Mommy Makeover
Reverse Physical Changes
The term “Mommy Makeover” is a catch-all phrase often used to describe a wide range of procedures designed to correct the undesirable physical changes that are sometimes associated with pregnancy. Most commonly, these procedures are directed at the two areas of the body that are the most negatively impacted by pregnancy: the breasts and the abdomen.
While some of these physical changes are reversible with a return to pre-pregnancy body weight, many are not. It is important for women (and their spouses or significant others) to realize that some of these problems are mechanical in nature, and will not improve even with proper diet and exercise. Women should never feel guilty that they “just aren’t working hard enough” to return to their pre-pregnancy forms when more than diet and exercise alone may actually be necessary.
Physical Changes During Pregnancy
While some of these physical changes are reversible with a return to pre-pregnancy body weight, many are not. It is important for women (and their spouses or significant others) to realize that some of these problems are mechanical in nature, and will not improve even with proper diet and exercise. Women should never feel guilty that they “just aren’t working hard enough” to return to their pre-pregnancy forms when more than diet and exercise alone may actually be necessary.
Similarly, as the uterus and fetus enlarge, so does the entire abdomen. This can result in
overstretching of the skin
deposition of hormonal (diet-resistant) subcutaneous fat
separation of the paired rectus muscles
Again, if elastic limits are exceeded, stretch marks and laxity will ensue. Furthermore, the separation of the rectus muscles (which is equivalent to a full-length abdominal hernia) can produce a generalized abdominal bulge that will never be corrected by any form of dieting or exercise.
Different women will respond in different ways to these changes. Women with high elastin contents in their skin and connective tissues (by luck of the genetic draw) will see the tissues rebound and return to their original states without even a single stretch mark remaining. Others less fortunate will have their tissues stretched beyond their elastic limits. The result will be small tears in the skin itself (“stretch marks”) and permanent laxity of the skin and supporting ligaments (ptosis). Again, these are mechanical problems for which a mechanical solution (surgery) may ultimately be necessary.
Mommy Makeover Timing
How long does a woman have to wait after having a baby before scheduling the surgical procedures above? In general, the body must be given adequate time to rebound back to as close to ‘normal’ as possible. As much of the added “baby weight” that has been gained during pregnancy should be lost by way of a sound plan of diet and exercise. In addition, hormonal levels should be allowed to re-equilibrate and stabilize over time. A reasonable rule of thumb for most women would be to allow for at least six months for the body to reach a new state of physiological equilibrium and stability.
Is it wise to consider surgical corrections if another pregnancy is a possibility in the future?
It depends. If a woman wants to re-establish the breast fullness that she had during pregnancy, it would not be unreasonable to proceed with AUGMENTATION, even if another pregnancy is a possibility. If residual skin laxity is also involved, a MASTOPEXY might also be considered (with the understanding that further tightening may be required after future pregnancies). Finally, if undesired fullness and laxity are involved, a BREAST REDUCTION might be considered to alleviate symptoms such as neck and back pain, again with the understanding that a secondary procedure may be required after subsequent pregnancies.
Similarly, if a woman is left with only an excess of diet-resistant abdominal fat, Liposuction alone may be considered to restore the abdominal contour, even if future pregnancies are a possibility. Similarly, a MINI-ABDOMINOPLASTY may be considered as a temporizing solution for excess skin and fat that does not respond fully to diet and exercise. On the other hand, it would be unwise to proceed with a FULL ABDOMINOPLASTY procedure if another pregnancy remains a possibility. The remaining abdominal skin (which will already have been re-stretched by the surgical procedure itself) may be drastically over-stretched. Furthermore, the mechanical repair of the rectus diastasis could be completely disrupted and undone, requiring more complicated secondary repair. As such, this particular procedure is best delayed until no further pregnancies are being planned.
Optimizing Results
Diet and Exercise can do things that surgery cannot. Conversely, surgery can often do things that diet and exercise cannot. It is important to realize that the two often work synergistically with one another, not exclusively of one another. Eat better and smarter. Fit exercise into your busy life as much as possible. Lose as much of the extra ‘baby’ weight as possible and work on making yourself healthier in the long run. And when the stretched out skin and stubborn lower abdominal fat is not getting any better in the mirror, do not get frustrated. Do not feel guilty that you are “just not working hard enough”. Realize that sometimes you just need a little extra help. And that is what we are here for.
Surgery & Recovery
Mommy makeovers are routinely performed under general anesthetic within the comfort and convenience of our on-site state-accredited operating room suite. Your recovery from a Mommy Makeover will depend on the technique Dr. Lober uses. During this recovery period, you will experience swelling, discomfort and bruising which is all very normal and part of the healing process, lasting for up to 4 - 6 weeks. You should be able to return to work with minimal activity within 1 - 2 weeks however a full recovery, where you're feeling like yourself may take up to two months. You always should follow Dr. Lober's post-surgical instructions, wearing compression garments and taking medications as needed.