Boob job, tummy tuck, mommy makeover… What’s the difference?

There is a lot of choice these days when it comes to plastic surgery, and the customer certainly can’t complain about variety. The classics are still there; liposuction, boob job, facelift, etc, but now a whole new range of procedures are flooding into the market. Non-surgical procedures, laser liposuction, butt lifts and more are providing more people with opportunities to reinvent themselves, but at the same time customers are getting confused. In this article we are here to address one popular choice that is responsible for more than a bit of confusion; the mommy makeover. What does this involve, and how exactly is it different to the tummy tuck and boob job, which seem similar?

The first thing to take note of is that the mommy makeover is specifically designed for mothers who have just given birth. It’s no secret that giving birth takes a toll on the body – skin can be left stretched, breasts more flaccid and the genital area fatigued. The mommy makeover aims to target most of these things in one go and takes the stress of birth into particular consideration. It’s no wonder that mothers who want to step straight back into their youthful ways often opt for this all-in-one option, but what does it involve?

Here is the reason for confusion; the mommy makeover involves both breast reduction and liposuction as key procedures, with a tummy tuck to finish it all up. Let’s have a look at some of the options. The breast augmentation involves the use of implants to revitalise the shape of the breasts, which often lose fullness after having swelled and emptied so quickly over the pregnancy period. A breast lift may also be opted for, which is a skin-only procedure that does not involve implants.

The tummy tuck and liposuction areas are perhaps even more varied. Liposuction in general is used to reduce fat, especially in exercise-resistant areas. Some surgeons comment that this can be the most intensive part of the surgery, and that many patients (where possible) opt for new technologies such as CoolSculpting, which freezes away fat and takes less time. Liposuction can target the hips, thighs, abdomen and lower back depending on the case at hand.

Tummy tucks are key to the mommy makeover - they target excess sagging skin left behind by pregnancy. This can also be an intensive part of the procedure, taking between 3-4 hours depending on the case and method chosen. A ‘mini tummy tuck’ is for patients with less excess skin, whereas more traditional techniques aim to sculpt appearance of the tummy and tighten skin at the same time.

One of the first things to note about all this is that a lot of procedures are involved, and a mommy makeover is indeed intensive for the body. Doctors recommend that mothers wanting to undergo it should be in full health after pregnancy and within a healthy BMI range. If you are planning on getting pregnant again then the procedure is also not recommended.

We hope this short guide has given you an insight into just the kinds of things a mommy makeover can involve – but this is just the start. To begin the adventure, speak to your doctor and find out just what you are eligible for, and always consult accredited surgeons.

Sources:

https://hauteliving.com/hautebeauty/ready-mommy-makeover/

https://www.allure.com/story/mommy-makeover-guide

https://www.newbeauty.com/blog/dailybeauty/12739-future-beauty-tummy-mommy-makeover/

https://www.thenewspaper.co.za/mommy-makeovers-all-you-need-to-know-by-dr-rory-dower/