Pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood are some of, if not the most, transformative periods in anyone’s life. Everything changes – priorities, life outlook, goals, and obviously, bodies.
From weight gain, to stretch marks, loose abdominal skin, less firm breasts, and changes in the vaginal canal, your body is not the same after childbearing. If this post-pregnancy transformation is something that makes you uncomfortable, a mommy makeover can help restore your body to its pre-child state.
With advances in medical techniques and understanding, the “mommy makeover” and its associated procedures are becoming more and more popular every year.
Here, Dr. Shektman provides an in-depth guide to mommy makeovers, which typically, include procedures such as breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, tummy tuck, and labiaplasty. To learn more or to book a consultation, please call 617 237 6061 or fill out our online form.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is a generic name given to a series of cosmetic surgical procedures aimed at addressing the physical changes that occur to a person’s body during and after childbearing. The goal of a mommy makeover is both aesthetic and emotional, as helping to restore a woman’s pre-pregnancy body has significant emotional benefits as well as aesthetic enhancements.
Each mommy makeover is a highly personalized plan, with patients selecting different procedures according to their own individual needs, personal goals, and desires. The procedures generally include a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to achieve a flatter abdomen and a firmer abdomen, breast enhancement procedures to restore volume and shape, and liposuction to contour areas affected by fat accumulation.
Why Would I Choose a Mommy Makeover Over One Procedure?
Choosing a Mommy Makeover over a single procedure offers a comprehensive approach to address multiple post-pregnancy body changes simultaneously.
A mommy makeover is an integrated approach of customized solutions that results in synergy, a more balanced final aesthetic, which ensures that the body looks proportionate and naturally rejuvenated.
Undergoing combined procedures also means a single recovery period, which can be more convenient and may reduce overall downtime compared to spacing out multiple surgeries. A final consideration is that combining procedures can sometimes be more cost-effective in terms of surgical fees and facility costs, which is always an important consideration with a new child running around the house!
What is Included in a Mommy Makeover?
As mentioned, a mommy makeover includes numerous different procedures. These address different parts of a mother’s body and help restore them to their pre-child silhouette.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation uses implants to restore or enhance breast volume that becomes diminished after breastfeeding or due to hormonal changes.
Breast Lift
Also known as a mastopexy, a breast lift aims to raise and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. This can rejuvenate a mother’s profile, ensuring breasts sit higher and appear more youthful.
Liposuction
Liposuction targets and removes stubborn fat deposits that are gained naturally as part of a healthy pregnancy. Common areas targeted by liposuction include the thighs, hips, abdomen, and arms.
Tummy Tuck
The belly can grow at a rate of 1cm per week during pregnancy, which stretches the lower abdomen, often beyond the point of it being able to regain its original shape. Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck body contouring procedure, addresses the loose skin and weakened or separated muscles in the abdominal region, resulting in a smoother, flatter abdomen, and restoring the toned appearance present before pregnancy.
Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty addresses the inner vaginal lips that stretch during childbirth. A labiaplasty can reduce the size of the labia, alleviating any discomfort and enhancing the overall appearance.
How Can I Know Which Mommy Makeover Procedures are Right for Me?
Tailoring procedures and determining which mommy makeover operations are best suited for you involves a combination of personal reflection and expert consultation:
Self-assessment
Begin by identifying the areas of your body you’re most concerned about. Is it the sagging of the breasts, excess abdominal skin, or stubborn fat deposits that bother you most?
Research
Understand each procedure’s intent, benefits, risks, and recovery. Being informed helps set realistic expectations and allows for a more productive conversation with your surgeon.
Consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon
Schedule a meeting with a reputable board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in mommy makeovers. They can provide a comprehensive assessment of your anatomy, listen to your concerns, and offer recommendations tailored to your goals.
Prioritize procedures
Depending on your budget, timeframe, and recovery availability, you might opt to undergo all procedures at once or stagger them. Discussing your lifestyle and commitments with your surgeon can help create an optimal treatment plan.
Review before-and-after photos
Looking at photos of patients with similar body types who’ve had mommy makeovers can provide insight into potential outcomes and help clarify your preferences.
Mommy Makeover in Boston, MA with Dr. Shektman
Becoming a mother is one of the most fantastic and hardest things someone can do. As beautiful as the process can be, the result not only leaves you with a beautiful baby but also a body you may no longer recognize or feel at home in. A mommy makeover aims to give you your body back. After a period of constant transformation and feeling like your body no longer belongs to you, you deserve to feel good in and love the body that made your family, and a mommy makeover can help you achieve that.
If you’re ready to reclaim your body and love the skin you’re in, a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the first step. Contact Dr. Arthur Shektman in Boston, MA at (781) 239-0608 or fill out this online form to schedule your in-person consultation today.