MOMMY MAKEOVER

Regain Your Pre-pregnancy Figure.

THE ABDOMINOPLASTY OR TUMMY TUCK IS A PROCEDURE THAT ADDRESSES EXCESS SKIN AND FAT OF THE ABDOMEN AND FLANKS. THE TUMMY TUCK IS A KEY COMPONENT OF THE MOMMY MAKEOVER PROCEDURE PERFORMED AT OUR NEW YORK COSMETIC SURGERY CENTER.

Overview of A Mommy Makeover

A Combination Of Plastic Surgery Procedures To Restore Your Pre-Pregnancy Figure

Post-pregnancy plastic surgery, also called a mommy makeover, is a set of procedures that Dr. Freund provides for women after they have had children. Depending upon individual needs, it can correct saggy breasts, stretched-out skin, and excess fat deposits. Procedures generally include a breast reduction or breast lift (with or without implants), a tummy tuck, and liposuction.

But in order to discuss the desired result and which combination of procedures is right for you, we must start by describing the ideal female anatomy…

The Ideal Female Anatomy

  1. The belly button should be oval shaped and slightly higher than it is wide.
  2. The belly button should be at a position on a line drawn from the top of each hip.
  3. The waist should have an hourglass shape, with the least amount of fat on the outside portion of the waist.
  4. The six-pack area should not be completely devoid of fat. Often, patients and doctors alike become overzealous and remove too much fat from the front of the abdomen. A feminine body has a modest amount of fat overlying this area I like to call this area the feminine pillars.
  5. The pubic area should also not have any excess fat or sagging skin.

3 Common Aesthetic Problems After Pregnancy

I hear many women complain after pregnancy that they have lost the body they once had. In a nutshell, pregnancy stretches out the skin of the abdomen and flanks. It also adds fatty tissue to the abdomen, hips, back, and thighs. Finally, the muscles of the abdomen, known as the rectus abdominis are stretched and may not return to their original position.

Sometimes the skin is stretched to the point of no return. The excess skin then hangs over the pant line and sometimes hangs over the belly button leaving a lump of skin hooding the top of the belly button-some would say it looks like a frown. Often, the skin is so weak from stretching that the skin loses its integrity and the deeper layers of the skin split, forming stretch marks. Unfortunately, the only way to adequately repair stretch marks is to surgically remove them. So, all those magical creams and treatments do nothing to repair stretch marks – surgery is the only way!

As for the excess fat, the body prepares for pregnancy by accumulating stores of energy in the form of fat. New stores of fat form on the abdomen, hips, back and thighs, making it difficult to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothing! Of course, everyone reacts a little differently, so your pregnancy may not be exactly as described. Just remember, that there are more women who suffer from the ravages of pregnancy than there are of those women who get off scot-free.

The third component is the stretching out of the rectus abdomens muscles during pregnancy. As pregnancy progress into the third trimester and your body makes room for a growing baby, the muscles of the tummy sometimes stretch in the midline. The weakening of the muscles causes the belly to bulge and the hourglass figure to disappear.

Now every woman may not suffer from all of the problems as described above. However, I like to consider abdominoplasty surgery to be like an a la carte menu. I can perform a procedure that repairs the problems with the least trauma and downtime, but rejuvenates the female body to bring back the pre-pregnancy body; the revitalizing procedure is called a “Mommy Makeover.”

The Most Common Procedures for a Mommy Makeover

There are a variety of different mommy makeover procedures that Dr. Freund offers at his New York plastic surgery practice.

1. High Lateral Tension Abdominoplasty

This is a technique for tummy tucks that was created by Dr. Ted Lockwood, a true innovator in female contour surgery. This tummy tuck focuses on all of the ideals described above. In short, this technique combines liposuction, muscle tightening, and skin excision to create the best-looking abdomen. I have performed this technique for ten years and am amazed by the wonderful shape, as well as the minimal scarring that result.

2. Mini-Tummy Tuck

For those patients that only have a little excess fat and weakened muscle but do NOT demonstrate too much extra skin, a Mini-Abdominoplasty or Mini-tuck can be used instead. The benefits of this technique are smaller scars on the waistline and no scars around the belly button. This tummy tuck will not address skin excess above the belly button. Through a small transverse incision in the pubic area, the muscles are tightened, the excess fat is removed and any extra skin below the belly button is removed.

3. Liposuction

For those with good skin tone and just a little extra fat on the belly or hips (muffin tops) liposuction is ideal.

Recovery After Your Mommy Makeover

Each procedure is a little different. But for discussion, I will describe what to expect if you get a high lateral tension abdominoplasty. After the surgery, you will experience significant muscle cramping or spasm from the muscle tightening performed as part of the procedure. This pain typically lasts for 4-7 days. In addition, special tubes called drains will be used to ensure that no fluid or serum accumulates under the skin. These tubes are removed sometime within the first week. Many doctors use compression garments to minimize the risk of swelling, but I hold off on any compression garments until at least the second week after surgery. I feel that the compression garment compresses the blood supply to the incision line, thus depriving the healing skin of necessary nutrients and oxygen. By the second week, the incision has healed adequately to allow for a compression garment to help mitigate the resultant swelling from the procedure and liposuction. After the sutures are removed in the second week, I start many patients on silicone sheeting or gels to attempt to minimize the scarring. Patients can begin limited exercise after three weeks and resume full activity after 8-12 weeks. Many of my patients can be seen in a bikini by 8 weeks after surgery.

Patient Testimonials

Superb Plastic Surgeon!
“I have had multiple cosmetic surgical procedures with Dr. Robert Freund and would never to go anyone else. In NYC where there are many outstanding plastic surgeons to choose from, Dr Freund’s sincere compassion, care and artistry are unparalleled…”
The Only Surgeon I’ll Use!
“Dr. Freund is the only doctor I’ll go to for cosmetic surgery. He gave me the most natural, beautiful nose. 7 years later & it still looks as good as new. People still tell me they “wish” they had my nose, not realizing I had it done…”
A Mother of 5 Who Didn’t Want to Look Like a Mother of 5
“Dr. Freund is by far the best plastic surgeon out there and I would never even consider any other. He’s like family to me now. I’ve been going to him since I was 25. From Breast implants, to 2 tummy tucks, to numerous different lipo procedures, then years later…”
Dr. Freund Changed My Lift
“I cannot recommend Dr. Freund highly enough. By age 40 I had sagging empty breasts that I couldn’t get to look right no matter what bras or clothing I tried. I had no self-confidence and felt poorly every time I looked at myself, especially naked…”
Dr. Freund Is a Miracle Worker
“I researched many doctors before choosing Dr. Freund for my breast augmentation. Dr. Freund is truly an authority in his field and after my initial consultation, I knew that I made the right choice. During my consult, Dr. Freund was very attentive,…”

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