Pregnancy and childbirth are miraculous feats. But the process of growing a tiny human inside your body can leave behind unwanted changes. Many women quickly realize diet and exercise are not enough to shed extra pounds or tighten loose skin. For these reasons, we heartily recommend mommy makeovers. Dustin C. Derrick, MD, is a leading plastic surgeon in Fort Worth, TX, and performs these procedures for Cosmetic Surgery of DFW patients every day.
What Is the Right Age for a Mommy Makeover?
Here is one of the best aspects of a mommy makeover (MM): it imposes no age boundaries. Instead, it’s a personal decision borne of your desires, plans, and anticipation. Whether you’re 28 or 58, the MM and its customizable components can be structured to fit your needs.
With that said, certain times are better than others to pull the trigger. To illustrate, the effects of a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or breast lift will last much longer if they’re performed after you’re finished bearing children and lactating. Pregnancy after surgery is likely to undo much of what you sought to improve. This means that once you do finish your MM, you can look forward to long-lasting results. In fact, they’ll likely persist for many years to come.
A Timeline of Your Choosing
None of this is to say that women looking forward to more children in the future can’t reap the benefits an MM offers. We simply want to caution you the work done to, say, your buttocks and/or breasts will continue for longer if you don’t fall pregnant again in the future. But, again, we want to reiterate the choice to have an MM is entirely yours to make. We’ll listen to your needs, provide our recommendations, and develop a treatment plan that works for you.
It’s All About Personal Preference
Some moms want to invest in their makeovers as soon as they’re finished having children. They commonly make the choice to have surgery in their mid-to-late-30s – and they do so to restore their youthful pre-baby appearances.
Others wait until their children are a little older and they themselves have started to see common signs of aging – signs that might include sagging tissues, weight gain, and loose skin. These effects often hit in the 40s, and women respond by taking some time for themselves. Waiting until this point can be the ideal way to restore self-confidence, add more bounce to your step, and help you reclaim a buzz-worthy social life.
Any Age Is the Right Age
We must also acknowledge a third group of women longing to focus on themselves after their children have left the nest. These ladies tend to be in their 50s and 60s – and as we all know, age is little more than a number. They’ve spent years taking care of everyone else and finally realize their time is now.
Whatever your age, we can develop an MM solution for you. Running a household, balancing a career, and nurturing a family demand time, effort, and patience. You deserve some attention for yourself, and once you’re ready to move forward with your makeover, we’ll be here for you.
What Exactly Is an MM?
Whether you’re a new mom or preparing to send your youngest off to college, we understand time is a precious commodity. The MM has gained immense popularity in the last decade because it allows patients to address multiple body concerns with just a single procedure. Any surgery that can safely, quickly, and effectively sculpt, say, the thighs and abdomen is an exciting prospect.
And this is exactly what the MMD does. It tackles post-pregnancy wobbles and bulges through several surgical options rolled into one treatment. Some believe this is a one-size-fits-all treatment, but it is instead personalized to meet your unique needs, lifestyle, and anatomy.
All Women Are Eligible
Although it’s called a mommy makeover, any woman who can benefit from a combination of surgeries is eligible. You don’t have to be a biological mother to undergo an MM. After all, problem areas can emerge on any female body – whether you’ve given birth or not. Common culprits behind body changes include:
- Age
- Weight gain or loss
- Menopause (hormonal fluctuations)
To better understand, let’s consider the skin on the abdomen. It may stretch with weight gain and lose its ability to bounce back after weight loss. This absence of elasticity can leave you with sagging skin, droopy rolls, and contour irregularities. Many patients also develop stubborn fat pockets in the flanks, hips, and abdomen that resist exercise and diet. An MM battles these concerns with impressive gusto.
A Wealth of Options at Your Fingertips
The key to an effective MM outcome is choosing the right combination of surgeries to tackle your specific trouble spots. At our office, patients can choose from any of the following treatments to smooth, contour, and reshape their bodies:
- Breast augmentation, used to restore volume loss
- Breast lift, which removes excess skin to counter sagging
- Tummy tuck to remove excess skin and fat in the abdomen
- Liposuction to reshape different body parts, including the back, thighs, and buttocks
- Fat grafting for small and natural-looking breast size increases
- Brazilian butt lift to augment the shape and size of your buttocks
- Labiaplasty to reduce the length of the labia minora
Breast Augmentation vs Breast Lift
Many patients are confused by these two surgeries because they seem so similar. The procedures are, however, distinctly different. Let’s start by saying breast surgery is often a foundational element of the mommy makeover. A woman’s breasts can change significantly with time, and breastfeeding in particular often causes tissues to deflate.
Augmentation is a great way to restore lost volume. But age – and pregnancy and breastfeeding – can also cause breast tissues and skin to stretch. This is where a breast lift can do wonders for your shapely, feminine curves. It repositions sagging breasts to create a more youthful and perkier look.
A Potent Combo
You can tell that a breast lift may be right for you by standing in front of the mirror and looking at your breasts. Do your nipples still face forward? If not, a breast lift combined with a breast augmentation can reshape and reposition your breasts all at once.
Many Patients Also Address the Abdomen
The abdomen is another problem area for many patients. And with age, abdominal fat becomes increasingly more difficult to lose. Liposuction is the gold standard for eliminating excess bulges. But if you have more than one concern in the abdomen, a tummy tuck might be a better solution. This procedure can tighten sagging skin, revive loose muscles, and remove fat. We’ll review both options with you to determine which is right for your needs.
Proper Planning Is Essential
Regardless of age, it’s critical that you plan for your recovery after an MM. Most of the surgeries that comprise this treatment require you get plenty of rest. The amount of time you need to recover will vary based on your body, the surgeries you choose to have, and your commitment to following post-op instructions.
While many factors make each recovery process unique, several universal tips can likely help you heal more quickly. At the top of this list is getting help around the house. The longer you have help, the better off you’ll be. Normal tasks like getting out of bed and dressing will require assistance right after surgery. Having a friend or family member stay with you can make a big difference both in your recovery process and your emotional state.
Enlist Help for Your Home
It’s equally important that you arrange help for small children, pets, and meal preparation. Depending on the surgeries you choose, you likely will not be able to lift heavy objects – including groceries – or raise your arms for several weeks. Having someone who can complete daily chores in your stead will help your recovery go more smoothly. Additional tips include the following:
- Prepare your recovery area before your appointment
- Walk short distances as soon as we give the approval
- Eat nourishing foods
- Stay hydrated
Your Body and Your Choice
An MM can smooth wobbles, restore contours, and lift and shape the breasts. Your treatment plan will be customized to meet your unique needs, and by following our tips, you can look forward to gorgeous results. If you have questions about the mommy makeover and/or would like to schedule a consultation with Dustin C. Derrick, MD, get in touch with us today at Cosmetic Surgery of DFW in Fort Worth and Weatherford, TX.
