By: Ivan Thomas
The desire to become a mom is such a strong emotional feeling. This most precious gift, this bundle of joy can create changes for a mothers body which can be undesirable.
The process of pregnancy leaves permanent effects which are mostly on the breasts and abdomen. These effects can also be seen in the hips, thighs, and arms. Generalized weight gain and water retention cause enlargement of the breasts and bulging of the abdomen. The overstretched skin becomes more noticeable after delivery. The breast and abdomen become deflated, and saggy.
This creates emotional stress for women. Dieting and exercise can only achieve so much as the overstretched skin and weakened abdominal muscle will almost never return to the condition prior to pregnancy. The good news is that most of these undesirable results of pregnancy and child bearing can be corrected by a combination of plastic surgery procedures collectively called a “Mommy Makeover”.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Before After
As the baby grows it stretches the abdominal skin and also thins out and weakens the abdominal muscles. In addition the “abs” spread apart in the middle, and no are no longer capable of holding the abdominal organs “the guts” deep inside the tummy where they belong. Therefore the inner organs push from the inside out creating the typical after pregnancy tummy bulge. While exercising and dieting can help a little, the overstretched skin and muscles will almost never return to their prior to pregnancy condition unless they are corrected surgically. Most women are under the impression that a few months of working out will tighten the skin. This is almost impossible, as there are no muscles in the skin. An overstretched skin needs to be removed. Abdominoplasty is the procedure which removes the excess skin and tightens the overstretched and weakened muscles restoring the pre-pregnancy figure. I do prefer the newer “high lateral tension” technique which creates a tighter, shapelier, and more feminine abdomen and waistline. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. Recovery is approximately two weeks. The incision is made low at the pubic hairline, so that it can be concealed nicely. All suturing is done under the skin so there is no need for suture removal.
Breast Lift/ Mastopexy
Before After
Pregnancy and breast feeding often take their toll on the breasts causing a loss of substance and severe sagging. Women with sagging breasts often feel a loss of feminine appeal. This overall deflation is mainly due to a loss of baby weight, breast tissue, and an inability of the overstretched skin to shrink. Mastopexy is the operation which removes the excessive loose skin and lifts the breasts and nipples to their original youthful position. The sagging breast tissues are elevated and pushed up to fill the flatness which is commonly seen at the top of the breasts, restoring the perky, youthful appearance. Recovery time is about one week. Stitching is done underneath the skin with absorbable sutures, so there are no stitches to be removed.
Before After
Having full, firm, and perky breasts is a desire of every woman. Unfortunately breast tissue loss, laxity of the skin, and shrinkage, of the breast size is almost inevitable after pregnancy and breast feeding. It is not uncommon to see a C-cup breast shrink to an A-cup after delivery and breast feeding. This loss of the symbol of femininity is very undesirable and unwelcome in women who have become moms. Breast augmentation whether with silicone or saline implants is the ideal procedure to restore the youthful breast size, shape, and feel. I prefer the implants be placed under the chest muscle as this creates a more natural shape and feel. The recovery after breast implant surgery is only one week.
Other procedures that can help turn back the clock to a pre-pregnancy face & body are: Liposcultpture, which can address arms, legs, thighs and backs. Exoderm a non surgical face lift wich can erase 10-15 years off your face, lift the skin, earse hyperpigmentation, sun dammage, fine lines and deep wrinkles.
To find out more about what proceudres are right for you please call Dr. Thomas’ office to set up your complimentary consultation.
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