Although most women are mentally prepared for the physical changes to their bodies during pregnancy, not every woman is ready for the lingering effects that remain years after they have given birth. The physical effects of pregnancy do not reverse after the baby is born; instead, women are left with loose skin, separated abdominal muscles, sagging breasts, and excess pockets of diet- and exercise-resistant fat.
Your Pasadena Mommy Makeover surgery is a series of procedures that target the areas most affected by pregnancy and childbirth or significant weight loss. While the procedures performed are ultimately decided by the needs of the patient, it is common for women to undergo breast augmentation or breast lift, tummy tuck surgery, and liposuction simultaneously. This combination of techniques not only restores a pre-pregnancy form, but it allows new mothers to reclaim confidence in their bodies.
Schedule Your Consultation TodayAchieved With a Mommy Makeover
Youthful Breasts
Some of the most significant physical changes after pregnancy are seen within breasts. Due to the production of milk and the rapid fluctuation of hormones, the breasts experience considerable growth during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Once this period ends and the breasts reduce in size, many women find that the perky, youthful breasts they had before their pregnancy have taken on a deflated and sagging appearance. Breast lift surgery tightens the breast skin and glandular tissues to restore elevation and shape to the breasts, and breast augmentation can restore lost fullness through the use of implants or fat injections.
Tighter Abdominal Region
Many mothers develop loose, sagging skin on the abdomen as well as a condition known as diastasis recti. Diastasis recti is the separation of the abdominal muscles. This condition results in a drooping lower abdominal pouch and is impossible to tighten without surgical assistance. Tummy tuck surgery repairs abdominal muscles while tightening the skin and removing excess pockets of fat in the lower stomach.
Smoother Body Contours
Many new mothers develop pockets of fat in places that they never experienced excess fat before. Liposuction is included in a Mommy Makeover to get rid of stubborn pockets of fat throughout the body. This usually consists of areas on the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, or back. Liposuction can be utilized to remove significant amounts of excess fat throughout the body or it can be used more sparingly to allow new mothers the ability to rid themselves of the newly formed, localized pockets that developed after pregnancy.
Vaginal Rejuvenation
Sometimes when a woman experiences vaginal delivery, her labia minora can become stretched or enlarged. An asymmetrical or enlarged labia, while benign, can cause physical discomfort when wearing tight clothing, exercising, or during sexual intimacy. Additionally, some women may feel self-conscious about the size or shape of their labia, causing emotional distress.
Labiaplasty is a safe and effective procedure that trims elongated labia minora, revealing a smaller, more natural labia.
What Does a Mommy Makeover Entail?
Procedure
A consultation with Dr. Taylor is necessary to determine if you are a candidate for Mommy Makeover surgery, and what methods will be included in that surgery. At this time, you will be able to discuss the procedures that you are interested in, your overall aesthetic goals, and your concerns. After undergoing an evaluation to determine your candidacy, Dr. Taylor will create a personalized surgical plan for you.
Most women undergo liposuction, a mini or full tummy tuck, and some form of breast surgery. An increasingly popular option is breast augmentation with breast lift, which repairs stretched or drooping breast tissue and restores volume for more youthful, perkier breasts. These various procedures will be performed simultaneously during your surgical session.
Mommy Makeover surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Depending on the chosen techniques, Dr. Taylor will work on one area at a time to ensure safety and accuracy. Mommy Makeover surgery typically takes between four and seven hours to complete.
In some cases, patients benefit from splitting their Mommy Makeover in Pasadena into two operations (a staged approach). This is most common for women who have lost significant weight and need more extensive correction.
Recovery
Your recovery period will depend on the combinations of procedures and techniques used during your Mommy Makeover. Typically, patients return to work and their normal activities after two weeks; however, strenuous activity should be avoided for at least six weeks. Dr. Taylor will give you detailed instructions on when you can resume activities during your consultation. This will include items such as when you can shower and remove bandages as well as what to expect with your sutures and post-operative scar management.
Patients will be placed in a compression-type garment following the operation. For women who undergo breast augmentation or a breast lift, a sports-type bra will be placed after the procedure. That sports bra should be worn for a few weeks to ensure that the breasts are healing properly.
Tummy tuck surgery and liposuction will also require compression garments. These should be worn around the clock to promote blood circulation, reduce swelling, facilitate healing, and limit the possibility of blood clots.
Scars
Scars will develop at all incision sites. As liposuction incisions are small, the scars will be hardly visible, if they are visible at all. Tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and breast lift incisions are more extensive and are therefore more likely to leave lasting scars.
You can reduce the severity of these scars by keeping the incisions out of the sun, avoiding excess trauma to the areas during your recovery, and using silicone strips and scar treatment cream. Dr. Taylor does his best to place all incisions in inconspicuous locations, and all scarring will fade with time. Every patient is enrolled in an extensive scar management protocol.
Cost
Mommy Makeover surgery uses a treatment plan that is personalized to you. The cost of your Mommy Makeover will depend on the procedures included in your tailored plan. The overall price of your operation will consist of the techniques used during the procedure as well as anesthesia fees, facility fees, surgical fees, and the cost of all pre- and post-surgical medications, dressings, and wrappings.
Dr. Taylor and his staff will provide you with an accurate cost estimate during your consultation.
Pain
Los Angeles Mommy Makeover surgery is performed under general anesthesia to ensure that there is no pain during the operation. Typically, patients can expect some mild to moderate discomfort that can be handled with a prescription or over-the-counter pain medication. Most of the pain will dissipate after the first few initial days; however, some post-operative bruising and swelling may linger for several weeks.
Are you ready for your transformation?
Schedule your free consultation today!
Schedule Your Consultation TodayFAQs
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Am I a candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
Most healthy women who are dissatisfied with the physical changes to their bodies after pregnancy are candidates for a Mommy Makeover. Candidates should be at a stable weight, not smoke, be at least six months out from their childbirth, and have no immediate plans for additional pregnancies. Another pregnancy could negatively impact or eliminate the Mommy Makeover results.
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Can a Mommy Makeover improve my cesarean scar and stretch marks?
The only procedure during your Mommy Makeover that could help the appearance of your c-section scar or stretch marks is abdominoplasty. If your c-section scar or stretch marks are in the same location of skin that is removed by the tummy tuck, then yes, your Mommy Makeover can improve these concerns. Dr. Taylor will be able to assess this possibility for you at the time of your consultation.
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What are the benefits of performing these procedures together?
While the specific procedures included in a Mommy Makeover can be performed separately with significant results, there are several benefits to combining these techniques. By combining these procedures, patients can reduce their recovery periods, exposure to anesthesia, and financial costs.
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What are the potential complications associated with Mommy Makeover surgery?
The various aspects of Mommy Makeover surgery have been safely performed for years. Most women only experience temporary side effects such as bruising, swelling, soreness, tightness, and tenderness. While rare, more severe side effects may develop. These may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Seroma
- Hematoma
- Implant-related complications
You can reduce your risk of these complications by following all of Dr. Taylor’s pre- and post-surgical instructions.
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Will my Mommy Makeover results be permanent?
The results of your Mommy Makeover will last for several years as long as they are maintained. Significant weight fluctuations, additional pregnancies, and the aging process will affect the quality and appearance of your results. Dr. Taylor recommends following a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a stable weight to prolong your Mommy Makeover.
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How can I make my Mommy Makeover recovery easier?
The best way to make your recovery go smoothly is to plan ahead. You will need someone to drive you home following your procedure, but it’s also a good idea to have help for the first few days. You may need to enlist friends or family to help with childcare and pet care as well, as your movement will be limited for the first few days and weeks.
It’s important that you let your body rest as much as possible, for as long as possible after your Mommy Makeover. Don’t push yourself. Make sure to consider these factors as you plan your procedure.
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What happens if I get pregnant after my Mommy Makeover?
Although we recommend that patients wait to undergo a Mommy Makeover until after they have completed their families, we understand that plans change. While a future pregnancy will likely impact the quality of breast and body contouring results, your Mommy Makeover will have no effect on the health of your pregnancy.
