What is a Mommy Makeover, and what happens to the female body post-pregnancy?
This is Dr. Edmund Kwan, and today I will be talking about Mommy makeover surgery. Mommy makeover involves surgery of both breasts and the tummy.
When patients go through pregnancy, their belly stretches out, and the breasts enlarge. Due to these natural occurrences, following pregnancy, many patients will develop saggy breasts and loosened belly.
Especially the muscles of the belly will be stretched out and not return to pre-pregnancy tone. No matter what the patient does, this will persist.
How is a Mommy makeover performed?
Mommy Makeover surgery starts with a breast lift surgery. Breast lift surgery is otherwise known as Mastopexy, is done by making some incisions around the breast, tightening the skin, and lifting the breast.
This will involve some scars that are usually hidden. However, some patients that don't have that extensive saggy breasts may be candidates for breast implants.
The tummy is done through an incision on the lower belly, called a tummy tuck. An incision is made in the lower part of the stomach to remove excess skin and tighten up the loose muscle due to pregnancy or aging.
Who are an ideal candidate and the recovery period for a Mommy makeover?
Ideal candidates are those patients that have problems following pregnancy, weight loss, or with aging.
The recovery for this type of surgery is about three to four weeks. There is not much pain associated in the breast area with this type of surgery.
However, tummy tuck surgery does have some pain associated with it, and the pain will be for two to three days. Patients can usually return to work within three weeks.