Mommy make over
Mommy Makeover refers to the combination of tummy tuck, contouring, breast and buttock plastic surgeries performed on women in order to reverse the changes in the appearance of the body that pregnancy leaves in its wake.
Although pregnancy and motherhood are wonderful experiences, they can leave changes in the body that cannot be reversed with diet and exercise alone, such as flaccidity, stretch marks, fat deposits and changes in volume and sagging of the breasts. In our experience, the Mommy Makeover is one of the procedures that patients seek the most and that we perform most frequently, representing approximately 1 out of every 3 surgeries performed.
How long does surgery take?
Approximately 4 to 6 hours. Tummy tuck and contouring surgery usually requires 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the complexity of the liposuction involved. Correcting the breast is more variable: it can take as little as 30 minutes for implants only, up to 60 to 90 minutes for each side of the breast in cases of asymmetrical or very sagging breasts.
Where is the surgery performed?
It is a surgery that is performed in an operating room within a hospital or clinic and due to its duration requires hospitalization for at least 24 hours for observation and pain control.
Is an overnight hospital stay necessary?
Yes, 1 night is enough to consider it a safe plastic surgery.
How long does recovery take?
It starts between 2-3 weeks. To notice the result 4-6 weeks. Final recovery to begin exercise, complete cessation of discomfort, and be able to see in the body figure the final result 2-3 months.
In our experience the most common procedures that we perform to the patients seeking combined tummy tuck and breast surgery (Mommy makeover) are: Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty (85% of cases), liposuction (98% of cases), buttock fat grafting (60% of cases); In breast: breast implants (50% of cases), breast lift + breast implants (20% of cases), simple breast lift without breast implants (20% of cases) breast reduction (10% of cases).
Is a consultation necessary before surgery?
A consultation between patient and surgeon is essential before the operation to establish a checklist (list of requests) that lists what patients expect to get in the final result. Let’s remember that the concept of beauty is subjective and different from person to person and at the end of the day it is the patient’s taste that should prevail in the final result of the surgery.
Besides identifying the presence or absence of pre-existing body asymmetries during the physical examination, priority aspects to discussed during the preoperative consultation, in order to elaborate the checklist and obtain a successful result are: desired breast size, need for breast lift or to match it in case of asymmetry, type of implants to be placed, incision area and implant plane (under or over the muscle); buttock volume and shape; areas to be included in the liposuction and which areas cannot be included; size, height and location of the abdominal incision.
Can I be a candidate for a Mommy Makeover if I have not had babies or been pregnant?
Yes, although the name by which people refer to this operation implies having been a mother, the combined tummy tuck, contouring and breast surgery can be performed on any patient who wishes to improve the appearance of these areas, whatever the indication, for example, having lost weight, deciding not to have a family even though she is still of childbearing age, etc.
Can I have a surgery if I suffer from any disease and take medication?
Yes, this decision is subject to the criteria of each plastic surgeon, but for us it is possible. Any patient can undergo this procedure as long as their disease is controlled and under treatment (frequent examples are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism). It is recommended to take some precautions during the recovery time and ask a family member to help you with household chores, as well as to assist you when you need help changing your bandage or compressive garments, at least during the first few days. You will not be able to lift heavy objects or if your child weighs more than 10 pounds (5 kg), you will need help from someone to take care of him/her during the first days.
