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Mommy Makeover Procedure

A mommy makeover is a combination of procedures designed to help mothers return to their pre-maternal figures. Most often, these procedures are performed following child bearing years and include surgery to enhance the breast and abdomen. Breast enhancement may include a breast augmentation, mastopexy (breast lift), or a combined augmentation mastopexy. An abdominoplasty is also performed to re-establish the feminine contour of the waist and abdomen.

Breast Changes

Many women find that childbearing may create irreversible changes to breast tissue. Whether or not women choose to breastfeed, breast tissue proliferates during pregnancy in preparation for lactation. This may create a significant increase in breast volume that may persist in the early postpartum period. Unfortunately, this tissue will often involute resulting in breasts that have lost their youthful lifted contour. Stretch marks may occur, and volume that existed in the superior pole of the breast may now be found in the lower pole.

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Abdominal Changes

Postpartum abdominal changes may be dramatic. Volume and hormonal changes during pregnancy combine to relax the skin, fascia, and muscle of the abdominal wall. The expanding uterus sometimes contributes to the separation of abdominal muscles (rectus diastasis). The relatively rapid expansion of abdominal skin may lead to unsightly stretch marks and wrinkles. Hips and flanks may loose their feminine contour due to hormonally regulated fat deposition occurring during pregnancy. While child-bearing is a beautiful and natural phenomenon, it’s effects may wreak havoc on the female figure. Fitness regimens are helpful and recommended; these efforts fail to tighten loose skin and fascia.

What Can Be Done?

In general, aerobic exercise and a balanced diet will help many to achieve their goal of maintaining an attractive figure. Despite a disciplined regimen, however, many find their desired figure to be unattainable. When this is the case, contouring of the breast and abdomen can be safely achieved on an outpatient basis. These procedures are tailored to each woman’s frame and personal goals.

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Recovery After Mommy Makeover

The length of recovery depends on the extent of the procedure and often differs with each individual. When an abdominoplasty and breast augmentation or breast lift are performed in combination most women require 10-14 days away from work or other responsibilities. Evolve Aesthetic Surgery will provide you with a personalized recovery estimate when we present your treatment plan.

During the initial three days post surgery, one may expect to not feel like doing much activity. Though Dr. Jason Hess recommends walking around your home before going to bed each night, other than this, rest is much needed for recovery. Sleeping in an elevated position post surgery allows easy mobility in and out of bed or a recliner. Evolve Aesthetic Surgery provides leg squeezers post surgery to minimize blood clots.

Abdominoplasty requires the insertion of drains beneath the abdominal skin that are removed as their output declines. Sometimes Dr. Jason hess uses two drains and sometimes one.  Drains are removed when the output is less than 20cc in a 24 hour period, which is typically 4-7 days post surgery. Patients are asked to wear an abdominal binder, similar to a girdle, post surgery to help minimize swelling for the first four weeks after surgery.

Typically about 6 weeks post surgery, one will return to normal activity, including working out. If there are any incisions that are still healing, we recommend not to go swimmming, sit in the jacuzzi or submurge your body in the ocean water.

A mommy makeover is a combination of procedures, including the breast procedure. This can be a breast augmentation, breast lift with no implant or a breast augmentation and a lift. Each patient is different, but we can address all breast concerns and Dr. Jason Hess will let you know his recommendations for your breasts. Recovery from the breast portion of the mommy makeover involves less discomfort than abdominoplasty. When performed alone, approximately 3-10 days recovery are required. For a breast augmentation and lift, typically about 10-14 days recovery time.

Patients are discharged from our QuadA certified surgery center with pain medications and antibiotics. We recommend our patients take arnica, an herbal over-the-counter supplement, pre and post surgery. Arnica has been proven to help with bruising and swelling. Most often, once discharged from out outpatient facility, we will see our patient the following day or two after surgery. Follow-up appointments are tailored to your needs. You will see the final results typically within about 6 months post surgery, after most of the swelling subsides. Typically there can be residual swelling up to 10-12 months post surgery.

Scars

Every surgical incision will have some scarring and each patient heals a little differently. There are many ways to minimize scarring. Plastic surgeons, like Dr. Jason Hess, have techniques to properly close incisions so there is less scarring. Also, once any sutures are removed, there are no scabs and the scar line is pink in color, we recommend using a scar treatment, with a silicone base to help reduce scars even further. Dr. Jason Hess typically recommends the tape version over the gel because it can be left in place for 8-12 hours at a time. We like the brands Mepitac and Scar Away, hyperlinked here.

Mommy Makeover Cost

Typically a mommy makeover cost will range between $18,500 – $28,500 depending on the type of tummy tuck, whether or not you elect to have a breast implant and whether or not you choose to have liposuction performed of the belly and the flanks. We offer financing in our facility as well.