Mommy Makeover Chicago
A mommy makeover is any combination of plastic surgery procedures used to restore your pre-pregnancy appearance. This cosmetic process usually focuses on the abdomen and breasts. A typical mommy makeover involves a tummy tuck, breast lift/augmentation, and/or liposuction of the legs and arms.
Who is a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
You should consider a mommy makeover if:
- Pockets of fat are on your abdomen, waist, thighs, and/or arms that do not improve with exercise and dieting.
- Your pregnancy has negatively affected the shape and size of your breasts.
- You are concerned about stretch marks and a sagging tummy.
- You are in relatively good health.
- You are finished with childbearing.
- You have maintained a stable weight for 6-12 months.
Mommy Makeover Procedures
- Tummy tuck – Also called abdominoplasty, this surgery involves removal of excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening of the abdominal fascia and muscles. The skin around the belly button is repositioned. The surgery is often done using an incision that runs from hip to hip, where the loose skin is.
- Liposuction – Also called lipoplasty, liposuction is used to improve the contour of the hips, back, abdomen, upper arms, and thighs. Depending on which technique is used, liposuction involves use of ultrasonic energy, laser, or a special solution along with a hollow cannula to remove fat cells.
- Breast lift – Also called mastopexy, this procedure is used to correct uneven, sagging breasts, increase breast volume, and lift or enhance the breasts. The surgery involves small incisions, repositioning of the nipples and areolas and suturing techniques to hold tissue up.
- Breast augmentation – Also called mammoplasty, the procedure is used to increase breast size using silicone gel or saline implants, or by use of fat grafting. The implant is placed in a pocket underneath the breast tissue or pectoral muscle.
Before the Procedures
Before surgery, you will meet with the doctor to discuss expectations, procedure risks and benefits, and available options. You must avoid smoking for 6 weeks because it interferes with circulation and wound healing. In addition, certain blood-thinning agents are to be held for 2 weeks before the surgery, so you must notify the doctor of all medicines and supplements you are taking.
After the Procedures
You will need to arrange to have someone drive you home from the surgical center. You may stay overnight for observation. In addition, you will need help at home for a few days, and should arrange to take some time off from housework, school, and/or work. Bruising, mild discomfort, and swelling is expected after cosmetic surgery, but this gradually improves over 3-5 days.
Recovery
After surgery, you and your doctor will discuss how long you must rest. You may have drains near incisions, as well as bandages. A compression garment is worn after a breast lift, breast augmentation, and tummy tuck. You must avoid rigorous activities for a few weeks, but should move about your home as much as possible.
Recovery varies from a 1-6 weeks, depending on how many procedures you have, your general state of health, and your motivation. You will avoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks. In 3-7 days you return to see the plastic surgeon to have drains, sutures, and bandages removed, but you must continue to wear the compression garment for the full recovery period.
