MOMMY MAKEOVER - TUMMY TUCK
Tummy tucks are an important part of most mommy makeovers. Although some women have tight enough skin that liposuction alone will give a good result, most women have extra tummy skin following pregnancy. Once skin is stretched and starts to sag it will not snap back. It is a huge myth that exercise will tighten skin.
This is simply not true. Yes, exercise will increase muscle mass and overall health. We encourage this wholeheartedly, but it is probably unrealistic to think that your core workout will completely flatten what your kids did to your tummy. Sorry 🙁
There are 3 major tummy problems caused by having babies:
- Your skin is stretched beyond its’ ability to tighten, often resulting in stretch marks.
- Your six pack muscles separate in the middle of your abdomen. This is called a “diastasis” and is responsible for the rounded bulge that your sit ups are not erasing.
- Extra fat accumulates around your waist, especially in the hip area.
Tummy tucks, also known as abdominoplasty, are designed to improve these problems, making them a valuable part of most women’s mommy makeover.
- Your extra skin is removed through a very low incision that will hide in a bikini for most women.
- Your six pack muscles are sewn together to flatten your tummy and narrow your waist. This is like tightening a corset or belt around your core on the inside.
- Extra fat is removed with your extra skin, but liposuction is often added to further improve your shape.
Considerations before making the decision to have a tummy tuck and mommy makeover include diet, fitness, weight (after giving birth) lifestyle, risks etc.
It is really important to be in good health before cosmetic plastic surgery. This reduces your risks and speeds the healing process. You’ll also get a better result the closer you are to your ideal weight prior to your mommy makeover. Developing good eating and exercise habits will ensure that you maintain your result, too. Check out Dr. Vennemeyer’s tips for a healthy mommy makeover in the previous article for help with this (link to previous article section on this).
Factors that influence a successful mommy makeover and tummy tuck
Getting a great result from your mommy makeover is most possible when you follow these guidelines:
Have the right operation
It’s really important to select a procedure based on your goals, while having realistic expectations. For example, if your skin is loose, but you decide to have liposuction instead of a tummy tuck because you are trying to avoid a scar, you may end up with wavy, wrinkly tummy skin that looks worse than where you started. If you have a good plastic surgeon they will guide you in the right direction in selecting a procedure that fits your goals
Be healthy before and after surgery
Remember: better health equals better healing, safer recovery and better results after a tummy tuck and mommy makeover.
Pick the right surgeon
You’ve probably seen “Botched.” Find a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon that is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to do your mommy makeover. For cosmetic plastic surgery, find a plastic surgeon that specializes in tummy tucks, breast augmentations, mommy makeovers, liposuction and other cosmetic procedures. Also, avoid picking your surgeon on price alone. In plastic surgery and everything else in life, you get what you pay for.
Take enough time to recover and follow directions!
Adequate recovery time is critical after a tummy tuck and mommy makeover. Your body can only heal so fast. If you overdo it you will have problems. I can not emphasize enough how important it is to read your post op instructions before your procedure several times and follow them. Patients can and do cause complications for themselves by not following simple directions after surgery.
