Mommy Makeover
In Birmingham, AL
A woman’s body uniquely changes during pregnancy. Excess fat is stored, muscles expand, and tissues stretch to accommodate a growing baby. Unfortunately, most of these changes permanently affect the look and feel of your body long after childbirth. Many moms experience dissatisfaction with their appearance in the months and years after their baby is born. You may be struggling to feel confident in your body and may have found that diet and exercise do little to restore your pre-baby body. The Mommy Makeover is specially designed to target the areas most commonly affected by pregnancy and restore their firm, toned appearance.
Target Treatment Areas
Breasts
It is normal for women to experience an increase in breast size during their pregnancy as milk glands develop and milk ducts grow to prepare for nursing. However, this size increase often doesn’t remain once you have finished breastfeeding. Many women experience a significant loss of volume that causes their breasts to appear deflated. You may also begin to develop mild or moderate sagging that ages the appearance of your breasts. For many women, their breasts used to create an attractive feminine physique, and losing the breasts’ youthful appeal affects their overall satisfaction in their appearance.
Abdomen
The abdominal tissues expand during pregnancy to make room for your growing baby. However, the rapid change in body composition can be difficult to reverse, even through diet and exercise. Loose skin and stretch marks can cause a flabby abdominal appearance. Many women will also experience diastasis recti, which is the stretching of the connective tissue that holds the abdominal muscles together. Diastasis recti can cause a stomach pooch that prevents you from being able to achieve a toned abdominal contour.
Areas of Fat Accumulation
Fat is stored during pregnancy and is often difficult to eliminate following childbirth. Excess fat accumulation can occur in a number of areas, including the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, and neck. Stubborn fat can mask the attractive contours of your body and prevent you from achieving the slimmer, more defined physique you desire. Treating areas with excess fat can restore a more attractive curvature to your body and increase your confidence in the way you look.
Mommy Makeover Procedures
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Breast augmentation surgery is designed to treat volume loss in the breasts following pregnancy.
Implants are inserted into the breast pockets to increase the size and improve the shape of the breasts. Women can also achieve significant correction of their breast asymmetry. Breast augmentation surgery can enhance cleavage and create the more attractive feminine curves that many women desire. A number of implant and incision options are available, allowing you to completely customize your breast augmentation in order to achieve results that best highlight your body’s natural frame and your desires.
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A breast lift is best suited for patients who have maintained satisfactory breast volume but have begun to experience breast sagging.
Drooping breasts are identified by the portion of the lower breast tissue that sits at or below the inframammary line. A breast lift trims away excess tissue and repositions the breasts to sit higher on the chest for a perkier projection. Internal sutures are used to provide additional support to the breasts. Women who lack volume and suffer from breast sagging can combine a breast lift with their breast augmentation to prevent future complications and ensure the best possible results.
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Tummy tuck surgery targets the loose abdominal skin and weak muscles that create a flabby, undefined stomach.
An incision is placed low in the bikini area, through which the abdominal muscles are tightened and excess skin is removed. The tummy tuck is designed to create a toned and defined abdominal contour. Liposuction can be used along the abdomen to enhance abdominal definition for improved results.
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Liposuction can eliminate excess fat accumulations from a number of areas on the body.
Small incisions are made at the treatment site(s), and a cannula is used to gently suction out the unwanted fat. Ultrasonic liposuction may be used for easier fat removal. Liposuction may be used to slim your physique and create better contours and definition. When used along the hips and thighs, liposuction can help create more attractive, subtle curves. Liposuction is the safest, most effective form of custom fat removal available.
Concerns
Consultation
Dr. Cohn conducts thorough consultations with all of his patients to ensure the most satisfactory results possible. After evaluating your medical history, determining your body type, and discussing your goals, a custom treatment is created. Each Mommy Makeover is designed to target your unique problem areas. Cost and preoperative and postoperative instructions will be discussed during your consultation.
Recovery
The extent of your recovery will vary depending on the number of procedures performed and the techniques used. In general, patients will experience bruising and swelling of their treatment areas. Compression garments are worn to minimize swelling and improve healing. Most patients can return to work within two weeks of their surgery. You should be able to resume your regular exercise routine four weeks following your procedure, although it may be longer before you can resume chest and abdominal exercises if you undergo breast augmentation and tummy tuck surgery. Most patients will find that the majority of swelling subsides by six weeks, but minor swelling may last for several months.
Scars
Great care is taken to place all incisions in easily concealable locations to minimize visible scarring. However, more extensive procedures may result in visible scarring. The quality of the scar that develops will depend on your body’s healing process. Most scarring is likely to fade over time.
Pain
All of the Mommy Makeover procedures are performed using a general anesthetic for a safe and painless procedure. Soreness and discomfort are common during your initial recovery, which may be treated using oral pain medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need to undergo all of the procedures for my Mommy Makeover?
No. Each Mommy Makeover is customized to treat your needs. You will only undergo the treatments required to achieve your desired results. One benefit of the Mommy Makeover is that you can have multiple procedures performed at the same time, which can save money and limit recovery time.
How soon after my pregnancy can I undergo a Mommy Makeover?
Patients should attempt to lose weight and restore tone naturally before undergoing a Mommy Makeover. Most patients wait six months to a year following their pregnancy before undergoing surgery. Additionally, you shouldn’t plan on having any more children following your procedure because future pregnancies can alter your results.
How long will it take to see my results?
Most of the results from your Mommy Makeover will be noticeable after the swelling has subsided within six weeks. Significant improvements will be noticeable within two months of the procedure. For women who undergo breast augmentation as a part of their Mommy Makeover, it will take several months for the breast implants to settle into their final position.
How long will my results last?
Breast procedures provide relatively permanent improvements in your breast appearance. Patients that undergo a tummy tuck or liposuction are advised to maintain a stable weight in order to preserve the quality of their results; weight fluctuations may alter the benefits of these contouring procedures.
