Mommy Makeover

Is a Mommy Makeover Right for You?

Women that choose to undergo a mommy makeover do so for a variety of reasons. Some are unhappy with the changes to their appearance after pregnancy. Others find the extra skin and fat deposits left behind after weight loss and the ptosis (sagging) of the breasts leave them feeling physically uncomfortable and self-conscious about their appearance.

A mommy makeover is an opportunity to rejuvenate your body, reverse unwanted changes, help your clothing fit better, and renew your self-confidence when you look in the mirror.

There are different factors Dr. Barrett will carefully weigh when determining whether a mommy makeover will be a safe and successful procedure. Some of those factors include:

• Good general health without underlying medical conditions the could complicate your surgery or recovery process
• Non-smoker (this is particularly critical for this procedure as nicotine can significantly compromise the ability of the incisions to heal properly)
• Understanding that there will need to be sufficient time for recovery to prevent possible complications after surgery
• Openness to discussing all post-pregnancy concerns so that desired corrections can be made according to your specifications
• Healthy reasons for wanting the operation performed and realistic expectations about the outcome

Your safety and comfort are Dr. Barrett’s top priorities. He will carefully assess your medical history and listen to your concerns and aesthetic goals before determining a mommy makeover is the right procedure for you.

Mommy Makeover Options

There are many different choices when planning your mommy makeover. Some of the most common procedures that might be included are:

BREAST AUGMENTATION

This form of breast enhancement uses implants or fat grafting to create additional fullness to breasts that have lost their shape over time. It provides a bevy of options, allowing Dr. Barrett to work with each patient to match unique body proportions and desired results. Some of the choices you’ll make in preparation for a breast augmentation include:

• Implant type: a choice between silicone shells filled with a sterile saline solution or a cohesive silicone gel
• Fat grafting: requires fat to be harvested from other parts of the body using liposuction and then injected into the breast via a syringe
• Implant shape: a choice between round and teardrop-shaped (anatomical) implants are available
• Implant shell: a choice between a smooth or textured outer implant shell
• Implant size and profile: how large your implants will be and how your breasts will project from the chest wall
• Implant placement: a choice between over or under the pectoral (chest) muscle
• Incision location: best option is usually periareolar (around the areola) but other options are available

While the decision-making process before a breast augmentation tends to be extensive and somewhat daunting, Dr. Barrett will accompany you through each step to ensure the choices you make are a good fit for you and you’re comfortable with them.

Dr. Barrett usually performs breast augmentation under general anesthesia, using a long-acting medication that will keep you comfortable during and after your surgery. He will use a Keller funnel to place your implants into the breast pocket, which requires shorter incisions and reduces the rate of some complications associated with this procedure. Once the implants are correctly positioned, he will close the incisions using a layered technique that assists with incision healing.

Most women are ready to head back to work within one week of breast augmentation surgery, although individuals with more strenuous jobs may need to wait a bit longer. You’ll have multiple follow-up visits at our office so Dr. Barrett can monitor your recovery process and advise you on when it is safe to resume specific activities. Results of breast surgery are evident right away and will be long-lasting in most cases. Both the FDA and implant manufacturers recommend replacing implants every 10 years and monitoring is also recommended after breast augmentation.

BREAST LIFT

Some women find that the size of the breasts isn’t the only thing that changes after pregnancy. Sagging, drooping breasts can be addressed with a lift procedure that restores the breasts to a more youthful-looking projection on the chest wall. The nipples may also be reduced or repositioned to create a natural, proportionate appearance. Dr. Barrett may recommend the lift alone as part of your mommy makeover, or in conjunction with breast augmentation or reduction to produce an optimal outcome.

A breast lift begins with an incision around the areola, where scarring will be hidden within the pigmented area of the nipple. Depending on how much lift you need, a second incision may also be made vertically in the center of the lower half of the breast. Through the incisions, Dr. Barrett will remove and reposition tissue and excise loose skin to create a firmer, perkier breast shape. After surgery, incisions will be treated with silicone scar gel to assist with healing and minimize postoperative scarring. Dr. Barrett is known for his vertical (lollipop) breasts lifts that avoid the horizontal component and scarring of the anchor pattern lift.

BREAST REDUCTION

While some women lament the loss of their full breasts after pregnancy, others find the enlargement that took place to prepare them for breastfeeding make their large breasts even more disproportionate to the rest of the body. These women may also find that heavy, pendulous breasts cause physical discomfort in the form of neck and back strain and skin irritation as the breasts rub against the skin of the chest. For these women, breast reduction may be the right option to sculpt a breast size and shape that’s more proportionate with their overall body profile and eliminates those uncomfortable physical symptoms.

Breast reduction may also be performed alone or in conjunction with a breast lift. The incision location is similar, and Dr. Barrett can use the incisions to remove excess tissue while restoring the perkier position of the breasts. After your surgery, Dr. Barrett will put you on his silicone scar gel program to minimize your post-operative scarring. Recovery time is similar for both procedures so that you can enjoy full results without extra time off work.

TUMMY TUCK

The breasts are not the only place on your body that goes through significant changes during and after pregnancy. The abdomen must accommodate the growing baby and its ability to bounce back after all that hard work is often somewhat limited. Women that can’t regain their flat stomach after having children may turn to a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, to recreate their pre-baby body. During a tummy tuck, Dr. Barrett tightens the underlying abdominal muscles, removes stubborn fat deposits and eliminates excess loose skin to create a smoother, flatter midsection.

Dr. Barrett performs abdominoplasty under general anesthesia, and patients may or may not spend the night in a certified after care facility after their surgery. He will make a horizontal incision across the lower abdomen that extends from hip bone to hip bone. Dr. Barrett has developed a special technique to keep your incision low and easily concealed underneath a bathing suit or underwear. This incision allows Dr. Barrett to make all the necessary corrections to the area before suturing the incision closed using a layered approach that optimizes healing and minimizes visible scarring as much as possible.

Dr. Barrett spends the most time during the abdominoplasty recreating a natural looking belly button; too many doctors rush this step, resulting in unnaturally round or scarred belly buttons. Dr. Barrett is also one of the few doctors that uses Exparel, a revolutionary long acting pain medication, that he injects into the abdominal plication and incision. This provides sustained pain relief for the first three days. Dr. Barrett will also provide you with instructions and scar reduction aids to assist in the healing process.

You’ll likely start to see results from your tummy tuck almost right away, although postoperative swelling may conceal the most dramatic results for a few weeks. Recovery generally takes two weeks, although heavy lifting will be restricted for up to six weeks to allow the abdominal area ample time to heal. The incision will take more time to fully heal, with final results apparent within a year, and Dr. Barrett recommends all of his patients continue scar management for at least 3 months. Ultimately, your tummy tuck results will last you decades  as long as you maintain a healthy weight after your procedure.

LIPOSUCTION

For women that do not need a full tummy tuck but would still like to eliminate areas of stubborn fat, liposuction may be a less invasive solution. Typically in a mommy makeover, liposuction is often combined with a tummy tuck to create additional sculpting and smooth out other problems spots around the midsection, hips and thighs. Liposuction is a highly customizable procedure that can be used nearly anywhere on the body to get rid of fat deposits that don’t respond to exercise and diet.

Dr. Barrett uses the tumescent technique and S.A.F.E. liposuction technique for his liposuction patients, which involves the infusion of tumescent fluid into the treatment area first to minimize bleeding during the procedure. This is followed by pre-cannulation with power assisted liposuction to loosen fat cells to make them easier to remove and reduces post-operative pain for patients. This technique reduces the risk of contour irregularity or excess scar formation. Dr. Barrett uses a small and precise cannula to remove the fat, which requires tiny incisions for insertion that require few if any sutures, and leave almost no scarring behind. Liposuction recovery is relatively short compared to other types of plastic surgery, with most patients returning to their usual activities within a few days with some compression. Like a tummy tuck, results achieved with liposuction are permanent as long as you adhere to a healthy, active lifestyle.

Because a mommy makeover typically involves more than one procedure, the preparation and measurements for the surgery can be extensive. Rest assured that Dr. Barrett will take all the time necessary to explain the various procedures and walk you through the decision-making process to create a surgical plan that provides you with the best possible results. This preparation begins at your very first appointment with Dr. Barrett, where he will listen carefully to your concerns and aesthetic goals so that he can recommend the best path for you.

In addition to determining the best procedures to include in your mommy makeover, you and Dr. Barrett will discuss how each one should be performed to provide you with maximum results. While the process may seem overwhelming and daunting, this is where Dr. Barrett stands out from other surgeons by giving you all the attention you need to feel comfortable and confident in your surgical plan. He maintains a schedule that allows him to provide plenty of time to each patient and procedure to ensure an optimal outcome and amazing results for every one of his patients.

Once your plan is in place, you will receive a set of pre-operative instructions that will ensure your procedure is a safe one. These instructions might include:

• Stop smoking for at least six weeks before your surgery, if you are a smoker. You will also need to refrain from smoking for at least six weeks after your procedure. Dr. Barrett encourages you to use this time to kick the habit entirely for both your health and your appearance.
• Do not take medications that could increase your risk of bleeding during and after surgery. These substances might include (but are not limited to) aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, vitamin E and some types of supplements.
• Fill all prescriptions provided by Dr. Barrett. These usually include an anti-constipation medication to be taken for the first few days after surgery and antibiotics to prevent your chance of postoperative infection.
• Ask a family member or friend to bring you home after your procedure and remain with you for the first day or two to provide you the assistance you will need during the earliest part of your recovery process.
• Schedule help with pets and children for the first week or so after your surgery so you can focus on resting and recuperating during that time.
• Stock up on food and quiet activities to keep you occupied during the early days of recovery so you can give your body plenty of time to rest and heal.

The better prepared you are for your surgery, the more comfortable your recovery process will be. Dr. Barrett and his staff are always available to answer questions in the time leading up to your operation to ensure you’re entirely ready when your procedure day arrives.

Procedure Overview

Your specific procedure will depend on what is included in your mommy makeover. In most cases, Dr. Barrett will perform your surgery under general anesthesia, which could take up to four hours or more. Incisions will be carefully placed where scarring will be inconspicuous and hidden under clothing. Special suturing techniques are also used to minimize tension on the incision during the healing process allowing for the best possible results. Additionally, Dr. Barrett does not apply an abdominal binder for compression until two weeks after your surgery to minimize incision breakdown.

After Your Mommy Makeover

In most cases, you’ll go home within hours after your mommy makeover. However, some patients are required to stay in an aftercare facility for observation and care, depending on the preference of the patient and the recommendation of Dr. Barrett. You’ll be given postoperative instructions to help you care for your incisions and increase your comfort level throughout the recovery process. He’ll also see you in his office weekly for the first six weeks, and then regularly after that to ensure your recovery process is progressing smoothly.

In nearly all cases, patients that undergo a mommy makeover can return to the majority of their activities within two weeks. However, you’ll be restricted from strenuous exercise for four to six weeks to avoid complications caused by performing activities before your body is ready. Dr. Barrett will be able to advise you throughout the recovery process as to when activities will be safe to resume.

Dramatic, Enduring Results

Because a mommy makeover is an extensive procedure, it offers some of the most dramatic results of any plastic surgery today. You’ll see a noticeable improvement in numerous areas of your body with just one time under anesthesia and one recovery process. Breasts, abdomen and other areas targeted by your mommy makeover will be enhanced, and you’ll be able to enjoy the restoration of your pre-baby or post-weightloss body for many years to come.

Restore Your Body, Increase Your Self-Confidence

If you’re unhappy with your appearance since giving birth, the toll pregnancy and nursing take on your body could be to blame. You can reverse these changes and restore your pre-baby body with a set of surgical procedures designed just for you. When considering surgery this extensive, you don’t want to compromise on the level of experience or expertise in your plastic surgeon. Dr. Barrett is highly trained, experienced and board-certified, qualifying him to handle your mommy makeover safely and successfully. Furthermore, Dr. Barrett will take the time to ensure your procedure is customized to your unique needs and desired outcome.

You have dedicated your life to your family, now is the time to do something just for you. Contact Barrett Plastic Surgery at 310-598-2648 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Barrett and find out how a mommy makeover can help you get your body back!

The information about mommy makeover was reviewed by Dr. Daniel Barrett. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.