What is “Plastic Surgery”?
The word “plastic” derives from the Greek word “Plastikos,” which means to mold or change form. Plastic surgery involves both reconstructive procedures and cosmetic surgery.
“Cosmetic surgery” is plastic surgery designed to improve the appearance of the body or counteract the effect of aging. It can often improve body image, self-esteem and help to restore a more youthful appearance.
What is “Mommy Makeover” Surgery?
A Mommy Makeover is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at making a mother look the way she did before she had children, or perhaps even better than before!
Pregnancy affects each woman differently, with age and genetics playing a role in how the body recovers. Most women have permanent changes after pregnancy such as stretch marks, breast deflation/drooping, extra abdominal skin and loss of abdominal muscle tone. Repeated pregnancies and magnify these changes.
This article will briefly review surgical options available for moms to rejuvenate their bodies when they have finished childbearing.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes the breast, removes excess skin, lifts the breasts and raises the nipples and areolae.
In some instances, an implant is also inserted at the same time to achieve more projection and volume with the lift. Surgery takes two to three hours on average and may be done as an outpatient procedure (no overnight stay).
Breast Augmentation
During breast augmentation, an implant is placed inside the breast to add volume lost from pregnancy or breastfeeding. Implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are filled saline (salt water) or silicone gel-filled.
Breast implants are safe, and are the most extensively tested medical device available. There has been a significant amount of controversy over the use of silicone in breast implants, with sensationalization of these devices by the media.
More information about breast implants can be found at www.breastimplantanswers.com.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction treats symptoms of hypermastia (back pain, neck or shoulder pain, shoulder grooving, rashes beneath the breasts). The breasts are made smaller, lifted and reshaped. The areola size is also reduced.
