Who Wants a Mommy Makeover?
An estimated 85 million mothers call the United States home. While these moms vary in age, they obviously all have something in common: At some point, they had one or more children! This means there are about 85 million people whose bodies have undergone a remarkable and dramatic transformation. Many of these moms embrace and love their body changes, as they represent the transformational process of becoming a mother.
Some moms, however, look at photos of their “pre-baby” body and wonder about a Mommy Makeover. Palm Desert’s Cosmetic Surgery Institute team explains that there is no “right” way to approach the physical realities of motherhood.
With that in mind, here is a brief look at what may prompt someone to choose a Mommy Makeover.
Changes in Breast Size
Throughout a woman’s pregnancy, the breasts will grow as glandular tissue develops in anticipation of feeding a newborn baby. Whether a new mom breastfeeds or not, these changes happen. Eventually, the process will reverse and the breasts will shrink back to the size they were before—at least in theory. The real world is not so clear-cut. Some people find that their breasts stay much larger than they were before, while others notice that their breasts shrink down to a smaller size. The breasts may also change independently of each other, causing them to look different and create an asymmetrical appearance. Breast augmentation or reduction can bring the breasts to a patient’s idea size, as well as help them to look symmetrical again.
Changes in Breast Position
The fluctuations in volume mentioned above do more than just alter the breasts’ size. Expanding and contracting tissue can also cause supportive tissues to stretch out—and what has stretched doesn’t necessary snap back afterward. Larger breasts are also more prone to the effects of gravity, which will pull them downward. These factors combined can cause breasts to droop and sag over time. A breast lift will elevate the breasts, provide new support, and reposition the nipples as necessary to create a perkier look.
Changes to the Abdominal Area
The effects of growing and stretching tissue aren’t limited to the breasts, as a growing baby also needs to make room as the months go by. As the baby gets larger, abdominal tissues stretch in order to accommodate the rapid development. Unfortunately, a belly that has swelled rapidly—expanding considerably in less than a year—can have trouble retracting again. Abdominal skin may hang loose and appear baggy or droopy. A growing baby can also push the abdominal muscles apart, preventing them from serving as a functional wall after birth. This means everything behind them can bulge outward, adding to the lack of flat, taut look. A tummy tuck is designed to address all of these issues by removing excess skin and repairing the abdominal muscles.
Changes to Body Contours
Expectant mothers gain what many affectionately call “baby weight,” but the resulting bulges can stick around long after the baby has been born. Liposuction is designed to remove these stubborn pockets. The procedure is not intended as a weight-loss strategy, but it can help to sculpt contours more in line with a pre-baby body.
For more information about what goes into a Mommy Makeover, contact the Cosmetic Surgery Institute online or call 760.837.0364.