Body Restoration After Pregnancy – How The Mommy Makeover Improves Your Body And Mind!
This is a message for moms who absolutely adore their children, but really miss their pre-baby body: Being a loving mom doesn’t mean you can’t think about yourself, too!
John E. Sherman, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon, Castle Connolly Top Doctor, and New York Magazine “Best Doctor” with a thriving New York City practice—has performed thousands of Mommy Makeover procedures… and he says there is a stigma out there that it’s selfish for a mom to have surgery to look their best.
“The truth of the matter,” he explains, “is that body restoration after pregnancy is about so much more than ‘fixing’ the abdomen or breasts—the two most common procedures in a Mommy Makeover—it is about bringing back a mom’s body, self-esteem and self-confidence. There is no shame in seeking surgical solutions to bring back something that’s been lost.”
That said, Dr. Sherman wants to be clear that not all moms are solid candidates for a Mommy Makeover. “If you smoke, don’t even think about the procedure,” he asserts. “Potential for complications are increased.”
Still, for the women who are good candidates, he encourages them seek out a skilled surgeon who has proven experience with the procedures. To that end, it’s wise to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Sherman, a faculty member at the Weill Cornell University Medical College, is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of numerous organizations including the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Regarding proven experience, Dr. Sherman says one of the best ways to understand the surgeon’s skills is to ask for photos of their previous work. “The doctor should be able to show you ample work … not three or four photos,” he says.
The reason he emphasizes proof of education and experience is because the decision-making concerning choice of operation and the ability to fulfill patient expectations is complex and requires an experienced surgeon.
“The truth of the matter,” he explains, “is that body restoration after pregnancy is about so much more than ‘fixing’ the abdomen or breasts—the two most common procedures in a Mommy Makeover—it is about bringing back a mom’s body, self-esteem and self-confidence. There is no shame in seeking surgical solutions to bring back something that’s been lost.”
From a technical standpoint, breast lift plastic surgery—technically called mastopexy—requires repositioning of the nipple and the areolar above the inframammary fold—where the bottom of the breast touches the chest—and reshaping of the breast without removal of breast tissue. Dr. Sherman explains this is often referred to as the “changing of the skin envelope without significant change to the contents of the envelope”.
When the implant option is selected by the patient, the choice of the breast implants, as well as the goal for size, shape and placement each play a role in how the surgery is performed, Dr. Sherman explains.
Patients should also know that even though breast augmentation can be performed with or without mastopexy, the surgeon’s experience is essential when the augmentation is combined with mastopexy.
The second aspect of a Mommy Makeover—abdominoplasty or tummy tuck—can be equally challenging. “The problem is usually corrected by restoring two areas,” Dr. Sherman says. “The first is the separation of the rectus muscle from the pressure of pregnancy. A problem that is compounded by the more pregnancies a patient has, which further stretches the muscle sheath.” If a hernia is present, that is repaired at the same time.
On thin patients, this may be the only deformity that needs to be repaired. On most other patients, however, it is a combination of both the laxity of the muscle and the excessive amount of skin that has not retracted months after delivery. In women who have had twins, the stretching and damage to the rectus is usually pronounced.
For some moms considering body restoration, Dr. Sherman says it often makes sense to perform the procedures at different times because of their lifestyle, personal schedule, desired recovery time, and cost. No matter the timing, combining a tummy tuck and breast lift can certainly have a positive impact on the body and mind.
