Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover – Chicago, IL

OVERVIEW

Pregnancy and breastfeeding cause physical changes in a woman’s body that demonstrate the body’s remarkable ability to adapt. However, some people may not find all of these changes desirable. Stubborn fat, sagging skin, and changes to the breasts or abdomen are common areas that our patients often wish to address.

A mommy makeover is a comprehensive surgical approach that can address multiple areas of the body at once. This procedure typically includes a combination of breast surgery, a tummy tuck, and liposuction. At Dr. Karol A. Gutowski’s practice in Oakbrook, our nationally recognized surgeon brings extensive experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, offering patients personalized options for those who are looking for surgical solutions.

WHAT IS A MOMMY MAKEOVER?

For women looking to get their bodies back post-pregnancy, the mommy makeover involves a variety of cosmetic procedures that can be combined to address problem areas. The most common areas are the stomach, breasts, buttocks, hips, and thighs. Our surgeons use their expertise to perform tummy tucks, liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lifts, fat transfers, and more to restore a woman’s appearance. It is important to note that the mommy makeover is designed for women who are done with childbearing and won’t get pregnant in the future.

WHAT CAN A MOMMY MAKEOVER TREAT?

Excess Abdominal Skin

After pregnancy, many women experience loose skin around the abdomen that doesn’t tighten on its own. This excess skin can be difficult to manage, especially when it remains even after weight loss or exercise. A tummy tuck is often included in a mommy makeover to remove this sagging skin and create a smoother and firmer abdomen.

Separated Abdominal Muscles

The strain of pregnancy can cause the abdominal muscles to stretch or separate, a condition known as diastasis recti. This muscle separation can lead to a bulging stomach that won’t respond to typical workouts. A tummy tuck can repair these separated muscles and restore the core’s function while also improving the overall shape of the midsection.

Stubborn Fat

Many women find that certain areas of the body retain pockets of fat despite a healthy diet and regular exercise. During a mommy makeover, liposuction can remove stubborn fat deposits and sculpt almost anywhere including the hips, thighs, and waist.

Small or Sagging Breasts

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause changes in breast size and shape, often leading to breasts that sag or have the appearance of lost volume. A mommy makeover can include a breast lift, breast augmentation, or both to address both size and sagging in one procedure.

Enlarged Areolas

Changes to the breasts during pregnancy may also affect the size and shape of the areolas. Enlarged or stretched areolas can be corrected during the breast surgery portion of a mommy makeover which can help balance the overall appearance of the breasts and create a more proportionate look.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COMBINING PROCEDURES?

Reduced Overall Recovery Time

One of the main benefits of a mommy makeover is that it combines several procedures into one surgical session. This means you go through one primary recovery period, rather than multiple, separate recoveries. While the healing process may be more extensive because of multiple surgical sites, you may be able to get back to your routine faster.

Comprehensive Body Changes

A mommy makeover allows you to address all your concerns at once—whether it’s excess abdominal skin, breast changes, or stubborn fat. By targeting several areas in a single surgery, patients experience a more comprehensive transformation. This can lead to better balance overall.

Fewer Surgeries, Less Anesthesia

Each time you undergo surgery, there’s a need for anesthesia and surgical preparation, both of which carry their own requirements, risks, and downtime. By combining procedures, patients reduce the number of times they need to be placed under anesthesia, simplifying the process and minimizing the risk.

Personalized, Customizable Plans

Every patient’s body is unique, and a mommy makeover allows for a highly customizable approach. While the procedure often includes a tummy tuck, breast surgery, and liposuction, the exact combination of treatments can be adjusted to fit your goals.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

The surgical techniques used during a mommy makeover vary based on the condition of each of the body parts the patient wishes to improve. For the breasts, common issues include sagging and loose skin and a loss of breast volume. Some women will have breasts that remain enlarged. Surgeries that may be considered include breast reduction, breast augmentation, and/or a breast lift. For many, a combination of these techniques creates a youthful, beautiful post-pregnancy breast appearance. The most common example is a breast augmentation with a lift. For the lower body, it is normal to see loose skin, surface irregularities such as stretch marks, and persistent pockets of fat. These are normally addressed with liposuction and by trimming away excess skin and ‘lifting’ the remaining skin to a new position.

A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR MOMMY MAKEOVER SURGERIES

Abdominoplasty

During an abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, the surgeon makes an incision across the lower abdomen, just above the pubic area. This incision is typically placed low enough to be hidden beneath underwear or a swimsuit. An incision is often used around the belly button. Once the skin is lifted, the underlying abdominal muscles are sutured together to repair any separation and restore a firmer core. Excess skin is then removed, and a new hole is created for the belly button. After tightening the remaining skin, the incisions are closed, and the recovery process begins. We offer more with our tummy tucks than many other surgeons including:

• No-Drain Method: By using special suturing techniques, our no-drain method eliminates the need for post-surgical drains, leading to a more comfortable and faster recovery.
• “Brazilian” Incision: This technique places the incision very low on the abdomen, making the scar easily hidden by underwear or a bikini, while still allowing for effective tightening and skin removal.
• Mesh Support: For patients with severe muscle separation, mesh support is used to reinforce the abdominal wall, providing extra strength and reducing the chance of future separation.
• High-Volume Liposuction: For patients with more weight, we can combine the tummy tuck with high-volume liposuction, removing larger fat deposits from the abdomen and surrounding areas.
• Pubic (Mons) Lift: For patients with sagging or excess tissue in the pubic area, this lift tightens the skin for a smoother, more proportional appearance.

Liposuction

Liposuction is used in most mommy makeovers to reduce localized fat deposits. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the targeted area, and a thin tube called a cannula is inserted. The surgeon uses this tube to break up the fat and suction it out, contouring the area. In the case of 360-degree liposuction, the process targets the entire midsection, including the abdomen, waist, and lower back, to create more of an hourglass shape around the whole torso.

Breast Lift

A breast lift addresses sagging by removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue. During the surgery, incisions are made around the areola and may extend vertically down to the breast crease. Depending on the degree of lift needed, an additional horizontal incision may be made along the breast fold. After the excess skin is removed, the remaining tissue is lifted and tightened to help it sit higher on the chest wall. The nipple and areola are also repositioned to a higher position and excess tissue may be taken from around the areola to make it smaller.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is performed using either implants or a fat transfer, depending on the desired outcome. Implant options include silicone, saline, or gummy bear implants which provide different levels of firmness and shape. The implants are placed either above or below the chest muscles through small incisions made around the areola, in the breast fold, in the belly button, or through the armpit. Fat transfer augmentation involves removing fat from other areas of the body via liposuction, purifying it, and injecting it into the breasts for a more subtle enhancement.

ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES THAT MAY BE INCLUDED

• Butt Lift: This surgery improves the shape and position of the buttocks by removing excess skin and tightening tissue. The incision is made along the upper buttock or lower back, hidden by clothing. In some cases, a fat transfer (Brazilian butt lift) may be added to enhance volume and contour.
• Labiaplasty: Labiaplasty addresses the size or shape of the labia, often stretched by childbirth or aging. Excess tissue is removed, and the remaining skin is reshaped to improve symmetry and comfort, with incisions carefully closed to reduce scarring.
• Fat Transfer: Fat is harvested from areas like the abdomen or thighs during liposuction, purified, and injected into areas like the buttocks, breasts, or face to enhance volume. Using your own fat reduces the risk of rejection and creates natural-looking results.

DURING/AFTER SURGERY

A mommy makeover covers a sizeable area of the body. It is considered an invasive surgery and in many cases will require an overnight stay at the hospital. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and can take 3 hours or longer to complete. Most women find the recovery to be a slow process. Walking upright is difficult in the first several weeks, and it is recommended that patients take it slow during the initial recovery phase. Depending on what was addressed during surgery, it could take between 6 months to a full year for the final results to appear. With that being said, most patients can go back to a normal routine in an average of 3 weeks; however, exercise is discouraged until at least 6-8 weeks after surgery.

MOMMY MAKEOVER FAQS

How Safe Is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover, because of the combined nature of surgeries, is considered an invasive procedure. Anytime a combination surgery takes place, the overall risks increase. For this reason, it is extremely important that patients find an experienced plastic surgeon that has the training and skill to perform multiple procedures in one setting. Under the hands of an experienced surgeon, the risks are greatly reduced and complications are rare.

Can I Get Pregnant After a Mommy Makeover?

It is recommended that all pregnancies are completed before a patient decides to have a mommy makeover. Pregnancy may compromise the results of the surgery, because additional skin stretching and weight gain is inevitable. Patients who are uncertain if they will have additional children should consult with their surgeon to discuss the best approach to take.

Will a Mommy Makeover Get Rid of My Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks may be minimized when the excess skin is removed. The tightening of the skin and underlying tissues will also help in making the marks less visible. Remaining stretch marks can also be minimized after surgery with skin rejuvenation treatments such as laser and chemical peels.

Will I Have Scars After a Mommy Makeover?

While a mommy makeover creates a beautiful new shape and figure for a woman, unfortunately, it does include some scarring. The scars are most common with a breast lift procedure and a tummy tuck. The surgeon will make every effort possible to create clean incisions, as well as take great care in minimizing scarring as much as possible. Any scars that result from this surgery will be able to be concealed with undergarments or swimsuits.

Find Out If a Mommy Makeover Is Right for You

A mommy makeover can address multiple body changes at once, making it a convenient and effective option for women looking to restore their pre-pregnancy shape. With our services at Dr. Karol A. Gutowski, you benefit from the expertise of a nationally recognized surgeon who provides advanced techniques in Oakbrook and the Greater Chicagoland area. To learn more about how a mommy makeover can work for you, call us at (847) 906-1527 or contact us using the online form on the website.