During pregnancy, significant changes occur not only in the physical appearance of the body but also in lifestyle. Even if you follow a healthy and balanced diet and exercise after childbirth, your body may not return to its pre-pregnancy state. If nothing you’re doing seems to help, you might start considering a surgical solution. Let’s explore the process of a mommy makeover, what each procedure helps with, and how they work.
Why Undergo a Mommy Makeover?
During pregnancy, hormones play a major role in significant transformations—skin on the abdomen loosens, abdominal muscles stretch, fat is stored in greater amounts, breasts enlarge, and the skin often loses its elasticity. A mommy makeover addresses these changes, allowing women to regain their confidence and restore their pre-pregnancy appearance.
What Does a Mommy Makeover Include?
A mommy makeover helps restore the body to its pre-pregnancy state. This procedure combines several steps that primarily focus on the areas of the abdomen and breasts, reducing excess fat, and addressing the genital area.
Some of the procedures included in a mommy makeover are tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction, breast augmentation or breast lift, and labiaplasty. It’s important to realize that this transformation is a personal choice for each woman, so it is tailored to the individual’s needs and always involves a consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.
How Does a Mommy Makeover Proceed?
Each body responds differently to pregnancy and childbirth, which is why an individualized approach is necessary. During the initial consultation, the plastic surgeon will assess your body and listen to your concerns and goals. Based on this, a customized plan will be created together.
As part of the mommy makeover, you will undergo multiple body procedures at once. The duration of the procedure typically ranges from three to five hours and is performed either under local or general anesthesia. One of the benefits of a mommy makeover is that all procedures are done during a single anesthesia session.
In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at the individual procedures.
What Is Abdominoplasty?
Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgery that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen. It’s ideal for women suffering from sagging skin after pregnancy or rapid weight loss. This procedure can also be effective for women with separated abdominal muscles or those with tissue bulges above a cesarean section scar.
How to Prepare for the Procedure?
Before undergoing abdominoplasty, you’ll have a consultation with the plastic surgeon, during which measurements of excess skin and fat tissue will be taken, and the presence of diastasis (separation of abdominal muscles) will be assessed. It’s recommended to protect the abdomen from sunlight and avoid following a drastic weight loss diet before the procedure.
How Is Abdominoplasty Performed?
Abdominoplasty after childbirth is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery typically lasts two to four hours. During the procedure, the surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area and makes adjustments to the muscles. An incision is made in the skin fold just above the pubic area, as low as possible to ensure the scar is minimally visible and can be hidden under clothing. First, the surgeon will stitch the separated abdominal muscles and align them, then remove the excess skin, reposition the belly button, and close the wound.
Tip: Abdominoplasty is often combined with liposuction to remove fat deposits in the upper abdomen and on the sides. In this case, liposuction is performed before the belly button is positioned in its final place. We will take a closer look at liposuction below.
After the procedure, drains may be placed in the abdomen, and the wound will be covered with a bandage or special compression garments that you must wear for four weeks. Hospitalization typically lasts two days, but you can only shower after four days. After surgery, you should avoid putting strain on the abdominal wall for at least four weeks, and if dissolvable stitches are used, there is no need to return for their removal.
What Problems Does Liposuction Solve?
Liposuction removes excess fat from various areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, and double chin. This method is ideal for women who struggle to reduce fat deposits through exercise or dieting. Liposuction is minimally painful and leaves no visible scars.
How to Prepare for Liposuction?
Before the procedure, an individual consultation with the plastic surgeon is essential. During this consultation, the surgeon will provide professional recommendations regarding the most suitable surgical technique and suggest preoperative treatments for your skin or subcutaneous therapy.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
Liposuction is carried out under either local or general anesthesia. The duration of the procedure can range from 30 minutes to three hours, depending on the extent and areas being treated. The surgeon uses a thin cannula to suction fat from targeted areas, achieving improved body shape and contour.
Liposuction is often combined with abdominoplasty, which can shorten the overall duration of the procedure. This combination can significantly enhance the aesthetic results and allow for a quicker recovery.
Liposuction can be performed using various techniques:
- Tumescent Liposuction: A special solution containing an anesthetic and adrenaline is applied to the target area, which slowly liquefies the fat for easier removal. This solution minimizes pain and reduces the risk of bleeding during the procedure.
- Laser Liposuction (Lipotouch): Fat cells are broken down by a laser beam, making the fat easier to remove in the subsequent phase. This is a non-invasive technique that generates low-frequency ultrasound to break down the structure of fat cells via cavitation. This method is particularly effective when combined with lymphatic drainage.
Tip: Read more about liposuction and its types.
If local anesthesia is used, you may leave the clinic within 30 minutes and return to your normal routine after about two weeks. For general anesthesia, one day of hospitalization is recommended. Liposuction stitches are typically non-dissolvable, so you will need to return for their removal after 7 to 10 days.
When Should You Consider Breast Augmentation or Lift?
Mastopexy (breast lift) is a surgical technique in which the surgeon lifts and firms the breasts by repositioning the nipples higher, removing excess skin, and tightening the surrounding tissue. This procedure can help restore breast firmness, elasticity, and an aesthetically pleasing shape, particularly after changes due to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breast lifting (mastopexy) is used to lift and firm the breasts using only the patient’s own tissue. In contrast, breast augmentation involves increasing breast size with the addition of material, such as implants. For women with insufficient tissue or weaker tissue quality, combining a breast lift with augmentation is ideal. This method allows the use of a silicone implant to add volume, particularly in the upper part of the breasts. Before undergoing breast surgery, a consultation with a doctor is necessary to assess whether this type of procedure is suitable for the patient.
How does breast modeling (mastopexy) work?
Breast modeling is performed under general anesthesia, and the procedure lasts approximately two hours. During the surgery, excess skin is removed, and the areola is repositioned upwards. The plastic surgeon determines the extent and placement of the surgical incisions based on the degree of breast ptosis (sagging).
In cases of mild breast ptosis, the incision is made only around the areola. For more pronounced ptosis, the scar may extend downward toward the inframammary fold. In the most extensive cases of ptosis, a “anchor-shaped” scar is used. The surgeon always aims to minimize the size of the scar and place it in skin folds, where it is as inconspicuous as possible. The incisions are closed with absorbable stitches, eliminating the need for later removal.
How does breast augmentation work?
Breast augmentation is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately one hour. During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the inframammary fold, penetrates beneath the gland or muscle, and creates a cavity where the implant will be placed. The incision is then closed with stitches, which are subsequently covered with dressings. The resulting scar is minimally noticeable.
How is it going after breast plastic surgery?
After the surgery, you will rest for at least one day. Your breasts will usually be covered with an elastic bandage and dressings for five days, after which you can shower. For one week, it is recommended to follow a rest regimen, which includes sleeping on your back and avoiding strain on the chest muscle. A firm elastic bra should be worn for four weeks.
Swelling and any bruising should disappear within three weeks. After four weeks, all activities are allowed without any special restrictions. Even after breast surgery, you should continue monitoring your health through self-examinations of the breasts and regular check-ups with a mammologist. The implant itself does not pose a problem for mammography, and breasts with implants are examined in a similar way as those without.
What problems does labiaplasty address?
As women age, they may experience a loss of fatty tissue and sagging of the labia majora, which many perceive as an aesthetic issue that affects the functionality of the organ and sexual life. These problems can also lead to recurring health issues.
Labiaplasty can resolve these concerns by correcting asymmetry or the size of the labia minora and labia majora. This procedure can improve sexual satisfaction and boost self-esteem.
How does labiaplasty work?
Labiaplasty is performed under local anesthesia and lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes. During the procedure, the surgeon removes excess, loose skin and reshapes the labia to create a natural appearance. The incision is closed with self-absorbing stitches, which should dissolve on their own within three weeks.
After the surgery, the area is covered with gauze. Hospitalization at the clinic typically lasts one day, and you can shower the day after the procedure. Doctors recommend cleaning the genital area with soap or a disinfectant solution. After each shower, you should reapply the gauze, and after a few days, replace it with pads. For at least two weeks, avoid sports activities, and sexual activities should be resumed approximately one month after surgery.
Do you want to restore your body?
A mommy makeover can help you get your body back in shape as it was before pregnancy. Whether you’re interested in tightening your abdomen, removing excess fat, or enhancing your breasts, a mommy makeover offers a comprehensive solution tailored to your individual needs. Schedule a non-binding consultation to discuss everything with our experienced doctors. We’re here to help you feel more confident in your body.