The physicians at Raleigh Plastic Surgery Center specialize in Mommy Makeover Surgery in Raleigh, Cary and surrounding areas of North Carolina.
A Mommy Makeover is a term used to signify a combination of procedures that address the after effects of childbearing; such as, loose abdominal skin, stretch marks, and sagging, deflated breasts. Generally, a Mommy Makeover procedure involves a combination of breast surgery and abdominal surgery. The surgeries can range from Breast Reduction, to Breast Augmentation, to a Breast Lift, usually combined with an Abdominoplasty and/or Liposuction.
We recommend that this procedure be performed after all planned childbearing has occurred and after approximately one year has passed. Some patients will elect to have the procedure even if they anticipate having children in the future, but, they should expect this to occur 2-5 years later. Additional procedures may be necessary with additional weight loss or pregnancies since there will be more relaxation of the skin.
The Procedure
Most Mommy Makeover surgeries are performed here at our AAAHC accredited surgical facility under the care of our Board Certified anesthesiologist. On some occasions, the procedure may be performed at Rex Hospital if an over night stay is recommended or of certain underlying medical problems precludes performance at our facility. The procedure can take up to 6 hours depending on what combination of operations is necessary for the patient’s desired results. Patients usually stay in our facility for 2 hours post-operation but can be discharged to go home with the care of a responsible adult. Generally, the breast procedure will be performed first with the abdominal procedure following.
The Recovery
Mommy Makeover surgeries can take several weeks to recover from. Usually, if an Abdominoplasty is performed, this procedure will take the longest to recover from. Pain management is assisted bu the use of long-lasting local anesthetics such as Exparel; which, in combination with oral pain medicines, makes the recovery much easier. We recommend that mothers with young children have plenty of support at home since lifting of small children is best avoided for a few weeks after the operation. Generally, patients can return to light activities in 2 weeks and normal activities can resume in 4 weeks.
For more tips on how to create a post-op recovery space at home visit our blog!
FAQ
Q: I may decide to have more children in a few years but I need something to do about my body now! Should I have a Mommy Makeover?
A: Although it is ideal to have a Mommy Makeover after there are no further planned pregnancies, this procedure does not inhibit childbearing afterwards. There is generally no interference with normal pregnancy. Breastfeeding may be limited depending on the procedure performed on the breasts. Additional procedures may be necessary after another pregnancy if more sagging and stretching occurs. But, generally, the entire procedure does not require repeating.