Pregnancy and childbirth often lead to lasting changes in the body, including shifts in breast shape, abdominal contours, and fat distribution. These natural adjustments can leave some individuals with sagging skin, weakened abdominal muscles, or areas of stubborn fat. A mommy makeover at Tarola Plastic Surgery in Murfreesboro, TN, is a way to reshape and lift areas altered by pregnancy. This procedure can address multiple areas and concerns in a single appointment.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover combines surgical procedures to address the physical changes that pregnancy and childbirth bring. It typically focuses on areas like the breasts and abdomen, where skin may sag or muscles weaken, but it can also include other treatments to refine the body’s contours. We can customize our procedure for you depending on the areas you want to target.
Types of Surgeries Included In a Mommy Makeover
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation enhances the size and shape of the breasts using implants. These come in different types, including saline, silicone, and gummy bear implants, each with unique benefits. The implants can be placed above or below the chest muscle, depending on your anatomy and aesthetic goals.
The surgery involves incisions typically made in discreet locations, such as along the inframammary fold (under the breast), around the areola, or in the armpit. This allows the surgeon to insert the implants while minimizing visible scarring. Breast augmentation in a mommy makeover can restore volume loss after pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, tightens the abdominal muscles and removes excess skin from the midsection. This is beneficial for patients experiencing muscle separation (diastasis recti), a common result of pregnancy. During the procedure, the surgeon sutures the separated abdominal muscles back together, creating a firmer and flatter core. Excess skin is then removed to smooth and flatten the abdomen, while the belly button is repositioned for a natural appearance.
Incisions for a tummy tuck are typically placed low on the abdomen, just above the pubic area, allowing scars to be easily concealed under clothing or swimwear. For some patients, a mini tummy tuck, which targets only the lower abdomen, may be the right fit. Others may benefit from a full abdominoplasty, which addresses the entire abdomen.
Breast Lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and elevates sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. This procedure restores the breast’s position after the changes caused by pregnancy or breastfeeding. Unlike breast augmentation, a breast lift does not alter the size of the breasts, but can dramatically improve their shape and height.
Surgeons use different techniques depending on the degree of lift desired, with incisions placed around the areola, vertically from the areola to the breast crease, or horizontally along the breast fold. For patients with mild sagging, a periareolar (doughnut) incision may be sufficient. For more significant changes, a lollipop or anchor incision provides greater reshaping ability. A breast lift can be performed alone or combined with augmentation or reduction.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to create smaller, more proportionate breasts. This procedure can alleviate discomfort caused by overly large breasts. It also provides aesthetic benefits, offering a more balanced silhouette. During the procedure, we reshape the breast tissue, remove excess volume, and reposition the nipple and areola. In some cases, liposuction is used to refine the breast shape further.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical technique that removes stubborn fat deposits from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, or arms. During a mommy makeover, liposuction complements other procedures to sculpt and enhance body contours. The surgeon uses a thin tube called a cannula to break up fat and suction it out.
We favor tumescent liposuction which uses a saline solution to minimize bleeding and discomfort. Incisions are small and strategically placed to minimize scarring, often hidden in natural creases. Liposuction can refine the overall results of a mommy makeover and enhance the body’s proportions by targeting areas resistant to other treatments.
Why Choose a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is a good way to address many of the physical changes that come with pregnancy and childbirth. By combining multiple procedures, multiple areas can be treated with only one recovery period. Every procedure is also adjusted to fit your body and your goals, whether it’s lifting and reshaping the breasts, tightening up the abdominal area, or using liposuction to refine your contours. It’s a way to help restore the shape and balance of your body, focusing on what matters most to you.
What to Expect From Your Mommy Makeover
Mommy Makeover Preparations
Before your mommy makeover, we’ll review your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and customize your surgical plan. You’ll need to stop smoking, avoid medications like blood thinners, and prepare your home for recovery by gathering essentials such as comfortable clothing, post-surgical supplies, and prescribed medications. We’ll also recommend arranging for someone to help at home during the initial healing period and provide detailed instructions to ensure you’re fully prepared for surgery.
The Procedure
Your mommy makeover will begin with general anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Local anesthetic may also be used in procedures like liposuction to minimize pain after the surgery. The length of the surgery will differ depending on which procedures are included, but the average mommy makeover takes between four and six hours. Once the surgery is over, you will gradually come out of the anesthesia and will recover for the first several hours in a recovery room. Once we are sure that it is safe to release you, a friend or family member can drive you home.
Recovering From Your Mommy Makeover
During your mommy makeover recovery, you can expect swelling, bruising, and some discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medication. Most patients return to light activities within two weeks, but strenuous tasks and exercise should wait six to eight weeks. Wearing compression garments helps minimize swelling and supports healing, while follow-up appointments allow us to monitor your progress. Detailed aftercare instructions will guide you in caring for incisions and promoting a smooth recovery.
Maintaining Your Results
Maintaining mommy makeover results involves a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, to preserve your enhanced contours. Hydration and a consistent skincare routine support your skin’s health and elasticity. With stable weight management and good habits, you can enjoy your results for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mommy Makeovers
Who Is a Good Candidate for Mommy Makeovers?
Candidates for a mommy makeover surgery are individuals in good overall health who have completed their family planning and are looking to address the physical changes caused by pregnancy and childbirth. Ideal candidates have areas of sagging skin, stretched abdominal muscles, or stubborn fat deposits that haven’t improved with diet or exercise. It’s important to have realistic expectations and to be at or near your desired weight before undergoing surgery since liposuction and other procedures do not significantly change overall weight.
What Can I Expect From My Scars?
After a mommy makeover surgery, scars are an expected part of the healing process, but they are carefully placed to be as discreet as possible. Tummy tuck incisions are usually located low on the abdomen, while breast surgery scars may appear around the areola, under the breast fold, or vertically down the breast, depending on the procedure. Over time, scars typically fade with proper care, which may include scar creams, silicone sheets, or other treatments recommended by your surgeon.
How Soon Can I Have a Mommy Makeover After Giving Birth?
It’s generally recommended to wait at least six months to a year after giving birth before undergoing a mommy makeover surgery. This allows your body time to heal and stabilize at a consistent weight and allows you to finish breastfeeding if applicable. Waiting helps surgical results align with your body’s post-pregnancy state and reduces the risk of complications during recovery.
Can I Get Pregnant After a Mommy Makeover?
While it is possible to become pregnant after a mommy makeover surgery, it’s best to wait until you are finished having children before undergoing the procedure. Future pregnancies can stretch the abdominal muscles, alter breast shape, and potentially impact your surgical results. Planning your surgery after completing your family helps preserve the long-term outcomes of your makeover.
Why Choose Dr. Tarola for Your Mommy Makeover?
Dr. Nicholas Tarola brings years of expertise and a dedication to achieving natural, individualized results for his patients. At Tarola Plastic Surgery, he prioritizes open communication to ensure every patient’s goals and expectations are clearly understood. Dr. Tarola believes patient education is essential and provides detailed information about treatment options and outcomes to help patients make confident decisions. With extensive training and experience in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for the face, breast, and body, he offers a comprehensive approach to procedures like mommy makeovers. His commitment to precision and personalized care sets him apart as a trusted choice for transformative results.
Schedule Your Mommy Makeover Surgery Today
A mommy makeover at Tarola Plastic Surgery can address the physical changes that occur after pregnancy, offering a way to restore balance and shape to areas like the breasts and abdomen. With a combination of customizable procedures, it provides comprehensive results that focus on your unique goals. To learn more about how this procedure can benefit you, contact us through our online form, or call (615) 624-8914 to schedule a consultation in Murfreesboro, TN.
