A Mommy Makeover with Dr. Antimarino

Posted September 21, 2020

Women and their bodies go through multiple stages over the course of their lives. The first being puberty which may be followed by the pregnancy stage. Once a woman has finished her last pregnancy, she and her body can be vastly different. Many factors play a role in how much change has occurred: the age when pregnant (starting and finishing), the number of pregnancies, the size of the babies compared to the mother’s body habitus, twins, and the woman’s genetics. Many of the women that I see are in the stage of their lives following the pregnancy stage: the postpartum stage. Most of these women are looking to regain fullness and shape to their breasts.

How Pregnancy Affects the Breasts

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause dramatic changes to breast tissue. This is seen especially in the upper portion of a woman’s breasts. Where the breasts were once full, now they have less volume. This loss of tissue can make a breast appear to sag and women are bothered by the gap that is now present between the skin of the upper breast and the bra or bathing suit cup. It is normal to have some sagging to the breasts as women age, but after pregnancy, the sagging can be worse. During a consultation, I discuss options with my patients to decide if a Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Fat Transfer to the breast, or a combination of these procedures would work best to achieve their desired results. 

Women will typically use their bras to lift and re-center their breasts which can lead to pain in the shoulders and neck, bra strap grooves on the shoulders, and even headaches. Not all women will lose volume. Some women actually gain breast volume after pregnancy and now have issues with breasts that are too large and heavy. These women have constant pain in their upper back, lower neck, shoulders, and breasts. A Breast Reduction may be needed to reduce the size of their breasts. All in all, most of my patients in the postpartum stage just want to restore the volume and shape of their breasts to a more natural look that fits their body.

How Pregnancy Affects the Abdomen

The changes that pregnancy has had on a woman’s abdominal wall is also a common issue that brings them to my office. Again, the age of the woman, the number of pregnancies, multiple births, and her genetics all play a role in how much excess skin, stretch marks, and muscle laxity she develops. An abdominoplasty, or Tummy Tuck, will correct the excess skin and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall. Stretch marks can be removed if they lie between the umbilicus and the pubic bone. Liposuction will help remove any increase in fatty tissue that may now be present along the hips and thighs, mid-back, and stomach.

In most cases, the breast procedure and the abdominal wall procedure can be combined into a single surgery. This is commonly called a Mommy Makeover.

Your Partner in Defining You

At Bellissimo Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa, we want to be your partner in defining you. We know we’ve done just this when we receive reviews like this one:

“I had surgery the week of my birthday and am pleased with the outcome. It has given me motivation to workout at the gym and strive for further weight loss and toning. Dr Antimarino’s professionalism and bedside manner are beyond compare. I highly recommend him for your plastic and cosmetic surgery needs.”

A complimentary cosmetic consultation with Dr. Antimarino is a wonderful time to discuss your aesthetic goals and create a treatment plan. A Mommy Makeover is simply a combination of procedures and treatments used to address the post-pregnancy body. During your consult, you can discuss each of these procedures and treatments, learn about their pre and post-surgerical requirements, and find a combination that works best for you. Schedule yours today.