Mommy Makeover
in San Antonio TX
Most women having their first child are prepared for the changes in their lives that will come with the new arrival. Hardly anyone is ready for the scope of the changes to their body, however. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding wreak havoc on a woman’s body. The localized weight gain and loss, both in the stomach and in the breasts, creates unique problems with stretched skin and sometimes separated muscles (in the abdomen). Months after delivery, even if she has lost all of her baby weight, a new mother can be discouraged by the stomach pooch that seems to have developed overnight, breasts that have flattened and are sagging, and pockets of fat that are impervious to exercise.
A mommy makeover with Dr. Coleman addresses the changes pregnancy and childbirth have made on your figure, giving you back your pre-baby body…and maybe even then some.
What is mommy makeover surgery?
A mommy makeover is simply a term describing a combination of surgical procedures that target the changes in a woman’s body caused by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Dr. Coleman combines three procedures for his mommy makeovers: a tummy tuck, a breast lift with or without augmentation, and liposuction. These three procedures are grouped into a single surgical session, creating a mommy makeover.
Who is a good candidate for a mommy makeover?
Unlike typical weight gain across the body, pregnancy creates very localized weight gain, both in the abdomen and the breasts. This can stretch the muscles and skin to a degree they cannot tighten back to their former degree of tautness afterward. The size increase in the breasts, coupled with breastfeeding often leaves them flattened, sagging, and with less volume. Plus, even if you’ve worked hard to lose your baby weight, it’s likely a few pockets of stubborn fat have developed in the abdomen and maybe the outer thighs.
If your stretched stomach skin has created a pooch, Dr. Coleman can address that with a tummy tuck. If your breasts have lost volume and seem flattered, a breast lift (with or without augmentation) will address that. And for those pockets of fat on your abdomen and maybe your thighs, liposuction can remove those. Put them all together, and you have a mommy makeover.
During your consultation for a mommy makeover, Dr. Coleman stresses that to be a candidate for these procedures, you’ll need to be at or near your ideal weight. These are body-contouring procedures, not weight-loss procedures. This isn’t an arbitrary thing — if you lose additional weight, you will have more of the sagging skin in your abdomen and breasts that predicated these surgeries in the first place. So, if you still need to lose some of your baby weight, that needs to occur first, and then you can come in for a mommy makeover.
What are the benefits of a mommy makeover?
The changes that occur in a woman’s body from pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding can be really depressing. You’re thrilled with your new bundle of joy, but not what the process has done to your figure. Mommy makeovers specifically target these changes. These surgeries return your lower abdomen to its former, slimmer contour. They remove the sagging skin on your breasts and possibly add volume. And they get rid of those stubborn pockets of fat around your tummy and flanks.
In other words, they give you your pre-baby body back. This can really change the mindset of a woman who has been struggling with the changes in her figure.
Also, by combining three procedures into a single session you only have a single recovery. Yes, it’s an involved recovery, but it is still only one rather than three. Also, if you opt to have augmentation with your breast lift to add volume to your breasts, Dr. Coleman can insert the implants through the incisions he’s already made for the lift, so it makes that part of the procedure very simple.
What procedures make up a mommy makeover?
These are the procedures involved with Dr. Coleman’s mommy makeovers:
Breast lift
Because the breasts gain size and weight during pregnancy, the skin and support tissue can stretch, making the breasts flatten and sag. A breast lift removes excess skin and repositions the breasts back higher on the chest. Depending on the amount of sagging, the nipples may need to be relocated.
Breast augmentation
Breastfeeding tends to decrease breast volume. Women who want to return volume, particularly to the upper part of the breasts, or who simply would like larger breasts, can opt to have breast implants inserted after the breast lift procedure. This is an easy time to add implants because they can be inserted through the incisions made for the breast lift.
Liposuction
Stubborn pockets of fat can show up after pregnancy. They won’t usually respond to exercise, either. Liposuction removes these pockets on the inner and outer thighs, hips, and abdomen.
Tummy tuck
As described above, the stretching of the stomach skin and muscles during pregnancy is extreme. A tummy tuck trims excess sagging skin and repositions separated muscles to give you back a flat stomach. Depending on the areas of sagging, a tummy tuck will involve one long incision from hipbone to hipbone positioned where it can be hidden beneath a bikini or underwear, and a second incision may be made around your navel.
What is recovery like after a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover with Dr. Coleman is a major procedure, and we’re not going to sugarcoat it — it’s not a simple recovery. You will have had surgery on at least two areas of your body, along with liposuction on other spots. These procedures will involve removing excess skin and repositioning muscles where necessary. The tummy tuck presents the most involved part of your recovery. This is because of the length of the incision, along with the tightening of your abdominal muscles that have become separated.
Your first week after surgery is difficult. You won’t be able to do much of anything around the house and with the kids, so you’ll need to line up some help. Dr. Coleman will have you in compression garments for one month for your tummy tuck and liposuction. This minimizes swelling, but it also helps your body adapt to its new slimmer contours. You’ll wear a support bra for at least one month, maybe longer, to take the pressure off your breast lift sutures. This will be a 24-hours-a-day requirement, and you must be disciplined about it, as this helps your breast lift incisions heal and begin to become less noticeable more quickly.
How Long After a Mommy Makeover Procedure Will I See My Results?
Because of the hipbone-to-hipbone incision, a tummy tuck can take a full six months to completely heal. You can’t lift anything more than 10 pounds for a period of six weeks or more. You’ll be able to begin a light level of activity after one to two weeks, but any strenuous activity or exercise will need to wait for 6-8 weeks.
While your recovery is not easy, your new body will make it all worthwhile.
Mommy Makeover Before and After Photos
Does a Mommy Makeover Procedure Require Anesthesia?
The procedures that are combined in a Mommy Makeover are all procedures that require anesthesia.
How soon after having my child can I have a mommy makeover?
New mothers can be frustrated at the changes they now see in their figure, but patience is important. Dr. Coleman stresses that you need to have finished breastfeeding for at least three months, possibly even longer, before having a mommy makeover. This allows the breasts to return to their normal, natural size. Also, you’ll need to lose any baby weight before having these procedures, and this gives you time to do so.
What Our Patients Have to Say
"I work at St Lukes Hospital where a lot of other plastic surgeons work. I have had the chance to see Dr. Coleman’s work in cosmetic surgery and in complex microsurgical cases. He is a perfectionist and is well known for it.
He takes a little longer than some of the other surgeons, but it really shows in how natural his patients look afterwards. There are several of us who agree, he does the best breasts in our hospital."
L.G.
San Antonio, Texas
What are the risks involved with a mommy makeover?
These are major surgeries, so they include the usual risks: bleeding, possible infection, reaction to anesthesia, slow healing, and the like. Of the four procedures, augmentation (if you opt for that) carries the most risk, as issues such as capsular contraction, asymmetrical final results, and implant rupture are possible. There is minimal risk with both tummy tucks and liposuction.
All in all, a mommy makeover with Dr. Coleman is a very satisfying combination of procedures.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you're interested in learning more about mommy makeovers please contact us for a consultation at (210) 251-4362 or fill out our contact us form. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.
