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Mommy Makeover Houston

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Mommy Makeover Houston

Houston Mommy Makeover at Lift Plastic Surgery

Pregnancy is likely one of the most amazing experiences a woman can have. However, with pregnancy and breastfeeding, unwanted body changes are likely. Nonetheless, women who are unhappy with the physical changes resulting from pregnancy and breastfeeding may want to consider having a mommy makeover in Houston.

Custom Designed Treatment Plans for a Houston Mommy Makeover

At Lift Plastic Surgery in Houston, Dr. Shitel Patel is a board-certified plastic surgeons who create custom-tailored treatment plans for women who want to address the unwanted physical characteristics resulting from pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Issues a Mommy Makeover Addresses

A mommy makeover consists of a combination of procedures specifically designed to address the body changes resulting from pregnancy and breastfeeding.

There are numerous body changes linked to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. some of the negative body changes that can be attributed to pregnancy include loose abdominal skin, sagging breasts and fat deposits that have accumulated in various areas throughout the body. With a mommy makeover in Houston, Dr. Patel can address multiple issues during a single surgical session.

How Pregnancy Affects the Body

As the baby grows:

  • The mother’s abdominal muscles are pushed apart.
  • Some mothers develop an umbilical hernia.
  • The abdomen projects outward causing stretch marks to form.
  • Once the baby is born, the mother is typically left with stretch marks and excess skin around her abdominal area.
  • Breastfeeding can cause the mother’s breasts to appear deflated and pendulous.
  • Some women have breasts that are smaller than they were before pregnancy.

These changes can affect the way a woman feels about her body.

What is a Houston Mommy Makeover?

The ultimate goal of a mommy makeover in Houston is to help women regain the physical characteristics they had before they became pregnant.

Sometimes the results achieved with these plastic surgery procedures provide the patient with enhancements that surpass her pre-pregnancy physical characteristics.

Houston mommy makeovers are designed specifically for women who have been pregnant, given birth and breastfed their babies. This surgical body transformation process involves the removal of excess abdominal skin and fatty deposits. Dr. Patel can use liposuction or perform an abdominoplasty to provide mothers with a flatter abdomen.

Procedures Frequently Included in a Mommy Makeover

Every patient is unique which is why at Lift Plastic Surgery in Houston, each patient receives a custom-designed treatment plan. These treatment plans are designed to meet the specific needs of a particular patient.

Procedures that can be included in this combination single surgical session:

  • An abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to remove excess skin and tighten the abdominal muscles.
  • A mini-abdominoplasty (mini-tummy tuck) is used to address the pooch that frequently develops on the lower abdomen. The abdominal muscles are not addressed during a mini-tummy tuck.
  • Liposuction to remove pockets of fat that have accumulated in various parts of the body.
  • A thigh lift to address loose skin on the thighs. Depending on the patient’s needs, this procedure can be a limited incision thigh lift or a full thigh lift.
  • A breast lift to address pendulous breasts.
  • A breast lift with implants to address breasts that sag and implants to add volume to deflated-looking breasts.
  • Enlarged nipple-areolar complexes are reduced.
  • Breast implants to increase the size of deflated-looking breasts.
  • A breast reduction to address overly large breasts.

How Long Will a Mommy Makeover Take?

A mommy makeover is an outpatient procedure that usually takes from 3 to 4 hours. The number of procedures that Dr. Patel is performing for the patient determines the length of her procedure.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

Women who have experienced physical changes due to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding that have no intention of becoming pregnant at any point in the near future may be good candidates for a mommy makeover in Houston.

The ideal candidate is in good health, is close to her recommended body weight, has realistic expectations in relation to what this procedure can accomplish.

Patients should have a positive support system at home to assist them as they recover.

Some of the top reasons that mothers choose to have mommy makeovers in Houston are to:

  • Have perkier, more youthful-looking breasts.
  • Reduce the size of their breasts.
  • Increase the size of their breasts.
  • Address enlarged nipple-areolar complexes.
  • Eliminate loose abdominal skin and get rid of some of the stretch marks on her abdomen.
  • Attain a firmer stomach.
  • Have the surgeon create body contours that enhance her natural body shape.

Patients can feel confident that their final results will be beautiful.

After a mommy makeover, mothers find that their clothing fits better and their new contours allow them to wear clothing that they could not wear before. These positive physical changes lead to a renewed sense of self-confidence, which can benefit them at home as well as at work.

A mommy makeover in Houston is an outpatient procedure. During this procedure, patients receive general anesthesia, which puts them to sleep until their mommy makeover is complete.

An Initial Consultation at Lift Plastic Surgery in Houston

During the initial consultation for a mommy makeover, patients will be asked what they would like to accomplish with this procedure. Patients need to be candid with the plastic surgeon, otherwise, it will be impossible for the surgeon to provide the results a patient desires.

Once Dr. Patel knows which areas of the body the patient would like addressed, these areas are examined. While performing these examinations, the surgeon also notes how loose the patient’s skin is.

After completing the examination, the surgeon recommends the procedures in Houston that are designed to make the cosmetic body changes that the patient would like.

A mother who has recently given birth must wait at least six months before she is eligible for this combination surgical procedure.

This six-month waiting period for the new mother is crucial because it gives her body time to recover from the pregnancy itself as well as the vaginal birth or caesarean section (C-section).

The plastic surgeon also reviews the patient’s medical history and her list of current medications.

Many of Lift Plastic Surgery’s patients find it helpful to create a list of their medications and medical history at home before their scheduled initial consultation.

This list should include any current medications, the reason for the medication, the dose and the frequency the medication is taken (e.g., twice a day).

Patients should list all their medications despite whether they are over-the-counter or prescribed. In addition, if the patient takes any type of dietary supplement, vitamins or herbal remedies, these should be included on her list. Once complete, the patient can print the list and bring it with her to the initial consultation at Lift Plastic Surgery in Houston. A copy of this list will be placed in her medical file.

If the patient decides to move forward with any of the procedures recommended by Dr. Shitel Patel, photos may be taken of the areas that will be addressed during her surgical session.

These photos are taken from various angles and are used by the plastic surgeon while creating the patient’s personalized treatment plan. All photographs taken are considered part of the patient’s medical record, which makes them confidential.

Measurements of the areas receiving treatment may be taken.

Choosing Procedures for a Houston Mommy Makeover

The procedures included in a patient’s combination single surgical session to address issues resulting from motherhood are determined by the issues she would like Dr. Patel to address.

Procedure options include:

An Abdominoplasty or Mini-Abdominoplasty

Mothers frequently choose to have this procedure because during this procedure the surgeon addresses fat deposits with liposuction and removes excess skin in the abdominal area. In addition, when a full tummy tuck is performed, if necessary, the abdominal muscles can be repaired.

Liposuction

Liposuction is used to address stubborn pockets of fat located in the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs and back.

After creating tiny incisions, the surgeon places a hollow tube, which is called a cannula, through the incisions. At Lift Plastic Surgery, there are four different kinds of liposuction procedures available.

  1. Tumescent liposuction.
  2. Power-assisted liposuction (PAL).
  3. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL).
  4. Laser-assisted liposuction (LAL).

Dr. Shitel Patel will determine which of these procedures will serve the patient best.

Liposuction is only recommended for patients who have firm skin in the areas receiving treatment because individuals with loose skin will have even looser skin following this procedure.

Thigh Lift Options: A Limited Incision or Full Thigh Lift

Liposuction is typically performed to remove fat deposits from certain areas.

A limited incision thigh lift:

A limited incision thigh lift involves the removal of fat and skin from the inner thigh area. The surgeon hides the incision for this procedure within the crease of the groin. After removing the excess fat and skin, the surgeon tacks the tissue to the patient’s groin area. The incision is closed using absorbable sutures.

A full thigh lift:

A full thigh lift requires the surgeon to create an incision that runs from the knee to the groin. Although this incision is long, it is created on the inner side of the leg.

The surgeon carefully lifts the fat and skin off the deeper leg tissues. Dr. Patel can easily determine how much tissue to remove. After removing the excess tissue, the remaining is tacked to the strong fascia in the patient’s groin. Absorbable sutures, skin adhesive and surgical tape are used to close the incisions. Patients may also receive a drain.

To attain the best results possible, a compression garment needs to be worn after surgery.

A Breast Lift or a Breast Lift with Implants

A breast lift is designed to lift pendulous breasts. During this procedure, the surgeon lifts the patient’s breasts by moving them to a higher location on her chest.

A breast lift with implants is used to raise the breasts as well as to increase their size.

Each of these breast lift procedures includes a nipple-areolar reduction procedure.

During breast lift procedures, excess skin on the breast is removed and the breast mounds are moved to a location higher on the chest.

The size of the patient’s nipple-areolar complexes can be reduced and then moved to the corresponding newly created breast mounds.

A breast lift can be performed alone or with the addition of breast implants.

Nipple-Areolar Complex Reduction

This procedure is designed to address nipple-areolar complexes that have become stretched, causing them to appear overly large.

Breast Implant Surgery

During this procedure, the surgeon uses silicone or saline breast implants to increase the size of the patient’s breasts.

Incision location varies and is based on the type of implant the patient is receiving and the physician’s personal preference.

Breast implants are available in various sizes, widths and projections. In addition, implants can be anatomically shaped or round.

Placement options include above or below the pectoral muscle. At Lift Plastic Surgery, Dr. Shitel Patel uses dissolvable internal stitches, which dissolve in about a week.

These internal stitches provide additional support for the implants as the breasts adjust to their new size. Patients may receive drains to assist with the removal of excess fluid.

The outer skin incision is closed using skin adhesive, sutures, surgical tape or a combination of the three.

A Breast Augmentation Using Autologous Fat

Women who would just like to slightly increase the size of their breasts (up to one cup size) may be good candidates for an autologous breast augmentation procedure.

During this procedure instead of an implant, the patient’s own fat is harvested via liposuction.

Once harvested, using the centrifugation process, the stronger fat cells are separated from the weaker ones. The surgeon collects these cells and then strategically injects the fat cells into the patient’s breasts.

A Breast Reduction

During this procedure, the plastic surgeon removes excess skin and breast tissue and reduces the size of the nipple-areolar complex. The breast mound is moved to a higher position on the patient’s chest.

The skin is re-draped over the mound and the nipple-areolar complex is placed at a natural-looking position on the breast.

All incisions are closed with absorbable stitches.

Preparing for a Mommy Makeover in Houston

Before having this procedure, patients need to stop taking certain medications. These include aspirin, NSAIDs, and prescription blood thinners. Before discontinuing any prescription medication, patients need to speak with their physician.

Patients who use any kind of product that contains nicotine need to stop using it for at least four weeks before their surgery and four weeks after. In addition, patients
need to avoid second-hand smoke. Following this recommendation is extremely important because nicotine is a vasoconstrictor.

A vasoconstrictor causes the blood vessels to narrow. When the vessels narrow, blood flow slows, negatively affecting the healing process. This slowed healing can lead to an infection.

Create an At-Home Recovery Area to Use After the Mommy Makeover

Patients should consider creating a recovery area at home. The recovery area should be in a room where the patient can rest comfortably with her head elevated. A room with a recliner is ideal. The patient should have everything she needs within arm’s reach.

Place all the items on a TV tray, end table or nightstand next to her chair or bed.

Some patients cook meals ahead of time and just freeze them for use during recovery.

Pick up prescription medications at the pharmacy.

Patients with small animals that roam free throughout the home should ask someone they trust to care for their pet during the early stages of recovery.

The Mommy Makeover Experience at Lift Plastic Surgery

Patients need to arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. This gives them time to fill out any necessary paperwork.

Patients must have their driver with them when they arrive, otherwise, they will need to reschedule their surgery. At Lift Plastic Surgery, patients are not permitted to use public or for-hire transportation after surgical procedures. This policy is in place for the protection of the patient.

The surgical technique the plastic surgeon decides to use depends on the specific procedures the patient is having.

Pre-Op

While the patient is in Pre-Op, Dr. Patel may come in to make several markings in the areas being treated. These are used a guide during surgery. Patients should ask any questions they have.

Anesthesia

The patient receives general anesthesia, which helps her relax and fall asleep.

The surgical procedures agreed upon are performed.

Once the procedure is over, the patient is moved to the recovery room. She remains in the recovery room for some time and once her surgeon feels confident that she is well on her way to recovery, she is released to her driver.

Her follow-up appointment will be scheduled for a couple of days.

Recovering from a Mommy Makeover in Houston

The first few days following this combination plastic surgery procedure can be challenging.

During this surgical session, several invasive procedures are performed; therefore, inflammation and bruising should be expected. However, these symptoms usually dissipate rather quickly. Many times, these symptoms clear up within just a few days. One of the most common errors mothers make is trying to do too much too soon. Taking time to allow the body to heal properly is essential.

Patients may receive antibiotics and pain medication. The antibiotics help prevent infection and the pain medication helps the patients feel more comfortable as they recover.

Dr. Patel will want his patients to be safe. As such patients need to have someone remain with them on the night of their procedure.

Bed rest is not recommended patients need to walk around periodically.

Each patient is unique; therefore, recovery experiences will vary. A generalization of what to expect during recovery is listed below.

Most patients can resume their routine activities at some point between two to four weeks of their procedure.

While most patients can return to their normal everyday activities within two to four weeks, at this time patients must still refrain from participating in any kind of heavy lifting or strenuous activity. Patients should only resume these kinds of activities after talking with their plastic surgeon at Lift Plastic Surgery in Houston.

Some patients need to have a pain pump. This pump is designed to provide medication to numb a particular area.
This surgical procedure is safe as long as it is performed by a board-certified, experienced and qualified plastic surgeon. Dr. Patel are both mommy makeover experts. As specialists, they take every necessary precaution to ensure patients receive optimal results.

Results

After a mommy makeover in Houston, the patient can expect to see real results in about eight weeks.

To attain the best plastic surgery results possible, it is vital that patients follow any presurgical and post-surgical instructions provided by Dr. Shitel Patel.

How long the results achieved with a mommy makeover last depends on the procedures the patient chose to have.

Potential Side Effects/Risks

As with all procedures, side effects are possible, however, choosing an experienced plastic surgeon to perform these procedures increases the likelihood of the patient attaining the look she desires without unexpected side effects.

Potential side effects include:

  • A reaction to the medications used during surgery.
  • Excessive bleeding.
  • Unsatisfactory results leading to the need for an additional procedure.
  • Resulting scars are based on the procedures the patient receives.
  • The abdominoplasty scar runs along the bottom of the stomach, just above the pubic bone. Patients who choose to have a mini tummy tuck will have a shorter scar.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover in Houston Cost?

Since each patient is unique, the only way to determine how much this procedure will cost is with an initial consultation.

During this consultation, the surgeon determines which procedures will provide the patient with the results she would like to achieve and how much these procedures will cost.

At Lift Plastic Surgery in Houston, Dr. Shitel Patel performs mommy makeovers to help mothers look their very best. If you live in the Houston area and would like to learn more about the plastic surgery procedures available, contact us today.

Questions? Book a Consultation Now.

Contact Houston / Webster, Texas Plastic Surgeon Shitel D. Patel, MD at Lift Plastic Surgery.

For more information on cosmetic procedures and treatments provided please schedule a consultation.

Serving patients in Houston Texas, Webster, League City, Pearland, Galveston, Kemah, Seabrook and all other surrounding Greater Houston, Texas communities and more.

 

Mommy Makeover FAQs

Will a mommy makeover take care of all the loose skin from pregnancy?

Mommy makeovers are a wonderful way to get rid of extra or loose skin after pregnancy. One of the things it's able to accomplish is that it takes care of three different anatomic parts that occur after pregnancy. One is the stretch of the skin, one is the increase of the amount of fat in between the skin and then thirdly, it's the stretch of the muscle. Mommy makeovers will definitely get rid of a lot of that looseness that is present afterward.

I am considering a mommy makeover; what are my options?

So Mommy Makeover can address a multitude of different things, it depends on what areas have changed in your body and what things you want to adjust. A lot of times patients want their breast either, you know, increased in volume because they've been deflated, or a change where the nipple is positioned. And so that can be a breast lift with an implant placement or an augmentation in terms of fat transfer. And then the other area is usually covering the tummy and either taking away extra skin or just liposuction to take away any of the stubborn fat in terms of a combination procedure.

Should a mommy makeover be performed in three different sessions?

Mommy makeovers are a very popular thing to do. Doing it in one stage or multiple stages is very common. A lot of it is dependent on what we're trying to accomplish. If we can get it all done at once in a safe and efficient manner, getting you out of anesthesia within a reasonable amount of time, I think Mommy makeovers in one step can definitely be done. However, if we think that a lot more needs to be performed or is over a certain time limit, then mommy makeovers should probably be staged.

Is there a makeover for grandmothers?

Grandmothers, yes. And so for mommies and grandmothers, there's definitely different types of makeovers. Again, we want to cater to the problems that you are facing, that you want changed. And we can definitely do those in a combination of procedures. Usually grandmothers want some things addressed in the face and neck area as well as the breast or tummy.

When would the best time of year for someone to have a mommy makeover?

So there's no exact best time of year, but usually we recommend, you know, some of the bigger changes that you want to happen during the wintertime because then you have time to heal for the summer. So summer bodies are usually made in the winter.

I would like to have a Tummy Tuck, BBL and Breast Augmentation for my mommy makeover; can I get these done in two stages If so, which should I do first?

Yes, you can definitely do those in two stages. I would do the BBL first because that would help you suction out all the fat from your tummy in the other areas to get you a better result when we do the tummy tuck portion.

 

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