Small framed petite woman. Safe for Mommy Makeover?

Question

I am a mother of 2 kids. I am young and healthy .Had them c section. lost all the pregnancy weight , now back to my normal 100 lbs. I have diastasis recti and an umbilical hernia. Extra skin but not much . it is safe to perform a tummy tuck on a petite gal as well as an feast lift with nipple reduction with implants inserted. Can petite bodies take that kind of trauma ? How long is the procedure ? And what is the pain level after ? I want to do the procedure but scared of dying during surgery .

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.Yes, petite women can have Mommy makeovers! Contact a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and to review your health history. Beat wishes.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Far more important than deciding if MM is for you is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather than the technique and let him explain why one technique may be better than another and if you need a tummy tuck. Many board certified plastic surgeons provide a free first time consult and you should take advantage of that! 
A woman’s body can be unexpectedly altered nearly from head-to-toe after pregnancy and childbirth. Mommy makeover procedures are varied yet specific, allowing you to restore and rejuvenate your body to a youthful, healthier look, regardless of how you have been affected by pregnancy.
Mommy makeover procedures include:
Breast augmentation: After pregnancy, a woman’s breasts may change dramatically, whether or not she even chooses to breastfeed her child. After the need for breastmilk production passes, breasts will often reduce in size but leave excess loose skin, especially in the upper region. Breast augmentation can restore a woman’s breasts to her ideal shape and size.
Breast lift:Removing excess skin around the breasts following a pregnancy can tighten and visibly lift the breast. Depending the amount of “lifting” required, the incisions necessary to complete the procedure may vary but are generally low.
Tummy tuck:Most women will experience a noticeable change to their abdominal region after pregnancy, either caused by excess skin and increased body fat, or a weakening of the muscles that causes the stomach to sag. Another common condition is a protruding bellybutton. All of these alterations can be improved and restored through a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty. In some cases, stretch marks can be eliminated entirely, or the bellybutton can be removed through umbilicoplasty.
Liposuction: Pregnant or nursing women can experience fat build ups in new locations throughout their bodies, including the stomach, hips, legs, and arms. Liposuction is an easy and effective way to address these extra fat pockets. We can also help you figure out if diet and exercise used in conjunction with liposuction will be to your benefit.
Labiaplasty: The birth canal undergoes great stress and pressure when giving birth, sometimes causing tears or damage to the labia and vagina. Labiaplasty and vaginal tightening are two outpatient procedures we can use to restore the elasticity and strength of your labia and vagina.
Skin pigment correction: Sometimes called “the mask of pregnancy,” discolored splotches of brown and red often appear on a pregnant woman’s face. Our skin aesthetician from BioSpa, our clinical skin care department, can use laser treatments, chemical peels, gradual bleaching, and other gentle yet effective techniques to correct alterations in your skin pigmentation.
Varicose vein removal: Darkened and thickened veins that arise during pregnancy may be distracting, unpleasant, and permanent. Talk to our team about varicose vein removal and reduction procedures, including lasers, injections, and minimal outpatient surgery options.
Using a combination of operations and procedures is also highly recommended. Not only will you likely reduce the overall cost of your mommy makeover, but you reduce the amount of anesthetics and the recovery time needed after procedures. Ask our team about how you can combine operations into the least number of visits possible.
#mommymakeover #candidateMM

Christine Rodgers, MD · Answer

HI curious,  If you are healthy both procedures can be performed. It is best if you see a Board certified plastic surgeon for a complete evaluation of your body as well as your medical history. It sounds as though you my be a candidate for a mini- tummy tuck which typically does not take as long as the standard tummy tuck. Along with the Board certified plastic surgeon,  you should inquire about your anesthesiologist and the facility where you would have the surgery. It is normal to be nervous about such surgery, but with a careful surgeon, good anesthesiologist and a hospital setting, you have a good chance to have the safest setting possible. Your past medical history is very important and should be evaluated before any surgery is undertaken,The surgery may then take around 5 hours, more or less,depending on what you would like to have done and the amount of repair that needs to be done. The pain is somewhat similar to a C section for the tummy and many patients tell me that their breast pain is similar to the feeling when your breast milk comes in.As with any other hernia repair, a complete recovery takes about 5-6 weeks. Most women can drive after about 2 weeks. I tell my patients not to lift anything over 15 pounds for the same time period, so if your little ones weigh more than that, you might want to wait until they are a bit older before having this surgery.Hope this helps a bit.Best,Dr. Christine Rodgers

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.   The best advice you can receive is from an in-person
consultation. As long as you are in good health and can obtain medical clearance from your primary physician, then this procedure is safe and usually takes about 4-4.5 hours in the operating room.  If you are an appropriate candidate for a tummy tuck, this can be done
through a low and short incision, all completely below the bikini line.  The belly button can be designed to look
natural and have no scars on the exterior. 
Your muscles can also be plicated resulting in a flat abdomen.  A breast lift with an implant can be performed at the same
time for improved shape and contour of your breasts. Make sure you specifically
look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this
surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

An exam or pictures would be needed to make a better recommendation in this instance.  A TT would remove loose skin and could tighten the muscles and give you a very flat, nice result.  A lower TT scar with vertical component would replace the C-section scar.  TT recovery is probably comparable to C-section recovery.  I perform the diastasis recti and umbilical hernia correction at the same time as the TT.  Being young, healthy, and petite will lead to optimal results.  You may have your areolae reduced if you would like. The areolae will widen with the stretch from the placement of implants.  A TT and full breast lift would take less than 1.5 hours for the tummy tuck with umbilical hernia and diastasis recti repair and about 2 hours for the full breast lift (maybe less).  This might only be about 3 hours of surgery, and I frequently perform these procedures together. Recovery time from a mini MM (the TT component takes the longest)  with hernia repair may require 6 weeks or longer before vigorous exercise or strenuous activity can be resumedFind a board certified plastic surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of tummy tucks, breast lifts, hernia repairs and similar procedures each year with favorable patient feedback.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the results.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. While it is difficult to provide specific advice without photos, it sounds like you are an excellent candidate for a tummy tuck (possibly mini) with muscle repair and breast lift. The abdominal skin excision could give you an excellent contour as well as muscle tightening to improve the tone of the anterior abdominal wall.  Please see a board certified plastic surgeon for an in-person examination to discuss the specific details of the procedures. Ask to see before and after photos to get an idea of what can be achieved. Hope this helps!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions.  Petite women can definitely enjoy the benefits of a Mommy Makeover.  Your surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate for the procedures by reviewing your current and past health history, along with a physical examination.  The length of the procedure is individually determined based on the surgical plan.  I encourage you to meet with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area for a consultation.  You will learn the pros and cons of the procedures and have a chance to get your questions answered.

Henry Wells, MD · Answer

If your height is appropriate for your weight you should do well. The Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures that can take 5-6 hours depending on what is done. It is understandable that you would be concerned about the safety of the procedure. However, the individual procedures are routinely  performed  by most plastic surgeons. I would consult board certified plastic surgeons in your area and choose the surgeon not only by reputation and experience but someone you also feel comfortable with. Your surgeon will be able to allay your fears and guide you on your journey to a successful outcome.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. Yes, generally speaking, mommy makeover operations can be performed safely on patients with petite frames. Some degree of anxiety prior to surgery is very normal; its complete elimination is usually not possible. Assuming you have chosen your plastic surgeon carefully, other important "variables" such as anesthesia provider and surgery facility will be selected based on everyone's first priority: safety. This careful selection should give you some peace of mind that you will be safe around the time of surgery. Discuss your specific areas of concerns with your plastic surgeon who will be in the best position to help you calm your nerves. 
 When it comes to "anxiety control", I ask my patients to try to be as calm as possible prior to surgery; this “calmness" tends to translate to a smoother postoperative course. You may be able to alleviate some pre operative anxiety with music, exercise, meditation, and positive/objective focus on the long term outcome/benefits etc. prior to your procedure.I think it is best to prepare for a “recovery” of 4 weeks after tummy tuck surgery. Of course, experiences will vary from one patient to another but many patients do not return to full strength and stamina for several months after the procedure is performed. Descriptions of recovery times shorter than this, in my opinion, is over-promising. I hope this helps.

John Squires, MD (retired) · Answer

The answer is yes. Breast augmentation and breast lift with nipple reduction can be performed together along with abdominoplasty including repair of diastasis recti and umbilical hernia. When done by board-certified anesthesiologists in an accredited facility, anesthesia is extremely safe.These procedures can all be performed at the same surgery safely. The total operative time will be 4-5 hours. Long-acting local anesthetics are used as well as multi modal pain therapy. Most people have very mild pain that is easily controlled afterwards. You should be driving by 5-7 days and back to most normal activity by 2-3 weeks. Serious working out will require 4-6 weeks of recovery. Seeka plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery whospecializes in cosmetic plastic surgery, as evidenced by membership in TheAmerican Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Ask to see many pre and post opphotos and speak with previous patients.

Small framed petite woman. Safe for Mommy Makeover?

Answers (11)

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