Mommy Makeover

For some women, the skin on the abdomen may stretch beyond its ability to bounce back, resulting in droopy, sagging skin and undesirable contour irregularities. Some women may lose the shape and volume of their breasts. Others may complain of pockets of fat in the abdomen, hips, and flanks that are resistant to diet and exercise. The key to a successful mommy makeover is for you to first establish your priorities and decide which areas of her body you want to modify.

Typically, a mommy makeover includes some form of breast surgery and a tummy tuck. As its popularity has risen, the mommy makeover has evolved to now include combinations of procedures such as:

• Breast augmentation
• Breast lift
• Breast reduction
• Revision of previous breast surgery
• Tummy tuck
• Liposuction
• Arm lift
• Thigh lift
• Vaginal rejuvenation
• Laser body contouring (Emsculpt NEO or SculpSure)

A mommy makeover is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. Instead, it is a surgical plan that is customized to individual needs, health status, and anatomy. Time is often our most valuable commodity, and any procedure that can safely and effectively rejuvenate, for example, the abdomen and the breasts, both at once, is exciting. Safety, however, must be the foremost priority.

The appeal of the mommy makeover is that a woman may simultaneously undergo more than one surgical procedure at a time, thus using her recovery down-time more efficiently. As a rule, lengthy surgical procedures performed under general anesthesia are associated with a higher risk and more complications than shorter procedures. For example, as the hours tick by in the operating room, your core body temperature begins to decline, which can lead to an increased incidence of wound infection. Your risk of deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolus (DVT/PE) rises significantly as the time spent under general anesthesia increases.

With the mommy makeover, the plastic surgeon must balance the patient’s motivation to get as much done as possible with the reality that the incidence of life-threatening risks and complications increases significantly during excessively long surgical procedures.

The operating room team at RenewalMD is committed to patient safety and, during your consultation, Dr. Meghan McGovern will discuss the advantages, as well as the risks, associated with combining multiple surgical procedures into one operative session.

Breast surgery is often a fundamental component of the mommy makeover. When time and motherhood have not impacted the shape of a woman’s breasts, she may simply choose to enlarge her breasts with implant insertion. When the shape of the breast is aesthetically acceptable, but is too small, placing a breast implant is a safe, excellent method for restoring lost volume.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and age can also cause the breasts to change shape. The breast will become longer, and the areola will descend below the inframammary crease, resulting in droopiness. The medical term for the droopy breast is ptosis. Simply inserting a large breast implant to compensate for sagging skin inevitably leads to complications down the road. Therefore, a straightforward breast augmentation is not always the solution. Loose, drooping skin is a sign of tissue laxity, and your soft tissue will not have the strength to hold the implant in place. Over time, your breast will become longer and droop even more.

A breast lift establishes an optimal shape to your breast, moving the drooping glandular tissue upward, restoring your nipple to the center of the breast, and tightening the envelope of skin, thus creating a more youthful, perky look. Each breast is unique, and the type of breast lift (mastopexy) depends upon several factors that will be explained during your consultation. Some patients will ask to have both a breast lift AND breast implants performed at the same time.

Full Tummy Tuck vs. Mini Tummy Tuck

The abdomen is a problem area for many patients and, while liposuction is the gold standard for removing excess fat, it cannot address sagging skin or loose muscles, both of which are common in patients who have had children. However, a tummy tuck can improve all three. There are two options when it comes to the tummy tuck: a full tummy tuck and a mini tummy tuck.

The ideal candidate for a mini tummy tuck has a small amount of loose skin below the belly button and little or no stretching of the abdominal muscles. This rules out most women who have given birth or have had fluctuations in their weight. Patients like the idea of any procedure with the word “mini,” as it implies a shorter incision. However, it is important to keep in mind that a mini tummy tuck is still a significant procedure that requires downtime.

The ideal candidate for a full tummy tuck has excess fat and/or loose skin both above AND below the belly button, with stretching of the abdominal musculature. The incision line may be a bit longer, but it is the procedure to deliver a lean, fit-looking contour to your entire abdomen. The incision is like that of a cesarean section and allows for the removal of a lot of skin and fat plus a full correction of the stretched muscles (diastasis recti). Frequently, liposuction is performed on the flanks; attention is also focused on defatting and contouring the upper pubic area as it blends into the lower abdomen.

A mommy makeover can radically change how your body looks, giving you more energy, vitality, and self-esteem. It is also a surgical procedure that requires an investment of time for recovery. Patients with the happiest outcomes are the ones who plan accordingly. In general, a tummy tuck requires the most downtime – about two to three weeks.

Don’t forget about the most visible part of your body.

Achieving mommy makeover improvements to the body and breasts are wonderful to experience. However, don’t forget about the importance of your facial appearance. Many of the same women seeking mommy makeover surgery are also interested in facial rejuvenation. Dr. McGovern and her team have a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation that includes Botox and Dysport; a full line of soft tissue fillers from Restylane, Juvéderm, and Sculptra; and an array of high-tech collagen stimulating treatments.

Dr. McGovern will discuss your options during your consultation in one of our two Georgia offices. Call 912.920.2090 or schedule your complimentary and confidential consultation online.

Meghan McGovern

“My passion is helping you find the best plan for the results you want to achieve. Whether it’s a surgical approach or a non-surgical alternative, I will always do what’s right for you. I am driven by providing highly personalized care and impressive results, helping you achieve your dreams.”