Having a baby is a life-changing, beautiful thing to experience, however giving birth also changes a woman’s body image. Many women try to get their ‘pre-pregnancy’ figure back by their efforts such as a healthy diet and an exercise regimen. Unfortunately, many women are not always able to achieve their desired result on their own. Due to all the advances in plastic surgery, there are many options available to mothers who want to regain or even improve their figure. Many of these women have come to San Diego Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Tom Pousti to discuss their options and how they might benefit from plastic surgery. Many mothers-to-be worry that breastfeeding will ruin the shape of their breasts and wonder whether or not to breastfeed. The truth is breastfeeding is not necessarily the culprit, changes in the breasts occur during pregnancy. As the body prepares to nurture a child, milk glands in the breasts swell and replace fatty tissue. After childbirth, these glands shrink. What’s left is a skin “envelope” with little to fill it. This causes the breasts to look less full or sag. Plastic surgery offers safe, natural-looking implants that return your breasts to their youthful contour.
Dr. Pousti can perform Breast Augmentation on an outpatient basis, in a fully equipped surgical center. The small incisions are virtually undetectable, usually made around the nipples. Implants are inserted beneath the muscle tissue or just under the gland of the breast. Some women experience extensive swelling in their breasts during pregnancy. In addition to the postpartum loss of fat tissue, swelling can cause the skin to stretch and sag. And no amount of exercise will re-tighten this skin. A procedure called a Mastopexy (Breast Lift) can remove excess skin and reduce sagging. This tightens the skin of the breasts, which lifts and firms them. Nowhere else is pregnancy more evident than a woman’s abdomen. It’s also the place where stretch marks, C-section scars, and loose skin may linger long after childbirth. This can frustrate and depress a woman even as she rejoices at the life her body helped create.
An Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) is a procedure that can remove the “pooch” of excess skin that lies below your navel. It can get rid of stretch marks and turn a very visible vertical C-section scar into a small bikini line that’s easy to conceal. For many women, excess skin is not the only abdominal change they experience after pregnancy. It’s not uncommon for the stomach muscles to separate when holding an expanding uterus. Often those muscles fail to reconnect after childbirth, even with endless sit-ups. This condition can only be repaired with surgery. One of the most commonly-requested cosmetic surgery procedures, Liposuction can especially benefit women after pregnancy. Despite dieting and working out some new mothers complain they just cannot lose fat in certain spots like the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. Dr. Pousti can re-sculpt the body, removing fat deposits that contribute to flabby underarms or bulges in the thighs. During a normal vaginal delivery, many women tear or otherwise damage the labia (the opening to the vagina). A Labiaplasty can repair this damage, helping a woman heal faster from such injuries. Local irritation, problems with personal hygiene, interference with sexual intercourse, and discomfort during cycling, horseback riding, wearing exercise clothing, walking, or sitting are indications for surgical reduction. Dr. Pousti is an expert in labia reduction surgery.
Pregnancy After Plastic Surgery
Whether planned or unexpected it is not uncommon for patients to go through pregnancy after having plastic surgery. One of the most asked questions regarding pregnancy after already having plastic surgery is in regard to breastfeeding. Dr. Pousti understands the importance of the nutrients breastfeeding provides for your infant and takes that into account while performing breast augmentation surgery. Although it can not be guaranteed, the majority of our patients can breastfeed without complications. More information on breastfeeding with implants.
Patient Before Breast Augmentation, After Breast Augmentation, 1 Year Post-Op/2 Months After Childbirth