Having a baby changes everything, including your routines, your relationships, and of course, your body. Even after the initial postpartum recovery, it’s common for women to feel disconnected from their bodies.
Loose skin, stubborn pockets of fat, sagging breasts – these changes are all very normal and common, but that doesn’t mean they feel welcome. The person you see in the mirror no longer looks the way you feel inside, and that can have a profound impact on your self-confidence and mental health.
If you’re a new mom who is ready to feel like herself again, consider consulting a plastic surgeon like Dr. DeMercurio. At the Florida Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we offer both surgical and non-surgical approaches for post pregnancy body transformation.
Surgical Approach: The Mommy Makeover
You may have heard the term “Mommy Makeover” before. Patients often come to us with the assumption that this is one surgery. Really, it is a set of three cosmetic surgeries, often performed together, that can provide comprehensive results for mothers: the tummy tuck, breast lift and/or augmentation, and liposuction.
The Mommy Makeover is generally only recommended for women who are finished having children. There is a recovery period to navigate, but for many women, the short-term discomfort is worth the dramatic, lifelong results.
1. Tummy Tuck
Isn’t it incredible how the skin is able to stretch to accommodate a baby? Unfortunately, once skin has been stretched out, it doesn’t always return to its pre-pregnancy appearance on its own.
It’s completely normal for women to have some loose, folded skin around their midsection even years after giving birth. But if that loose skin is bothersome, you don’t have to go on living with it. An important component of the Mommy Makeover, a tummy tuck after having kids, will remove the loose skin. That leaves you with a more trim, toned appearance.
A tummy tuck isn’t just cosmetic, either; it can also be functional. Many women also struggle with weakened abdominal muscles and muscle separation post-pregnancy. This can also be repaired during a tummy tuck. Once you’re recovered, you should have an easier time engaging your core and maintaining good posture, which is better for your overall health and comfort as you age.
2. Liposuction
Losing weight post-pregnancy isn’t always easy. And even after you drop the pounds, you may have some unwanted pockets of stubborn fat that simply won’t budge. It’s especially common for these to hang out around your midsection and thighs.
During your Mommy Makeover, your surgeon can use liposuction to remove the unwanted fat from your midsection. It’s the perfect complement to a tummy tuck. We can also perform liposuction around the hips and thighs as needed.
Liposuction is performed through tiny incisions. While it will take a few weeks to heal, you don’t have to worry about large or obvious scars. After liposuction, the fat cells that were removed are gone forever. So while it is still possible for you to gain weight, you’re less likely to re-accumulate excess fat in those same problem areas.
3. Breast Lift and Augmentation
Women who breastfeed, and even those who don’t, tend to notice a loss of breast fullness after pregnancy. Natural hormonal changes that come with aging can lead to sagging, too. Many women assume that the remedy is breast implants, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, all that’s really needed is a breast lift: a procedure in which we remove excess skin from the top of the breast and tighten what’s left. A breast lift after pregnancy elevates the breasts and reduces sagging.
Of course, some women benefit from implants as a part of their Mommy Makeover, too. Whether you want to restore your pre-pregnancy look or add a bit more volume, we’ll customize our approach to meet your goals. Some women avoid breast procedures because they want to maintain a natural look. Rest assured that if that is your goal, we can absolutely achieve it. Take a look at some of these before and after photos to get a better idea of the natural breast results we’re capable of achieving for moms.
Non-Surgical Options for Renewed Confidence
So what if you’re unhappy with your post-pregnancy body, but you’re not keen on surgery? Does that mean you have to just… live with it? Not at all! Non-invasive cosmetic procedures have come a long way in recent years. Here are a few non-surgical treatments for moms that yield impressive results with little to no recovery time:
1. Injectables
When you hear “injectables,” you probably think of Botox® or maybe dermal fillers. Both of these options can be transformational for moms. A little Botox® to erase smile lines or some filler to restore volume to your cheeks can give you a more youthful, rested look – something you really need after sleepless nights and chasing after a toddler!
There’s also another injectable worth considering: Renuva®. This groundbreaking treatment stimulates your body to create its own fat cells. Over time, the areas you had injected become fuller and smoother, softening and refreshing your appearance. Here’s the best part: Renuva® can be used virtually anywhere on the body. It’s great for adding volume to flat spots and indentations around the hips, thighs, and buttocks, which can help reduce the appearance of sagging skin in these areas post-pregnancy.
Renuva® is also a good alternative to a breast lift for women who prefer to avoid surgery, or for those with only minor post-pregnancy breast changes. It can correct ripples and indentations, replacing fatty tissue that was lost due to pregnancy or hormonal changes.
2. CO2 Laser Treatments
Pregnancy can accelerate the development of wrinkles and age spots on facial skin. For some women, these changes are even more bothersome than sagging breasts or loose abdominal skin because everyone can see them all the time. CO2 laser treatments are an effective, non-invasive option to help you reclaim a more youthful, rested look.
A CO2 laser uses heat to remove the outermost layers of your damaged skin, all while leaving healthy skin intact. Your skin will be red and irritated for about a week after treatment; most patients find it feels like a sunburn. Once you heal, you’ll notice your skin looks smoother, more evenly toned, and less wrinkled. Seeing a more youthful reflection when you look in the mirror is such a good self-confidence boost after pregnancy!
3. RF Microneedling
What if your main concern is dull, dry skin? This, too, is very common post-pregnancy. Hormonal changes, a lack of sleep, and the nutritional demands of breastfeeding can all play a role, but often, it takes more than vegetables and a good night’s rest to combat the dullness.
RF Microneedling is one of the best non-invasive cosmetic procedures for post-pregnancy dullness. This treatment involves the insertion of many tiny needles into the surface of your skin. Then, radiofrequency waves are sent through the needles, stimulating your skin’s natural healing mechanisms. Post-treatment, your complexion will become more radiant, and your skin tone will even out. Many women also notice a reduction in acne scars, which is super helpful if you struggled with breakouts during or after pregnancy.
Motherhood can be so rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges. It can take time to adapt to this new version of yourself. Take a deep breath, be patient, and remember – you don’t have to live with bodily changes that make you feel disconnected from yourself. From CO2 laser treatments to the Mommy Makeover Ormond Beach residents can’t stop raving about, you have plenty of options to help combat loose abdominal skin, a dull complexion, and everything in between.
Contact the team at Florida Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery to learn more about our surgical and non-invasive cosmetic procedures for moms. We take a customized approach and can tailor your Mommy Makeover or non-invasive treatment plan to meet your unique needs and goals. Our goal is for you to feel more like yourself again, because that’s what you (and every mom) deserve.