“Mommy makeover” is a term used to describe a variety of different surgical procedures for women. Every woman is unique and the changes that she experiences during pregnancy and post-partum are specific to her and her body. Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding are amazing and monumental feats that females experience, but each can leave permanent changes to a woman’s body.
A mommy makeover is different for each person and Dr. Sparks will tailor the procedure specifically to you and your needs and goals. The most common procedures performed as part of a mommy makeover are tummy tuck, often in conjunction with liposuction of the flanks, back or thighs, a breast procedure: either a breast lift (with or without implants) or breast augmentation, and also vaginal rejuvenation (most commonly labiaplasty).
Changes depend on specific body part:
- Abdominal muscles can separate (a term called diastasis recti or rectus diastasis) leaving an abdominal bulge that is hard to disguise (often called the “mommy pooch”) an abdominoplasty is needed to treat this.
- Skin can undergo changes and often has unruly stretch marks and is often stretched out leaving excess skin of the anterior abdomen, the best way to treat this is with the skin excision that is performed as part of an abdominoplasty.
- Breasts can become enlarged and engorge with lactation then later deflate and become ptotic (or start to become “saggy”) and lose volume and projection. Depending on the amount of volume loss treatment could be as simple as a breast augmentation, but more significant ptosis and deflation often requires a breast lift to restore the location of the nipple. A consultation with Dr. Sparks will determine what is the best solution for you.
The great news is that all of these things can be addressed with a “Mommy Makeover” to restore your body.
Depending on the amount of procedures desired and the length of time needed, these procedures can be performed in one trip to the operating room. Whereas smaller procedures can often be performed under local anesthesia in our procedure room in the med spa. The benefit of undergoing multiple procedures simultaneously is that it minimizes trips to the operating room and can decrease the overall recovery period so that you can return to your daily life a little quicker.
Dr. Sparks uses a specialized perioperative and postoperative protocol for pain control including the use of Exparel (a long acting local anesthetic) and ERAS protocol (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) to better control pain, reduce the use of opioids, minimize side effects (including nausea, vomiting, constipation and general grogginess) and get patients back to feeling like themselves faster. She works with you to help you maximize your recovery period and minimize time away from work and family so that you can get back to feeling like yourself faster. You will be truly amazed by how investing in yourself and restoring your body will benefit YOU! Come see us and experience the best version of yourself!
Dr. Sparks has a passion for helping women regain their sense of self and confidence after pregnancy and childbirth. Being a mother is one of the greatest joys she has ever experienced, and because of this she understands there are parts of our bodies that will never quite be the same. However, surgery can address these physical changes and can significantly impact the female psyche. For Dr. Sparks, the most rewarding part of operating on fellow mothers is watching them regain their sense of self and self-confidence after surgery.
