What Does a Mommy Makeover Entail?

November 26, 2018 DLM Admin


mommy makeover patient

mommy makeover patientBecoming a mother is an incredible experience. You will feel so many exciting emotions when your child is born — pride, joy, amazement and more. But among all the positives that come with having a child, you might also feel some worry or sadness at the changes that your body goes through during pregnancy and childbirth. The relationship that you build with your baby as it grows in your womb and as you breastfeed is precious, but it takes a toll on your physique. Some women view these changes as proof of their journey through life and motherhood, but others find them uncomfortable or embarrassing. The latter effect can take a toll on a woman’s self-confidence, which can interfere with many aspects of her life from everyday happiness to intimacy.

While you might think that self-care, eating well and exercising could help women who aren’t happy with their post-baby bodies, this isn’t always true. Stretched skin on the breasts and belly, separated abdominal muscle and stubborn leftover fat may not respond to these lifestyle-related efforts. What’s more, busy moms don’t always have the time to spend hours at the gym working on their fitness. It can be even more frustrating to want to do something about your body but feel unable to get anywhere. Fortunately, modern techniques offer another solution: a customizable package of surgical procedures dubbed the “mommy makeover.”

At Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, we know that all mothers are beautiful inside and out — and we want them to know that, too. We proudly provide mommy makeover procedures to many women who are seeking to restore their appearance after pregnancy and breastfeeding. With this post, you can learn more about the procedures that we can include in your mommy makeover package and how they can help address your unique concerns.

Liposuction

Every woman will gain weight during pregnancy — and it’s important that some of this weight is her own and not the baby’s. Women’s bodies need extra energy, insulation and nutrition to support their body and their baby as it develops. But once the baby is born, you will likely be left with some of the extra weight. This weight is notoriously difficult to lose; you will be busy caring for your new baby, recovering from childbirth and balancing your life with a new child. Finding time to exercise and burn calories might be one of the last things on your mind.

If your main postpartum concern is losing this excess fat, liposuction on the abdomen and the waist can be a targeted, time-saving way to restore your body to its former shape. Liposuction works best for patients who have healthy, elastic skin that has re-tightened satisfactorily over the abdomen during postpartum recovery. Liposuction cannot address loose or stretched skin, so if you have these concerns as well, liposuction alone may not accomplish your goals.

During liposuction, your surgeon creates small, hidden incisions and injects a solution that will numb the area and decrease bleeding. Then, a thin tube-like tool called a cannula is inserted into your fat tissue through the incision, and a suction effect removes excess fat in the area. There is soreness associated with this procedure, but most patients can return to work in 48-72 hours. After a few weeks to allow for all residual swelling to subside, you will notice significant changes in your body shape as stubborn, unwanted fat is now eliminated for good.

Abdominoplasty

If you do have significantly stretched or loose skin on your belly after pregnancy, you will likely need an abdominoplasty (or “tummy tuck”) surgery along with liposuction. Abdominoplasty is a more intensive procedure, but it permanently removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen and waist. The result is a tighter, flatter belly instead of a “pooch” around the belly button.

A tummy tuck can also help women who are left with a condition called diastasis recti, or separated abdominal muscles. In many pregnancies, the growing womb causes the “six-pack” muscles on your abs to spread apart. After the baby is born, the separated muscles allow your intestines to protrude giving the appearance that you are still pregnant. This can be very distressing. During your tummy tuck, your surgeon can tighten the abdominal muscles with suturing techniques and correct the appearance of diastasis recti giving you a flat contour again.

A tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction to address skin, muscles and fat at the same time. It’s common to use these two procedures together during a mommy makeover for a fully sculpted abdomen and waistline. Abdominoplasty requires two to three weeks of rest and recovery, and your ability to exercise or lift heavy objects may be limited for some time. But the procedure produces high-quality results that are well worth the commitment; for concerns like loose skin and muscles and excess fat, no other permanent solution delivers such powerful results.

Breast Augmentation and Breast Lift

Pregnancy and lactation cause your breasts to noticeably swell until you are done breastfeeding. Once the breast swelling subsides and the breasts return to a normal size, your breasts can be left looking deflated, saggy and stretched, and even appearing smaller than they were before your pregnancy. If you want to restore volume or perkiness, you can choose to include breast augmentation and/or a breast lift to your mommy makeover.

Breast augmentation is a volume-enhancing procedure that uses implants to give the breasts a fuller appearance. The implants are placed within the breast envelope to “fill” the space left behind after pregnancy. Breast implants are available in many shapes and sizes, so you can create new breasts that look very natural or very dramatic depending on your goals.

For women who are concerned about loose breast skin and sagging, a breast lift can be performed instead of a breast augmentation or with a breast augmentation to fully rejuvenate your breasts. During a breast lift, your surgeon excises some of the loose skin and moves the nipple and areola to a higher position on your breast. The result is that your breasts sit higher on your chest wall and appear perkier instead of sagging.

Breast augmentation is a relatively quick and simple procedure — many women only need a weekend to recover before returning to work. A breast lift is a little more intensive and involves more incisions, so if you choose a lift or a combined lift/augmentation you will want to plan for a week or two away from most daily activities.

Results Tailored Just for You

At Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, we offer several “mommy makeover” approaches which combine abdominal and breast enhancement procedures to help you achieve your goals. During your visit, you will work with Dr. Kahlil Andrews to determine which set of procedures will be best for you. We also offer financing options, since these procedures are cosmetic and are not covered by health insurance. The mommy makeover is designed to save you time and money, though, since performing multiple procedures at once saves on surgical costs and also consolidates your recovery time.

The Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery team offers extensive expertise providing mommy makeovers and a host of other aesthetic treatments. For expert plastic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic procedures in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa areas, please contact us to schedule your consultation. You can make your appointment by calling 319-800-6877.

January 11, 2017

Dear Dr. Andrews,
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*
5.0
2017-01-11T13:02:59-06:00
Dear Dr. Andrews, Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*

Everything is great!!

Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*
5.0
2017-01-22T15:30:46-06:00
Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*

You change peoples’ lives!

You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*
5.0
2017-02-24T14:28:06-06:00
You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews!

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*
5.0
2016-09-28T15:22:01-05:00
I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*

June 26th, 2013

Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*
2015-02-10T19:25:22-06:00
Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*

May 27th, 2013

I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*
2015-02-10T19:25:46-06:00
I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*

May 27th, 2013

I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*
2015-02-10T19:26:11-06:00
I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*

June 1st, 2013

Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*
2015-02-10T19:26:35-06:00
Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*

Jan 24th, 2013

Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*
2015-02-10T19:26:55-06:00
Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*

Nov 2nd, 2012

I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*
2015-02-10T19:27:28-06:00
I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*

Oct 29th, 2012

Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*
2015-02-10T19:27:54-06:00
Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*

Extraordinary doctor

Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*
2015-03-30T12:00:04-05:00
Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*

You Rock!!

I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*
2015-03-30T12:00:42-05:00
I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*

You all are the best!

Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*
2015-03-30T12:02:02-05:00
Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*

Amazing!

I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*
2015-03-30T12:02:20-05:00
I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*

With appreciation

With appreciation for putting me back together!*
2015-03-30T12:02:40-05:00
With appreciation for putting me back together!*

I am forever grateful

I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*
2015-03-30T12:03:02-05:00
I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*

Thank You

Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*
2015-03-30T12:03:24-05:00
Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*

April 12, 2016

Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
2016-05-05T11:40:35-05:00
Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
5
4

Contact Us

Consent

Contact Physicians Clinic of Iowa

    Consent to receive text messages