A Brief Introduction to Mommy Makeover Procedures

It can be difficult to keep up with all of the changes that happen after childbirth. Even if you have time as a new mom to eat nutritious foods and build an exercise routine into your busy life, it can be difficult to lose stubborn fat. Other changes such as stretch marks, loose skin, and sagging breasts can make many moms feel less confident.

While all of these changes are part of the beautiful process of becoming a mother, mommy makeover surgeries can be a helpful way to restore your confidence if you feel like you need a boost after having your child. At Legacy Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, we are here to help you navigate your body’s changes and to find personalized solutions for you.  

What Is a Mommy Makeover?

“Mommy makeover” is a term used to describe a customizable combination of surgeries that are performed to help women regain their confidence after childbirth. These procedures can take place within a year of having a baby or many years after childbirth.

A mommy makeover can include any or all of the following procedures: 

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Liposuction
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift
• Breast Reduction

The procedures that are included in your mommy makeover surgery will be dependent on what you and your doctor decide is best in your situation. 

A Closer Look at Common Mommy Makeover Procedures

Breast Augmentation Surgery

Breast augmentation is any surgery that makes the breasts larger. Methods of breast augmentation include fat transfer, silicone implants, and saline implants. 

Those who want a more dramatic change in breast size may want to choose breast implants. There are many different types of breast implants to choose from. Saline implants tend to be more affordable and can provide a more rounded breast shape. Silicone implants can offer a more natural feel and shape. Gummy bear implants reduce the risk of rupture and can provide a more consistent silhouette. 

A fat transfer can provide a great option for patients who want to augment their breasts without using implants. During a fat transfer, we take fat from one area of the body and transfer it to your breast area. This can easily be achieved during a mommy makeover if your procedure includes liposuction.  

Breast Lift Surgery

While breast augmentation can make your breasts larger, it cannot change the location of your breasts or provide lift. If your breasts are sagging or your nipples are pointing downward, you may benefit from including a breast lift with your mommy makeover. Breast lifts remove excess skin and lift the breast so that it is in a more pleasing location on the chest. 

During a breast lift, the amount of sagging that your breasts have will determine the incision location. For mild sagging, we can limit the incision to around the areola of the breast. For moderate sagging, we may recommend a lollipop incision. This type of surgery involves an incision around the areola as well as a verticle incision on the lower half of the breast. 

For severe sagging, we can remove more tissue by making the above incisions and including an additional incision in the lower crease of the breast. This is sometimes called an anchor incision and can be very effective at lifting the breast in more extreme cases. 

Liposuction

Liposuction is the process of permanently removing unwanted fat from a targeted area of the body. It can be performed during other surgeries, such as a tummy tuck, or can be performed as a stand-alone procedure using small incisions. During a liposuction, your surgeon will use a cannula and suction technology to remove the fat. 

Liposuction during a mommy makeover is commonly used on the abdominal area during a tummy tuck, but it can also be used to remove excess fat from other areas. You will want to talk to your doctor for recommendations about liposuction during a mommy makeover.  

Tummy Tuck Surgery

Tummy tuck surgeries are used for patients who have excess fat and excess skin in the abdomen as well as a weak core after childbirth. You may be a good candidate for this surgery if you have ab separation that isn’t responding to exercises, fat that isn’t responding to diet and weight loss, and loose skin. 

During a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) surgery, an incision will be made around your belly button. Another incision will be made in the bikini line area. If you have had a cesarean section, the incision can be made near the same location to minimize additional scarring. 

If you plan to have liposuction performed during your mommy makeover, your excess fat will be removed from your abdomen after the incisions are made. Then your abdominal muscles will be tightened and placed into a better position. Once your core has been restored, the excess skin will be pulled down and the excess will be removed. A new incision will be made for your belly button and both incisions will be closed. 

A mini tummy tuck surgery is a procedure that is performed only on the lower abdomen and abdominal muscles. A lower incision will be made just above the pelvic bone, but no incision will be made around the belly button.  

Mommy Makeover Surgery in Exton, PA

At Legacy Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, we are proud to be able to serve many supermoms who sacrifice a lot for their families. We love being able to treat hardworking moms with our mommy makeovers because they can make many women feel like themselves again. If you are interested in having a mommy makeover surgery in Exton, PA, call us today or fill out an online form.