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Tag: tummy tuck

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    Mommy Makeover

    As a mother, pregnancy and having a child is a unique and very special time in your life. It is a wonderful experience to watch how your body changes to accommodate bringing a new life into the world. However, whilst childbirth is a truly life changing event, the pregnancy and birth of your baby and subsequent breast feeding can have significant downsides for many women like excess skin and stretch marks on the body or alteration of breast tissue. These effects of pregnancy particularly on the tummy and breasts may also persist despite diet and weight loss or toning exercises in the following weeks, months and even years after giving birth. Changes to our skin and body can impact self confidence. This is when a little makeover help such as breast surgery may sometimes be required if you are keen to make changes to recapture aspects of your pre-pregnancy body.

    What is a Mommy Makeover?

    “Mommy Makeover” surgery is a name given to a variety of cosmetic surgeries that can be done to tighten, firm, and rejuvenate parts of the body that change as a result of pregnancy and childbirth.

    Here at MIC, we believe that there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to any cosmetic surgery and we adopt the very same approach with a Mommy Makeover. During your online consultation, you can discuss with your consultant exactly what you would like to change or improve about your body and together with your online consultant, a Mommy Makeover package can be created which is completely tailored to your individual needs and concerns.

    What procedures are included in a Mommy Makeover?

    Most commonly, a Mommy Makeover is made up of a breast enhancement and a tummy tuck or liposuction, but this can also include vaginal tightening or labia reduction too. Here are some of the cosmetic surgery procedures which you may wish to include in your Mommy Makeover:

    • Breast lift with or without implants – if your breasts aren’t the same and seem to have dropped since breastfeeding then breast uplift surgery could help to reshape your breasts giving you a tighter, more uplifted profile. If you’ve always wanted bigger boobs and have lost volume due to pregnancy or ageing, then you could also combine this surgery with a breast enlargement.
    • Tummy Tuck – if pregnancy has left you with excess, sagging skin in the stomach area, or ‘tummy bulges’ that are resistant to diet and exercise, Tummy Tuck surgery could reshape your abdomen to give you a flatter, smoother profile. It can also provide muscle placation or muscle tightening to stretch abdominal muscles so that your firmer shape can be maintained afterwards.
    • Liposuction – is designed to remove fat and contour the body. It’s one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures for patients who are looking for fat loss from various parts of the face and body, including the chin, stomach, buttocks and thighs. In a Mommy Makeover, Liposuction is most often performed in the stomach area in order to achieve a smoother and more contoured profile.
    • Labiaplasty and/or Vaginal Tightening – the labia can become stretched during childbirth, this procedure can reduce the size and define the appearance of the inner labia. Vaginal muscles often become loose and weak after childbirth. Vaginal tightening surgery can change the way your vagina feels and functions, bringing back more tone and control as well as enhancing sensation during sex.
    1.Preparing for your Mommy Makeover

    It is important to prepare your body well in the lead up to your surgery by ensuring your diet is good. Make sure you have stopped smoking any nicotine products and that you are getting plenty of sleep. Being well hydrated too is extremely important for your body so please make sure you drink plenty of water and ensure that you avoid drinking alcohol or at least reduce alcohol intake the weekend prior to surgery! One of the aspects that surgeons do not always communicate is the importance of having supportive family and friends during the surgical journey. Partners, family and friends all need to help out. As a mommy, feeling confident that your children will be looked after whilst you are resting after surgery is very important. Remember that lifting the children in the first few weeks after surgery is not advised.

    Everyone recovers differently following a Mommy Makeover. After your surgery we will provide you with some general guidelines to help during your recovery but you need to remember that these are only guidelines as some patients will recover much quicker whşle others less quickly. The most important thing is to rest up, do not try and do things too quickly and adhere to all the wound healing advices given to you. Remember to order your compression garments as these will need to be worn for approximately 8 weeks. Showering is allowed after surgery and you will be instructed how to use a hairdryer on a warm setting to dry off the flesh-coloured micropore tape on your skin. Initially you will obviously be a little restricted in terms of mobility and exercise so it is important to maintain a healthy diet and eat well.

    Many of our patients ask if they are suitable for Mommy Makeover surgery. Of course this is not only about the actual desire for surgery on the part of the patient but must also take into consideration any medical and psychological concerns too.

    The following are usually considerations for this kind of surgery:

    • Patients who may feel unhappy with their bodies after having children;
    • No plans to have further children;
    • Have maintained a concerted effort to diet and exercise to remove excess fat with little or no success;
    • Normal body mass index (BMI);
    • Have a steady body weight;
    • Patients who would like to improve the appearance of unwanted stretchmarks (striae) or scars;
    • Patients who would like to improve the appearance of their post-pregnancy breasts;
    • Are relatively fit and healthy with no significant past medical history;
    • Have realistic expectations for the procedure;
    • Patients must not trivialise the cosmetic surgery process;
    • Are emotionally ready for surgery.

    Please note that our surgeons will consider all patients for surgery but they may recommend that you are not suitable.

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      Abdominoplasty

      As we gain weight, either through puberty, pregnancy or lifestyle choices our skin stretches to accommodate our new shape. Rapid weight gain can cause the skin to develop stretch marks, and equally, if you lose weight too quickly, it can leave you with loose skin. If you’re extremely lucky your skin will snap back as it once was, but if you’re part of the 99% who doesn’t have phenomenal skin elasticity you may be left with loose skin on your tummy, as well as other areas including thighs and arms.

      Feeling self-conscious about your figure can make it really difficult to be confident in yourself and can even stop you wearing outfits you’d love to look good in. Having a firm, flat stomach can make a huge difference to the way you feel and when it’s not possible to achieve this through diet and exercise alone, Tummy Tuck surgery can be the right option.

      What is a Tummy Tuck?

      A tummy tuck, also known as Abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen. The tummy tuck is also effective for repairing stretched and weakened abdominal muscles. This procedure helps our patients have a more attractive profile and enjoy a smooth, flat stomach.

      Loose skin is often the result of aging, genetics, a previous surgery, fluctuations in weight or pregnancy. In fact, a tummy tuck is a common procedure included in a mommy makeover. Mommy makeovers are cosmetic procedures designed to help mothers obtain their pre-baby body. A tummy tuck may even help in the removal of stretch-marked skin.

      A tummy tuck is a great procedure for healthy individuals if dieting and exercise are just not helping. An abdominoplasty often requires an incision from hip to hip just above the pubic hairline. Through this incision, the surgeon will be able to access your abdominal wall and remove unnecessary skin and tissue. The result will be a slimmer, more smooth appearance.

      There are basically five main types of abdominoplasty in terms of the way the anatomical areas are addressed and re-contoured. Each type of abdominoplasty can be performed using different technical variations as per our surgeons preferences. Liposuction, when indicated, can be performed simultaneously with any of the below procedures for even greater results.

      The five types of abdominoplasty are:

      • Standard Abdominoplasty with umbilical re-positioning
      • Standard Abdominoplasty with a “floated umbilicus”
      • Mini Abdominoplasty
      • Extended Abdominoplasty
      • Circumferential Abdominoplasty

      The Procedure

      The details of your surgery will be planned out during your consultation and may differ from the summary below.

      An abdominoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and may take a few hours. Liposuction is often used alongside a tummy tuck to remove excess fat deposits and improve the end results.

      Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon will apply an incision along the lower abdomen. Through this incision, excess saggy skin will be excised. The muscles of the abdominal wall will be repaired and tightened. Once the midsection has been artfully sculpted, the incision will be closed and bandaged. You will be taken to a recovery room where you will be monitored until you are awake.

      1.When can’t I have Abdominoplasty?

      Abdominoplasty isn’t suitable for you if you:

      • are a heavy smoker
      • are overweight
      • have had blood clots in the past

      Many people want this surgery because being overweight or multiple pregnancies have stretched their abdominal skin or muscles. Make sure you have lost as much weight as possible and are not planning any more pregnancies before you go ahead. Otherwise, the benefits of the surgery will be much reduced, and you will have all the risks of the procedure without the longer-term benefits.

      If you’re not sure whether the operation is suitable for you, it’s worth speaking to our online consultants. They won’t recommend surgery if it isn’t right for you.

      When you first get home, the most important thing is not to overdo any activity. Follow the advice of your surgeon.

      At first, gentle walking is the best exercise. Take things slowly and build up gradually. But, if you are doing any exercise that pulls on the scar and feels like its stretching, then you should take it a little slower.

      Don’t take part in sports for 6 to 12 weeks after your operation – ask us for advice. It’s also really important not to do sit-up type exercises for at least 6 weeks and then take it slowly. Again, if you feel any type of strain, don’t do it. Take advice from us as different surgeons will have different procedures, which may vary depending on your type of procedure.

      Once you have the go-ahead from your surgeon, there are exercises that can strengthen your abdominal muscles. The general advice is to do each exercise five times, three times a day, but do contact us first.

      Knee rolls

      Lie on your back, with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Keeping your knees bent, slowly lower your knees to one side, but only as far as is comfortable. Bring them back to the centre and repeat on the other side.

      Pelvic tilts

      Lie on your back, with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Put your hands in the small of your back. Push down so that your back is flat against your hands, tilting your hips up.

      Tightening your abdomen

      Lie on your back, with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Put your hands on your lower abdomen or hips. Breathe in, and as you breathe out, pull your tummy button down towards the floor. Hold for a count of three, then relax.

      After abdominoplasty, it’s important not to do too much too soon. Too much activity too soon can put strain on the wound and cause a stretched scar. It can also slow down healing and increase swelling around your wound. The key is to pace yourself.

      It usually takes about 6 weeks to recover, but this varies between individuals and the technique used, so it’s important to follow the surgeon’s advice. You’re likely to need about 4 weeks off work.

      When you get home, you may be advised to rest in bed for another day or two, but you should get up to use the toilet. It will help your recovery if you’re up and about as soon as it’s not too painful.

      Avoid movements that strain your tummy muscles – roll onto your side to get out of bed.

      Don’t do too much too soon. Start with gently walking around at home. You can go up and down stairs if it’s not painful. Then start doing housework that is comfortable, such as making drinks or light meals. Once you’re comfortable around the house, gradually build up to longer walks of 5 to 10 minutes.

      You’ll need to avoid vigorous activity (including sports) or heavy lifting (including shopping) for up to 12 weeks. Your abdominal muscles protect your back when you lift, so you need to take care until they are healed. Don’t have sex for 3 weeks after surgery or drive for 6 weeks. We will give you specific instructions, depending on the type of operation you have.

      If you would like some exercises to help you recover, talk to us before you leave the hospital. Do remember that every operation and patient is different, so please don’t exercise before checking with us.

      If you need to, you can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, contact us for advice.

      Your surgeon may ask you to wear a support garment (a type of corset) for up to 6 weeks after surgery. This helps to ease pain and discomfort and reduce swelling.

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