Mommy Makeover
Overview | Patient Specific Questions | Photo Gallery
- What is a Mommy Makeover?
- Am I a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
- What can I expect at my initial Mommy Makeover consultation?
- What are the risks and complications of Mommy Makeover procedures?
- How is a Mommy Makeover procedure performed?
- What can I expect after Mommy Makeover surgery?
- Where are the incisions like following Mommy Makeover procedure?
- Will I have Scars following a Mommy Makeover procedure?
- When will I be able to return home after a Mommy Makeover procedure?
A Mommy Makeover is a procedure for women who have completed their childbearing and breast feeding years. The goal of the procedure is to return the breast and tummy to their pre-pregnancy appearance. The breasts may become deflated and saggy after enlargement of breasts during third term of pregnancy and subsequent deflation following breast feeding. These changes can be erased following a breast lift and/or breast augmentation procedure. The tummy may be returned to your youthful shape using either a full or mini tummy tuck.
Am I a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
The best candidates for Mommy Makeover procedures are women who have completed bearing their kids. Following the birth of the last child, moms may elect to undergo a combination of breast and tummy rejuvenating procedures. This is because it is the goal of Mommy Makeover is to erase all of the undesirable changes that occur during the last trimester of pregnancy and following breast feeding. These changes include stretching of the tummy to accommodate a growing fetus as well as deflation and sagging of the breasts following breast feeding.
What can I expect at my initial Mommy Makeover consultation?
At your initial consultation, you and Dr. Mowlavi will discuss your concerns and goals regarding reversing undesirable pregnancy changes. He will describe what the Mommy Makeover procedures entail. Dr. Mowlavi will then perform a physical examination, after which you will decide together which specific procedures are best suited for your situation. You will have the opportunity to review before and after photographs of Dr. Mowlavi’s patients. Once this is completed, a complimentary quote will be given and explained in detail.
What are the risks and complications of Mommy Makeover procedures?
As with all surgical procedures, there are risks of complications and adverse events. The Mommy Makeover procedure is an combination breast and tummy procedure that can take from four to eight hours to complete. In order to determine if you are a suitable candidate for these combined procedures, Dr. Mowlavi and our Board Certified Anesthesiologist conduct a detailed review of your medical history, lab values, and if indicated, EKG results. If you are found to have any risk factors, Dr. Mowlavi may split the procedures and stage them appropriately. Both Dr. Mowlavi and the Anesthesiologist participate in this process to determine if you are physically stable to proceed with Mommy Makeover procedures. Common risks include infection, bleeding, incision scarring, and contour abnormalities. Breast surgery involving implant augmentation are at a risk for capsular contracture and deflation of implants. For comprehensive list of risks, please refer to tummy tuck and breast lift/augmentation/breast lift with implant sections.
How is a Mommy Makeover procedure performed?
The Mommy Makeover procedure involves a combination of tummy and breast surgery. When breast implants are to be used, the breast surgery is performed first. The breast surgery may include one of the following: breast lift, breast augmentation, or a combination of both – breast lift with implant augmentation. After completion of the breast surgery, Dr. Mowlavi will perform tummy tuck surgery and liposuction of the flanks/abdomen/legs as necessary. Dr. Mowlavi specializes in performing full as well as mini tummy tuck procedures based on the degree of abdominal wall laxity and skin redundancy present. Liposuction is used to achieve a smooth contour of the waist, thighs, and hips.
What can I expect after Mommy Makeover surgery?
Full recover from a Mommy Makeover procedure requires four to six weeks. Expect to be up and walking the day after surgery, though not at your usual pace and with a semi-flexed posture. By the end of the first week, you will be walking upright and taking care of daily chores except for driving. It will take approximately two weeks before you are off of your pain medications and feel comfortable enough to drive a car. You may return to work after two to three weeks depending on the physical demands of your work. You should expect to resume your usual exercise routine at about four weeks.
Where are the incisions like following Mommy Makeover procedure?
Depending on the amount of sagging of the breast, one of the following types of breast lifts is performed: vertical or anchor-shaped. The vertical breast lift is suitable for patients with minimal sagging of the breasts and those who require synchronous implant augmentation and involves an incision around the areola and down the breast. The anchor-shaped method is similar to the vertical technique, but it also includes a longer incision along the inframammary fold, or the natural crease under the breast. The anchor shaped incision is recommended for patients presenting with moderate to severe sagging and dropping of the breasts.
The abdominal incision is made along the lower aspect of your abdomen called the infra-abdominal crease and placed to fall below your undergarment wear. The length of this incision is determined by the amount of redundant skin present over your lower abdomen. Just think of it like hemming a skirt, etc, the more you need to have trimmed, the longer the incision. In addition, to this incision, you may have an incision around your belly button if you are determined to need a full tummy tuck. Fortunately, Dr. Mowlavi specializes in making “innie” belly button incision lines which will allow you to wear a two piece bathing suit without being embarrassed by an operated looking belly button.
Will I have Scars following a Mommy Makeover procedure?
lthough surgical incisions do look reddish and are evident at first, they progressively fade to pink and then blend to your natural color. Dependent on the natural pigmentation of your skin, they may fade to be nearly invisible. Generally, surgical scars should heal as fine lines. Dr. Mowlavi and his staff go to great lengths to ensure well healed incision lines utilizing an anti-scar topical silicone gell used for one month following surgery. In addition, Dr. Mowlavi may advocate several sessions of Intense Pulse Light therapy if he feels that your incisions demonstrate prolonged redness.
When will I be able to return home after a Mommy Makeover procedure?
Mommy Makeover is an “Out Patient” surgery. You will be released to go home or to a facility of your choice after your surgery. We do offer “Recovery Retreat” options, for the patients who feel more comfortable having 24 hour post-operative care by a registered nurse.
