A mommy makeover is a term used to refer to a combination of cosmetic surgeries that targets parts of the body that are mostly affected by pregnancy. This includes the breasts, abdomen, hips and thighs. Dr. Paul Critelli offers East Texas moms a chance to reclaim their pre-pregnancy figure with this advanced surgery. The ideal candidates for this procedure are those who have completed childbearing and have exerted effort in diet and exercises but still cannot lose the persistent problem of loose skin and excess fat. Often the techniques used are the same with a body lift procedure – excising loose skin, tightening of remaining skin and underlying tissues, and liposuction if there is excessive deposit of fat.
About The Surgery
The surgical techniques used during a mommy makeover vary based on the condition of each of the body parts the patient wishes to improve. For the breasts, common issues include sagging and loose skin and a loss of breast volume. Some women will have breasts that remain enlarged. Surgeries that may be considered include breast reduction, breast augmentation and/or a breast lift. For many, a combination of these techniques creates a youthful, beautiful post-pregnancy breast appearance. The most common example is a breast augmentation with a lift. For the lower body, it is normal to see loose skin, surface irregularities such as stretch marks, and persistent pockets of fat. These are normally addressed with liposuction and by trimming away excess skin and ‘lifting’ the remaining skin to a new position.
During/After Surgery
A mommy makeover covers a sizeable area of the body. It is considered an invasive surgery and in many cases will require an overnight stay at the hospital. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia at UT Health Tyler and can take 3 hours or longer to complete. Most women find the recovery to be a slow process. Walking upright is difficult in the first several weeks, and it is recommended that patients take it slow during the initial recovery phase. Depending on what was addressed during surgery, it could take between 3 months to a full year for the final results to appear. With that being said, most patients can go back to a normal routine in an average of 3 weeks; however, exercise is discouraged until at least 6-8 weeks after surgery.
Expected Cost
The typical combination of procedures during a mommy makeover addresses the breast and the tummy. The surgery will include liposuction as well as skin tightening. Schedule an appointment for a customized consultation with Dr. Critelli to determine the cost of your procedure.
FAQs
How safe is it?
A mommy makeover, because of the combined nature of surgeries, is considered an invasive procedure. Anytime a combination surgery takes place, the overall risks increase. For this reason, it is extremely important that patients find an experienced plastic surgeon that has the training and skill to perform multiple procedures in one setting. Under the hands of an experienced surgeon, the risks are greatly reduced and complications are rare.
Babies after surgery?
It is recommended that all pregnancies are completed before a patient decides to have a mommy makeover. Pregnancy may compromise the results of the surgery because additional skin stretching and weight gain is inevitable. Patients who are uncertain if they will have additional children should consult with their surgeon to discuss the best approach to take.
What about stretch marks?
Stretch marks may be minimized. The tightening of the skin and underlying tissues will also help in making the marks less visible. Remaining stretch marks can also be minimized after surgery with skin rejuvenation treatments such as laser and chemical peels.
Will I have scars?
While a mommy makeover creates a beautiful new shape and figure for a woman, unfortunately, it does include some scarring. The scars are most common with a breast lift procedure and a tummy tuck. The surgeon will make every effort possible to create clean incisions, as well as take great care in minimizing scarring as much as possible. Any scars that result from this surgery will be able to be concealed with undergarments or swimsuits.