Mommy Makeover in Pittsburgh
Conveniently located in Southwestern PA, south of Pittsburgh, and easily accessible from central PA, West Virginia, and eastern Ohio
Introduction to the Mommy Makeover
After childbirth and breastfeeding, many women are unhappy with their sagging breasts, loose stomach skin or extra fat pockets on their flanks, inner and/or outer thighs. A mommy makeover is any procedure that combines some element of breast enhancement and abdominal contouring. Possible tummy procedures could include: abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with or without liposuction, liposuction alone, or mini abdominoplasty with or without liposuction. For breast contouring, procedures include breast augmentation, augmentation with mastopexy, mastopexy alone, or reduction. Both silicone and saline implants can be used. Candidates for this surgery are most often women who have had multiple pregnancies, but massive weight loss patients also comprise a large part of Dr. Pautler’s mommy makeover population, even if they aren’t “mommies.” Recovering from both breast and body procedures at once to minimize time away from family and work is one of the main benefits of a mommy makeover.
Mommy Makeover Candidates
You may be considered a good candidate to have a mommy makeover in Pittsburgh if you identify with the following:
- You are in good health overall. Good health is essential for safe surgery, smooth healing, and optimal results. Underlying conditions such as diabetes can impair wound healing, increase the risk of complications, and make it harder to achieve the desired outcome.
- You have sagging and/or deflated breasts from pregnancy/breastfeeding.
- You have realistic expectations.
- You have excess, loose skin on your stomach. Pregnancy stretches the abdominal muscles to accommodate your growing baby. This can result in sagging skin, impacting both aesthetics and posture.
- You have stubborn pockets of fat on your thighs, buttocks, and/or hips that don’t respond to diet and exercise.
- You are at a healthy weight for your build. Significant weight fluctuations after the procedure can negatively affect the results. So if you plan to lose weight, do so before the procedure.
- You are not planning on having more children. Future pregnancies may undo the results of your mommy makeover. It’s best to undergo the procedure once your family is complete. Moreover, you should wait at least 6-12 months after childbirth before considering a mom’s makeover. This gives your body enough time to recover and hormone levels to stabilize.
- You are a non-smoker. If you are a smoker, Dr. Pautler will strongly urge you to cease as soon as possible. It is important for you to stop smoking at least 8 weeks prior to and 6 weeks after your planned surgery. Cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerful substance that decreases blood circulation especially in the areas that need it the most: surgical wounds. Wound healing is slowed, infection risk is increased, and recovery from surgery may be prolonged.
- You are prepared to follow postoperative care instructions. This includes wearing compression garments, attending follow-up appointments, avoiding strenuous activities, and adhering to dietary recommendations.
- You stopped breastfeeding for at least six months. Breastfeeding can alter the size and shape of your breasts. Waiting at least six months after breastfeeding allows your breasts to settle into a more permanent shape. Dr. Pautler will then analyze the breasts and devise a plan to achieve long-lasting results after a mommy makeover.
The most reliable way to determine if you're a good candidate1 is to schedule an in-person consultation with Dr. Pautler. She can assess your medical history and personal goals to help you make the safest and most informed decision.
Mommy Makeover Before & After Photos
See the results for yourself
What Procedures Are Most Commonly Included in a Mommy Makeover Surgery?
A mommy makeover combines several transformative procedures to target the areas most affected by pregnancy. Whether it's a breast lift, tummy tuck, or liposuction, these treatments work together to help you regain a more youthful, toned appearance.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure designed to sculpt and firm the abdomen. Pregnancy often causes the skin to stretch and abdominal muscles to weaken, resulting in a protruding belly and loose skin. A tummy tuck addresses these concerns by removing excess skin and fat, tightening the underlying muscles, and restoring a smoother, more toned midsection.
In most cases, Dr. Pautler will combine liposuction of the waist and back to make the tummy tuck more of a torsoplasty. A standard tummy tuck procedure takes about 90 minutes. For larger clients, where liposuction may be necessary, the procedure takes about 175 minutes.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits that persist after pregnancy. It can be performed alone or to enhance the results of other procedures such as a tummy tuck.
It is important to note that liposuction is only used to shape the body and not for weight loss. The procedure mostly targets the abdomen, thighs, hips, and flanks, helping to create a more balanced, sculpted appearance. Moreover, fat removal through liposuction alone does not tighten loose skin. In fact, liposuction can sometimes lead to uneven skin shrinkage, necessitating skin removal to achieve smoother results.
As with any surgery, issues such as under-suctioning or over-suctioning can arise. Even though both are manageable, it is much easier to remove more fat than to add it back.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation enhances the size, shape, and symmetry of the breasts by using either saline or silicone implants. It is ideal for women seeking to increase breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss. The implants come in different shapes and sizes, allowing you to choose one that suits your body type and aesthetic goals. For a simple breast augmentation surgery, Dr. Pautler will perform it in under 45 minutes. More complex surgeries, such as those involving a lift, typically take 90-120 minutes.
Breast implants can last 10-20 years, but their age alone doesn't necessitate replacement. If implants remain soft, symmetrical, and properly sized, there's usually no need for additional surgery. However, implant replacement becomes essential in cases of rupture or capsular contracture.
Fat Transfer to the Breast
Fat Transfer to the Breast involves harvesting excess fat from other parts of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and flanks, through liposuction. The fat is then purified and injected into the breasts to enhance volume and shape or restore fullness lost after pregnancy. Unlike implants, fat transfer to the breasts offers natural results, but not an implanted look. Fat transfer IS NOT a substitute for implants. Fat transfer is more unpredictable because of the risk of absorption, which varies from patient to patient.
Breast Lift
A breast lift, or mastopexy, reshapes and elevates sagging breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue. It restores a youthful contour by lifting the breasts and repositioning the nipples to a higher, more natural position. The procedure can also be used to reduce the size of the breast or combined with implants or fat transfer to add volume for those seeking fuller breasts.
Augmentation With Lift
This procedure combines breast implants with a mastopexy to enhance both the volume and shape. The lift repositions the breasts and nipples to a higher, natural position, while implants provide additional volume and symmetry. It is ideal for women who want a single procedure to correct loss of fullness and sagging.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction involves removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to achieve a more proportionate and comfortable breast size. The procedure can also relieve back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by heavy breasts while improving posture and mobility.
Why Choose Dr. Pautler for a Mommy Makeover in Pittsburgh?
Dr. Pautler is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 24 years of experience. She understands that each patient has unique needs, which is why she customizes her treatment plans to address every issue. Also, she collaborates with other medical professionals to ensure her patients are thoroughly evaluated and medically fit for any procedure.
Dr. Pautler is also known for her honesty and transparency. She takes the time to educate her patients about the limitations and outcomes of each procedure so they can make informed decisions. Her dedication to quality service earned her recognition as a top Pittsburgh plastic surgeon in 2023 by NewBeauty. All her surgery is done at the Dunlap Outpatient Surgery Center, near the St. Clair Memorial Hospital in Pittsburgh.
What Are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover offers a range of benefits that can enhance both physical appearance and overall well-being. These include:
- Restores Breast Shape and Volume: Pregnancy and breastfeeding often cause sagging or a loss of volume in the breasts. Breast lifts or augmentations can restore fullness, shape, and youthful firmness.
- Tightens Abdominal Muscles and Removes Excess Skin: Pregnancy often causes abdominal muscles to weaken and skin to stretch. A tummy tuck can address these concerns by tightening muscles and removing excess skin for a flatter, firmer abdomen.
- Targets Stubborn Fat: Liposuction effectively removes stubborn fat from the abdomen, thighs, and hips, giving you a more sculpted figure.
- Boosts Self-Confidence: A mommy makeover can restore a youthful and toned appearance, boosting your self-esteem and confidence.
- Requires Minimal Downtime: Most procedures can be combined into one surgery. This saves time and reduces the recovery period and the need for multiple surgeries.
- Provides Long-Lasting Results: With proper care, the results of a mommy makeover can last for many years.
- Conforms to Your Goals: Each mommy makeover can be tailored to meet the unique needs of every patient.
- Reduces Stretch Marks: By removing excess skin and tightening the treated areas, a mom’s makeover can significantly reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
- Ensures Discreet Scarring: Dr. Pautler will minimize scarring by strategically placing incisions in discrete locations. For example, tummy tuck incisions are often made along the bikini line, while breast lift or augmentation incisions are hidden within the natural folds of the breast.
Mommy Makeover FAQs
The average time it takes to heal from a mommy makeover is 6 weeks. However, this can differ between patients as a mommy makeover in Pittsburgh can consist of different procedures to match each patient's individual needs.
The first few days after a mommy makeover are typically the most challenging. The swelling, discomfort, and bruising will be at their worst these first few days post-surgery. Pain medications will be prescribed to help manage the pain. Initially after surgery, you may be restricted in your movements but by week two you will become a little more mobile.
At three weeks, most people can return to work and begin light walks. The majority of swelling will have resolved by four to six weeks and depending on the procedures performed your surgeon will begin increasing your activity level. It is important to remember that it can take up to 6 to 12 months for swelling to completely resolve and the final results to become visible. This is especially true if you have had liposuction as part of your makeover. Liposuction areas take a few months to soften and contour.
A mommy makeover procedure typically includes a tummy tuck and breast enhancement in Pittsburgh. The abdominal portion may include an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with or without liposuction, liposuction only, or a mini-abdominoplasty with or without liposuction. Contouring of the breasts can include breast augmentation with or without implants, a breast lift, a combination of augmentation and breast lift, or a breast reduction. The exact procedures performed will depend on each patient’s needs and desires.
Following an abdominoplasty in Pittsburgh, it is typical for women to see a reduction of one to two sizes and sometimes more. The degree of reduction will depend on the amount of excess skin and fat removed during the procedure. An important determinant of the permanency of the outcome is how committed a patient is to maintaining their weight after surgery.
The amount of weight taken off during a mommy makeover depends on the type of surgery performed and the patient’s overall health. Typically, patients undergoing liposuction and/or a tummy tuck will lose between 5 and 15 pounds, however, individual results may vary.
Patients who practice healthy eating habits and exercise regularly will often experience better results with a mommy makeover. While weight loss can be achieved through surgery, maintaining a nutritious diet and regular exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle.
A mommy make over is not a weight loss surgery. The aim is to contour and tighten loose skin and enhance shape. If a patient is very much over their ideal body weight the surgery may be contraindicated.
As with any surgery, risks are involved but a mommy makeover is generally considered safe. Fortunately, the majority of complications are relatively minor and easily treated such as fluid collections, minor bleeding, infections, and wound healing problems. However, more serious complications can occur such as blood clots and cardiopulmonary complications but these are much less common.
Overall, the complications and risks of a mommy makeover will depend on the procedures performed.
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