19 Apr WHAT IS A MOMMY MAKEOVER? BY BRUCE BYRNE, MD

The joys of childbirth and family are numerous, but pregnancy, especially multiple times, takes a serious toll on a woman’s body.  The abdominal skin and muscles can stretch out and remain bulging, despite returning to pre-pregnancy weight.  Breasts engorge, then shrink leaving the ligaments stretched out, causing drooping and flattening.  The thighs can become stretched out and sagging as well.

Despite working out, losing weight, and toning up, the skin, muscles, and soft tissues rarely return to the pre-pregnancy state.  C-section scars usually complicate and contribute to unsightly abdominal shape.  That is where modern surgical procedures can help restore the youthful body shape.  When we combine several of these procedures to improve the contours, that is considered a mommy makeover.

Procedures for the abdomen vary and depend on the amount of extra skin, fat and muscle looseness.  Liposuction (including ultrasonic), mini-abdomino-plasty, full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and modifications of these can get you back to a shapely figure.

Breast surgery options abound, including breast lift (mastopexy), augmentation (with either saline or silicone implants), or a combination of both surgeries.   Each patient is different and the surgical plan should be tailored to each patient’s tissues and desired results.

Thigh lifts and arm lifts are also good options for those with excess skin in these areas.  Most of the above procedures can be performed as an outpatient without an overnight stay.

Also, most of these procedures can be combined and performed at the same time safely.

A cousin of the mommy makeover, which is becoming more and more popular, is the body lift.  The body lift has several names as well including belt lipectomy, circumferential (or 360 degree) abdominoplasty.  This is designed for the patient who has lost a significant amount of weight, such as with weight loss surgery, lap band, gastric bypass or sleeve procedures.  In these patients, they have more excess skin which extends around to the back.  The body lift includes a tummy tuck, buttocks lift (including augmentation) and outside thigh lift, all completed with one incision around the entire lower abdomen.

Recovery from these procedures is probably a lot quicker than you may think, especially with the newer techniques and postoperative protocols.  If you have more questions, I encourage you to come in for a complimentary consultation and discussion of options.

Regional Plastic Surgery Center

Bruce Byrne, MD – Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

1407 Ridge Road, Suite 101  |  972-470-1000

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