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This Mother’s Day
orning sickness. weight gain. skin changes. Pregnancy takes its toll on your body, especially your breasts and abdominal areas. On average, most women gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. This weight is stored as fatty tissue in the breasts, abdomen, flanks (love-handles), hips, buttocks and thighs. The growing abdomen may result in a weakening and separation of the abdominal muscles, and stretching of the abdominal skin. This stretching may cause a breakage of the skin collagen, causing stretch marks. Most new moms eventually lose the excess weight. Unfortunately, the weight loss is not proportional to the amount of fatty tissue in a given area. That means more weight may be lost from the breasts or buttocks than the abdomen and waist. The result—smaller breasts despite fullness of the waist and abdomen. Once a woman finishes breastfeeding, the breasts can deflate even further and begin to sag. The weak abdominal muscles and the excess abdominal fat appear as fullness and bulging of the belly. Many new moms
By Charles A. Messa, III, M.D., F.A.C.S.
may still look pregnant even as their child is taking his or her first steps. Once again, a mommy makeover can help.
and other buttock-enhancing options such as the Brazilian butt lift as part of their mommy makeover.
A mommy makeover is performed using a unique combination of plastic surgery procedures designed to counteract the physical effects of childbearing, and restore and enhance your body.
The length of the surgery varies based on the amount and type of procedures performed. Some surgeons may perform a mommy makeover as two or more separate operations.
In general, a mommy makeover may include: • Breast augmentation • Breast lift • Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) • Butt lift • Liposuction
For example, some women need breast augmentation to correct severely deflated breasts, while others may need breast implants in combination with a breast lift. In the abdominal area, many women need a full abdominoplasty with tightening of the muscle layer as well as removal of the excess skin and fat. Some women may also benefit from liposuction to sculpt the back, hips and thighs, and smooth out their contours. Finally, an increasing number of women have also been requesting a buttock lift
It is important to ask yourself certain questions before deciding to have a mommy makeover.
Are you done having children?
If you plan to have more children, wait. The vertical muscles in the abdomen (which are tightened during a tummy tuck) can re-separate.
Are you at a stable weight?
Being at a stable weight before surgery can help maximize the results. Lose all your baby weight with diet and exercise before having plastic surgery.
Are you finished breastfeeding?
You should wait until you are finished breastfeeding before having breast surgery because the enlarged ducts and increased blood vessel activity of the breast during nursing increases bleeding and the risk of infection.
⊲ Dr. Messa is board certified by
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both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, an active member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a recognized expert in cosmetic plastic surgery and has achieved Allergan’s Black Diamond Award as one of the top 1% of plastic surgery practices in the country by volume. Dr. Messa has also achieved Chairman status with Medicis and Mentor Corporation. This award honors distinguished leaders in cosmetic surgery for demonstrating expertise and excellence through a high volume of aesthetic product procedures. The certification is awarded to leaders in the field of medical aesthetics and demonstrates their commitment to innovation, excellence, and the highest level of patient care. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Messa, please call our office at (954) 659-7760.
