WHY HAVE A MOMMY MAKEOVER?
As we said, a woman’s body changes in many ways after giving birth to a child or multiple children. Some of these changes are caused by:
• Hormonal changes
• Growth of the baby inside the mother
• Breastfeeding
These changes include:
Abdominal Changes. There’s no doubt that the most dramatic changes occur in the abdominal area. As the baby grows inside the uterus, the uterus expands and pushes against the abdominal wall muscles. The force on these muscles causes the muscles and skin to stretch. In some cases, it can cause the abdominal muscles to separate (a condition known as diastasis recti), which can cause the upper abdomen to be appear stretched out. Diastasis recti can also negatively affect your core strength and cannot be reversed with situps!
In many cases, no amount of healthy eating or working out can return the body to its pre-pregnancy appearance.
Breast Changes. Just like with the abdomen, the breasts often become enlarged during pregnancy. While the breast tissue volume typically goes down after pregnancy and breastfeeding, skin that was stretched during pregnancy does not always return to its pre-pregnancy state. Some women are left with breasts that may sag, become uneven or even appear shrunken despite being the same size as before pregnancy.
Weight Gain. Most women gain weight as part of their pregnancy in areas like the thighs, hips, midsection or “love handle” area. Fat gained in this area can be challenging to get off, even with healthy eating and exercise.
These changes can bring about other changes, particularly to how women feel about themselves. A survey conducted by Babycenter polled 7,000 mothers and found that 86 percent of respondents felt that their abdominal area hadn’t returned to its pre-pregnancy state even years after pregnancy. Sixty-four percent of those surveyed also felt that their body image worsened after having children.
WHAT PROCEDURES ARE IN A MOMMY MAKEOVER?
As we mentioned previously, the Mommy Makeover procedure can help restore the body’s shape after pregnancy. The treatment is designed to reshape and lift the breasts, tighten the abdominal area, and remove unwanted fat.
Breasts. During the Mommy Makeover procedure, excess skin that develops during pregnancy is removed, and the breasts are lifted. This helps to restore the breasts to their pre-pregnancy look and feel. Some women also choose to have breast augmentation at this time. Others opt for a breast reduction if their breasts grew very large during pregnancy.
Abdominal Area. The muscles of the abdomen are tightened during the Mommy Makeover, and excess skin that developed during pregnancy is also removed. The result is a flatter-looking stomach and a smoother tummy area.
Liposuction. Liposuction helps remove unwanted, stubborn fat from the midsection, hips and thighs you may have gained during pregnancy.
Are you looking for additional procedures? Let Dr. Peterson know! You can customize your Mommy Makeover experience with us. Schedule your consultation today by calling (785) 553-9012.
MORE ABOUT THE MOMMY MAKEOVER
At your Mommy Makeover consultation with Dr. Peterson, he will listen to your concerns about your body and discuss your options for the makeover procedure. From there, he will create a personalized makeover plan to help you achieve your body goals.
During your consultation, ask questions about the procedures in the Mommy Makeover package, your recovery or any other concerns.
We recognize that it can be hard to visualize how you will look after your procedure before it takes place. This can make it challenging to decide what procedures you want and how you want your body to look.
Dr. Peterson is here to help you on your journey to attain the body you want. During your consultation, he will talk to you about your health history, including medications and smoking behaviors. Once your consultation is complete, and you’ve decided to go ahead with the procedure, we will schedule your surgery.
THE MOMMY MAKEOVER AND AFTER
The Mommy Makeover is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure can take between three and five hours, depending on which procedures you selected. In some cases, the procedure may take multiple sessions.
After the procedure, most patients feel some pain, swelling and discomfort. The length of recovery time depends on the complexity of your surgery. We recommend resting as much as possible for the first week. You will be restricted to a very light activity level for several weeks to a few months after your surgery. You will have to wear a compression garment for several weeks after your procedure, too. This garment helps to reduce swelling and support your abdomen and breasts.
Dr. Peterson provides FDA-approved silicone cream treatments for your surgical incision lines as part of our commitment to minimizing the appearance of any scars.
As you’re healing, we will want to see you for a post-procedure checkup. These visits ensure that your incisions are healing well, there are no complications and that your recovery is proceeding as it is supposed to. During this time, you will likely still be experiencing some swelling, but the good news is that you will be able to see some changes from the procedure and the beginning of your new shape.
It can take a full year to see your final results as things heal and scars fade in some cases.
LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST AFTER A MOMMY MAKEOVER
You want to feel your best. We want you to feel your best, too. We are here for you through your Mommy Makeover process and use the most advanced tools and techniques with every procedure to ensure that you get the results you want. We want to give you back the confidence you need!
If you’re unhappy with the way your body has changed after having children, you have options! Talk to us today about a Mommy Makeover and how it may help you. Call us today at 785-626-8731 to schedule a consultation.
