The term “mommy makeover” is commonly used in plastic surgery. However, many patients aren’t entirely sure what a mommy makeover entails. Let’s clear up the confusion.
While a mommy makeover can vary depending on each patient’s individual needs, it usually refers to some type of breast surgery and a tummy tuck performed at the same time. Many patients also choose to add liposuction to enhance their results.
Below are details about the different procedures performed during a mommy makeover.
Breast augmentation is performed using a silicone or saline-filled implant. Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery uses VECTRA 3-D Imaging that allows patients to “try on” different sizes of implants before surgery so that they can get the look they want.
Some women need a breast lift to restore an attractive contour. Breasts can become saggy, flat, or stretched with age, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Fortunately, a breast lift, also known as mastopexy, can create a beautiful, pleasing shape.
Finally, many women have lost both breast volume and have a significant amount of breast sag. If this is a case, a breast lift with augmentation is the best way to restore breast shape.
A full abdominoplasty, also known as a traditional tummy tuck, is performed in a hospital or surgery center under general anesthesia. An incision is made on the lower abdomen from hip to hip. The incision is kept below the bikini line, allowing patients to hide the incision and scar under their swimsuits (even most bikini bottoms) or pants. The plastic surgeon tightens the underlying abdominal muscles, called plication, and removes excess fat and skin from the lower abdomen.
A mini-tummy tuck is a less-invasive surgery for patients who have some excess skin and fat in their lower abdomen, but their underlying stomach muscles are intact. This method targets the area below the belly button. The incision for this procedure is shorter than the incision used in a full tummy tuck. No repositioning of the belly button is required during a mini tummy tuck.
Many patients choose to add liposuction of the waist, hips, and/or thighs to enhance their tummy tuck. Liposuction of the abdomen IS NOT done at the same time as full tummy tuck surgery because it would be too much trauma to the body’s midsection and could impact healing. However, liposuction is routinely done to the hips and waist to create a more hourglass figure and to the thighs to eliminate “saddlebags” and contour the body.
Liposuction of the abdomen might be a good alternative to a tummy tuck if patients only have localized fat pockets around the tummy. It is important to remember that liposuction does not remove excess skin and is not an option for patients with significant skin laxity. Liposuction also will not repair separated abdominal muscles.
If you want to see if a mommy makeover is right for you, schedule a personal consultation with one of our award-winning, board-certified, plastic surgeons at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, Drs. Peter Butler, Jocelyn Leveque, or Nathan Patterson.
