually higher) position. And since the nipples can become larger with pregnancy, the procedure can include making the areola smaller, also known as nipple reduction.

Breast Augmentation and Lift – This popular combination can beautifully restore droopy, deflated breasts. Together, the two procedures rejuvenate the breast shape and position and provide the size, projection, and fullness you desire.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) – Tummy tucks are highly customized to the patient based on needs and goals. They generally include tightening stretched- out, weakened abdominal muscles and removing excess skin and fat. A more extensive version called a circumferential tummy tuck, extends around the body to include the removal of excess skin and fat on the lower back and even the upper buttocks.

When looking through tummy tuck before and after photos during your consult, make sure they represent work done by the plastic surgeon. Pay attention to the belly button, which should appear natural-looking and positioned in the right place.

Liposuction (Lipoplasty) – This popular, time-honored cosmetic procedure uses suction to remove stubborn fat from targeted body areas. Most Mommy Makeovers include some liposuction to recontour the figure. Treatment areas include the bra line, flanks, hips, thighs, and buttocks. The extent of the treatment can range from a small amount of fat removal to a technique called Lipo 360, where liposuction is performed all the way around the midsection.

Brazilian Butt Lift – Some pregnancies leave women with a “mum bum” that’s virtually impossible to get rid of, regardless of the number of hours spent in the gym. Since most Mommy Makeovers include liposuction, adding a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) to your body restoration plan makes sense if you’re a good candidate. A BBL involves taking fat removed via liposuction and transferring it to the buttocks to sculpt, reshape, and lift your bottom without implants.

As you embark on a Mommy Makeover, it’s vital to be candid with your plastic surgeon during the consultation and throughout your journey. Don’t be shy about asking questions and expressing your goals and concerns. Be sure to ask about recovery and expected downtime so you can plan for this and give yourself adequate time to heal.

Planning and Preparing Before Surgery

It takes time to recover from a Mommy Makeover. Be sure to prepare well before your surgery date and then allow yourself enough time to rest comfortably and heal properly.

Pick up prescriptions and groceries and prepare and freeze meals in advance. Plan menus for your family from restaurants that offer delivery service. Create a personal recovery “nest” with snacks, water, tissues, wet wipes, medications, entertainment, electronics chargers, pillows and extra pillowcases, and anything else you need within easy reach of your bed. Your goal is to stay as comfortable and relaxed as possible as you heal. Ask friends and family if you need anything else, such as assistance placing pillows or changing sheets.

Plan for two to three weeks of downtime and follow your plastic surgeon’s recovery directions in detail, which usually includes waiting up to six weeks before engaging in strenuous activity. This is no time to try to be Superwoman or take shortcuts. It can affect the duration of your recovery and even your results.

Arrange for help with pets, the kids, cooking, errands, and household chores for a few weeks. Women so often put children and family before themselves. Remember to make this time about you and your needs. Please talk with your family about this so they, too, are prepared and know what to expect as you recover.