Mommy Makeover Surgery
Dr. John S. Lee M.D.
Mommy Makeover Surgery
On average, most women gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. This weight is stored as fatty tissue in the breasts, abdomen, flanks (love-handles), hips, lower back, buttocks and thighs. The breasts also grow due to weight gain and to prepare for nursing. There can be a weakening and separation of the abdominal muscles and stretching of the abdominal skin during pregnancy. This stretching may cause a breakage of the skin collagen, also known as stretch marks. Many new moms do lose the excess weight. Unfortunately, the weight loss is not always proportional to the amount of fatty tissue in a given area. That means for some, more weight may be lost from the breasts or buttocks than the abdomen and waist. This can lead to smaller breasts despite fullness of the waist and abdomen. Also once a woman finishes breastfeeding, the breasts deflate even further and begin to sag. The weak abdominal muscles and the excess abdominal fat appear as fullness and bulging of the belly. Despite our best efforts sometimes the stomach muscles cannot regain their original strength. Even if you have successfully lost weight after pregnancy often you cannot reverse stubborn pockets of fat and sagging skin and Mommy Makeover surgery can really help. A Mommy Makeover isn’t just for recent moms, some women wait several years before treating themselves. Post menopausal woman can also benefit greatly from a Mommy Makeover.
A Mommy Makeover is a combination of surgeries targeted for the breast and abdomen area. The surgery can include either a breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction and a tummy tuck or liposuction of the abdomen. Every individual is unique and Dr. Lee will recommend the best possible combination for optimal results at the free consultation.
Dr. Lee does require that your BMI (body mass index) be at 30 or below for the tummy part of this surgery.
Options for a Mommy Makeover
During your consultation with Dr. Lee the different options for surgery will be discussed. The options to choose from are:
- Liposuction of the tummy area
- Tummy tuck
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Lift
- Breast reduction
- Breast implant removal
- Breast implant exchange
What is the process for Mommy Makeover Surgery?
To begin the journey you will meet with Dr. Lee for a free consult. His consult days are generally Tuesdays and Thursdays. Allow for about 40 minutes. During the consult Dr. Lee will listen to all your concerns, do a thorough examination, answer your questions and offer you his recommendations. You will also be given a written quote after the consult.
If you decide to move forward with surgery, his scheduling staff will find you a surgery day and then a preoperative appointment about two weeks before the surgery date where you will meet with the nurse and go over pre and post op instructions, sign consents, get prescriptions and make your final payment.
Surgery will be done at CSS (Center for Specialty Surgery) an outside surgery center under general anesthesia.
What is the Recovery Time for Mommy Makeover Surgery?
You will go home the same day and then come back for a two day and then a one week post op appointment. Healing and follow up care will continue, there will be multiple visits to begin with for drainage. You will also be wearing a compression garment around your belly for some time after surgery per Dr. Lee’s instructions. The first 7-10 days require full downtime. Dr. Lee recommends about three weeks optimally to be back out in the world looking fabulous.
What is the cost for Mommy Makeover Surgery?
Dr. Lee does not take medical insurance for this procedure although in some cases Breast Reduction surgery may be covered by insurance. You will be given a written quote at your consultation appointment which will include the following:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Anesthesia fees
