Mommy Makeover in Chicago
Having children (especially multiple children) takes a toll on a woman’s body, particularly the breasts and abdomen. If you are dismayed at the ways your body has changed after having children, you may benefit from a treatment called mommy makeover. This combination of procedures is designed to help you reclaim your pre-pregnancy glory, so you feel happier and more confident.
Women seeking mommy makeover in Chicago turn to Dr. Robert Galiano, an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. He is known for naturally beautiful results and a friendly, professional demeanor. Dr. Galiano would be happy to tell you more about mommy makeover during an in-person consultation at his practice.
Mommy Makeover Candidates
You may be a good candidate for mommy makeover if you are unhappy with the ways pregnancy and nursing have changed your body. Common concerns include:
- Sagging or “deflated” looking breasts
- Downward-pointing breasts or nipples
- Excess fat in the abdominal area
- Loose, saggy skin on the abdomen
- Weakened or separated abdominal muscles
- Stubborn fat in other areas of the body
To meet the criteria for mommy makeover, you should be in good health and not smoke. You must allow your body time to heal and stabilize from pregnancy and delivery before pursuing mommy makeover. Being at or very close to your ideal body weight will help Dr. Galiano plan the best surgical result. Also, you should be finished breastfeeding.
For the most lasting outcomes, you should only pursue mommy makeover if you are finished having children. If you plan to have more children in the future, it is best to postpone your mommy makeover until you have completed your family.
MOMMY MAKEOVER CONSULTATION
A consultation is a valuable opportunity to meet with a plastic surgeon and build rapport. Arrive prepared to discuss your aesthetic goals, as well as the specific physical attributes you are hoping plastic surgery can address. After having this conversation, Dr. Galiano can suggest a detailed course of treatment that best tackles your concerns. Together, you may choose from a wide range of plastic surgery procedures aimed to help you to regain confidence in your body and self. Ultimately, mommy makeover can be whatever you want it to be — Dr. Galiano is happy to help you reach your goals.
Treatment Details
Every mommy makeover is uniquely tailored to the needs of the individual patient. Your mommy makeover will be planned around the results you want to achieve. It can include any combination of the following procedures:
Breast lift
Breast lift addresses breasts that sag lower on the body due to aging, pregnancy or weight fluctuation. The surgery elevates your breasts to a higher position for a rejuvenated appearance. Often, your nipples are also lifted to produce an outward, “perky” projection.
Breast augmentation
Breast augmentation allows you to increase the size of your chest with saline or silicone implants. Dr. Galiano uses this procedure to improve not only the volume of the breasts, but also their shape and symmetry.
Breast lift with implants
If you want to both elevate your breasts and increase their size, Dr. Galiano can perform a breast lift with implants to address both issues simultaneously. During a consultation, Dr. Galiano will devise a surgical plan that helps you to achieve your ideal breasts.
Breast reduction
You may find yourself wishing your breasts were smaller, particularly if they cause pain in your neck and back or limit your wardrobe options. Breast reduction is a great surgery for attaining your desired breast size while also ensuring that they continue to look natural and appealing.
Tummy tuck
You may have developed a “pooch” of excess skin after taking off your pregnancy weight with diet and exercise. Tummy tuck is a surgery that improves the condition of your midsection. Specifically, Dr. Galiano removes some of the excess skin and tightens what remains to achieve a flatter, toned stomach. Abdominal muscles that have shifted out of place during pregnancy can also be repositioned.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a popular fat suctioning procedure that can target unwanted pockets of fat that stubbornly cling to the stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks, back, chin and upper arms (amongst other areas.) The fat cells removed during surgery cannot return, and therefore the results are considered permanent.
Dr. Galiano performs all surgeries safely and efficiently, on an out-patient basis.
Together, you and Dr. Galiano may decide to combine two or more procedures into a single operation; or, you may choose to space out each procedure into a separate operation. There are pros and cons to each approach; Dr. Galiano will recommend what he feels is best for your case.
Recovering from Mommy Makeover
Recovering from mommy makeover depends on the specific procedures included in your treatment. Generally, the treated area will be swollen, bruised and sore for a few weeks. You will be prescribed medication to manage any pain or discomfort.
You should plan to take at least one to two weeks off from work and your normal routine. You will not be able to lift anything heavy (including babies or children) during the initial recovery, so make sure you arrange for someone to help with childcare.
Dr. Galiano will see you regularly during your recovery to check your progress. He will advise you of when you can resume your normal activities, including your workout routine.
Because the procedures included in mommy makeover require incisions, you should expect some amount of scarring. Dr. Galiano is careful to place the incisions along natural creases and curves where they are more easily hidden. He uses advanced surgical techniques so that the scars fade significantly over time.
MOMMY MAKEOVER COSTS
Because mommy makeover is customized to the unique needs of each woman, the price of the procedures will be determined after deciding a surgical plan. After you choose procedures during the consultation phase, Dr. Galiano will explain the full costs so that you may make an informed decision. Because the procedures included in mommy makeover are cosmetic in nature, they are not covered by health insurance plans.
Consultation and Preparing for Surgery
Before undergoing surgery, you will meet with Dr. Galiano for a consultation. You will have the opportunity to discuss all areas of concern on your body, and Dr. Galiano will evaluate your surgical needs and determine if you can benefit from a mommy makeover. He will recommend the customized procedures that will make up your treatment plan and provide important information about preparing for your mommy makeover, what to expect during surgery, and how to have a smooth recovery. You may need to make certain lifestyle changes as you prepare for your surgery to reduce the risk of complications, such as refraining from smoking or stopping or adjusting the medications you currently take.
Why Choose Dr. Galiano for Mommy Makeover
Your results from mommy makeover should make you feel confident in your appearance, and choosing the right surgeon can help you achieve your aesthetic goals. The right surgeon should be highly skilled with extensive experience successfully performing all procedures that are involved in a mommy makeover, which can help limit the risk of complications. Meanwhile, choosing the wrong surgeon can leave you with less-than-satisfactory results. When you choose Dr. Galiano for your post-pregnancy body contouring needs, you are opting to be treated by a highly skilled provider with a track record of successfully performing mommy makeovers for many satisfied patients. Dr. Galiano is dedicated to delivering excellent care and is eager to help you along your cosmetic journey.
Mommy Makeover FAQ
Which Procedures Will Benefit Me Most?
No two patients are the same, which is why a consultation is so critical. When you meet Dr. Galiano and share the goals you have for your appearance, he will assess your body and be able to provide you with a realistic idea of what each procedure can achieve in your specific circumstance.
For example, if you are concerned with the flab around your abdomen, Dr. Galiano can determine whether you are better suited for liposuction, tummy tuck or — in many cases — a combination of both procedures.
How Soon Can I Get Back to Normal Life?
The timelines will shift depending on the combination of surgeries you select, but for most patients the pain, bruising and discomfort last a few weeks. Typically, you can return to work within a couple of weeks, so long as it does not require you to lift heavy objects — yes, that includes your own children!
Because your ability to react quickly will be impaired, driving is off-limits for several days. Accordingly, you will need a loved one to drive you home after you are released from the doctor’s care.
As for exercise, that should be put on pause for a month or two. At that point, you can slowly reintroduce physical activity in moderation.
Since Dr. Galiano will be checking on you throughout your recovery, he can evaluate your progress to see if it is appropriate to adjust the timelines on any of these restrictions.
How Much Weight Will I Lose?
The procedures included in mommy makeover are not weight-loss surgeries. In fact, you will see much more success from these surgeries the closer you are to your goal weight.
Dr. Galiano recommends adopting a diet and exercise regimen following your pregnancy to eliminate the pounds that are easier to shed. From that point, mommy makeover procedures can tackle the stubborn pockets of fat that are common in women who have given birth.
What Makes Someone a Bad Candidate for Mommy Makeover?
You May Give Birth Again
If there is any chance you may decide to get pregnant again, you ought to wait on these procedures until you are confident that you are done having children. The reason for this suggestion is not that these surgeries will have negative consequences on a future pregnancy, but that it will undo some of the work accomplished by the mommy makeover. There is not much sense in deliberately paying for and recovering from mommy makeover twice.
You Are Still Breastfeeding
To put it simply, your breasts are a different size during the breast-feeding period. Once they have returned to their pre-pregnancy size Dr. Galiano will have an easier time helping you determine the appropriate size and shape for the long term.
Moreover, the medications and anesthesia prescribed to a mommy makeover patient can be transmitted to a child via breastmilk, so it is better for you to avoid that situation altogether.
You Smoke
Everybody knows that smoking adversely affects the body, but many prospective patients do not realize how that it also interferes with healing and other aspects of surgery. Smokers are exponentially more likely to have infections, blood clots and a prolonged recovery period following plastic surgery.
If you smoke or vape and have your eye on a mommy makeover, you are encouraged to quit immediately to improve your chances of being a good candidate down the road.
How can I manage pain after surgery?
Pain or discomfort after a mommy makeover can be managed with medication. Dr. Galiano may prescribe pain relievers to help you experience a comfortable recovery.
How soon after pregnancy can I get a mommy makeover?
Timing a mommy makeover depends on several factors. It is generally recommended that patients wait six months after childbirth before undergoing this type of surgery. However, some patients may wish to wait until they are done breastfeeding or are closer to their goal weight before getting their mommy makeovers. During your consultation, Dr. Galiano can help you with planning your surgery.
Is a mommy makeover done all at once?
Many women seek mommy makeover surgery because it means several areas of concern can be addressed while only having to worry about one recovery period. However, the exact treatment details of your mommy makeover, including the number of stages, will depend on the areas that need correction, the extent of correction required, and other candidate-specific factors.
How long will my mommy makeover results last?
After getting your mommy makeover, you will likely be enjoying a restored or improved physique; areas that once sagged will now appear perky and toned, and you may experience a boost of confidence due to your renewed appearance. It is only natural that you want to keep these results for as long as possible. Maintaining the results from your mommy makeover starts with ensuring you are following Dr. Galiano’s post-operative instructions. While you may experience a smooth recovery and feel ready to resume your normal activities, doing so before it is safe could slow your healing and affect your results. Additionally, you should maintain a stable weight, as significant fluctuations can also compromise your results.
Schedule a Mommy Makeover Consultation
To schedule a mommy makeover consultation with Dr. Galiano, please contact our practice today.