Mommy Makeover Procedures
There are a few different procedures that constitute a Mommy Makeover, depending on what your preferences are. The first is a combination of a Tummy Tuck, also called an Abdominoplasty, with a Breast Lift. This option requires that the two procedures be completed independently of each other. The reason for this is that a Tummy Tuck involves pulling the skin and muscles DOWN, while a Breast Lift involves pulling UP to lift the breasts.
The second option is a combination of a Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation; these two procedures can be done during the same surgery.
As the name implies, a Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures that can address changes in your figure caused by pregnancy and/or nursing.
Pregnancy can be hard on a woman’s body. While the birth of a child is a wondrous and beautiful event, not everyone’s figure will bounce back the same and some women mourn the body that they had in their pre-childbirth days. Some common things that can occur after the birth of a child are:
- Loose or saggy skin
- Stretch marks
- Laxity of abdominal muscles
- A bulging effect where the abdominal muscles have separated
- Loss of breast “perkiness”
- Decrease in size of breasts creating a deflated appearance
- Decrease in firmness of breast tissue, creating a sagging appearance
The good news is that Dr. Won can help you regain your youthful figure and restore most of the changes that occur from pregnancy and childbirth. This popular procedure is called the “Mommy Makeover!”
It is recommended that you wait until you are at your desired weight AND finished having children before considering a Mommy Makeover. The reason for this is that further weight loss or additional pregnancies can reverse the results that are gained from these procedures.
Dr. Won offers options to you in order to reclaim your pre-baby body! In her initial consultation with you, she can discuss your goals, the options available to you, and what is needed to achieve your youthful, pre-baby look!
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck requires a horizontal u-shaped incision that goes from side to side between the belly button and the pubic bone. This scar will fade over time and is not visible when wearing underwear or a bathing suit. (If you have had a prior cesarean section, scars from this may be incorporated into the new scar). Once the incision is made, the abdominal skin is lifted and any excess is cut away. The underlying abdominal muscles are also repaired.
Next, the upper abdominal skin is pulled down and any excess skin is removed. The remaining skin is sutured together. The belly button may need to be repositioned which requires creating a new opening, and then the belly button is pulled through to the surface and sutured into the correct position. Thin tubes may be placed under the skin in order to drain any fluid or blood that may collect after the procedure. These are usually removed after 1 – 2 weeks.
After surgery, you will be required to wear a pressure garment around your abdominal area for 4-6 weeks as you heal. The scar will take several months to fade. Dr. Won will advise you of what to expect during your recovery period, how to care for your wound, and when you can resume normal activities. You should see some immediate results after your surgery, though swelling and bruising is to be expected, however this should begin to subside within a few weeks.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift, or Mastopexy, gives a more youthful appearance by raising the breasts. This is accomplished by removing any excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue in order to reshape the breast and provide contour.
Breast lift surgery will not round out the upper part of your breast or change its size, however it can provide your figure with a more youthful appearance by giving your breasts a more youthful shape, perkiness, and firmness.
Many women’s breasts will lose their shape or begin to sag and lose volume. You may want your nipple to be placed in a more pleasing position. Breasts can become more elongated or become pendulous. Sometimes one breast may hang lower than the other. Nipples and areolas can point downward instead of forward. If any of these have happened to you and you want to regain your youthful appearance, then a breast lift may be exactly what you need to get your figure back and feel better about yourself!
There are different types of incisions that can be done to get your desired result. Dr. Won can go over these different procedures with you so that you can make the best decision to achieve beautiful breasts again. Some incisions do result in having scars however these usually diminish greatly over 6-months to a year and become barely noticeable.
After having the procedure, you will see immediate results! Any post-surgery swelling will diminish over time and the results of your breast lift will improve over the next few months as you recover from your procedure.
Time and gravity can continue to affect your breasts, however maintaining your weight and a healthy lifestyle will help your breasts continue to look youthful.
Ultimately a breast lift focuses on breast position and contour. If you desire more volume in your breasts as well as a lift, then breast augmentation surgery is recommended.
Breast Augmentation
If you desire more volume in your breasts, then implants will be necessary to achieve the look you want. There are different options to choose from when deciding to have breast implants, depending on the look that you desire. The four things that you will want to consider are:
- Type of implant – options include saline or silicone.
- Size and shape of implant – what look are you wanting to achieve?
- Type of incision and placement of the implant.
- Risks associated with each type and size.
Dr. Won is an experienced cosmetic surgeon and can provide guidance to you based on the look you are wanting to achieve, your body type and what would look most natural, and your budget.
Silicone implants are more expensive and can require a larger incision and a more involved surgery. However, they do work best for women who have very little breast tissue and also have a natural feel to them.
Saline implants tend to be better suited for women who have ample natural breast tissue. They can add volume and more shape to your breasts while still looking natural and keeping the feel of your breasts.
Both types are FDA approved and have good safety records. The life of both types of implants are the same, which is from ten to fifteen years.
Breast augmentation of any kind cannot help sagging breasts, however it’s possible to have a breast lift procedure when undergoing breast augmentation. There are some cases where the two procedures may need to be done separately, however, Dr. Won can advise you on what is best to achieve the results you are looking for.
Recovery from Breast Surgery
Recovery time is going to be based on the extent of the procedure performed and the patient’s overall health. The great thing is that you will be able to see immediate results!
Generally, you will wear an elastic-type bandage or support bra in order to keep swelling to a minimum and provide support to your breasts as you heal. Sometimes, a thin tube may be placed under the skin in order to provide drainage for any excess fluid or blood that may accumulate, but this is usually removed within the first week. You should be able to return to work in approximately two weeks, depending on how active your job duties are. Bruising and redness will usually decrease in the first few weeks, however it may take a few months for all of the swelling to completely subside.
Dr. Won will provide you with detailed instructions regarding your recovery on how to care for your breasts, any medications you may need to take, and any concerns to watch out for at your surgical site.
Swelling is to be expected after any type of surgery but this should go down in a matter of weeks and you will quickly realize the benefits of the type of surgery that you have.
Are you a Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. If you are in the process of losing weight, it is best to wait until you have reached your goal weight before undergoing any kind of cosmetic procedure. Additionally, if you are still planning on having children, it is best to wait until you have had your child and recovered from the pregnancy. The reason for this is because weight fluctuations can affect the long-lasting benefits that are gained from having cosmetic surgery. Additionally, if you are currently a smoker, you will need to stop completely prior to undergoing any type of procedures since smoking can affect both the healing process and the results gained from a procedure. Also, it is important that you have a positive attitude and a realistic outlook about what surgery can do for you. An unhealthy lifestyle and poor overall health and fitness can wreak havoc on your appearance.
Your Mommy Makeover will be performed in Dr. Won‘s surgery center located in Shoreline