What is a Mommy Makeover?

After child bearing, many women are dissatisfied with the appearance of their body. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can have a negative impact on the breasts and abdomen. Many mothers find they have breasts that have changed in volume and are sagging. The abdominal skin may have stretch marks and be loose. Women who have undergone C-section deliveries often note a "shelf " of loose skin above their scar. Despite their efforts at dieting and exercise, these problem spots persist. Many women desire to return to their pre-pregnancy form. A mommy makeover is the plastic surgeon's effort to achieve this goal.

The surgery usually involves improving the breasts by replacing the lost volume with a breast implant. If the position of the nipples has dropped too much, then a breast lift may be recommended. Sometimes both an implant and a lift are necessary to center the nipple, improve breast volume, and achieve better cleavage. The abdomen is improved by performing a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) which removes the excess skin and some of the stretch marks and tightens the abdominal muscles which may have been stretched apart by the pregnancy. Liposuction maybe performed on excessively full fatty areas. 

What it won't do:

A mommy makeover is not a substitute for weight loss or exercising to achieve the appropriate muscle tone. While the results of a mommy makeover are technically permanent, your body's appearance can be affected by significant weight fluctuations or additional pregnancies. Ideal candidates for a mommy makeover are women who have completed their childbearing, and who are at or as close as they can get to their ideal weight. The trade-off in improving your shape is the addition of permanent scars to your body. Stretch marks that are above the level of the belly button and lateral to the hips will remain after a tummy tuck, but because the surrounding skin is tightened, they may be less obvious.