Reinvent yourself with a Mommy Makeover

Step 1 – Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – Tummy tuck incision
A tummy tuck involves the surgical removal of excess abdominal fat and skin and includes tightening of the abdominal wall where muscles have weakened.

A full tummy tuck requires a horizontally-oriented incision in the area between the pubic hairline and belly button. The shape and length of the incision will be determined by the amount of excess skin.

Once the abdominal skin is lifted, the underlying weakened abdominal muscles are repaired. A second incision around the navel may be necessary to remove excess skin in the upper abdomen. The upper abdominal skin is pulled down like a window shade. The excess skin is trimmed and the remaining skin is sutured together.

A new opening for the belly button is created. The belly button is popped through to the surface and sutured into position.

When a correction is isolated to the area below the navel, a limited or “mini tummy tuck” with a shorter incision at the pubic bone level may be recommended. Liposuction may be performed with either a full or mini tummy tuck where excess fat is a factor.

Step 3 – The breast lift incision
During the breast lift part of the surgery, excess skin is surgically removed to raise the nipple and tighten the breast tissue. Incision patterns vary, depending on degree of excess skin and the amount of lifting required as well as patient and surgeon preference. There are three common incision patterns:

Around the areola
Around the areola and vertically down from the areola to the breast crease
Around the areola, vertically down from the breast crease and horizontally along the breast crease
Step 4 – Reshaping your breasts

After your doctor makes the incisions:

The underlying breast tissue is lifted and reshaped to improve breast contour and firmness.
The nipple and areola are repositioned to a natural, more youthful height.
If necessary, enlarged areolas are reduced by excising skin at the perimeter.
Excess breast skin is removed to compensate for a loss of elasticity.
Some women may want to consider placement of a breast implant in addition to the breast lift. An implant can provide improved upper breast fullness or cleavage. Implants can be placed at the same time or as a second procedure, depending on the experience of the surgeon.

If you have simply lost breast volume, but the size of the breast skin envelope and the position of the nipple is still good, your surgeon may recommend simply placing a breast implant. Available implants can be filled with silicone or saline. Implants can be placed beneath the breast tissue itself, or under the pectoral muscle. Various incision sites are possible. Depending on your anatomy and personal preference, your surgeon will recommend an implant type and size.

Whether you choose saline or silicone implants, it is important for you to monitor your breast implants and follow-up with your plastic surgeon for appropriate checkups.

Step 5 – Closing the incisions
Sutures are layered deep within the breast tissue and the abdomen to create and support the newly shaped breasts and abdomen. After your breasts and abdomen are reshaped and excess skin is removed, the remaining skin is tightened as the incisions are closed with sutures, skin adhesives, tapes or clips.Drains may be placed under the skin to remove any weeping blood or serum after the surgery. The drain will remain until this weeping stops, usually one to three weeks. You will be asked to empty and record the volume of drainage so that your surgeon can know when it is safe to remove the drain. You will often be asked to wear a compression garment (girdle) for a few weeks after abdominal surgery to minimize the bruising and swelling.

Your surgeon will try to make sure that all of your breast and abdominal scars are hidden beneath your underwear or a bathing suit. However when you are naked, these scars will be visible. While your plastic surgeon will do everything possible to assure you get the best possible scar, scar formation depends on your own genetics and wound healing capabilities. Scars do tend to improve over time, but it may be months to years before the scars fade as much as they will.

Many women desire the smallest scars possible. However, your plastic surgeon will recommend the incisions which best suit your anatomy. Listen to your surgeon to avoid diminishing your results by demanding an incision that will not be appropriate for you.

Step 6 – See the results
The results of your mommy makeover surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should increase as you recover and realize the fulfillment of your goal to achieve a more youthful body shape.While you may be very pleased with your “perky” breast shape, it is prudent to protect your investment by wearing a supportive bra.

The decision to have a mommy makeover is extremely personal. You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals, and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. Your surgeon should review with you the relevant risks for your specific procedure. You may be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications. You should feel free to ask any questions to help you understand those risks.

The risks can include:

Anesthesia risks
BleedingInfection
Fluid accumulation (seroma)
Poor wound healing
Skin loss
Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
Unfavorable scarring
Recurrent looseness of skin
Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
Breast asymmetry
Suboptimal aesthetic result
Possibility of revisional surgery
Persistent pain
Bleeding or hematoma formation
Poor healing of incisions
Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
Breast contour and shape irregularities
Potential partial or total loss of nipple and areola
Risks related to breast implants:
Implant leakage or rupture
The formation of tight scar tissue around the implant (capsular contracture)
Wrong or faulty position of the implant
The development of a type of cancer of the immune system called Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell
Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), primarily associated with textured implants
Breast implants may be associated with systemic symptoms commonly referred to as breast implant illness (BII), which can include fatigue, “brain fog,” muscle or joint pain and rash
Other important considerations:

Breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime and future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants
Pregnancy, weight loss, and menopause may influence the appearance of augmented breasts over the course of your lifetime
Breast augmentation requires regular examinations of your breasts’ health and to evaluate the condition of your implants
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent.

It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

After your mommy makeover is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You’ll need to wear an elastic bandage, support bra or compression garment to minimize swelling and support your body as it heals. If you have drainage tubes, you may be asked to monitor and record how much fluid is emptying into the reservoir.

You will be given specific instructions that may include how to care for your body following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.

Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
When will they be removed?
Are stitches removed? When?
When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
When do I return for follow-up care?
How will I bathe?
How long will I wear the pressure garment?
Will the drains be removed?

The results of your mommy makeover surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should increase as you recover from surgery. The final results of your mommy makeover surgery may not be fully apparent for several months.

Previous abdominal surgery may limit the potential results of a mommy makeover. In women who have undergone cesarean section, the existing scars may be incorporated into the new scar. Incision lines are permanent and may take several months to a year to fade as much as they will.

The results of your mommy makeover surgery will be long lasting. Over time, your body can continue to change due to aging and gravity. You’ll be able to retain your new look longer if you:

Maintain your weight
Keep a healthy lifestyle
Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Special note:

A mommy makeover should be only considered after childbearing is completed. Changes that occur in the breasts and abdomen during pregnancy can minimize or reverse the improvement a mommy makeover provides. Likewise, significant weight loss after a mommy makeover can negatively impact breast appearance.

Prices for a mommy makeover can vary based on the procedures to be performed. A surgeon’s cost may be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office. Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.

Cost may include:

Anesthesia fees
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Medical tests and X-rays
Medical tests
Post-surgery garments
Prescriptions for medication
Breast implant fees
Surgeon’s fee
Most health insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery or related complications. You must carefully review your health insurance policy.
Your satisfaction involves more than a fee. When choosing a plastic surgeon for a mommy makeover, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting an American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) member you can trust.

ASPS member surgeons meet rigorous standards:

Achieve Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery® (ABPS) or in Canada by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada®
Complete at least six years of surgical training following medical school with a minimum of three years of plastic surgery residency raining
Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
Graduate from an accredited medical school
Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year
Perform surgery in accredited, state-licensed, or Medicare-certified surgical facilities
Do not be confused by other official-sounding boards and certifications.
The ABPS is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which has approved medical specialty boards since 1934. There is no ABMS-recognized certifying board with “cosmetic surgery” in its name. By choosing a member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, you can be assured that you are choosing a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon who is board certified by the ABPS or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.