Every action has an opposite and equal reaction. The “action” is typically pretty sweet. The “reaction,” not so much given that it’s the polar opposite of what what you wanted. For instance, a woman’s body creates amazing babies, then reacts with loose, sagging stuff that she may or may not heroically choose to live with for the rest of her life.
If you prefer a pre-baby body, you’re not alone. Plastic surgeons have cleverly coined the term “Mommy Makeovers” (MMs) to deal with exactly your situation. Dr. O’Connell (Dr. O), who performs MMs regularly and who has published on the subject for Journal, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, indicates, “It involves, at the minimum, an abdominoplasty and breast reduction, augmentation, or lift.” The procedure can also rectify a litany of other cosmetic post-pregnancy woes, such as “skin overhang” and “diastasis recti.”
So, what is an abdominoplasty? First, it’s a tummy tuck. Second, it involves an incision near the bikini line and around the belly button (umbilicus). Excess skin and fat is removed, the abdominal area may be adjusted for aesthetic reasons and muscles are usually tightened. If necessary, Dr. O performs liposuction.
Historically, abdominoplasties have required drains which can trap bacteria and cause infection. For safer, faster healing and less scarring, Dr. O developed the BAND Abdominoplasty (Bidirectional, Absorbable, No Drain) which uses absorbable Quill™ sutures that don’t require knots and eliminates the need for drains.
When the skin on the abdomen is removed, the stretch marks go with it. If you have any marks remaining elsewhere you’d like to diminish, Dr. O recommends microneedling with or without radiofrequency technology and some light-based technology.
To learn more about breast augmentation, reduction, and lift, go to PlasticSurgeryCT.com.
Every effort is made to minimize scarring, although some can’t be avoided. Dr. O explains, “Some scar patterns result in longer scars simply due to the geometry of the design. The adage ‘hip-to-hip’ for tummy tuck scars applies almost exclusively to ‘full’ abdominoplasties. The type of abdominoplasty (mini, modified, or full) is determined by vertical height skin removal. Most moms have full (probably about 85% or more) because they need them.”
It’s not all cosmetic. About 1/3 of the women who come to Dr. O have true hernias near the belly button. These can cause pain, nausea, or worse if not treated. During the MMs, Dr. O works “with a wonderful female general surgeon, Westport resident Dr. Roselle Crombie, and she repairs these hernias while I do the tummy tuck.”
Despite its cutesy moniker, the MM is 5 - 8 hours of serious surgery. According to Dr. O, “Because of the added surgical and anesthesia time, added magnitude of the procedures when combined, and other poorly understood factors, the risks of combination procedures are significantly greater than the risks of each procedure.”
Why do it all at once? Three reasons: 1. Cost savings on surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees (you’ll need the savings for pre-school tuition) 2. Less recovery time than for two separate procedures (you have kids, down-time is now a luxury), 3. Satisfaction that comes from dramatic results (positive drama. Not “child screaming” drama.)
But if you’re thinking, “If I’m going under for that long, I might as well throw in a necklift and fat transfer onto the pile” - don’t. Additional procedures put you at greater risk of venous thromboembolic issues (deep vein blood clot that travels to the lungs). Not fun.
Also, don’t bargain-hunt for a plastic surgeon. Find an A-list surgeon with years of experience who’ll give you realistic expectations.
And enjoy!
PlasticSurgeryCT.com