While many rewards accompany motherhood, one “perk” that you may wish you could skip altogether is the way that pregnancy changes your body. If only it were as simple as taking off the extra baby weight to get your pre-pregnancy body back. Diet and exercise are great tools for losing weight, but they do next to nothing for the sagginess that develops in the breasts and around the stomach.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Dumanian explains how mommy makeover, a combination of plastic surgery procedures customized to your cosmetic needs, can help restore the figure you used to enjoy.
Changes to the Stomach
As the stomach grows to accommodate the unborn baby, the muscles that make up the abdominal wall are usually pushed out of place. Dr. Dumanian’s research has shown that the stomach muscles (the up and down rectus “six-pack” muscles) become wider by one centimeter each for each of the first two pregnancies. Even after the babies are born and a young mother achieves her ideal body weight, the abdominal wall muscles have permanently changed and are less tight. Furthermore, the skin around the abdomen must stretch to cover the larger belly. After the baby is born, the stomach shrinks back somewhat, but often not to the pre-pregnancy appearance. If the skin and stomach muscles are not elastic enough, the stomach will have a “pooch” or in the most severe instances be considered a “floppy abdomen.”
Abdominoplasty Can Tighten Loose Stomach Skin and Rebuild Stretched Stomach Muscles
Abdominoplasty (aka tummy tuck) is a plastic surgery designed specifically to handle loose stomach skin and stretched out stomach muscles. Dr. Dumanian can remove excess skin and pull the remaining skin tighter for a flat, toned appearance. While he is operating, he can also repair the abdominal muscles to help restore definition and fullness.
Changes to the Breasts
During pregnancy, a woman’s mammary tissues expand in preparation for breastfeeding. The breasts remain larger as the woman nurses, but once the baby has weaned, the breasts decrease in size – often to their original size, but sometimes even smaller. Almost all breasts look noticeably deflated after pregnancy, with the volume of the breasts resting lower than before. The breast tend to sag, and often the areola become larger in diameter.
How Surgery Can Raise Your Breast
Breast procedures are the best way to counteract these changes. With a breast lift or mastopexy, Dr. Dumanian can elevate the position of the breasts to a more youthful position. Moreover, the shape of the breasts is rounder rather than pendulous. If the areola enlarged during pregnancy, that can also be adjusted during surgery. Breast implants are useful for women who wish to restore the size and profile of their breasts, either or both of which may have changed during pregnancy.
Discuss Mommy Makeover with Dr. Dumanian
Pregnancy may not be as gentle on your stomach and breasts as you would wish, but you do not have to permanently give up your attractive body contours just because you have chosen to have children. Dr. Dumanian is happy to help mothers make cosmetic improvements to their bodies so that they may rebuild their confidence after having babies. Please call (312) 695-6022 to make an appointment at his Chicago office.