| Dr. Steven Svehlak is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Mommy Makeover.
Q. What is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is a combination of a breast procedure and a body procedure, usually done at one time, which helps restore a woman's body after one or more pregnancies. These combinations of procedures help repair the damage caused by pregnancy and breast feeding. Some of the most commonly requested combinations are:
Breast Augmentation + Tummy Tuck
Breast Lift + Tummy Tuck
Breast Augmentation + Liposuction
Breast Augmentation + Brazilian Butt Lift
Breast Reduction + Mini Tummy Tuck
Q. What are the risks and complications associated with a mommy makeover?
Just like with any type of surgical procedure, there are risks that are associated with plastic surgery procedures. While the risks are greatly reduced when the surgery is performed by a Board certified plastic surgeon, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of their procedure(s) with your surgeon beforehand. While uncommon, potential risks can include problems such as bleeding, infection, anesthesia risks and undesired results. Risks also vary depending on the exact set of procedures being done, so again, I would advise anyone considering surgery to review their medical history with their doctor, and discuss the procedures’ risks.
Q. What’s behind the recent trend of "mommy makeovers"?
The tabloids are constantly highlighting celebrity moms and their seemingly instant body bounce-backs. For example, Heidi Klum, who was back on the runway just 6 weeks after giving birth. Most women don’t have genes like Heidi’s, plus, access to a team of fitness and image experts. A "Mommy Makeover" is realistic option for women who have finished having children and want to restore the parts of their bodies that are sagging or in need of repair. It’s a way to feel good about themselves in a matter of weeks, and give them a big boost in confidence.
Q. When is a good time to have a Mommy Makeover?
The best candidates are at a stable weight, and have lost the majority of their pregnancy weight. To avoid complications, we advise moms to wait at least six months after they’ve finished breast-feeding before considering any type of breast enhancement surgery.
Q. How hard is recovery from a mommy makeover?
The recovery timeline varies, depending on which procedures were done. In general, patients go back to work 1-2 weeks after surgery, are driving in about one week, and are "swimsuit ready" in 4-6 weeks. We use a wonderful pain pump system, which makes recovery relatively comfortable. Patients with tummy tucks should avoid lifting anything heavy for approximately 5 weeks. Again, timelines vary by procedure, so it is important to discuss your recovery plan with your surgeon.
Q. Is it safe to have more than one plastic surgery procedure at one time?
It is increasingly common for patients to request that multiple cosmetic procedures be performed during a single operation. The advantages of combined procedures include one recovery period, reduced surgery costs, and faster patient gratification. Overall, plastic surgery risks are relatively small.
Q. I might still have more children. Should I have a Mommy Makeover?
If you plan to have more children, it’s best to wait. The vertical muscles in the abdomen can re-separate, which basically un-does the tightening we did with the tummy tuck. |
