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Peak Performance
Mommy Makeover Surgical Solutions
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By Maria Harding
Through the eyes of maternal tenderness, mothers see perfection in their children. They are so much fun to watch, film, and photograph. When mothers are able to tear their gaze away from these little miracles and turn their attention to their own reflections in the mirror, many are frustrated by the changes that pregnancy and childbirth have brought to their bodies.
Many of these changes cannot be undone by exercise and weight loss. Skin on the belly and hips may have stretched. Breast skin and structural tissue may sag. A series of surgical procedures can help improve the appearance of the abdomen, waist, hips, and breasts. This group of procedures is often called a “mommy makeover” because it addresses the body changes that result from pregnancy and childbirth. Having multiple areas of the body addressed at the same time also cuts down on total recovery time, which is of great benefit to busy mothers!
When is the right time to consider a mommy makeover? A conversation with a skilled consultant at a cosmetic surgical center can begin at any time. Before any procedures can take place, a woman must be fully recovered from childbirth, and most doctors advise waiting until several months after moms are finished breastfeeding. It also makes sense to wait until after a woman feels she is done having children before having surgical procedures such as a tummy tuck or breast lift. Women who may have more children can consider non-surgical body contouring and skin treatments first.
Another timing consideration is the recovery period needed. Lifting anything over five pounds is generally not allowed for several weeks after surgery. A woman may need time off from work, help caring for small children, and assistance with physical tasks like grocery shopping.
Patients undergo a preoperative physical exam to determine if they have any preexisting conditions that need special consideration during surgery. Patients should stop using all tobacco products two weeks before surgery and avoid alcoholic beverages beginning one week prior. These substances can react adversely with the anesthesia used during surgery and the pain medication used during recovery.
Choosing a surgeon and aftercare team is among the most important decisions a patient needs to make in this process. Because the mommy makeover is a set of procedures, it is important to select a surgeon who has not only done each procedure individually, but who is experienced in performing the surgeries as a group.
Surgeons and anesthesiologists should be board-certified. Board-certified surgeons meet additional standards and must keep informed of the latest developments in the field of cosmetic surgery to maintain certification. Surgery candidates should ask for patient testimonials and before-and-after photos, paying special attention to images of bodies that had similar issues and underwent the same procedures.
For improving the volume or shape of the breasts, the doctor and patient will discuss options for implants. They may also recommend a breast lift in lieu of, or in addition to, implants. Some women may find that a breast reduction procedure relieves neck and upper back strain or gives them more freedom of movement.
Liposuction is recommended for stubborn fat. This procedure is never a substitute for diet and exercise; doctors may even require their patients to follow a healthy regimen in the weeks prior to surgery and following their recovery period.
Surgical and non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation can reduce, reshape, or tighten female genital tissue. Patients choose this procedure to improve symmetry, to ease painful intercourse, or to alleviate urinary incontinence.
A tummy tuck removes excess skin on the abdomen, repositions the navel, and tightens abdominal muscles that were weakened or separated during pregnancy. The results of a tummy tuck can be dramatic. Although a scar and lengthened recovery time are both inevitable, most patients are extremely happy with the results.
Patients can expect the total cost of a mommy makeover to range from $9,000 to $20,000. The type of procedures done; the composition of implants selected; the anesthesia fees, surgeon fees, and medical facility fees; and the recovery appointments all contribute to the range of the overall cost.
A mommy makeover requires financial decision-making and careful scheduling to allow for plenty of unrushed recovery time. If it will inspire a mother to look upon her own reflection with the same degree of adoration normally reserved for her children, then it is worth every effort.
Sources for this article included: plasticsurgery.org, americanboardcosmeticsurgery. org, and aafp.org.
