The Emotional Impact of The Mommy Makeover
The Benefits Of Maternal Aesthetics Go Beyond Appearance
While Mommy Makeover surgery is most often associated with aesthetic improvements, its functional and emotional benefits are equally significant. A Mommy Makeover offers women the opportunity to reclaim their sense of self by rehabilitating some of the physical after-effects of childbearing and boosting their self-confidence.
A Brief Overview Of What The Mommy Makeover Entails
A Mommy Makeover is a cosmetic procedure designed to address the physical changes that occur in a woman’s body due to pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Most often, it combines surgical procedures such as breast augmentation, breast lift, labiaplasty, tummy tuck and liposuction to restore a woman’s pre-pregnancy body contours with a single recovery period.
A Sense Of Normalcy: Returning To A Pre-Pregnancy Body On A Functional Level
Many of the Mommy Makeover procedures have practical benefits to them, as well.
Central to the Mommy Makeover is the tummy tuck, in which a diastasis recti (a.k.a. DR, a separation of the abdominal muscles) can be corrected. By repairing the diastasis recti, a tummy tuck not only restores core strength but can also improve urinary incontinence (urine leakage with jumping, laughing, etc.) and alleviate back pain.
Newly considered a regular part of a Mommy Makeover, a labiaplasty can significantly enhance comfort in all aspects of daily life, allowing women to feel more confident in their clothes and more at ease during physical activity and intimate moments.
Improved Body Image For Mothers Facing Post-Partum Body Dysmorphia
Postpartum body dysmorphia is a common struggle for new mothers, characterized by negative feelings and perceptions about their post-pregnancy body. Mommy Makeover surgery can be a powerful tool in combating these feelings by addressing physical changes such as deflated breasts, loss of volume, excess skin, and stubborn fat deposits, successfully promoting a more positive body image.
The Empowerment Of Doing Something For Yourself
The emotional toll of the physical changes of pregnancy and childbirth can be immense, impacting multiple aspects of a woman’s life including relationships and overall well-being. The Mommy Makeover alleviates this emotional burden by giving women a sense of control over their bodies and helping them feel more comfortable in their skin.
The procedure can be seen as a gift of self-love. By prioritizing their well-being and taking steps to address physical insecurities, women undergoing Mommy Makeover surgery reclaim ownership of their bodies, leading to a profound sense of empowerment and self-confidence.
” I love my three kids, but they did a number on my body! I just feel like I’m back to my old self again, and everyone here has been great and encouraging all along the way.”
– Marilee
The Importance Of Setting Realistic Expectations
A review of relevant studies suggests that a vast majority of patients who undergo plastic surgery are satisfied with their aesthetic outcomes and experience improvements in mental health as a result. Mismatched and unmet expectations tend to be a common denominator among patients who feel otherwise.
An open conversation with your board-certified plastic surgeon can ensure that your goals and expectations for Mommy Makeover surgery are achievable. Not everything on social media is realistic or possible.
Our Focus On Patient Safety, Education & Comfort With Their Decision
At Donaldson, we prioritize understanding each woman’s unique concerns and lifestyle before creating a plan to achieve their health and aesthetic goals. We emphasize the value of education each step of the way, ensuring they have all the information they need about their options and what they can expect from their results.
Our team ensures patients are in the best state of mind before making any decisions about surgery, fostering trust and collaboration throughout the process. We are also transparent with our patients — if surgery is not the best path to help them reach their desired outcomes, we guide them toward solutions that align with their individual needs and aspirations.
Functional Medicine May Be A More Suitable Solution
While Mommy Makeover surgery offers remarkable physical and emotional benefits for many women, we understand that it’s not the ideal solution for everyone. Some patients choose to pursue our functional medicine programs as an alternative, as they seek to regain control over their health and confidence.
These personalized plans address underlying health issues, promote holistic well-being and empower women to achieve their health goals without surgery. They often include gut health restoration, hormone therapy and nutritional support in addition to other lifestyle interventions.
About The Author
Dr. Michelle Sieffert is a renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon in Columbus, Ohio. She specializes in all procedures related to the Mommy Makeover, including breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction, tummy tuck, labiaplasty and body lift surgery. Since the age of 18, Dr. Sieffert has worked in the operating room, witnessing the mental and physical benefits of plastic surgery firsthand. She is excited to be a part of your journey!
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