Address Your Post-Pregnancy Body-Image Concerns with a Mommy Makeover

Our bodies inevitably change as we age, but for many women, childbearing causes the most rapid and dramatic change in shape and appearance. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can take a significant toll on a woman’s body, as marked by saggy skin, stretch marks, stubborn fat deposits, misshapen breasts, weakened abdominal muscles, and damaged connective tissues. Some women successfully recover their pre-pregnancy bodies through exercise and diet, but many fail to make significant progress.

However, a series of cosmetic surgical procedures collectively known as a “Mommy Makeover” has proven highly effective at helping women recover their pre-pregnancy shape and appearance. In fact, of almost 11,000 Mommy Makeover patient reviews compiled by RealSelf, 95% said undergoing the procedure was worth it.

The cosmetic surgeons at Southwest Florida’s Naples Plastic Surgery say that the effectiveness of the Mommy Makeover stems mainly from its customization. Every woman’s body is different, and childbearing’s impacts on them significantly vary. Thus, the procedures used in a Mommy Makeover are tailored to address each post-pregnancy concern and finely tuned to meet the patient’s aesthetic goals.

Typical Components of a Mommy Makeover

While the Mommy Makeover is tailored to meet each patient’s desired aesthetic needs, its procedures typically include those addressing the breasts and midsection, as childbirth tends to have the most significant impact on those areas of the body. Depending on the effects caused by childbirth, any of these procedures may be recommended as a surgical component of the complete makeover:

• Tummy Tuck
• Mini Tummy Tuck
• Liposuction
• Breast Lift With or Without Implants
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Reduction
• Vaginal Rejuvenation (Labiaplasty)

The tummy tuck removes excess belly skin, excising some or all stretch marks, and flattens the abdominal wall muscles (diastasis repair) that are commonly damaged during pregnancy. Some women may be able to restore the shape and definition of their midsection with a less-invasive mini tummy tuck that entails less skin removal and abdominal muscle repair.

Women gain weight during pregnancy to ensure the health of the baby and mother, and some of this weight is stored in fat pockets in the hips, flanks, thighs, buttocks, and arms. Post-pregnancy fat deposits tend to be highly resistant to diet and exercise, often making liposuction a prime component of a Mommy Makeover.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can have a profound effect on the shape, appearance, and firmness of breasts. Some women’s breasts experience significant sagging; some become uneven or misshapen, while others experience enlargement. A breast lift restores the youthful shape and firmness of sagging breasts, while breast augmentation uses implants to restore the breast size and shape. Those women whose breasts have enlarged to the point of discomfort may benefit from breast reduction, which also firms them.

Labor and natural childbirth can prove quite traumatic to the vagina, and some women opt for vaginal rejuvenation procedures as part of their Mommy Makeover. Labiaplasty is a functional and aesthetic procedure that can correct childbirth-induced damage to the labia minora. The procedure can reduce discomfort and self-consciousness caused by the labia minora, that may have become misshapen or elongated as a result of childbirth, and enhances the area’s sexual response and sensitivity.

Who Makes a Good Candidate for the Mommy Makeover

To determine if you are a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover, consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like those at Naples Plastic Surgery. In general, the best candidates for a Mommy Makeover:

• Are finished with childbearing and breastfeeding.
• Are healthy.
• Are within 10 to 15 pounds of their ideal body weight.
• Do not smoke.
• Only consume alcohol in moderation.
• Have realistic, positive expectations.

What to Expect with Your Mommy Makeover

Because it entails multiple procedures and customization, every woman’s Mommy Makeover experience differs. In general, a Mommy Makeover will take from four to eight hours, depending on the number, type, and complexity of the procedures. Most Mommy Makeovers are performed under general anesthesia to ensure complete patient comfort, but some may only require deep IV sedation.

Recovering from a Mommy Makeover requires a minimum of two weeks of downtime and may need up to six weeks. Your surgeon(s) will provide detailed recovery instructions tailored to the procedures performed. Aesthetic results will continue to improve for six months after the surgery, by which point all swelling will have subsided. Scarring may take up to 12 months to fade, but their placement is strategized to keep them well hidden by minimal clothing, like a bikini.

The return of the shape and appearance of your pre-pregnancy body will provide long-lasting results, depending on your age, provided that you maintain a healthy lifestyle with a quality diet and exercise.

Consult with Naples Plastic Surgery About Your Mommy Makeover

To learn more about how a customized Mommy Makeover can help you recover your pre-pregnancy body, consult one of our skilled surgeons: Dr. Leo Baccaro, Dr. Mark Walsh, or Dr. Andrew Bonett. To schedule your consultation, contact Naples Plastic Surgery today at 239.566.2611.