Mommy Makeover
Even though you might be more active than ever and continue to exercise and eat right, there's no denying that pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding may have taken a toll on your breasts, abdomen, or other areas. Some of these cosmetic concerns can be reversed only through mommy makeover surgery. In Nashville, TN, Dr. Brian Tierney is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in the breast and body contouring procedures common in a customizable mommy makeover. He can help you restore your figure and your confidence.
If you're considering a mommy makeover in the Nashville area, request a consultation online with Dr. Tierney, or call our office at (615) 320-8585 to schedule an appointment.
With a mommy makeover, a major transformation is possible not just for your body — but also your confidence and femininity.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
The phrase mommy makeover usually describes a combination of procedures designed to help women regain their pre-pregnancy bodies with a single, comprehensive operation. It isn't limited to body contouring, though, and in fact your procedure may include facial components or even non-surgical services such as a chemical peel. Each woman has her own needs, and Dr. Tierney can tailor your mommy makeover to your own.
The most common components associated with mommy makeovers include:
Tummy Tuck
Pregnancy not only stretches the abdominal skin, it also weakens and damages muscles in the midsection. Unfortunately, excess abdominal skin and lax muscles can't be corrected through diet or regular exercise. A tummy tuck dramatically improves the appearance of the abdominal area by removing stretched tissue and tightening bulging muscles.
Liposuction
It can be difficult to shed the weight you gain during pregnancy. Dr. Tierney often combines tummy tuck surgery with liposuction to provide the hips and abdomen with more definition and contours that look natural. He can also do liposuction on other hard-to-tone areas, such as under the chin.
Breast Augmentation
One of the most notable changes that occur after pregnancy and breastfeeding is breasts that are deflated. For many women, the loss of breast volume undermines their confidence and makes them reluctant to wear bathing suits or other clothes. A mommy makeover often combines breast augmentation with a breast lift for patients whose breasts have sagged.
Breast Lift
Some patients are happy with the size of their breasts but disappointed that they have lost their perkiness, particularly after breastfeeding. Dr. Tierney restores the breasts' youthful contours by reshaping the breast tissue, removing excess skin, and repositioning the nipples.
Breast Reduction
Some women's breasts remain overly large after pregnancy and cause physical pain in addition to aesthetic concerns. Heavy, sagging breasts can put a strain on a woman's back, neck, and shoulders. For women used to leading active lifestyles, they can also interfere with running, hiking, or playing sports. In a reduction procedure, Dr. Tierney can lighten the burden and create a beautiful, perky shape.
Facial Procedures & Skin Rejuvenation
The hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy can cause various skin conditions, ranging from acne to melasma (darkened pigmentation that's sometimes called the "pregnancy mask"). Chemical peels are an excellent skin resurfacing treatment. ThermiRF™ is a non-surgical procedure that can tighten the skin and reduce small pockets of fat in the face and neck. And Dr. Tierney can also incorporate facial surgeries such as blepharoplasty if you'd like to reduce the signs of aging during your mommy makeover.
Vaginal Rejuvenation
For women who want to restore their most intimate areas, we offer ThermiVa® for nonsurgical tightening of both external and internal vaginal tissues. This treatment requires no downtime, and can measurably improve both comfort and appearance. Dr. Tierney also performs surgical labiaplasty for women who want to reduce and reshape the inner vaginal lips.
The Benefits of a Mommy Makeover
Combining surgical procedures into a single operation is safe and offers some unique benefits, especially for patients with younger children at home. Here are some of the top advantages:
- The cost of a mommy makeover is less than having the procedures performed separately because certain fees are paid only once, such as an operating room fee or anesthesia costs.
- You plan for only a single recovery period, which can be a concern if you have to schedule child care.
- You get a complete transformation. Many mothers who have spent a long time wanting to improve their appearance after childbirth appreciate the emotional impact of addressing all their concerns in one fell swoop.
Recovery After a Mommy Makeover
Recovering after an operation that includes multiple procedures requires patients to get plenty of rest, especially during the first few days after the surgery. Because you will have more than one surgical area, there may be a little more discomfort than if only one procedure was performed. It's important to move around during the day as much as possible to enhance circulation, which is important in reducing the risk of complications. Prescription pain relief medication can help you manage your level of comfort.
It's important to have plenty of help around the house during at least the first week following surgery. You won't be able to walk fully upright for a few days, and lifting small children must be avoided for at least a week. Light activity is usually possible after 2 weeks, but it will be at least a month before you may resume exercise and other activities.