What is a mommy makeover and which surgeries does it include?

Pregnancy and child birth are miraculous experiences. Although motherhood is a priceless experience, the changes in ones body can be undesirable. Many women want to put things back the way they used to be prior to pregnancy, and some may choose to make additional changes. The surgeries designed to obtain the pre-pregnancy body are collectively what a mommy makeover is.  Just as each pregnancy produces a unique and one of a kind bundle of joy, the changes in a women’s body are also different for each individual.  Dr. Caplin and Dr. Nuveen provide complimentary consultations at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates in Oklahoma City. During this initial appointment, patients can discuss their concerns and goals.  Then together with Dr. Caplin or Dr. Nuveen, they can create a treatment plan to achieve  their goals for their mommy makeover.

Most commonly, women will combine breast augmentation with a breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction to regain their pre-pregnancy body.  Only what is necessary is performed for each individual. A breast lift raises the nipple and areolar complex back to where it used to be and typically requires incisions which end with either a lollipop or anchor like design.  While lifting the breast, the nipple stays attached and is rotated up where it should be, and the hanging skin and gland are removed.  In doing so, as much breast tissue as possible is preserved; however, the breast itself will be a little smaller.  Many women feel deflated, and want to regain fullness, so placing an implant with a breast augmentation is discussed. Several implant options exist including saline and multiple silicone options. The implant is typically placed under the muscle to give the most natural looking and feeling appearance along with the most upper chest fullness. 

With regard to the abdomen, once the skin has been stretched out by the baby and looses its elasticity, it rarely goes back to its previous state. In order to correct this laxity of skin, an abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, is recommended. With this surgery, all of the loose skin in removed from the belly button down to where a C-section scar would be.  Some women may have some additional areas that they would like to have contoured.  Most commonly, women will want to have their sides or flanks tapered and blended with liposuction to match their new flat abdomen. Liposuction can be performed alone or with any other surgery.  During liposuction, small cannulas are introduced below the skin and suck out fat shaping and contouring the areas of need.

At Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates, these surgeries can all be performed at the same time, and the patient can go home the same day. Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates has its own surgery center, so the surgery is performed on site, and an overnight suite is available for those wishing to stay or traveling from further away. Patients are encouraged to be up and walking the same day of surgery, and most patients are able to start weaning off the strong pain medication within 3-5 days.  Once off narcotics, patients can resume activities that require thinking, such as driving and desk work.  Most patients really seem to “turn the corner” at one week; however taking two weeks off of work is typically advised to be safe. Most of the swelling is down in roughly one month, and final result should be anticipated in 3-6 months. 

Although children are wonderful and bring such joy to our lives, they can make significant changes to a mother’s body. If you are looking to restore your pre-pregnancy body, please schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Caplin or Dr. Nuveen at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates to discuss your concerns and goals. Together, a unique treatment plan can be created for your specific needs to achieve your custom mommy makeover.