Mommy Makeover: A Combination of Two Techniques

There is nothing as beautiful as motherhood, and there is nothing as precious as a mother’s child. But most women undergo changes in their bodies as a result of pregnancy, which leads to the Mommy Makeover. There may be shrinkage of the breast tissue, sagging in the breast, bulging of the belly, as well as loose skin and stretch marks. 

These effects can make a woman self-conscious about her appearance and uncomfortable being with her significant other. The Mommy Makeover is here to help slim, contour, enhance a woman’s shape, and provide her with the body image she desires.

The Mommy Makeover is a combination of two plastic surgery techniques (breast enhancement and tummy tuck) performed together in one operation to restore the youthful vitality of a woman’s breasts, belly, and torso. The advantage of performing these two operations together is that the recovery time of each is similar, and the recovery limitations in terms of activity are similar. Thus, the patient saves recovery time and creates the overall result the woman desires in one stage, as compared to two separate procedures.

It can also be a net cost saving to the patient.

Breast Enhancement

Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, a Combo

Typically the Mommy Makeover incorporates either a breast augmentation, a breast lift, or a breast lift and augmentation. Which of the procedures performed depends upon the patient’s underlying breast shape and the result that they want to see. 

The breast augmentation procedure can be performed with no scar on the breast. This is done by using an underarm incision and the endoscopic trans-axillary breast augmentation technique. The procedure can also be done using either gummy bear implants, silicone implants or saline implants. 

If there is sagging to the breast, a breast lift combined with an implant to fill out the breast can be performed. If the patient is happy with their breast size, a lift alone can be utilized. The breast lift technique that Dr. Schneider performs, either with or without an implant, uses a  lollipop incision around the areola and down the breast (Dr. Schneider performs his breast lift procedures without the anchor scar underneath the breast).

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

In addition to the breast procedure, the Mommy Makeover usually incorporates a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) technique to flatten and contour the torso. The tummy tuck usually involves a combination of 4 components to create a beautiful, harmonious result:

  1. Excision of skin and fat from the lower abdomen
  2. Liposuction of fat along the flanks to further contour the shape
  3. Tightening of muscle (rectus diastasis) and sometimes the oblique muscles if necessary
  4. Elevation and tightening of the pubic region if this has sagged

The Mommy Makeover Procedure

The Mommy Makeover procedure takes approximately three to four hours to perform depending upon which procedures are incorporated. It is performed under a deep twilight anesthesia in our AAAHC certified surgery center. Patients are able to go home the same day. 

All of the stitching in the breast lift and abdominoplasty is under the skin and dissolves on its own. It is not necessary to remove any sutures. A small drain is used in the abdomen, but usually, no drain is necessary for the breasts. 

A long-acting local anesthetic is used for the muscle and incisions to lessen the discomfort.  Dr. Schneider also prescribes a muscle relaxant that significantly helps recovery.  Dr. Schneider has published his results using a muscle relaxant in the prestigious medical journal, “Aesthetic Surgery”. 

Most patients are able to return to work in 10-14 days, and they can begin exercise in 6 weeks.