Mommy Makeover Procedure
“Having a child changes your life forever”
Every first time expectant mother is made acutely aware of this fact on an almost daily basis. What perhaps is made less apparent is that having a child will change your body forever! I remain in awe at the miracle that is pregnancy and childbirth, but have also come to see a number of women in my practice whose bodies have changed substantially as a result of this phenomenon. The main areas of concern are the breasts, tummy, and to a lesser extent, the labia minora.
BREASTS
A non pregnant breast is composed of skin on the outside, and a mixture of fatty tissue and fibrous tissue (breast tissue) on the inside. Under the hormonal control of pregnancy, the breast tissue component increases (and hence the increase in breast size), in preparation for breast feeding. During breast feeding, the lobules increase in size, and start producing milk, and the breast may occasionally become engorged with milk, if not drained by the baby or expressing the milk. In addition, the nipples become larger; the areola complex may darken in colour and also become larger.
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On cessation of breast feeding, the “milk producing” tissue involutes (gets smaller) and there is an attempt by the body to return things back to “normal”. This process takes several months.
However, in many patients, the following may persist:
1. Breasts remain very soft
2. Breasts that appear “empty” / volume loss / shrinkage
3. Droopiness and sagging of the breast
4. The areola and/or nipples may remain relatively large
While it is impossible to regain the firmness that may have preceded a pregnancy and breast feeding, there are some surgical alternatives to the other problems, notably:
- Breast augmentation to replace lost volume
- Breast lift and / or reduction to lift, re-arrange the content and better shape the breast.
- Nipple and / or areola reduction (occasionally combined with the above surgeries)
TUMMY
It’s no surprise that the tummy is the area most affected by a pregnancy (and more so by a multiple pregnancy). As pregnancy progresses, and again under hormonal control, the tummy expands to accommodate the enlarging womb. This involves all layers, so that more skin in produced, and the tummy muscles (rectus abdominus muscles) relax and separate. Many women have caesarian sections, and this also contributes to the muscle damage of the abdominal wall, and leaves one with a scar in the lower abdomen.
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After pregnancy, one may be left with the following change in the tummy contour:
- The skin may not retract to its former state, and stretch marks may be present (stretch marks represent tears in the skin, and cannot be “repaired” by creams, laser or surgery). If a caesarian section has been performed a scar will be present in the lower abdomen, and occasionally, there may be some puckering in this area such that a small fold of skin “hangs over” the scar.
- The belly button (umbilicus) may be distorted, shifted left or right of the midline, and may contain a small hernia.
- The rectus muscles remain separated leaving a groove in the midline, and occasionally a bulging lower abdomen. (This is easy to feel for yourself: – lie down on a bed, do a straight leg raise with both legs about 6 inches off the bed, and feel for a groove in the midline, above or below the belly button) This is known as “divarification of the rectus muscles” and although tummy exercises will strengthen the muscles a lot, it is impossible to get the muscles back together in the midline without surgery.
- Hernias may be present.
- Stubborn fatty deposits may persist
So… What if anything, can be done surgically to improve the tummy area?
LIPOSUCTION
Although liposuction is frequently a crucial part of a tummy tuck, it can also be an effective stand-alone procedure for women who want to improve the shape of their bodies after giving birth. Targeting those localized, stubborn fatty deposits in places like the hips, thighs, lower abdomen, and flanks—the kind that frequently defy even the strictest diet and exercise regimens—is what this treatment is best for.
It’s critical to realize that liposuction is a body-sculpting technique rather than a weight-loss aid. Two particular requirements must be met for the best results: the skin must be elastic with few stretch marks, and the muscles in the abdomen must be barely separated. This is due to the fact that while liposuction eliminates fat, it does not tighten skin or heal muscles that have been separated. The skin can naturally contract to a new, smaller contour when it is elastic and firm.
TUMMY TUCK / ABDOMINOPLASTY
The foundation of many women’s mommy makeover journeys is a tummy tuck. Significant changes that are difficult to address with diet and exercise alone frequently occur in the abdominal region after pregnancy. These can include
- loose, sagging skin
- troublesome fat deposits
- diastasis recti, a common condition in which the muscles of the rectus abdominis separate.
One effective remedy for these problems is the tummy tuck procedure. This procedure comes in a variety of forms, from a mini tummy tuck, which targets extra skin and fat beneath the navel, to a full tummy tuck, which rejuvenates the entire abdominal region, from the pubic area to the ribs.
The internal repair is a crucial part of this procedure; Dr. Skoll will carefully tighten the midline rectus muscles, which will strengthen the core and produce a flatter, firmer abdominal profile. This procedure may be used in conjunction with liposuction to remove localized fat deposits in order to achieve a smooth, sculpted contour and a more defined waistline. The end effect is a more defined and toned abdominal region that genuinely brings back a woman’s pre-pregnancy figure and self-esteem.
LABIA (LABIAPLASTY)
Recently, a lot of interest has been shown in labial reduction / labiaplasty surgery. This is a surgery designed to decrease the size and protrusion of the inner labia. Although there is wide individual variation in the size and shape of the inner labia, some women find it cosmetically troublesome if the inner labia protrude past the outer labia. Large inner labia may result from pregnancy and natural childbirth, but there are a number of other causes unrelated to pregnancy.
Whilst previously the solution to this “problem” was simply removing the excess tissue by trimming off an edge, I prefer to do a more elegant operation that minimizes the scarring, and largely preserves the natural outer edge of the inner labia. Experience is the key to the best possble outcome. The surgery can safely be done as a day case under local anaesthetic with light sedation, is well tolerated, and the patients are generally thrilled with the results. I have done over 300 to date.
FINAL WORDS
So… there is hope for those women who, after childbirth, are left wondering what happened to their bodies. Surgery, however, is not an alternative to possible weight loss and exercise, which should be the primary way to get in shape after childbirth. Surgery is principally designed to contour those areas that cannot, by themselves, be assisted by exercise, and include adding volume to deflated breasts with breast implant surgery, lifting sagging breast tissue with mastoplexy or breast reduction, removing excess tummy skin (with or without stretch marks) and tightening the rectus muscles in the midline with tummy tuck surgery, and performing a labiaplasty if this is an area of concern. A minimum of 6 months after cessation of breast feeding (ideally a year or longer) should pass before any surgery is entertained, and ideally one’s family should be complete before tummy tuck surgery is undertaken.
Reclaim Your Confidence and Begin Your Mommy Makeover Journey
Pregnancy and motherhood bring incredible joy, but they can also change your body in ways that diet and exercise can’t fix. Our Mommy Makeover surgery is a tailored solution to restore your pre-baby figure and boost your self-confidence. Schedule a confidential consultation with Dr. Paul Skoll to discuss a personalized plan that helps you look and feel your best.
A few commonly asked questions
When is the best time to have a mommy makeover after pregnancy?
When you are at a stable weight that you feel you can maintain after having children, that is the best time to have a mommy makeover. We advise waiting at least six to twelve months after giving birth in order to give your body and hormones time to fully recover and stabilize your weight, as this will yield the best and most consistent results. Waiting at least six months after stopping breastfeeding is crucial.
Is a mommy makeover performed as a single surgery?
A full mommy makeover consists of several surgeries, most of which are carried out in one extensive procedure. One anesthetic event and one recuperation period are advantages of this. To guarantee the best result, it might be advised to divide the surgeries into two distinct sessions for patients undergoing a large number of procedures or for safety reasons. During your consultation, this will be discussed with you.
What is the typical mommy makeover cost in South Africa?
Because a mommy makeover is a highly customized procedure, there is no set cost in South Africa. The precise combination of surgeries you select, the intricacy of each procedure, and the related hospital and anesthetic costs all affect the total cost. Medical assistance usually does not cover a mommy makeover because it is a cosmetic procedure. Following your private consultation, you will receive a comprehensive, clear quote.
What is the recovery like after a mommy makeover?
It takes time and preparation to recover from a mommy makeover. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are common during the first two to three weeks of recovery. For at least six weeks, you must refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous activities. Having assistance with everyday chores and childcare is essential during this period. As the swelling goes down, you will start to notice changes, but it will take six to twelve months to see the full effect.
What are the potential risks and complications of mommy makeover surgery?
Potential risks and complications include bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, and adverse anesthesia reactions, just like with any major surgery. The best method to reduce these risks is to select a plastic surgeon with a great deal of experience who is board-certified. During your consultation, we will go over every possible risk in detail with you to make sure you are well-informed and secure in your choice.
How do I prepare for mommy makeover surgery?
Although you will receive comprehensive pre-operative instructions, general preparation entails maintaining a stable weight and being in good physical health. Smoking can seriously hinder healing, so you must quit at least 4-6 weeks prior to and following surgery. For the first few weeks of your recuperation, it is also essential to make arrangements for childcare and household assistance.
What results can I realistically expect from a mommy makeover?
Restoring the shape of your body and increasing your self-confidence are two life-altering outcomes of a mommy makeover. You can anticipate a more defined silhouette, firmer, flatter abdomen, and breasts that appear younger. It will help you look as good on the outside as you feel on the inside, but it won’t give you back the body you had as a teenager.
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