Dr. DeConti uses science, skill, and art with mommy makeover surgery in Richmond to reshape, sculpt, and restore areas of your body where changes have occurred after pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
What are Common Cosmetic Effects of Pregnancy, Childbirth, or Breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding can cause you to lose volume in the breasts, which results in sagging. Extreme weight loss and gain in a short period of time can also affect the skin’s elasticity and lead to sagging, excess skin. Similarly, the skin of the labia can be affected, becoming swollen during pregnancy, and stretched or distorted after childbirth.
The most common cosmetic effects of pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding that a mommy makeover can help include:
- Sagging (ptosis) breasts
- Fat on the abdomen
- Loose excess skin
- Stomach that sticks out
- Sagging buttocks
- Excess labial skin
- Areas of excess fat, “muffin top”, “love handles”
- Acne, dark spots (melasma) on the face
- Stretchmarks
By using a customized package of plastic surgery procedures for the face and body in Richmond, VA, Dr. DeConti can improve cosmetic appearance and restore the harmonious shape of your body with a mommy makeover surgery. Dr. DeConti works closely with women who want to restore their bodies to their pre-pregnancy shape and has performed thousands of mommy makeover surgeries with amazing results for his patients.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover surgery is a combination of plastic surgery procedures that help restore a “mom body” to her pre-pregnancy shape. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can have lasting cosmetic effects on your body, and certain surgeries can be paired together to help improve those effects.
Common surgeries that can be paired in a mommy makeover include:
- Tummy tuck
- Breast augmentation
- Breast lift
- Breast reduction
- Liposuction
- Butt lift or BBL
- Labiaplasty
- Other body contouring, facial, and neck procedures such as cosmetic dermatology (aka medical spa treatments)
We offer all of these at DeConti Plastic Surgery. During the consultation, our expert plastic surgeon Dr. DeConti will inquire about what areas of your body and face you would like to restore.
Once you decide what areas to focus on, Dr. DeConti uses his expertise to personalize a surgical plan that safely reflects your needs. This may involve performing several procedures during one surgical appointment or spreading out the procedures over time, which allows your body to heal safely at each step of the sculpting process.
What is Included in a Mommy Makeover Surgery Near Me in Richmond?
A mommy makeover is unique to every mom and will be tailored to reflect your needs. Most often, it includes a breast procedure (augmentation with or without a lift) and a tummy procedure (full or mini tummy tuck). Some moms will occasionally have other procedures too, like fat transfer to the breasts or butt (aka a BBL) or labiaplasty. Mommy makeover surgery can also be combined with cosmetic dermatology (medical spa treatments) for refining the face and body. Dr. DeConti will discuss the types of surgeries and mommy makeover treatments recommended for you at your consultation.
Below is a brief overview of the common surgeries for a mommy makeover performed at DeConti Plastic Surgery.
Visit our webpages for detailed information on each surgery and see mommy makeover before and after photos.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation can be used to improve the contours and size of the breasts. In moms with small degrees of sagging, it can achieve a minor lift. Breast augmentation can also balance differences in breast size (from right to left), correct a loss in breast volume which has occurred after pregnancy or breastfeeding, and improve the appearance. Once the breasts have been enlarged, you may enjoy the benefits of a balanced figure, thus facilitating the fitting of blouses, bathing suits, and other attire.
See Breast Augmentation Before and After Photos
Breast Lift
A breast lift or mastopexy can correct sagging breasts and nipples that point downward, which is a common consequence of breastfeeding, pregnancy, and the gravitational effects of aging. This operation restores the position of the breasts and nipples, providing a more perky, youthful appearance.
See Breast Lift Before and After Photos
Liposuction
Liposuction is ideal for moms with areas of stubborn fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. It is a permanent way to remove bothersome fat. The most common areas treated by liposuction are the abdomen, hips, thighs, love handles, back, knees, upper arms, and chin. These areas are sculpted to match the surrounding body and enhance the other surgical procedures.
See Liposuction Before and After Photos
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck is performed to correct the postpartum effects in the abdomen. Stretch marks, loose skin, and fatty deposits which are located between the belly button and the pubic hairline are removed. Dr. DeConti will also tighten the abdominal muscles and suture them together like a corset, resulting in a flatter, more contoured abdomen. The balance of the trunk will feel more harmonious, and some moms notice their backs hurt less.
See Tummy Tuck Before & After Photos
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is for the mom who is uncomfortable with excessively large and sagging breasts after pregnancy. Large, heavy breasts can cause back pain, neck pain, deformities of the shoulders, a rash under the breasts, difficulty finding clothing that fits, and an inability to exercise. A breast reduction is designed to remove the excess skin and breast tissue in order to create a more attractive breast shape and contour, which is in proportion to the rest of the body.
See Breast Reduction Before and After Photos
How Many Mommy Makeover Plastic Surgeries Can Be Done at Once?
Multiple procedures can often be combined into one surgery. The number of procedures is limited by the amount of time it takes to perform them. The general guideline is an elective surgery (multiple procedures) lasting no longer than 5 hours.
What are the Complications and Risks of a Mommy Makeover?
During your consultation, you may ask whether a mommy makeover is safe. Dr. DeConti will talk about the risks for each mommy makeover surgical procedure and you may also read about the risks discussed on our web pages for the specific procedure.
In order to decrease your risks of surgery, Dr. DeConti performs all surgeries:
- In a highly accredited out-patient surgery center accredited at the same level as the hospital.
- With a Board Certified Anesthesiologist and Board Certified Nurse Anesthetist to ensure the safest anesthesia.
- With the same preop, postop, and operating room team members who understand the procedures, instruments, and Dr. DeConti’s routine in order to provide the safest and most personalized care.
All patients are followed closely after surgery to ensure a safe and speedy recovery with the most optimum results.
What Are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
The procedures target problem areas resistant to diet and exercise after pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. They can be combined with cosmetic dermatology for refining the face and body,
creating a positive impact on your body confidence and self-esteem.
How long should I wait for a Mommy Makeover after having a baby?
You should wait at least one year after having your last child before considering a mommy makeover. This allows time for your body to naturally shed fat, and also, slow and steady weight loss gives skin more time to repair and recover. Often, a mom’s stage of life plays a role in deciding when to have a mommy makeover. Some choose to delay surgery until their kids are older while others aim to do it right after weaning their last child.
Can I have a Mommy Makeover if I am still breastfeeding?
Dr. DeConti will typically ask that you stop breastfeeding three to six months prior to a mommy makeover including a breast procedure, to allow milk to thoroughly dry up and breast tissues to retract to their new baseline.
What Is the Mommy Makeover Recovery Time?
Because each mommy makeover in Richmond is unique, recovery time varies significantly, and certain procedures take less recovery time than others depending on what surgeries and medical conditions you have. However, in general, recovery and restrictions last at least 4-6 weeks. Compression garments are started after surgery and should continue for the entire 6 week recovery period. Your final results (skin tightening and swelling) may take as long as 3 months.
Recovery is very important. During the recovery period, you should avoid heavy lifting (especially children) or participating in any exercise until Dr. DeConti has determined that it is safe for you to resume these activities. If you have small children, have someone assist you with their care.
Dr. DeConti provides you with a recovery plan and strategies to reduce swelling, bruising, and inflammation, as well as a prescription medication to reduce the discomfort. A certain level of fatigue and discomfort is common during this period.
Dr. DeConti will discuss this and other details during your consultation.
How Do You Prepare for a Mommy Makeover?
Moms are busy and can tend to neglect their body’s needs such as a healthy diet, exercise, and skin care. Thus, a healthy diet and normal intensity of exercise are good for preparation before surgery. Also, incorporating a daily routine of moisturizing the skin can help maintain the skin’s elasticity and increase collagen production, which helps keep the skin tight and firm.
Due to a higher risk of infections and wound healing problems stopping any nicotine use (cigarettes, cigars, vaping, pouches, etc.) at least 6 weeks before and after surgery is beneficial.
How Long after Mommy Makeover Can I Exercise?
Low intensity activities, like walking, can start after 4 weeks after surgery. Normal activities can resume 6 weeks after surgery. No strenuous activity for six weeks.
Do I Need to Lose Weight Before a Mommy Makeover?
Ideally, you should be within 10% of your goal weight for at least three to six months before a mommy makeover. This should ensure your mommy makeover results remain stable and long-lasting. However, some individuals may benefit from having the heavy, excess skin removed sooner. This will facilitate exercise, weight lose, and the ability to live a healthy lifestyle. Complications such as delayed wound healing and risk of infection increase in individuals with a BMI greater than 35.
Can a Mommy Makeover Tummy Tuck Incision be Made Over a C-section Scar?
The tummy tuck incision is similar to the C-section incision. Dr. DeConti will remove the C-section scar and replace it with an incision that is lower and hidden by your clothes.
How Long Should I Wait after a Mommy Makeover Before Having Sex?
You should wait six weeks to have sex after a mommy makeover. The concern would be disrupting the healing process in your newly contoured abdomen or freshly placed implants.
What if I Get Pregnant after my Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover does not affect the ability to get pregnant. It does not affect the mother’s or baby’s health. However, future pregnancies can change your mommy makeover sculpted body.
If you are unhappy with your body after post mommy makeover pregnancy, we can perform individual procedures to restore the original results of your initial mommy makeover.
What Is the Cost of a Mommy Makeover?
The average cost of a Richmond mommy makeover varies by patient, depending on their aesthetic goals and desires. We can discuss the details of your cost for a mommy makeover at the time of your consultation. For your convenience, DeConti Plastic Surgery offers financing with CareCredit for qualified patients.
How Can I Schedule My Mommy Makeover Procedure in Richmond Today?
To schedule your consultation, contact DeConti Plastic Surgery at 804 673-8000 or complete our Online Consultation Form.
Where do our Mommy Makeover Patients come from?
Because of the state-of-the-art techniques and high quality care you will receive, we commonly see patients travel from all over Virginia including Richmond, Charlottesville, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, D.C., Maryland, North Carolina and other surrounding areas.
Learn More:
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons Mommy Makeover
The Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgeons Mommy Makeover