Post Pregnancy Mummy Makeover

During these 9 months, the mother’s body goes through many changes to prepare for this miraculous process. Some of these changes are permanent, and whether it is after one or multiple births, these changes may have both aesthetic and physical sequelae.

‘Body Procedure’ is not a medical term but is popularised by a set of surgical procedures offered to post-pregnancy mothers. The drive for surgery may originate from a want to improve certain body contours or a need due to back pain as a result of the separation of core muscles.

Usually, the surgery would include abdominoplasty and a breast procedure, such as breast lift (mastopexy), breast augmentation or a combination surgery, augmentation mastopexy depending on if the goals and to which areas. This can be accompanied by other procedures, such as liposuction.

Dr Kwei will customise the surgical plan to meet your aesthetic preferences and cosmetic goals. If the surgical goals are multiple, the surgery may be staged for your best outcome.

Abdominoplasty

During pregnancy, the abdomen undergoes significant changes and even though the skin retracts to a degree after childbirth, many mothers are left with stretch marks, drooping abdominal skin and separated core muscles. This can also be accompanied by lower back pain and umbilical hernia.

The aim of the abdominoplasty surgery is to remove the excess skin and stubborn fat, reconstitute and reconstruct the core muscles, reposition the belly button and repair any accompanying hernias. If you have a Caesarean section scar, this is normally removed with the procedure. The result is a tighter, slimmer waistline. When paired with a healthy lifestyle, the results are dramatic and long-lasting.

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Breast Augmentation

After lactation and breastfeeding, breasts would be left looking ‘empty’ and ‘deflated’. One of the most common cosmetic complaints women have after pregnancy is dissatisfaction with the shape and volume of their breasts. This change can be adjusted with an augmentative procedure using silicone implants, resulting in a breast-hip figure that is more in proportion.

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Mastopexy

Often you are happy with the volume of the breasts but not with the change in the shape and the skin droop after pregnancy. In this scenario, you would need a breast lift, which aims to re-establish both nipple and breast positions and breast shape.

At the end of this surgery, you will have either the ‘lollipop’ scar or ‘anchor’ scar around the inferior breast and with a good scar care regime, it becomes less noticeable after 6-9 months.

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Augmentation Mastopexy

Although Breast Augmentation can aid in the volume to the breasts, this procedure alone does not provide much lift to sagging breasts. Depending on the degree of breast droop and the position of the nipples, it may be necessary to combine a breast augmentation with a lift to position the nipple and the breast up to an ideal position to give that ‘perky’ rejuvenated appearance.

Liposuction

Many new mums follow a strict diet and exercise plan after giving birth but find certain areas of the body with stubborn pockets of fat that remain the same. If you have fat deposits that are not responding to traditional weight-loss methods, liposuction and liposculpturing procedures can address these areas.

Dr Kwei is highly experienced in performing both the tumescent and the super-wet techniques of liposuction.

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Ideal Candidate

If you have experienced a change in body habitus from pregnancy, namely loss of volume, shape and symmetry of breasts, loose, sagging skin on the abdomen and stubborn fat deposits on various parts of the body that do not respond to diet or exercise.

Also, the ideal candidate for body makeover is healthy, regularly exercising and is a non-smoker or has quit smoking.

Timing for body procedure

So you’ve just had your last baby, it is an important time for you and the baby to bond. If you are considering having a body makeover in the near future, then get into a healthy routine of diet and exercise, and set yourself realistic goal weights, one that you can maintain post-surgery and when the weight is stable, then that would be the time to consider.

In general, Body Procedure is planned for:

• 6-12 months after giving birth;
• Weight has been stable for 3-6 months; and
• Stopped breastfeeding for a minimum of 3 months.

Understanding Your Surgery

It depends on what your body procedure goals are. Surgery can take from 3 to 7-8 hours to complete. And when there are multiple surgical goals involving different procedures and long surgical time, it may be necessary to stage the surgery and allow the body to recover (usually 6-8 weeks) before doing surgery to achieve the remaining surgical goals.

Different surgical procedures involve different techniques and will have different expectations. Please read the relevant procedure links for a better understanding of the surgery. Dr Kwei recommends a formal one on one consultation to be able to discuss a tailored surgical plan for your needs to achieve the best results.

What Is Recovery Like After a Body Procedure?

Depending on the combination of surgical procedures, you would most likely be in hospital for 3-5 days. Wearing a bra support garment, abdominal binders and other garments is necessary to support areas of your surgery.

In general, if you only had liposuction performed, you should be able to resume work within a few days, and most of the bruising and swelling will subside after a few weeks. Breast surgery patients can usually resume work after about a week but slowly return to more vigorous activity after 4-6 weeks. Abdominoplasty is more involved with your recovery, and you can usually return to work after 2-4 weeks, but only feel completely normal after a few months.

Time Needed Off Work

If you have body procedure surgery involving your abdomen, you will need 2-4 weeks off work. Dr Kwei recommends no driving for 2-3 weeks. Also, for the young mothers, you will need help with the baby for 4-6 weeks, with no heavy lifting for a minimum of 6 weeks.

Choose Your Surgeon Wisely

It is important to be sure that your surgeon is qualified not only to perform the procedure but to deal with all aspects around the surgery and its results. It is just as vital for your surgery to be performed at a fully accredited facility.

Dr Johnny Kwei is a Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon affiliated with The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He has undergone extensive education and training, both in Australia and abroad, to earn the designation.

Dr Kwei takes pride in providing the highest quality care to his patients and ensures they are always fully informed, receiving the best treatment, in respect to your wellbeing.

Post Pregnancy Body Procedure Surgery in Sydney

Call us today and organise your private consultation with Dr Kwei to discuss what you like to achieve.