While complications are rare, it’s still important to know about the most common mommy makeover risks prior to your surgery. Naturally, before discussing the risks, we also want you to be well-versed in the surgery itself:
- What does a mommy makeover include?
- What are the typical procedural steps?
- What is a mommy makeover recovery like?
In this article, we’ll explain the basics of mommy makeovers, then move on to discussing the most common risks of this surgical procedure you should be aware of. Proper plastic surgery preparation starts with knowledge! So, let’s get started.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
Mommy makeover is an extensive surgery that combines several cosmetic procedures designed to help a woman reclaim her pre-baby body. This is because following pregnancy and childbirth, women often feel that their bodies have changed significantly.
Their breasts may have become more deflated in appearance and may have lost volume. Their abdomen may have stretched out skin due to significant weight gain during pregnancy. Sometimes, the inner labia have elongated to an uncomfortable point. Excess weight (body fat) is often being carried around.
All of these changes can make a woman feel uncomfortable and dissatisfied with her body. What we can help to achieve through a mommy makeover is a boost in self-confidence as well as more comfort for the patient in terms of finding clothes that fit, exercise, intimacy, and more.
Mommy Makeover Procedure Steps
Ultimately, the procedure steps involved in a mommy makeover cosmetic surgery will depend on what particular surgeries the woman has chosen.
Most mommy makeover patients will choose a combination of a breast surgery, liposuction, and possibly a tummy tucks.
Labiaplasty (vaginal rejuvenation surgery) is another option. Breast surgeries may range from a breast reduction or a breast lift to breast augmentation (breast implants).
Generally speaking, no matter what the particular surgeries are for a given mommy makeover, the first procedure step will be the administration of anesthesia. For most mommy makeovers, general anesthesia is used.
Next, the surgeon will make the necessary incisions for the first procedure. Sometimes, as with liposuction, for example, an injection of pre-surgery numbing solution may be injected prior to the incisions.
After the incisions are in place, the surgeon will then perform the necessary tissue, skin, and fat adjustments. And finally, the incisions will be carefully closed and bandages and compression garments put into place.
What Are the Risks of a Mommy Makeover?
For a few patients, the risks of having a mommy makeover surgery may outweigh the potential benefits. And that’s okay. When going into any type of elective plastic surgery procedures, you should feel confident with your decision and excited about the outcome.
With that said, most risks rarely become realities. As long as you choose a well-educated, board certified plastic surgeon and you follow their pre-surgery and recovery instructions carefully, your chances of experiencing major complications after mommy makeover surgeries are low.
Naturally, at your consultation appointment, your surgeon will go over the risks of a mommy makeover with you, such as the extremely low mommy makeover death rate and cardiac or pulmonary complications. Mommy makeover age limits may need to be discussed in certain cases.
This is an important element of pre-surgery care and making sure you are confident about surgery and ready to do your part in ensuring your safety and a great outcome. The additional major risks your surgeon may mention at this time will include the following:
DVT and Blood Clots
DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is an emergency and can happen when you have a blood clot in a deep vein. To help with blood clots, board certified plastic surgeons recommend staying mobile and promoting good blood circulation with regular, short walks.
Infection
Infections can occur when germs enter wounds following surgery. Be sure to keep your bandages and wounds (and general environment) clean and dry while you are healing.
Wound Separation
Poor wound healing issues and wound separation tend to happen when a recovering patient is too active. Avoid sudden movements, jerky movements, and stretching and straining while recovering from your mommy makeover.
If you had excess skin removed (with a tummy tuck surgery, for example), these incisions may be longer and will require slow, gently movements over the initial few days especially.
Change or Loss of Sensation
Most of the time when undergoing cosmetic surgery, changes in sensation or loss of sensation are short-lived problems. That is, these issues tend to improve over time. With that said, sometimes, permanent nerve damage can occur following a mommy makeover.
FAQ: Mommy Makeover Risk Factors
FAQ: Mommy Makeover Risk FactorsWhat are the downsides of a mommy makeover?
All cosmetic procedures come with potential complications, and these risks are naturally a drawback when patients approach mommy makeover surgery.
Another drawback is that there will inevitably be scars after mommy makeover surgery. This is inherent when incisions are required.
Is a mommy makeover a high risk surgery?
As long as you are a well-qualified patient and you choose a board certified plastic surgeon with experience performing mommy makeover surgery, you should be in good hands.
Complications are rare in these cases. Of course, you also must do your part and take the steps you are directed to take during your mommy makeover recovery.
With that said, mommy makeover surgery tends to be slightly higher risk than other cosmetic procedures. This is largely because mommy makeovers involve multiple procedures. When this is the case, the surgery duration tends to be longer, and the longer a patient is under general anesthesia, the more risks there are.
Request Your Consultation Appointment Today
Would you like to learn more about mommy makeover procedures? Schedule a mommy makeover consultation appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Dahlia Rice today.
Dr. Rice will listen to your goals for surgery, assess your health and medical history, perform a short physical examination, and go over some mommy makeover before and after photos with you to help determine your best course of surgery.
This required visit is a great time to have your questions and concerns addressed as well. So, be sure to bring a list of any specific topics you’d like to discuss. We look forward to working with you on your journey to reclaim your pre-pregnancy body.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/patience-is-important-after-your-mommy-makeover