Columbus Doctors

How Severe is the Pain After a Mommy Makeover?

I am asking the questions because I've seen lots of complaints the pain after surgery for a mommy makeover is really painful? And pardon my French but they sound like they been to hell and back. I have a very high tolerance pain level and even when in pain usually don't complain and suck it up. So should I truly be concern with the pain level according to some reviews?

There are a lot of factors that determine the amount of pain that you are in after a mommy makeover. Tummy tucks and breast augmentations are typically more painful because they generally involve surgery on muscles. Liposuction and breast lifts do not tend to be very painful. Your ability to handle pain can make a huge difference. I find that patients who exercise regularly have less pain after surgery than those who don't. I also like to inject dilute local anesthetic at the time of surgery which can dramatically cut down on your pain for the first several hours after surgery.

James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Is 2 Weeks Enough Time off of Work After a Mommy Makeover?

Two weeks should be enough time off as long as everything goes well and you have a relatively sedentary job. You will need more time off if your job includes strenuous activity or heavy lifting. If you have a tummy tuck with muscle tightening, you must avoid lifting more that 15-20 lbs for six weeks after surgery. You may want to go back to work part time or on 'light duty' for a week or two. Good luck with your surgery.

James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Do Small Implants Look More Natural? I am an A Cup Now.

Hello! I'm getting surgery in a month and I'm not sure about the size yet. My main objective is to obtain the most natural look. I am 170cm, my bra size is 80A or 32A, chest contour 76cm and breast contour 82cm. I'm planning to get 140cc or 175cc under the muscle, anatomicals but now I'm worried that they might look to separate o like two tennis balls in my chest. What do you think? I just want to get a size bigger and don't want to get big breasts, just my size but fuller!

Thank you for your question. Smaller implants are definitely more natural than larger implants. Implants under the muscle also tend to be more natural and round implants tend to look more natural than 'anatomical' implants. Silicone gel implants tend to feel more natural than saline implants, particularly in patients who have very little breast tissue to cover up the implants.  The size that you have chosen should look very natural and will likely only take you up one cup size. Good luck with your surgery.

James McMahan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon