Having a child or children can be very rewarding but the aftermath is usually another thing altogether. There are many changes that occur in a woman’s body after giving birth that can be stressful and at times, overwhelming. Most of us may not be blessed with a body that regains its shape exactly as it was before pregnancy and will require a bit of help getting back into shape. Exercise and diets can be one way to go, but for many, the changes may not be reversed in this way. The solution therefore, may be a mummy makeover.
Why have a Mummy Makeover?
A mummy makeover is a great morale booster. Most women like to be admired and talked about in a positive manner.
The process of giving birth will make changes in the body, mostly around the abdominal and breast areas.
Your breasts may be sagging as a result of childbirth and your tummy may refuse to resume its previous shape as a result of stretching.
There may be excess fat around the body and this can also cause the buttocks to sag. The mummy makeover can deal with both your emotional and physical needs.
A mummy makeover is one of the newest and most popular techniques in plastic surgery today. It is made up of a number of procedures leading to one aim which is to have the mother looking as good as possible.
Preparation
If you are considering a mummy makeover, you will need to consult your doctor who will require your complete medical history. This will help determine if you are a right candidate for the procedure. Your doctor may ask you to first try to achieve the weight you desire through exercising and dieting. You will also have to quit smoking and alcohol at least two weeks before the operation.
It is recommended that you wait a period of six months after your initial consultation before embarking on this procedure. During this time, you can choose to exercise and practice good nutrition to see if the procedure will really be necessary after this period. Your doctor will need to know if you are finished with having children and if you are at a stable weight. The doctor will also need to know what body parts have changed during pregnancy and after giving birth and also whether you have finished breast feeding.
This procedure actually involves a series of procedures to counteract the effects of child birth and help your body resume its initial form or even improve upon it. These procedures can include, breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, buttock lift, liposuction. Breast is not recommended if you are breastfeeding hence the reason you are asked to wait for a period of time after giving birth. When you are pregnant your breasts tend to enlarge to accommodate milk production and at times the weight will take its toll causing the breasts to sag. A breast lift will help put the breasts back into place and give them a firmer appearance.
Again, you are advised not to undergo this procedure if you are breastfeeding. As a result of the weight gain, your buttocks may sag and in this case, it may be recommended to have a buttock lift as part of the mummy makeover procedure. This makes you buttocks more firm and shapely. The other procedures you may require would be a tummy tuck and / or liposuction. This will help in the reduction of your stomach removing any excess skin and fat that may have been left behind as a result of the stretching of the stomach muscles and tissues.
As with every surgery, there are certain complications that come along with it. The mommy makeover involves a number of procedures and any risks or complications that may occur will be in relation to each individual procedure. In the case of breast surgery or a tummy tuck, one may experience the emergence of ‘dog ears’, which are essentially excess amounts of skin found at the ends of the abdominal or breast incisions. This will require a little surgery to revise if it occurs.
Approximately one-third of patients who receive an anaesthetic during surgery will experience “anaesthesia sickness” or post-operative nausea and vomiting (POVN).
A surgical scar can result in bleeding or in some cases haematoma which is blood clotting under the skin. There may also be infection at the wound area which is not uncommon and can be dealt with by the use of antibiotics. One can also experience poor scarring which would be as a result of poor technique and this can be corrected by a small surgical procedure, preferably performed by another surgeon. One may also experience some numbness in the areas around the incisions. This is not uncommon and will cease after a period of time.
A mommy makeover can be performed one procedure at a time too.
Q. Can I have more children after my mummy makeover?
A. Most doctors will advise you to have a mummy makeover after you are done with having children. In case you get pregnant unexpectedly, you can still give birth, though this will mean that you may have to undergo the procedure again.
Q. When is the most appropriate time to have the operation?
A. In most cases, 6-12 months after giving birth will be appropriate. It is important to get advice from your doctor before proceeding to ensure that you are fully recovered. The doctor will need to ensure that your body has the energy and strength to go through the operation and to also heal fast enough after the operation.
Q. Can I deal with my kids immediately after the operation?
A. You are advised to hire a helper or have a relative looking after you and the kids for a period of two weeks after the procedure. This will allow you to heal properly and avoid any unnecessary complications.
Q. How long will I have to be away from work?
A. If you have a desk job, you will need at least two weeks before resuming work.
