After pregnancy and childbirth, a woman’s body is left in a very different state than she is used to. These unwanted changes can include sagging breasts, a larger tummy, stretch marks and more. These changes can improve naturally over time, however, typically the body never really bounces all the way back to normal. Luckily, there is an inclusive cosmetic procedure known as mommy makeover surgery that can help. Along with a healthy diet and the right exercise, a mommy makeover can help a woman recognize her body again and regain her confidence. Every plastic surgeon offers different procedures as a part of a mommy makeover package, however, a few procedures are typical, including a tummy tuck and breast lift. Read on to learn more about other mommy makeover surgery options.
What is Mommy Makeover Surgery?
Mommy makeover surgery is a type of “all-inclusive” cosmetic package that features a few different plastic surgery procedures. The goal of mommy makeover surgery is to help a woman post-childbirth restore her body and regain her confidence. Mommy makeover surgery can include face, breast and body procedures, such as the following.
- Breast lift
- Breast reduction
- Tummy tuck
- Liposuction
- Dermal fillers*
Some combination of the abovementioned procedures are typically offered, however, each mommy is different. She can choose any combination of surgical and nonsurgical options to get her body back to feeling the way she likes.
How much does mommy makeover surgery cost?
Because mommy makeover surgery can include a variety of procedures, the cost is difficult to pinpoint. The cost will vary based on the procedures performed, as well as:
- Anesthesia fees
- Operating room costs
- Surgeon’s fee
The surgeon’s fee typically varies based on the experience and expertise of the doctor, the geographic location of the doctor and the methods chosen for each procedure.
To obtain a more specific answer regarding the cost of mommy makeover surgery, reach out to your plastic surgeon for the final fee.
Breast procedures: Lift vs. Reduction
New mothers all experience different effects after giving birth. Some mothers experience a change in the size and shape of the areola as well as sagging breasts. Others experience an increase in breast size that is bothersome. No matter the changes she faces, there is a cosmetic procedure to address her concerns.
What is a breast lift?
A breast lift is a cosmetic procedure that addresses drooping, sagging or uneven breasts. This procedure can also address lost breast volume, drooping nipples and stretched areolas. A breast lift, medically referred to as a mastopexy, is performed to reverse these changes and return a youthful shape and lift to breasts. This is accomplished by trimming excess skin and tightening supporting tissues to achieve an uplifted, youthful contour. After a mastopexy is completed by a New Jersey cosmetic surgeon, the breasts are higher on the chest and firmer to the touch. Breast lifts after pregnancy can also reduce the areolar size and reposition downward-pointing nipples.
What is a breast reduction?
Most women find that their breasts swell to a fuller size and shape while they are pregnant. For many other women, the breasts remain larger than desired after childbirth. Breast reduction surgery performed by a New Jersey Plastic surgeon may be the solution in these cases. Breast reduction can relieve the common symptoms of large breasts, such as pain, improper posture, rashes, breathing problems, and skeletal deformities. Fat and glandular tissue is removed during this procedure and the skin is tightened. This yields smaller, lighter breasts that are in a healthier proportion to the rest of the body.
It’s important to note that breast reduction is not typically recommended for mothers who intend on breastfeeding. This is because the procedure affects the milk ducts.
Body procedures: Tummy tuck vs. Liposuction
Two options for changing the shape of the body after pregnancy are a tummy tuck and liposuction. These two procedures are very different and therefore, produce very different results. In some cases, a tummy tuck and liposuction are performed at the same time to achieve the patient’s body goals.
What is a tummy tuck?
Pregnancy most affects the abdominal area. By stretching and weakening the skin and muscles of the tummy and waist, pregnancy can leave you with loose skin, stretch marks and a straighter waistline. Tummy tucks, also known as abdominoplasty, help to flatten and shape the abdomen and waist by removing excess skin and tightening muscles. The result is a firmer tummy and a more defined waistline.
It is important to note that results from a tummy tuck procedure may diminish if women continue to bear children. We advise patients who plan to become pregnant again to delay abdominoplasty.
What is liposuction?
New mothers may find that they have pockets of fat in the lower abdomen that don’t respond to diet or exercise. They may also find that they have lost definition in their waistline. Women who had C-sections may also suffer from areas of fat hanging over their surgical scar. All of these issues can be addressed with liposuction.
Liposuction sculpts the body after pregnancy by removing undesirable, resistant fat from the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks and/or thighs through plastic surgery. There are several different methods surgeons use when performing liposuction including:
- Ultrasound-assisted lipectomy (UAL)
- Suction-assisted lipectomy (SAL)
In both types, fluid is injected into the area to be treated. Then a tiny incision is made in as inconspicuous a place as possible, and a cannula (small tube) breaks up the fat layer and suctions it out.
Get a mommy makeover from a Top NJ plastic surgeon
If you have just given birth and are considering mommy makeover surgery, choosing the right plastic surgeon is crucial. The best surgeon for this procedure will have the right experience and expertise and will help you better understand your options. You should feel as though the plastic surgeon answered all of your questions and you are confident in the cosmetic choices you make. Dr. Anthony Berlet helps new moms restore their bodies and their confidence. For over 20 years, he has helped women in the northern New Jersey and New York City areas with these procedures. To learn more, contact us today!