Becoming a mother is a wonderful and fulfilling experience. However, many women are unhappy with the changes in their bodies during and after pregnancy. After several children, or even just one child, the body can alter dramatically. Women may notice that their breasts are not as full as they used to be and that their tummy has developed loose skin and muscles. This can prevent them from feeling confident about their body—especially during swimsuit season! Thanks to plastic surgeons, such as Dr. Edmund Kwan, MD, women can now undergo a “mommy makeover.” New York residents can visit his practice for a consultation appointment and learn about the surgeries used to complete this transformation to help women feel confident and beautiful in their own skin.
Mommy makeovers consist of a combination of surgeries to improve the contours and appearance of the body. Here are a few of the most common treatments for a mommy makeover:
Liposuction
Liposuction is a common plastic surgery that can be performed on nearly any part of the body. Areas of fat are removed with a cannula that is inserted into the body and suctions out the unwanted fat. It is used on common trouble areas such as the thighs, abdomen, and even the neck and face.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Pregnancy can stretch the skin around the abdominal area, resulting in sagging, loose skin. This cannot be corrected with liposuction, as the problem is extra skin from stretching, not extra fat. For a tummy tuck, Dr. Kwan removes the extra skin for a firmer appearance.
Breast Augmentation
With pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts can change dramatically. They can become less full, or decrease in size. During a mommy makeover, New York mothers can have a breast augmentation. The size and fullness of the breast can be addressed with implants to give a more youthful appearance.
Diastasis Recti (Mummy Tummy)
Sometimes patients experience what is known as “mummy tummy,” a condition that can occur when the uterus causes the abdominal muscles to separate. This condition is medically known as diastasis recti. In severe cases, no amount of exercise to strengthen the abdominal muscles can improve this condition. A plastic surgeon must complete a surgical treatment to bring the muscles back together to reduce the bulge of the tummy. This is different from a tummy tuck, and is typically covered by insurance, as it is not strictly cosmetic.
