Mommy makeovers are highly individualized treatments that are customized to the needs of each patient. Common target areas include the abdomen, breasts, and any other areas with stubborn fat deposits or loose skin. Depending on your problem areas, Dr. Wu will suggest an appropriate combination of any of the following procedures:
Breast augmentation
Breast enlargement is one of the most common procedures performed during mommy makeovers. This treatment helps restore breast size and fullness that may have been lost during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Many plastic surgeons use artificial breast implants, but Dr. Wu prefers fat grafting (natural breast augmentation) to achieve a more natural and healthy result.
Breast lift
Also referred to as mastopexy, a breast lift is a cosmetic surgery that improves the appearance of sagging or drooping breasts. Plastic surgeons remove excess skin to reveal breasts that look perkier and more youthful. This procedure is commonly included in mommy makeovers in order to address breast ptosis resulting from pregnancy and nursing. In some cases, a breast lift will be performed together with a breast enlargement procedure.
Breast reduction
For some women, the breasts remain larger than the desired size following childbirth. These women may choose to have a breast reduction so they can restore their breasts to the smaller size that they had before the pregnancy. This procedure may also help relieve some of the common symptoms of large breasts, which can include improper posture, breathing problems, pain, and low self-esteem. The ability to breastfeed may be adversely affected after a breast reduction, the majority of women are able to do so without any issues. Women who intend to breastfeed in the future may still be candidates for a breast reduction because the majority of women maintain their ability to breastfeed after surgery.
Tummy tuck
The abdominal area is dramatically affected by changes during pregnancy. For instance, abdominal muscles tend to separate or weaken in what is referred to as rectus diastasis. Stubborn pockets of fat may also form and the skin around this area is usually over-stressed. For these reasons, the tummy is one of the most common focus areas during a mommy makeover. Plastic surgeons perform this procedure to tighten abdominal muscles and remove excess tissue (skin and fat) to reveal a firmer and flatter post–pregnancy abdominal profile.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that is designed to remove stubborn pockets of fat from any part of the body. Plastic surgeons use a tiny suction device known as a cannula to extract fat from problem areas such as the abdomen, hips, and flanks. Dr. Chaowen Wu will help you identify specific areas that may be targeted to reveal a slimmer post-pregnancy contour.