“MOMMY MAKEOVER”: Restoration of a Woman's Body after Childbirth

The process of pregnancy and childbirth will generally cause changes in a woman's body. These changes, although a natural and normal process, often result in a less than optimal body shape and interfere with the woman's quality of life. This condition can be corrected by a procedure commonly known as "mommy makeover," which is a series of aesthetic plastic surgery procedures that aim to restore the shape and appearance of a woman's body after pregnancy and childbirth.

Mommy Makeover Procedure Coverage

Mommy makeover is a plastic surgery procedure that is included in body sculpting or body contouring and is intended to improve appearance through harmonization of body shape. Mommy Makeover procedures may include the following body parts:

• Breast

Will undergo volume changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so the breasts appear to shrink and drop. In addition, the areola (dark area around the nipple) may widen. This area can be repaired with a breast lift or reduction and an areola reduction. Augmentation with implants can also help increase the volume and position of the drooping breast after breastfeeding.

• Stomach

is an area of ​​the body that often experiences fat accumulation, especially when weight fluctuations occur during pregnancy.  Liposuction (liposuction) can be performed to reduce fat accumulation if the abdominal wall is still tight, while a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is performed when the abdominal wall is loose. Depending on the patient's abdominal condition, these two procedures can be performed simultaneously.

• External Genitalia

The process of childbirth can cause a decrease in the elasticity of the vaginal wall and injury to the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus). Vaginal wall slack and perineal injuries can be restored to their pre-delivery state with a vaginoperineoplasty (vaginal rejuvenation) procedure. The appearance of the vaginal lips can also be improved by labiaplasty.

• Arms and Thighs

This is the part that is affected by fluctuations in body weight after pregnancy. This area can be repaired with liposuction. If the skin wall is loose, brachioplasty or thighplasty can be done to tighten the skin.

Each individual's body condition is not the same. A woman may experience one, some, or a combination of these conditions. But it should be remembered that all of the above conditions are actually a normal result of the natural process of pregnancy and childbirth. A woman's decision to consult and undergo a body-shape harmonization procedure must depart from the woman's personal motivation to improve her own quality of life, not encouragement from people around her, social media, or even doctors.

Mommy Makeover Procedure Candidate

The ideal candidate for a mommy makeover procedure is a post-pregnancy and post-delivery woman with:

• General condition is healthy. Mommy makeover procedures are usually performed under general anesthesia, so optimal physical conditions are required. To ensure this, the plastic surgeon will work closely with the internist and anesthesiologist so that the operation can run smoothly and safely.
• a healthy way of life with a stable weight The body contouring procedure is not a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, nor is it a method for weight loss, but rather an action to improve persistent areas that persist even after a healthy lifestyle. To achieve and maintain the best surgical results, patient consistency in maintaining a balanced diet and activity is very important.
• Have realistic motivations and expectations. Each body contouring procedure has its own indications, advantages, and limitations. This is where education plays an important role so that patients get the right understanding of the actions they will undergo.

Planning and Maintaining Postoperative Outcomes

Good surgical planning includes the timing of the operation and pregnancy planning. The assessment of body condition and planning for body contouring surgery need to be carried out after the patient's body has completed the healing and recovery process, which is at least 6 months after the last pregnancy and delivery. The same goes for planning the next pregnancy. As previously explained, the results obtained after body contouring are not permanent. A healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet and exercise is very important to maintain optimal operating results. Meanwhile, the pregnancy process will almost certainly affect the metabolism and overall health. Therefore, the ideal candidate for a mommy makeover is actually a woman who is not planning on getting pregnant again. The process of planning a mature mommy makeover requires a thorough consultation and physical examination. For more information, consult your plastic surgeon.

Created by: Dr. Sandy Sofian Sopandi, Sp.B-RE

Reference:

Shermak MA, Abdominoplasty with combined surgery. Clin Plast Surg. Juli 2020;47(3):365-77.  

Matarasso A, Smith DM. Strategies for aesthetic reshaping of the postpartum patient. Plast Reconstr Surg. Agustus 2015;136(2):245-57.

Carniol ET, Carniol PJ. The "mommy makeover" package. Virtual Mentor. Mei 2010;12(5):363-6.