What Is a Mommy Makeover, Anyway?
When the term “mommy makeover” first came into widespread use, I couldn’t help but be amused at a memory of my very tired young aunt, a brand new mom who rarely wore makeup but let tweener me “make her over” by applying way too much eyeliner and lipstick and then pretended that she loved it…but that is NOT what we mean when we talk about mommy makeovers! Having kids is an amazing experience for all involved, but childbirth can take a toll on your body in many ways. The skin is damaged by stretching beyond its ability to snap back, and women are often left with loose skin of the breasts, tummy, and labia that will not recover no matter how well you eat or how much you exercise. Each woman may have different issues to address, so a mommy makeover can mean different things to different patients. It almost always includes procedures to address both breast and tummy. And until recently many women ignored changes of the labial skin that could lead to discomfort and embarrassment, but as there has been more widespread acceptance of correcting these changes we have seen a surge in demand for labiaplasty and energy based rejuvenation treatments like CO2RE Intima laser, which can often be performed in the privacy of the office under local anesthesia.
Breast surgery in a mommy makeover may include augmentation with implants, breast lift or reduction, or a combination of the two to add back volume and reshape breasts after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Abdominal rejuvenation may be liposuction to remove a stubborn area of fullness, but almost always requires removal of loose skin below the belly button, with repair of stretched or separated muscles, and tightening of the remaining skin. The combination of procedures to address both breasts and tummy results in a return to pre-baby contours that can make you both more physically comfortable and more confident in your own skin.
Timing is important, as the recovery from mommy makeover requires sufficient downtime to allow for appropriate recovery. Unless you have full time help available it is often best to wait until kids are beyond their toddler years. Your weight should be stable and you should be sure you have completed your family, as subsequent pregnancies can diminish the results of the procedure. If you are bothered by extra skin or sagging of the breasts and tummy tissues, or desire improvement in your intimate health following childbirth, we are here to offer a private and comprehensive consultation to determine the best way to address your concerns.
