Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeovers are a combination of surgical procedures that restore the pre-pregnancy appearance, usually focusing on the breasts and abdomen. Mommy Makeovers commonly include tummy tuck, liposuction, and mammaplasty. Although the term “Mommy Makeover” is relatively new, these procedures have a long history of success, and are very safe.

When to Consider a Mommy Makeover?

If the pregnancy and breastfeeding process negatively affected the size and shape of the breasts,

If the abdomen is sagging and has cracks, or

If the fat in the waist, abdomen, arms, or thighs are resistant to diet and exercise, you can consider a Mommy Makeover.

The Mommy Makeover Process

Mommy Makeover is a descriptive term that includes several procedures. The actual set of procedures to be performed change according to the different needs of every woman. The commonly preferred procedures and a standard operation process are as follows:

Tummy Tuck

Tummy tucks are an indispensable part of Mommy Makeovers. The sagging skin and resistant fatty tissue are surgically removed from the abdomen. At the same time, the stretched out abdominal muscles are repaired and tightened. Thus, it is possible to have a flatter abdomen and to reduce the visibility of cracks on the skin.

During surgery, an incision is made between the belly button and groin, which can be easily hidden with underwear. Excess skin and tissue are removed through this incision and the loose abdominal muscles are repaired. The surgery is completed after the navel is removed and repositioned through a small incision, and all incisions are closed.

Liposuction

Although a tummy tuck sculpts the waist, it does not affect the shape of the buttocks or the hip.  Liposuction helps reduce fat in the buttocks as well as the abdomen and is generally combined with a tummy tuck. 

The operation can be performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the size of the targeted region. A sterile liquid is injected into the region to be treated, and very small incisions are made on the skin through which the fat will be removed. Excess fat is removed through these incisions by using a thin hollow tube (cannula) using a vacuum device. When the procedure is completed, the incisions are closed and dressed.

Breast Lift Surgery

Breast lift (mastopexy) is an operation that corrects sagging in the breasts that develop after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women that want to have larger or smaller breasts may prefer mastopexy together with breast augmentation or breast reduction.

The operation will be performed under general anesthesia and the exact site of the incision for breast lift surgery will depend on the amount of sagging, the position of the nipples, and the patient’s preferences. After the incision, the breast tissue is reshaped. The next step includes the correction of the position of the nipples and areolas (the dark rings that surround the nipple).

Breast Reduction Surgery                   

Breasts usually grow during pregnancy. In some women, breasts retain their size even after birth and weaning. When breasts grow disproportionately to the body, they can cause pain, bad posture, breathing problems, or loss of self-esteem. Breast reduction surgery allows the patient to have smaller breasts that are proportional to their body by surgically removing the excess fat and skin.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Excess fat and tissue are removed through the incision which is generally made under the breast. In some cases, excess fat can be removed through liposuction. If breast size is largely due to adipose tissue, the entire operation can be done with liposuction. After the breasts are sculpted, the incisions are closed and the breasts are tightly wrapped with gauze.

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation restores breast volume that is lost after pregnancy with silicone or saline implants. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made to insert the implants. The implants are then placed either between the breast tissue and the chest wall or under the breast tissue or chest muscle. When the procedure is completed, the incisions are closed with sutures and the breasts are wrapped in surgical gauze.

The Mommy Makeover operation process can be changed depending on different needs or expectations. It can be said that tummy tuck and liposuction are performed simultaneously, and can be combined with cosmetic breast surgery in a single operation.