Mommy Makeovers – Interview With Dr Parker Of NJ’s Parker Center For Plastic Surgery

This post is brought to you by the Parker Center For Plastic Surgery.
When it comes to my breasts, age and gravity has left me feeling quite saggy. There have been a good number of times that I have found myself wondering if a breast lift would be a fit for someone like me. I know I am not alone in being less than pleased with my shape. Many women share my thoughts, and a good number of them are mothers. When I first learned of The Parker Center For Plastic Surgery, located about 90 minutes away from my home, I found myself quite curious about what they do. One of their areas of specialty is what’s called a “mommy makeover”. Wanting to understand more about what that was, what it might mean for me and other moms, I took advantage of the opportunity to interview the founder of the center, Dr. Paul M. Parker.

So, what exactly is a mommy makeover?
A “mommy makeover” is a general term categorizing a custom set of procedures and treatments that address common concerns women have after pregnancy and childbirth. Every patient is different, so a mommy makeover could include any combination of procedures, though the most common are tummy tuck surgery and breast lift or breast lift with augmentation.
What are the top reasons mom want to have these procedures?
Pregnancy and motherhood are pretty magical. Unfortunately, as most moms know, your body doesn’t always bounce back the way you want it to. As your body adjusts to accommodate your growing baby, changes occur. Breasts grow in size as milk comes in, your tummy muscles and skin expand and stretch, and hormone changes impact where your body stores fat (and how stubborn it is!)
While many of these changes are temporary, they can have a lasting impact on your body. Your breasts will likely go back to their original size, but the skin may be more lax, leading to sagging or loss of fullness in the upper breast. Likewise, your lower abdomen may end up with a permanent “pregnancy pouch” caused by loose skin, persistent fat deposits, and weakened abdominal muscles. Many mothers choose to have these concerns addressed to restore an appearance that more closely matches their pre-baby bodies.
What procedures are typically included?
Because a mommy makeover is unique to each patient, the chosen procedures vary. Typically, most mommy makeovers include a tummy tuck and breast lift, with or without breast augmentation. This is because the breasts and abdominal area are usually the most impacted by pregnancy.

Liposuction is also an option for those who are at or near their pre-pregnancy weight but are unable to get rid of localized areas of remaining fat through diet and exercise alone. It is often performed in conjunction with a tummy tuck to ensure a smooth, flat result.
For some patients, we also include professional skincare treatments to help changes to the skin brought on by hormones during pregnancy, such as dryness, blemishes, and changes in texture and tone.
Are all of the procedures performed at once?
Multiple procedures can be safely performed during one operation, but whether or not this is a good choice for an individual mom depends on a number of factors. The overall health of the patient, the extent of the procedures, and a patient’s comfort level all impact the ideal plan and timeline for surgery. Also, while having all of your desired surgical procedures performed on the same day may reduce your overall time commitment and operating room fees, recovery from multiple procedures may require planning more time off from regular activities in the short-term.

What is the healing and recovery like?
The healing and recovery experience will vary by patient and will depend on the procedures you are having. For the most part, recovery after plastic surgery is usually much less uncomfortable than many initially assume. After a mommy makeover, most patient resume normal, non-strenuous activity within the first two to four weeks—and those with desk jobs often return to work in just one week.
For moms, perhaps the hardest part of recovery is avoiding picking up your kids for a while. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise will need to be avoided for six weeks or more if you’ve had a tummy tuck, as you do not want to pull your incisions or strain your healing tissues.

If you’re not ready for surgery, are there any alternatives that will provide comparable results?
Non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments have come a long way. While you will see the most dramatic results with surgery, there are options to help moderately improve certain areas of your body without requiring an invasive procedure.
For reducing areas of stubborn fat on the abdomen, CoolSculpting® can be an effective option that requires no surgery, needles, or downtime. However, it’s important to have realistic expectations. The biggest issue facing mothers is loss of skin elasticity and sagging. Removing excess fat will not address this issue and, in fact, may cause the skin to appear even more lax.
I found Dr. Parker’s answers to be interesting. I found his post-bariatric plastic surgery page to be super informative for me. I can truthfully say that I have had questions on three or four of these procedures for a while now and this info only caused me to be more interested.
You can learn more on the Parker Center For Plastic Surgery website. You can also connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Have you ever considered getting a mommy makeover or any form of plastic surgery?