What is a Mommy Makeover, and who can benefit? The term Mommy Makeover has been given to a variety of paired cosmetic procedures designed to enhance the areas most effected by pregnancy: the breasts and the belly. The archetype for the Mommy Makeover is the combination of Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck. Other procedures can be substituted to enhance targeting your specific needs, but this is the most frequently used pairing. This combination of procedures can also be helpful after weight loss. More details are supplied below and are covered in today’s video segment.
Mommy Makeover – Belly Enhancement
A mommy’s abdominal wall, muscle and skin, is stretched maximally during the final trimester of pregnancy, and the result is often irreversible with diet and exercise alone. Once the tough fascial layer that surrounds the muscle is over-stretched, it does not spring back. Exercise is very important to maintain weight and to strengthen the muscle, but it cannot repair the loose fascial layer that supports the muscle deep within the abdominal wall. A Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, can tighten the fascia, repair the diastasis, remove the excess skin and remove any baby fat that remains on the lower belly. Mini Tummy Tucks (Mini Abdominoplasty) and Liposuction can also be part of a complete Mommy Makeover. For more about Belly Shaping procedures visit my Body Enhancement page.
Mommy Makeover – Breast Enhancement
Breast size changes with pregnancy, weight loss, weight gain and even as we naturally age. The Breast Enhancement portion of the Mommy Makeover is modified depending on the problem. Breast Augmentation is the most common procedure combined with tummy tightening in the Mommy makeover. Breast Implants are used to restore lost volume, and fill loose skin, and just about any size is available. Newer silicone filled and shaped Breast Implants give us safer and better options. If sagging is present, a Breast Lift can be used to reshape the breast. When breasts enlarge with pregnancy and do not deflate, Breast Reduction surgery may be a better answer, to restore a more comfortable breast volume. For more about Breast Shaping procedures visit my Breast Enhancement page.
Mommy Makeover Questions Answered
This Mommy Makeover Video features more answers to common questions about the Mommy Makeover. Host, Janelle Marie, asks me about Breast Augmentation, Breast Implant sizing, Tummy Tucks, combing procedures and the recovery time needed. After watching the video, if you have more questions, click on links provided at the end of this post, use the contact form on the left or just give us a call.
Mommy Makeover Video – Before and Afters
This is the fourth and final Mommy Makeover video segment from a live broadcast on the San Francisco Bay Area’s News Station, KRON4. The (415) number shown in the video clip was for callers to ask questions during the show. Andrea in San Francisco, California, called in to ask if her Breast Reduction can be revised. Another good question! If you have questions about Mommy Makeovers, Breast Augmentation or Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tucks) please call (925) 943-6353 for more information, or use the contact form on this page to e-mail me.
Mommy Makeover Frequently Asked Questions
This series of Mommy Makeover Videos includes answers to many Mommy Makeover Frequently Asked Questions. This segment reviews additional facts about both Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tucks and the alternatives. San Francisco caller, Andrea, also calls with questions about Breast Reduction and Breast Reduction Revision surgery. Some of the breast and belly shaping topics covered include:
Can Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tucks be safely combined as a Mommy Makeover?
What are the advantages of combining Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tucks?
Which are the most popular Cosmetic Plastic Surgery procedures?
Do Breast Implants have to be big?
What sizes are available in Breast Implants?
Can a specific size be guaranteed for Breast Augmentation?
How can I test the size of Breast Augmentation I want?
What is the most common reason for Breast Augmentation Revision?
What is the most common reason to replace a Breast Implant?
What is the recovery time for a Tummy Tuck?
What is the recovery time for a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Can Breast Reduction be redone or revised?
More Mommy Makeover Information
Thank you for watching part three of Mommy Makeovers. Be sure to watch the rest of the show. Links are provided below:
We all love our children, but the changes to our bodies that come with having children are not always as loved. The breasts and the belly are the two areas that can suffer the most, and the Mommy Makeover can help both.
Mommy Makeover – Breast Enhancement
Breast can enlarge, deflate or sag with pregnancy. The Mommy Makeover is modified depending on the problem. The most common Breast Enhancement is Breast Augmentation. Breast Implants are used to restore lost volume, and fill loose skin. If sagging is present, a Breast Lift can be used to reshape the breast. When breast enlarge with pregnancy and do not deflate, the result is macromastia, or breast that remain too large. Breast Reduction surgery is used in this situation, to restore a more comfortable breast volume. Breast Reduction reduces and lifts the breast and can also provide Areola Reduction. When needed, Nipple Reduction can also be incorporated into the procedure. For more about Breast Shaping procedures visit my Breast Enhancement page.
Mommy Makeover – Belly Enhancement
The abdomen also takes a hit with pregnancy. The abdominal wall, muscle and skin, is stretched maximally during the final trimester. The tough fascial layer that surrounds the muscle often gives, causing laxity of the muscle and separation of the rectus muscles down the middle (diastasis recti). While exercise will strengthen the muscle, it cannot repair the overstretched fascia. A Tummy Tuck, or Abdominoplasty, can tighten the fascia, repair the diastasis, remove the excess skin and remove any baby fat that remains on the lower belly. Mini Tummy Tucks (Mini Abdominoplasty) and Liposuction can also be part of a complete Mommy Makeover. For more about Belly Shaping procedures visit my Body Enhancement page.
Mommy Makeover Before and After Pictures
This Mommy Makeover Video features before and after photos and more Mommy Makeover information. A variety of Tummy Tucks before and afters are revealed, from small to large. Other details of the Mommy Makeover are also discussed regarding the tummy tuck scar, and when to use breast implants, breast reduction or a breast lift.
Mommy Makeover Video – Before and Afters
The Mommy Makeover video segment below was broadcast live on the San Francisco Bay Area’s News Station, KRON4. The (415) number shown in the feature was for callers to ask questions during the show. Michelle in San Jose, California, called in to ask if her C-section scar can be used to perform a Tummy Tuck. Good question! If you have questions about Mommy Makeovers, Breast Augmentation or Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tucks) please call (925) 943-6353 for more information, or use the contact form on this page to email me.
Mommy Makeover Frequently Asked Questions
This Mommy Makeover Video includes answers to more Mommy Makeover frequently asked questions. Tummy Tucks and Abdominoplasty before and after pictures are shown, and more Belly and Breast Enhancement details are shared including:
Mommy Makeover before and after pictures
Extended Tummy Tuck before and afters for skin laxity
Abdominoplasty before and afters for muscle laxity
Tummy Tuck before and afters for disproportionate fat
How to treat the Muffin Top
Where is the Tummy Tuck scar?
Can a C-section Scar be used for a Tummy Tuck?
When are Breast Implants used for Breast Enhancement?
When is a Breast Lift recommended?
Can Breast Reduction be performed instead?
Which are the strongest Breast Implants?
Allergan style 410 Breast Implants information
Sientra High-Strength Breast Implants information
More Mommy Makeover Information
Thank you for watching part three of Mommy Makeovers. Be sure to watch the rest of the show. Links are provided below:
My most recent KRON4 Body Beautiful television appearance featuring Mommy Makeovers is packed with information that every woman considering Breast Enhancement or Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) can use.
What is a Mommy Makeover
Mommy Makeover is a generic term for a combination of procedures that restore both the breasts and the belly. Since this is very desirable after childbirth, mommies are the number one patients for Mommy Makeovers. The combination is also common after weight loss, when breast volume is lost and the abdominal skin remains stretched out. A Mommy makeover can also be performed to cosmetically enhance the results of Bariatric Surgery. As a member of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, Mommy Makeovers are an area of particular interest to me.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tucks)
The previous post reviewed the options for remodeling the upstairs (Breast Enhancement). This Mommy Makeover Video concentrates on downstairs (Body Enhancement). The mainstay of Body Enhancement is the Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty. The procedure allows a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess belly skin and fat. The result is a smoother, firmer tummy.
Mini Tummy Tucks (Mini Abdominoplasty)
When the upper abdominal wall looks good (above the belly-button) and just the lower tummy needs tucking, a Mini Tummy Tuck may be a better choice. The Mini Abdominoplasty operation is a smaller procedure, with a quicker recovery. The fact that it’s a smaller procedure also means it is not a substitute for when a full Tummy Tuck is indicated.
Liposuction
Liposuction can also be used for body sculpting. Liposuction allows areas of disproportionate fat to be removed via small, discretely placed incisions. If your skin has good elasticity, it will smooth out after the fat is removed. The skin over an area of liposuction can shrink due to it’s own elasticity, but if the skin is loose prior to liposuctioning, a Tummy Tuck is almost always a better choice.
Mommy Makeover Video – Breast Augmentation
The Mommy Makeover video segment below was broadcast live on the San Francisco Bay Area’s News Station, KRON4. The (415) number shown in the feature was for callers to ask questions during the show. If you have questions about Mommy Makeovers, Breast Augmentation or Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tucks) please call (925) 943-6353 for more information, or use the contact form on this page to email me.
Mommy Makeover Frequently Asked Questions
This Mommy Makeover Video includes answers to many of the frequently asked questions about Tummy Tucks and Abdominoplasty. Other tummy shaping procedures are also discussed including, Mini Tummy Tucks, Mini Abdominoplasty and Liposuction. Some of the Mommy Makeover Information covered includes:
What diet and exercise can and can’t do.
What is the definition of the Mommy Makeover
Can Tummy Tucks be safely combined with Breast Implants?
Do only Mommies benefit from Mommy Makeovers?
How can a Mommy Makeover help after pregnancy?
How can a Mommy Makeover help after weight loss?
What differences are there with Tummy Tucks for Women and Men?
Will Liposuction tighten loose skin?
What are the advantages of a Mini Tummy Tuck?
What are the limitations of a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Why are Mini Abdominoplasty scars shorter?
Does an Abdominoplasty cut the abdominal muscles?
More Mommy Makeover Information
Thank you for watching part two of Mommy Makeovers. Be sure to watch the rest of the show. Links are provided below:
We had a great show. My most recent KRON4 Body Beautiful television appearance featuring Mommy Makeovers is packed with information that every woman considering Breast Enhancement or Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) can use. Mommy Makeover is a generic term for any combination of procedures that restore both the breast and abdomen. Since this is very desirable after childbirth, mommies are the number one patients for Mommy Makeovers. The combination is also common after weight loss, when breast volume is lost and the abdomen is stretched out, and can be performed to enhance the results of Bariatric Surgery. As a member of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, Mommy Makeovers are an area of particular interest to me.
Breast Enhancement
Breast Enhancement includes many different procedures. The most common, by far, is Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants; however, Breast Lifts, Breast Reduction, Areolar Reduction, Inverted Nipple Correction and even Nipple Reduction are all types of Cosmetic Breast Enhancement.
Mommy Makeovers Upstairs – Breast Augmentation
Breast Augmentation is the upper half of the Mommy Makeover. The first video segment from Body Beautiful focuses on Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants. When the skin is firm, Breast Augmentation alone is a great way to restore volume and beauty to the female breasts. If the skin is loose, a Breast Lift can be added to improve the shape and firmness of the breasts.
Mommy Makeover Video – Breast Augmentation
The Mommy Makeover video segment below was broadcast live on the San Francisco Bay Area’s New Station, KRON4. The (415) number shown in the feature was for callers, like Sandra from San Jose, to ask questions during the show. If you have questions about Mommy Makeovers, Breast Augmentation or Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tucks) please call (925) 943-6353 for more information, or use the contact form on this page to email me.
Mommy Makeover Frequently Asked Questions
This Mommy Makeover Video includes answers to many of the frequently asked questions about Breast Implants and Breast Augmentation. Multiple Breast Augmentation Before and After pictures are shown, and I answer questions from a viewer from San Jose about Breast Augmentation Revision:
What is a Mommy Makeover?
What are Breast Implants?
Are Breast Implants Safe?
What are Breast Implants filled with?
What advantages do Saline Breast Implants have?
What advantages do Silicone Breast Implants have?
What advantages do “Gummy Bear” Breast Implants have?
What advantages do Round Breast Implants have?
What advantages do Shaped Breast Implants have?
Is Cleavage always possible with Breast Implants?
Breast Implant Before and After Pictures
Breast Augmentation Revision – Can switching from Saline to Silicone gel filled Breast Implants help a firm Breast Augmentation?
More Mommy Makeover Information
Thank you for watching part one of Mommy Makeovers. Be sure to watch the rest of the show. Links are provided below:
Tune in to KRON4 on Monday, March 25, 2013, at 11:00 AM, for 30 minutes of Body Beautiful dedicated to Body Work. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Joseph Mele, will show Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck and Mommy Makeover before and after pictures, and answer your questions during the live broadcast.
Dr. Mele discusses Body Work (Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck and Mommy Makeovers) on the Bay Area’s News Station, KRON4.
Body Shaping Plastic Surgery
Spring is in the air, and there is no better time to get in shape. The gyms are full and the winter pounds are being shed. While diet and exercise can tighten muscles and reduce fat, there are some problems that require direct intervention. Loose skin will not shrink with dieting. There is no exercise to fill deflated breasts, and disproportionate fat won’t sculpt itself. Dr. Mele will present the latest plastic surgery techniques designed to compliment your hard work.
The Newest Breast Implant Technology – Allergan 410′s
The show will also feature the newest Breast Implants available from Allergan. Allergan’s 410 Breast Implant is form-stable, shaped, textured and filled with the highest strength silicone gel available in an FDA approved Breast Implant. The implant has been available outside the United States for over a decade. FDA approval was obtained after the review of a seven-year premarket approval study. During the study, the 410 Silicone Breast Implants performed well. Perhaps most significantly, during the 7 years of the study, there was a 0% incidence of gel migration. The San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog has more information here: Allegan Natrelle 410 Breast Implants get FDA Approval.
Tummy Tucks and Mommy Makeovers
Breast Augmentation is just one of the body shaping techniques featured. Body contouring with Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) will also be reviewed. The Tummy Tuck can remove lower abdominal fat and stretch marks, tighten the abdominal muscles and firm up loose redundant abdominal skin. Crunches can strengthen the rectus abdominus muscles, but they cannot repair an over stretched muscle. After pregnancy, or after massive weight loss, the fascia (a tough layer that surrounds and supports the muscle) stretches out and cannot recoil. The result is a round lower belly, despite strong muscles. When associated with loose skin, this is the situation the Abdominoplasty was made for.
Body Work by Plastic Surgeon
If you want to learn more about what plastic surgery can do for your body, call Board Certified Bay Area Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Joseph Mele at (925) 943-6353. You can watch him on Monday, March 25, 2013, at 11:00 AM on KRON4′s Body Beautiful, or you can use the contact form on the left to learn about Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Mommy Makeovers or many more Body Shaping Procedures.
Last week, I introduced the Tummy Tuck. This week, I discuss the Tummy Tuck in more detail including Mini Tummy Tucks, but that’s not all. A viewer asks about Liposuction of the thighs vs. a Thigh Lift, and Janelle asks about Arm Liposuction vs. and Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) and the very popular Mommy Makeover.
Tummy Tuck on San Francisco Bay Area Television
This is segment three of four from KRON4′s Body Beautiful. Janelle Marie and the San Francisco Bay Area Plastic Surgery audience have more questions. Links to previous segments are posted below. The (415) number that appears in this Tummy Tuck Video was provided for viewers to call in with their questions during the live show. If you are considering Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, Breast Augmentation, Mommy Makeovers or another Cosmetic Plastic Surgery procedure, information is available here on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog, and my other websites listed above on the left under “Useful Links“.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) Video with Before and After Pictures
Liposuction Frequently Asked Questions
The first segment of this television show reviewed Liposuction. The second segment discussed Tummy Tucks and Lower Body Lifts. This video covers many of the frequently asked questions about variations of the Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) as well as the Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) and Thigh Lift. Topics covered in this Tummy Tuck Video include:
What is a Floating Belly Button Tummy Tuck?
What is a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Can Liposuction enhance the results of a Mini Tummy Tuck?
Can I keep my belly button after a Tummy Tuck?
What is a Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty?
Who is usually a candidate for a Fleur-de-Lis Abdominoplasty?
How long does a Tummy Tuck last?
What is a Mommy Makeover?
When is the best time for a Mommy Makeover?
Viewer Francisco from Oakland asks,”Can Liposuction help loose skin on the inner thigh?”
What is involved with a Thigh Lift?
Can Liposuction be performed on the upper arm?
What is the difference between Liposuction and an Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)?
Can Liposuction alone help loose arm skin?
What are some of the most common Plastic Surgery procedures for men?
If you have questions about Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, Breast Augmentation, Mommy Makeovers or other Cosmetic Plastic Surgery procedures, call our San Francisco Bay Area Plastic Surgery office or use the contact form on the left to ask your questions. If you are considering cosmetic plastic surgery, call (925) 943-6353, and we will help you take the next step with a personalized consultation appointment.
There are four segments to the Liposuction and Tummy Tuck Series as seen on KRON4′s Body Beautiful.
Tummy Tucks, in the San Francisco Bay Area, remain high on the list of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Whether performed on their own, or as part of a Mommy Makeover, abdominoplasty can repair loose overstretched skin, muscle laxity, disproportionate fat, and even remove stretch marks from the lower abdomen.
Tummy Tuck Before and After: Lower abdominal laxity distorts the appearance of the abs in this otherwise fit woman. In just a few weeks after her tummy tuck, her clothes fit better, and she is much happier with her new look.
Tummy Tuck Alternatives and Options
The Tummy Tuck is the plastic surgery work horse for abdominal rejuvenation. It addresses all three of the major areas on concern for the lower abdomen. Abdominoplasty tightens skin, removes fat and cinches up the muscles like an internal corset. For most patients, after weight loss or child birth, this is the best option. When the skin and muscles are tight, however, Liposuction alone may be sufficient to flatten the belly. When muscle and skin laxity is confined to the area below the belly-button, a mini-tummy-tuck may be a better choice.
Maintaining the Proportions of the Trunk
Sometimes the fat extends around the sides to the back. The love handles or “back fat” may look disproportionate after the belly is repaired. A Tummy Tuck can be combined with Liposuction to extend the results. As long as the skin tone is good, liposuction can be utilized to removed the love handles and back fat to rejuvenate the entire trunk.
Liposuction of the back can be combined with a tummy tuck to further enhance your results. In this case, liposuction allowed for further reduction of the waist, and smoothing of the back. The combination allows clothing to fit better than with a tummy tuck alone.
Liposuction only works when the skin retains the ability to contract and shrink to the new, slimmer shape. When the skin is over stretched, appropriately named “plastic deformation” in Engineering, it can no longer regain its original shape. This is the benefit of operations like Abdominoplasty and the circumferential Lower Body Lift or Belt Lipectomy used for Post Bariatric Plastic Surgery. These procedures remove the excess skin and allow for enhanced, more form fitting results.
Tummy Tuck Frequently Asked Questions
Interested in more information about Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Mini-Tummy Tuck (Mini-Abdominoplasty), Liposuction, Lower Body Lift or Belt Lipectomy? More is available on my main web site, DrMele.com, and via any of the links embedded above. We would be happy to answer your questions via the contact form to the left or via the phone.
To schedule a private consultation in our Walnut Creek, CA, Plastic Surgery Office call (925) 943-6353.
Live Television Event on Monday, September 10, 2012, at 11:00 AM
Update: Dr. Joseph Mele, will be appearing live Monday, on KRON4′s Body Beautiful. The topic will be all about the abdomen. You can call in and get your questions answered during the show, or email them beforehand using the contact form on the left.
Recently, inquires about Mommy Makover procedures have been on the rise. Astute Bay Area consumers of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery are seeking the assistance of an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, like myself, Joseph A. Mele, MD, to repair the damage that pregnancy sometimes causes.
Mommy Makeover Before And After Pictures: Side-by-side before and after photos of Breast Augmentation combined with a Tummy Tuck.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
What is a Mommy Makeover? The Mommy Makeover takes care of the two areas of the female body that take the biggest hits with pregnancy: the breasts and the belly. Traditionally, Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants) is combined with Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), but other variations exist.
The Mommy Makeover before and after photos above show what can be achieved. After pregnancy, her breasts have lost volume, but are not saggy. The skin on the abdomen has become loose and the muscle behind it is lax, bowing forward due to stretching during pregnancy. In this case, Breast Augmentation with Breast Implants restores the lost breast volume, and a Tummy Tuck tightens the abdomen.
What Else Can a Mommy Makeover do?
Other procedures can be combined or substituted depending on your specific needs. When the the breast sag, a Breast Lift can be added. If there is sagging, but size of the breasts remains good, Breast Augmentation may not be needed. On the other hand, when the breasts remain too large, a Breast Reduction is performed.
For the abdomen, when only the lower abdomen is over stretched, a Mini Tummy Tuck may be sufficient for correction. In cases where the muscle remains flat, but a collection of fat develops, Liposuction can help improve the contours. Liposuction may also be used in combination with the Tummy Tuck or Mini Tummy Tuck, to further improve the abdominal proportions.
Mommy Make Over Options
As you can see, there are many variations of Mommy Makeovers. What will work best for you depends on where the problems are, and the simplest, most predictable way available for improvement. To learn more about the Mommy Makeover, and to see what the procedure has to offer you, be certain to consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, call our Walnut Creek, CA office at (925) 943-6353, to schedule an appointment today. Alternatively, you can use the contact form at the bottom of the left column.
The Tummy Tuck remains one of the most requested cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in my San Francisco Bay Area plastic surgery office. Walnut Creek is a growing community with excellent schools. It’s a great area for raising children, so I see lots of mommies from Walnut Creek and the surrounding areas.
Tummy Tuck, Abdominoplasty, Panniculectomy, it doesn't matter what you want to call it, the result is a flatter, firmer stomach.
What Does a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Do?
Tummy tucks are designed to fix abdominal wall laxity. Abdominoplasty can repair stretched abdominal wall muscles. The tummy tuck removes the excess skin and fat that accumulates on the lower belly. This part of the abdominoplasty is sometimes called a Panniculectomy. Whatever the name, the result is a firmer, flatter abdominal wall.
Tummy Tuck Timing – When to Get Your Abdominoplasty
There are several reasons for abdominal wall laxity, but having children tops the list. Pregnancy stretches the abdominal muscles and skin. Often the stretching is irreversible, and the skin and muscle remain loose, despite weight loss and working out. It may take several months for your abdomen to recover from child birth. Normally, maximum shrinkage is seen by your newborns first birthday. The best time to get a tummy tuck is after your are done having children. For more information about abdominoplasty, click on San Francisco Tummy Tucks
Another common reason for a tummy tuck is a history of being overweight. Weight gain, like pregnancy, stretches the abdominal wall. When the weight is lost, loose skin and stretched muscle may continue to be a problem. This occurs in more areas than the abdomen. Loose skin may affect the breasts, face, arms and thighs too. The best time to have a tummy tuck after Weight Loss, is when you have reached your goal weight. If you have had bariatric surgery for weight loss, it is recommended to wait one year after your weight loss surgery. This allows you to reach a stable weight, and gives your body time to adjust to its new physiology. For more information on plastic surgery that can help improve your appearance after weight loss, click on Post-Bariatric Plastic Surgery.
Mommy Makeovers
The Mommy Makeover is a combination of Tummy Tuck and Breast Enhancement. Since pregnancy affects the breast and abdomen, the mommy makeover is one of the most common combination surgeries I perform. Most commonly, Breast Augmentation, with or without a Breast Lift, is added to the tummy tuck. But sometimes, just a breast lift (mastopexy) or even breast reduction is needed. A mommy makeover may involve a smaller abdominal procedure when appropriate, so liposuction and mini tummy tucks (mini abdominoplasty) are always considered. For more information on Mommy Makeovers, click on San Francisco Mommy Makeover.
If you would like more information about the mommy makeover, tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck, liposuction, Breast Augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction or post-bariatric plastic surgery, make an appointment for a personal, private plastic surgery consultation. Give us a call at (925) 943-6353, or use the contact form on this page.
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to discuss abdominoplasty, more commonly know as the tummy tuck, live in San Francisco on KRON4′s Body Beautiful. The show is half an hour long, so I will break it up into smaller themed segments. Look for it here in the near future.
Tummy tuck before and after pictures. All three layers (skin, fat and muscle) of the abdomen are improved. Click on picture for more examples.
Many common tummy tuck questions came up during the show and even more questions were raised afterwards from the audience and in the emails that followed. The most common question asked was, “Who needs a tummy tuck?” I would like to share some of the reasons people have tummy tucks here.
First the disclaimer, when I answer general questions the answers are generally true; however, sometimes specific situations arise with an individual that leads to a different answer. While what you read on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog, or on my personal web site (DrMele.com) is carefully designed to provide you with the information needed to learn about plastic surgery, it is important to actually see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon before any specific course of action can be recommended. Every patient is different, and consequently every operation is different. A vital ingredient for a beautiful plastic surgery result is individualizing the plan to suit your specific needs.
Who needs a Tummy Tuck?
A tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall. It improves three layers: the skin, the fat, and the muscle. The ideal candidate for a tummy tuck is in good shape and not too far from their goal weight. In order to be a candidate, you should need help in at least one of the following three areas that the surgery improves.
Loose Skin
Loose skin can be caused by pregnancy and weight loss. Both stretch the abdominal skin. If the skin is stretched too much, it cannot recoil. After pregnancy or weight loss, the skin may remain stretched and begin to hang. Unfortunately, in this situation, more weight loss does not help. Instead it leads to more loose skin.
A tummy tuck removes this loose skin from the lower abdomen, and tightens the skin that remains. This results in a smoother contour and better fitting clothes.
Excess Fat and Stretch Marks
Whenever I am removing excess lower abdominal skin, I can remove two other problems: excess fat and stretch marks. Excess fat that is below the belly button, is removed along with the excess skin. Women tend to put most the excess fat between the muscle and the skin, making it easy to remove. Men more often put excess fat behind the muscle, where it is not accessible. This internal fat must be lost with diet and exercise, and cannot be surgically removed.
Any stretch marks that are in this skin, are also removed. If the stretch marks are confined to the central abdomen below the belly button, the majority, if not all of them, can be removed with a tummy tuck.
Muscle Laxity
Babies and internal fat are behind the muscle layer of the abdominal wall. Because of this, pregnancy and weight gain also stretch the muscle layer. The muscle, and its case, can become overstretched to the point that the abdomen cannot be sucked in, not matter how strong the muscle layer. Tummy tucks allow me to tighten the case of the muscle and provide a smooth flattened foundation that can support the gut and keep it contents from pushing forwards.
If someone is significantly overweight, it is the internal fat that prevents me from being able to optimally tighten the abdominal wall. If the abdominal wall cannot be maximally tightened, abdominal fullness will remain. In this situation, additional weight loss will improve the results.
