LA_Health

While giving birth to your bundle of joy is a precious gift - the process of pregnancy leaves permanent effects, mostly on the breasts and abdomen. These effects can also be seen in the hips, thighs, and arms. Generalized weight gain and water retention cause enlargement of the breasts and bulging of the abdomen. The overstretched skin becomes more noticeable after delivery. The breast and abdomen become deflated, saggy, and unattractive.

This loss of femininity can cause significant emotional stress for women. Dieting and exercise can only achieve so much as the overstretched skin and weakened abdominal muscle will almost never return to the condition prior to pregnancy. The good news is that most of these undesirable aftermaths of pregnancy and child bearing can be corrected by a combination of plastic surgery procedures collectively called a "Mommy Makeover".

TUMMY TUCK (ABDOMINOPLASTY)

As the baby grows it stretches the abdominal skin and also thins out and weakens the abdominal muscles. In addition the "abs" spread apart in the middle, and no are no longer capable of holding the abdominal organs "the guts" deep inside the tummy where they belong. Therefore the inner organs push from the inside out creating the typical after pregnancy tummy bulge. While exercising and dieting can help a little, the overstretched skin and muscles will almost never return to their prior pregnancy condition unless they are corrected surgically. Most women are under the impression that a few months of working out will tighten the skin. This is almost impossible, as there are no muscles in the skin. Overstretched skin needs to be removed. Abdominoplasty is the procedure that removes the excess skin and tightens the overstretched and weakened muscles restoring the pre-pregnancy figure. I prefer the newer "high lateral tension" technique that creates a tighter, shapelier, and more feminine abdomen and waistline. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. Recovery is approximately two weeks. The incision is made low at the pubic hairline, so that it can be concealed nicely. All suturing is done under the skin so there is no need for suture removal.

BREAST LIFT/ MASTOPEXY

Pregnancy and breast-feeding often take their toll on the breasts causing a loss of substance and severe sagging. Women with sagging breasts often feel a loss of feminine appeal. This overall deflation is mainly due to a loss of baby weight, breast tissue, and an inability of the overstretched skin to shrink. Mastopexy is the operation that removes the excessive loose skin and lifts the breasts and nipples to their original youthful position. The sagging breast tissues are elevated and pushed up to fill the flatness that is commonly seen at the top of the breasts, restoring the perky, youthful appearance. Recovery time is about one week. Stitching is done underneath the skin with absorbable sutures, so there are no stitches to be removed.

BREAST AUGMENTATION

Having full, firm, and perky breasts is a desire of every woman. Unfortunately breast tissue loss, laxity of the skin, and shrinkage, of the breast size is almost inevitable after pregnancy and breast-feeding. It is not uncommon to see a C-cup breast shrink to an A-cup after delivery and breast-feeding. This loss of the symbol of femininity is very undesirable and unwelcome in women who have become moms. Breast augmentation whether with silicone or saline implants is the ideal procedure to restore the youthful breast size, shape, and feel. I prefer the implants be placed under the chest muscle as this creates a more natural shape and feel. The recovery after breast implant surgery is only one week.

Dr. Ivan Thomas, Former Chief of Plastic Surgery, Century City Hospital, is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American College of Surgeons, California Society of Plastic Surgeons and Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons. To arrange a consultation call 310-203-8297.