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Mommy Makeover - Orange County, CA
Are you considering a Mommy Makeover? You probably thought that having kids would take its toll on your body, but you may not have realized how drastic and long lasting those changes would be. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can stretch the body beyond its ability to repair itself, leaving you with deflated breasts and a sagging tummy. You may also notice that there are new stubborn areas of fat that never seem to go away, even with diet and exercise.
You don't have to live with that forever! Dr. Nguyen specializes in helping mothers improve their body contour and shape, and he can help you too! Call us today at 657-900-5055 to set up a complimentary consultation at our Lake Forest office.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
"Mommy Makeover" simply describes the different combinations of plastic surgery procedures used to address the changes caused by pregnancy, giving birth, breastfeeding, etc. Dr. Nguyen's Mommy Makeover typically includes a breast augmentation with a breast lift, liposuction, and an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).
Any number of combinations of these procedures can be performed. Some patients will only need a breast augmentation without a lift while others would prefer a lift without breast implants. Some patients may not need liposuction with their tummy tucks. Dr. Nguyen will discuss these procedures in detail with you to help determine what is best for your anatomy.
Other procedures that may be added to a typical mommy makeover also include arm lifts, labiaplasties, and thigh lifts.
Who Would Be a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
Most mothers will go through extensive changes during pregnancy that do not go back on their own. The enlarged uterus will often spread the six-pack muscles apart and cause a "diastasis recti." It will also stretch the skin beyond its ability to repair itself, leaving stretch marks and a hanging pannus (flab of skin).
Your breasts may become engorged during breastfeeding and then subsequently deflate, leaving them sagging and hanging. The weight gain of pregnancy can leave stubborn regions of fat around the abdomen, flanks, and thighs as well, even despite returning to dieting and exercise postpartum.
Every mother is different, but if these sound like some of the issues you are struggling with after having kids, Dr. Nguyen's Mommy Makeover may be able to transform the way you look and feel about yourself! A consultation with him will best help you determine if you would benefit from a Mommy Makeover. He will take the time to educate you, customize the consultation to your personal needs / goals, and partner with you through your journey.
Can I Still Have A Mommy Makeover if I’m Considering Having More Children?
While you could do your Mommy Makeover at any point between having kids, Dr. Nguyen will always stress that it is best to wait until after you are completely done having kids in order to maximize the benefit of the procedures. Having another pregnancy could potentially ruin all of the improvements gained by having those procedures. However, it is not necessarily "unsafe" to become pregnant after getting a Mommy Makeover.
If you have had a previous Mommy Makeover followed by another child, Dr. Nguyen will be able to discuss options of revising those procedures to help you look your best again!
How Long Do I Have to Wait (After Having Kids) Before Getting My Mommy Makeover?
You're probably excited to get started as quickly as possible, but patience is key when considering timing for the procedure. Dr. Nguyen usually recommends waiting at least 3 to 6 months after stopping breastfeeding in order for them to stop producing milk and go back to their normal size.
Additionally during this period, you should resume exercising and dieting in your normal daily routine again. Tummy tucks and liposuction aren't meant to make you lose weight. Rather, they are body contouring procedures. The best results can be obtained and maintained if you are within 10 or 15 pounds of your ideal body weight. Staying fit and healthy will also help reduce complications and improve your recovery!
How Do I Prepare for My Mommy Makeover?
Typically, to get ready for your Mommy Makeover, you will need to get medical clearance from your doctor. Labs will often be required, including a complete blood count (CBC), basic metabolic panel (BMP), blood clotting tests, and an EKG.
We may ask you to cleanse your body with an antiseptic wash for several days prior to surgery. Any jewelry in the chest or body region should be removed. You should also quit smoking 6 weeks prior to surgery until 6 weeks after surgery to minimize complications. (Better yet, quit for good!)
As mentioned above, you should diet and exercise to reach your lowest attainable weight and maintain it. You'll have a good idea if you can maintain it long term if you can keep it stable for a minimum of 3 months. The best results are obtained in those patients with the lowest body fat percentage. However, good results can still be achieved in patients with a moderate amount of body fat. Dr. Nguyen will evaluate you and make recommendations as to the best result that can be achieved for your anatomy.
What Procedures are Included in a Mommy Makeover?
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) - Tummy tucks are the biggest part of the transformation involved in any Mommy Makeover. Dr. Nguyen removes the loose skin and hanging fat on the lower abdomen and tightens the six-pack muscles to create a flatter tummy and a narrower waistline. A new belly button in created, and the incision will lie within your bikini line from one hip to the other. Read more in-depth regarding Tummy Tucks HERE.
Liposuction - Liposuction can be added to your Tummy Tuck if needed to address stubborn fat in the flanks and abdomen. Not all patients will require this, especially if there is minimal fat in those areas. A special wetting solution (called tumescence) is used to help minimize bruising and blood loss. Other areas of stubborn fat may also be liposuctioned, including the inner and outer thighs, arms, and upper back rolls. Read more about liposuction HERE.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy) - Deflated and sagging breasts are addressed with a breast lift, which repositions the breast tissue higher on your chest. The procedure also moves the nipple and areola to the correct position on the breast, the same as before your pregnancies. Incisions usually extend around the nipple and areola, vertically down from the areola to the lower breast fold, and along the breast fold. Less incisions can be used depending on the amount of sag. Learn more about breast lifts HERE.
Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants) - A breast augmentation can be performed at the same time as your breast lift if you need more volume. Usually implants no larger than 355cc can be placed safely at the same time; anything larger may require staging the surgeries (i.e. doing the breast lift first, and performing the breast augmentation at a second surgery). Dr. Nguyen will discuss the safest option for your anatomy and goals. Implants may be saline or silicone, and they are usually placed underneath the muscle. Find out more about breast augmentation HERE.
Why Should I Combine These Procedures In A Mommy Makeover?
Patients may find it daunting to consider multiple cosmetic procedures at one time, but the great thing is that there will only be one recovery period. Occasionally, Dr. Nguyen may recommend that you staged certain portions of your procedure, but this will best be determined at the time of consultation. He considers your safety first in all things followed closely by your outstanding results and satisfaction.
What is the Recovery from a Mommy Makeover?
Because Mommy Makeovers can involve different combinations of procedures, the recovery times can vary as well. Tummy Tucks usually involve the most difficult and longest part of the recovery because the rectus muscles are tightened. A medication called Exparel can help reduce the pain and recovery time of Tummy Tucks by numbing the area where the muscle is tightened for 72 hours. You will be required to wear an abdominal binder for 4-6 weeks to reduce swelling and help your tummy heal to its new thinner shape. You will also need to wear a special support bra in order to prevent underwires rubbing against the breast lift incisions. Full recovery (when all the swelling is completely gone) may take 4-6 months total. Most patients can resume light activity within 2 weeks, but strenuous activities including lifting anything more than 10 lbs need to be put off until six weeks after surgery.
When Do I See The Results of My Mommy Makeover?
Most of your results will be apparent immediately! Your breasts will be fuller and will be lifted higher onto your chest again. Most of our patients love the look of their breasts right away.
Your abdomen will be slimmer than it previously was, and the fat in your flanks will be gone. However, the tummy tends to have more swelling than the breasts, and it can take a few weeks to months to notice the swelling go away completely. It takes time for the veins and lymphatics to grow back and drain that fluid.
You will likely have some bruising all around that will resolve over the course of a few weeks. However, once you've healed, the results will be permanent! We always recommend that you exercise and eat nutritiously to maintain a low, healthy weight - this will help you keep your new, fantastic results!
What Are the Risks of Having a Mommy Makeover?
Mommy Makeovers are a major surgery, and all of the normal risks associated with surgery do apply, including bleeding and infection. The risks will be discussed with you in detail at your consultation with Dr. Nguyen. In general, breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, and tummy tuck surgeries aren't considered very high-risk. Dr. Nguyen's experience and technique will ensure safe, high quality results!
Always be sure to consult with a Board Eligible or a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to determine if getting a Mommy Makeover surgery is right for you! Dr. David Nguyen specializes in breast and body contouring and would be happy to walk you through the process and discuss your results. Call 657-900-5055 for a free consultation today!
Mommy Makeover Cost: Varies from $8,500 to $16,000 depending on the number of procedures included
See More Mommy Makeover Before & After Photos