Mommy Makeover

These are the feelings echoed by many moms. Some of the changes that women struggle with after giving birth are:

• Stretched skin and loose muscles in the abdominal section
• “Sagginess” or losing volume in the breast
• Fat pockets that formed in many areas of the body
• Stretch marks that developed during pregnancy

Pregnancy has an impact on a woman’s body that is unlike any other physical strain experienced by the body. There are local and general effects. The local effect is most pronounced in the abdomen, since the growing fetus expands from the inside, stretching the abdominal wall and skin. This is visibly seen as the skin stretches, causing stretch marks to develop and the belly button to spread and widen. What is not initially seen is the abdominal wall that is stretched. As the muscles are pulled away from the center of the abdomen, weakness develops and some women can see or feel the bulging or weakness of the abdomen when they strain.

After nursing, eating healthy, and working out, moms are often frustrated that the abdominal wall still has a bulge and the skin is thinned and has stretch marks. Unfortunately, the anatomic changes to the skin and tissues of the abdomen cannot simply be reversed through healthy activity and diet. The treatment option is therefore an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

The other major area of change is the breast. With lactation and the enlargement of the breast, as well as the effects of nursing, the breast may lose volume, firmness and even position. Breast rejuvenation options can vary from one mother to another, depending on the degree of change. For example, a woman who wears an A cup may return to an A cup after childbearing and can do very well with breast implants to fill out the volume of the breast. On the other hand, a mom who was wearing a C or D cup may find that the breast has dropped and is no longer youthful in appearance. She may need a breast lift to reposition the breast.

Finally, fat deposits naturally occur as a woman’s body prepares for the nutrition needs of her child. With proper diet and exercise, a mother may re-establish much of her pre-pregnancy figure, but some areas may be resistant. Liposuction may be the answer to help contour some of those areas, such as the hips, flanks and thighs.

Depending on your specific concerns, Dr. Parva can recommend a custom combination of procedures. Each of these procedures is individualized to address your unique needs to a more youthful and rejuvenated figure. Some of the most common procedures included in a mommy makeover are:

• Breast Augmentation – Dr. Parva can utilize breast implants to address the loss of volume in the breasts that can occur after pregnancy and breastfeeding, restoring a fuller, more youthful appearance.
• Breast Lift – When breast skin experiences significant stretching, it ultimately leads to a sagging or drooping appearance. A breast lift can elevate the breast, tighten inelastic skin, and reestablish a more youthful breast placement. If a loss of volume has also occurred, this procedure can be combined with breast augmentation.
• Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) – This is generally the most common procedure included in the mommy makeover. After having children, many women notice loose skin and weakened abdominal muscles cannot be resolved with diet and exercise. In these cases, a tummy tuck is recommended to eliminate excess skin and surgically tighten the abdominal wall for a tighter and more contoured stomach.
• Liposuction – Many areas of fat accumulation that develop during pregnancy can be reduced with a healthy lifestyle, but there may be some areas (such as the flanks, thighs, and hips) that can be resistant to your efforts. Using liposuction, Dr. Parva can address these stubborn pockets of fat and improve the body’s overall contour.
• diVa™ Vaginal Rejuvenation – Childbirth can cause changes in the delicate vaginal tissue, leading to discomfort, dryness, urinary incontinence and other concerns. With diVa™ Laser Vaginal Therapy, Parva Plastic Surgery can revitalize the area without the need for surgery.

Results can be seen immediately, but swelling generally takes about 3 months to fully resolve. Continued healthy diet and physical activity can help maintain the results long-term. As long as further pregnancies or significant weight gain is avoided, your body should not return to the aged, stretched appearance prior to surgery.

The overall cost of a mommy makeover will depend on the specific procedures included in your surgical plan and their complexity.  Additionally, the price can be affected by factors such as hospital fees, surgical testing, postoperative garments, the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and whether or not multiple stages are needed to complete your mommy makeover. To get a more accurate price estimate, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Parva. In your consultation, he can answer any questions you may have, and the team will provide you with a quote that is personalized to your own needs and goals, as outlined with Dr. Parva.