Pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing make tremendous demands on a woman’s body, leading to major changes. Each woman is different, but often even extreme exercise and diet won’t undo those changes. Nor is there any magic stretch-mark product that truly works. But you can reclaim your appearance. A mommy makeover is far more than a visit to the beauty parlor or health spa. They’re a combination of plastic surgery procedures — such as a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or breast lift, and body contouring. They’re increasingly popular in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, and around the United States.
The American Society of Plastic Surgery notes that for 2006 36% of minimally invasive and surgical cosmetic procedures were on patients between the ages of 30 and 39. Nearly a third (29%) were on individuals aged 20 to 29! So you’re likely to discover more friends who have had mommy makeovers than you might have thought, transforming their self-image with natural-looking results.
What are the Common Procedures?
First you’ll need to wait at least 3 to 6 months after giving birth, and at least 6 weeks after you’re no longer breastfeeding before undergoing any cosmetic surgery. And you will need to exercise and have a proper diet for good health and a reasonable weight. Along with the following mommy makeover procedures, many women also choose facial rejuvenation as part of their treatments.
Tummy Tuck
Frequently the abdomen doesn’t return to its before-pregnancy state. Besides stretch marks, changes include loose or sagging skin and often involve the lower abdominal muscles. There may be a persistent bulge, much as you looked at 3 months. Technically an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from lower and middle abdomen, tightens the underlying ab muscle. We recommend waiting until you’re no longer planning to have children as another pregnancy will just stretch these areas out again.
Breast Augmentation or Breast Reduction
Women may also experience significant changes in their breasts, and choose one of a variety of procedures.
- A breast lift raises and reshapes elongated, sagging, or deflated breasts. Reshaping existing tissue, they’re the choice of women happy with volume but with a desire to change the shape.
- Breast augmentation restores lost volume, often while retaining the same overall shape. Saline or silicone gel implants increase size, and the procedure may also elevate and/or alter shape.
- Breast reduction restores bust size after an increase due to nursing. If you’re feeling top heavy you’re not alone. Many women report that breast reduction surgery reduces or eliminates back, neck, and shoulder pain.
Body Contouring, Body Sculpting
After childbirth you may find yourself with excess skin and fat. You may also discover that you’ve returned to the same weight but that it’s been redistributed, or that much of your weight gain is stubbornly resistant to diet and exercise. With or without a tummy tuck liposuction by a skilled plastic surgeon provides body contouring for a flatter stomach, or for fat reduction almost anywhere on the body.
Choose Dr. Richard Ha in Dallas
With different goals and a number of choices, a mommy makeover calls for individualized attention by an experienced plastic surgeon. Together you’ll develop aesthetic goals for attractive results. Most importantly, all work must be done by a certified plastic surgeon at an accredited medical facility.
Skilled and experienced, Doctor Ha is a board-certified plastic surgeon (by the American Board of Plastic Surgery), with a well-developed sense of aesthetics. He completed his training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, recognized as a world-wide leader. Dr. Ha takes the time necessary for excellent patient education and communication, working together to achieve your goals with natural looking results.