Mothers, you are amazing – period. Not only for what you do day in and day out for your children, but for what you put your body through to give them life! While the whole phenomenon is miraculous and the result is a precious life, the changes that your body goes through may leave you less than thrilled. Because of this, many mothers find themselves considering the popular mommy makeover surgery. The mommy makeover is a combination of cosmetic surgical procedures that can help mothers regain their pre-baby bodies and feel young and vibrant again.
In order to remove that stretched out skin left over from pregnancy, a tummy tuck is usually included in Mommy Makeovers. Technically known as an abdominoplasty, this part of the Mommy Makeover can take two to five hours from start to finish. Here in Honolulu we first remove excess skin stretched out by pregnancy. Also, since pregnancy can significantly weaken the abdominal muscles we can also give your core extra support by tightening the abdominal wall.
Unfortunately, a scar is inevitable with a tummy tuck but it is often hidden low beneath the bikini line. Recovery takes time, but most of our Honolulu Mommy Makeover clients are able to resume most of their daily activities within one to three weeks. (It could be longer depending upon your specific physical health or other conditions.) Average cost for a dramatically flatter stomach and narrower waist are approximately $10,000 – $17,000 here in Hawaii.
Another part of the Mommy Makeover often includes liposuction. This part of the surgery isn’t glamorous by any means. Through a variety of methods, fat is literally sucked out of your body. I know it doesn’t sound pleasant, but the results are amazing and instantaneous. However, it’s important to remember that liposuction is not an alternative to weight reduction. Its purpose is to effectively removing stubborn pockets of fat that does not react to diet and exercise. For optimal results it’s important to try to lose as much weight as possible with a healthy diet and exercise before proceeding with liposuction.
The liposuction part of the mommy makeover can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much needs to be liposuctioned. Bruising, soreness and even some numbness may occur from superficial nerves that were disturbed. Expect to wear a compression garment for up to four weeks to encourage your skin to contract and decrease the inevitable swelling. Most of our Honolulu clients are back to work in about 1-2 weeks and are enjoying the final results of their Mommy Makeover by the 3rd month. In Hawaii, the average cost for liposuction alone can range from $5,000 – $12,000.
If you live in the Honolulu area and are considering a mommy makeover, contact our office today for more information and a consultation so together we can find the best procedure for you. S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS would be happy to assist you as you make the best possible personal decisions regarding your Mommy Makeover.