Mommy Makeover
The number of women seeking a "Mommy Makeover" is on the rise. Women had nearly 111,986 tummy tucks in 2013 (up 79% since 2000). Women had 90,006 breast lifts (up 70% since 2000) and over 290,000 breast augmentations (up 37% since 2000). "In the last decade we've seen women's attitudes about cosmetic surgery change. Today women are not afraid to admit that they love their children, but they wish their bodies looked the way they did before their first pregnancies. And they're not afraid to acknowledge that they may need a little help beyond a healthy diet and exercise," said ASPS President Phillip Haeck, MD. If your body has undergone significant changes post pregnancy that make you feel less attractive or have hindered your self-esteem, a mommy makeover may be right for you. A mommy makeover typically consists of multiple procedures that restore your body to the way it was (or better) pre-pregnancy. Some women opt for liposuction, a tummy tuck, a breast enhancement surgery consisting of a breast augmentation or a breast lift, or a combination of these procedures.
Increases in U.S. Plastic Surgery Procedures
[youtube id=”e4b6WJ-JPOk” width=”600″ height=”350″ autoplay=”no” api_params=”” class=””]
[section_separator divider_candy=”bottom,top” icon=”” icon_color=”#f2f2f2″ bordersize=”3px” bordercolor=”” backgroundcolor=”” class=”” id=””]
Liposuction
Liposuction can improve your body contours by removing fatty deposits with minimal incisions and little to no down time. Common locations for liposuction include: chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves and ankles. VASER Liposuction technology makes liposuction safer and more effective as it differentiates between fat and the surrounding connective tissues. This helps to protect nerve and blood vessels during the procedure. Liposuction Risks:
- Temporary bruising, swelling, numbness, soreness and burning sensations
- Asymmetry of the areas and rippling or bagginess of skin
- Pigmentation changes or possible skin injury
Liposuction Recovery: You may be able to return to work about a week after surgery. In many instances, you can resume most of your normal activities within two to three weeks and begin some form of exercise soon after. The timing of your recovery depends largely on the extent of your surgery. Factors such as fluid retention following surgery, and prolonged swelling may delay the appearance of your new, slimmer contour. The healing process is gradual, so you should expect to wait a while before fully enjoying the results of your liposuction. [section_separator divider_candy=”bottom,top” icon=”” icon_color=”#f2f2f2″ bordersize=”3px” bordercolor=”” backgroundcolor=”” class=”” id=””]
Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty
A tummy tuck may be needed to address excess abdominal skin post-pregnancy. During a tummy tuck, your muscles are tightened (like a corset) and excess fat and skin is removed. Due to tummy tucks being so effective at improving the appearance of the abdomen, it is one of the most popular procedures performed. Tummy Tuck Risks:
- Bleeding and infection
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Poor wound healing
- Skin numbness
- Skin discoloration
- Prolonged swelling
Tummy Tuck Recovery: Tummy tucks require downtime for your body to recover. The length of this downtime and how you feel after the procedure varies from person to person. It depends on the type of tummy tuck performed and whether it was combined with liposuction plastic surgery.
- Plan to rest after the procedure.
- The day after the procedure, plan to take periodic walks to promote blood circulation.
- Plan to stay home from work for at least 10-14 days, possibly longer.
During the first week, your abdominal area will be swollen. You will experience bruising and soreness as well. The majority of the swelling subsides within a few weeks. [section_separator divider_candy=”bottom,top” icon=”” icon_color=”#f2f2f2″ bordersize=”3px” bordercolor=”” backgroundcolor=”” class=”” id=””]
Breast Augmentation
A breast augmentation uses silicone or saline implants to create fuller, more youthful-looking breasts.
Breast Augmentation remains one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. With a successful history, breast augmentation continues to satisfy women who wish to regain, restore or enhance balance to their figures.
Breast Augmentation Risks:
- Capsular contracture (implant thickens and tightens) – occurs in less than 5% of patients nationwide, but Dr. Broadway's risk is less than 1%.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Loss of sensation
- Implant failure
Breast Augmentation Recovery: The first week following your breast augmentation surgery should be dedicated to recovery. You should take time off from work and enlist the aid of a close friend or loved one who can take care of you during this time. If you have young children, you might consider seeing if they can stay at a relative's house for a few days. Weeks 2-12: Dr. Broadway will evaluate your healing progress and give you an assessment of what activities you can now begin to enjoy. Everyone's healing rate is different, and it is important not to resume full activity until cleared to do so. Beginning any activity prematurely can increase your risk of post-surgical complications and potentially impact the quality and longevity of your results. [section_separator divider_candy=”bottom,top” icon=”” icon_color=”#f2f2f2″ bordersize=”3px” bordercolor=”” backgroundcolor=”” class=”” id=””]
Breast Lift or Mastopexy
An age-defying breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation surgery to restore the youthful fullness in your breasts and reposition drooping nipples and stretched areolas. Breast lifts can also be performed without the use of implants. Breast Lift Risks:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor healing
- Changes in breast or nipple sensation
- Breast shape irregularities
- Fluid accumulation
Breast Lift Recovery: Breast lift recovery differs slightly for each patient, but generally you can expect to dedicate the first day or two completely to rest. You should be able to return to work in about one week to 10 days, assuming your job does not involve heavy lifting. You will need to avoid strenuous activity for about four weeks. Complete healing is typically reached within 12 weeks. [section_separator divider_candy=”bottom,top” icon=”” icon_color=”#f2f2f2″ bordersize=”3px” bordercolor=”” backgroundcolor=”” class=”” id=””] How Do I Know if I am a Candidate For a Mommy Makeover? Many women who feel some unhappiness with their appearance following childbirth are candidates for mommy makeovers. Your consultation with Dr. Broadway will determine if a mommy makeover is right for you. Women who plan on having more children are generally advised to wait, as additional pregnancies following a mommy makeover may negate the results of some procedures. Mommy Makeover Benefits By combining multiple procedures, a mommy makeover can be more cost-efficient, limit your surgery time and minimize your recovery period.