MOMMY MAKEOVER

Perhaps the most popular of our breast procedures, breast augmentation uses synthetic implants to increase volume and expand the projection of the breasts. During a consultation, our surgeons walk you through the different implant options and can help you decide which implant size, projection, shape, and composition fit your ideal aesthetic. After the body heals, mothers leave our care feeling more confident and comfortable with a beautiful set of breasts – not to mention a little more irresistible.

Rather than added volume, some mothers only need their breast tissue lifted. These ladies are happy with their cup size but not with the way their breasts’ have begun to droop. A breast lift resolves these concerns. Often, sagging tissue is exacerbated by changes in weight or fluctuating hormones – two factors obviously at play during pregnancy. This laxity makes the nipple fall below the inframammary crease. To correct this, our plastic surgeons remove the excess tissue and reorient the areolas. For those who need added volume along with a lift, breast augmentation can be combined with a breast lift for a comprehensive breast makeover.

After pregnancy, not all mothers see their breasts’ size return back to normal. Many, in fact, experience breasts that remain enlarged. This often leads to chronic neck, shoulder, and back pain and prevents clothes from fitting properly.^[2] For these patients, we recommend breast reduction surgery. During a breast reduction, much like with a breast lift, we remove excess tissue. In addition, we liposuction away superfluous fat to make the breasts more proportional and manageable.

The majority of the time, a mommy’s tummy experiences the most aesthetic changes. The developing fetus can push the skin and abdominal muscles past their physiological limits. Mothers are left with loose, excess skin around their abdomen and a condition called diastasis recti. During the third trimester, the pressure from the fetus becomes too much for the linea alba to bear. This is the vertical connective membrane that binds both sides of the abdominal muscles together. The linea alba splits, displacing the abdominal walls. This loose connective tissue then allows for a prominent bulge. With disoriented abdominal muscles, this condition weakens core strength and causes pelvic floor disorders like incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

The goal of a tummy tuck is to remove excess tissue, realign abdominal muscles, and redefine the abdominal contours. A surgeon begins with a hip-to-hip incision and restructures the abdominal muscles with sutures. Next, they relocate the naval and redrape the skin to create a flatter appearance and the appropriate tension. After removing the excess tissue, they suture the incision closed. Once they’ve completed their recovery, women enjoy slimmer tummies and a strengthened pelvic floor.

Even with diet and exercise, abdominal fat can be difficult to shed. A slowed metabolism and imbalanced hormones cause certain areas of fat to be resistant to diet and exercise. To treat this stubborn fat, we use liposuction. Liposuction involves an aspirating cannula that suctions out fat cells from the target areas. Once the fat is removed, it cannot grow back, so patients see long-lasting results. Liposuction can be incorporated into a tummy tuck, accentuating the abdominal contours, and can also improve other troublesome areas like the arms, legs, back, chin, and chest.

Surgery requires certain preparatory and recovery steps that not all mothers can commit to. Others patients considering a mommy makeover prefer to keep the procedure non-invasive. For these women, we recommend CoolSculpting. The CoolSculpting device attaches to the exterior of stubborn fat deposits. It drops the fat cells to freezing temperatures, causing them to dislodge from the connective tissue. In the weeks after a session, the lymphatic system processes these fat cells, removing them from the body. The beauty of CoolSculpting’s fat freezing process is that it leaves surrounding tissue unaffected, so only fat cells are treated.^[3] A CoolSculpting session is quick and requires no downtime or recovery. Patients that are interested in other minimally and non-invasive procedures can schedule a consultation at our Del Mar Medical Spa by calling (619) 824 1919.

If you are interested in scheduling a consultation to discuss your mommy makeover options, fill out this online form. A personal consultation is the best way to determine your eligibility for each procedure. We recommend that women have completed breastfeeding and are not planning any future pregnancies. Additional pregnancies can diminish the results achieved by this makeover. We also ask that patients who smoke stop several weeks before surgery and for the entire recovery process. Lastly, mothers need to have time in their schedules and the necessary support at home to focus on recovery. For the first few weeks, patients will need to avoid lifting children, strenuous physical activities, and traveling.

If this is your first time with us, we will begin with a brief new patient intake interview and a physical examination. Then, we will examine your areas of concern. We will note skin laxity, uneven anatomy, and unwanted curves. Then, we will begin constructing your personalized treatment plan. This plan will consist of the surgical approaches required for your chosen procedures, and preparation and recovery instructions. Finally, we will schedule the date and time of your surgery.

We will include more personalized preparations on your treatment plan, but general guidelines to follow are:

• Avoid taking blood-thinning medications
• Stop smoking
• Avoid alcohol
• Designate a caregiver and a ride home
• Fill prescriptions ahead of time
• Prepare your home for your recovery

Afterward, the treated areas will be sore and a little swollen. Take only the prescribed medications for any discomfort. The areas will be wrapped in compression bandages to facilitate better healing in the altered tissue. We will schedule follow-up appointments with you to check in on your healing process and determine if future steps are needed. Be sure to avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting. Depending on your surgery, we often advise that patients sleep on their backs and in an elevated position to avoid putting strain on their healing incisions.

Because a mommy makeover is a bespoke collection of procedures, prices vary from patient to patient. We will discuss and determine the cost of your care following your consultation. If you are new to Prime Plastic Surgery, visit our reviews page to read about previous patients’ experiences.