Forget mommy makeover - I need a granny makeover, how do I prioritize the work to be done?

Good morning,
This is a common question we face in our practice. Having children changes the abdomen, and then when a few years pass, other areas of the body may become a concern as well.
To prioritize the work you would like done, consider what is most important to you, and then when you are ready, seek consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon who can help you set up a course of action. After evaluating your specific concerns, a plastic surgeon will explain what procedures work well together, both to get a good result and to maximize your recovery and as well, the efficient use of the operating room to contain cost.
You mention a difficult recovery, and I advise that you seek a plastic surgeon with an experienced staff of caregivers who will educate you and ease this process. Yes there may be a few tough days, and an experienced Plastic Surgeon and team will see you through.
All the best to you,
Dr. Nancy de Kleer

A "granny makeover" typically involves addressing aging-related concerns and rejuvenating one's appearance. Prioritizing the work depends on individual goals and areas of concern, but here are some common considerations:

Skin Rejuvenation: Start with skincare to address any signs of aging such as wrinkles, age spots, or dullness. Consider incorporating products with retinoids, antioxidants, and hydrating ingredients.

Facial Treatments: Non-invasive procedures like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser treatments can improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and even out skin tone.

Dental Care: A bright, healthy smile can take years off your appearance. Dental treatments like whitening, veneers, or even dentures can enhance your smile.

Hair: Update your hairstyle with a cut and color that flatters your face shape and skin tone. Consider techniques like highlights or lowlights for dimension and volume.

Makeup: Learn makeup techniques that enhance your features while addressing any specific concerns like dark circles or thinning eyebrows. Focus on natural-looking makeup that enhances your best features.

Wardrobe Update: Update your wardrobe with age-appropriate yet stylish clothing that fits well and makes you feel confident. Consider consulting a stylist for personalized advice.

Fitness and Nutrition: Prioritize your health by incorporating regular exercise and a balanced diet. Consult with a nutritionist or personal trainer for guidance tailored to your needs.

Body Contouring: If desired, consider non-surgical body contouring procedures to address areas of concern such as loose skin, cellulite, or stubborn fat deposits.

Cosmetic Procedures: Consult with a qualified plastic surgeon if you're considering more invasive procedures like facelifts, eyelid surgery, or liposuction.

Mental and Emotional Well-being: Don't forget the importance of mental and emotional well-being in your makeover journey. Consider activities like meditation, therapy, or hobbies that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Remember, the most important aspect of any makeover is feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin. Prioritize treatments and changes that align with your personal goals and make you feel your best. Consulting with professionals in each area can help you create a tailored plan for your granny makeover.

Hello Cool407230,

It's wonderful to hear that you're considering taking steps to rejuvenate and feel confident in your skin. Prioritizing cosmetic procedures in a 'granny makeover' requires careful consideration of several factors, including your most pressing concerns, the recovery process, and financial planning.

Identify Your Top Concerns: Start by listing the areas that bother you the most or where you desire improvement. For instance, if the appearance of your tummy or face significantly impacts your confidence, these areas might be your priority.

Consult with a Plastic Surgeon: Schedule consultations with board-certified plastic surgeons in the Toronto area. They can provide professional insight into which procedures might offer the most impactful changes and how they can be combined safely. Some procedures can be effectively combined (like a breast lift and arm lift) to reduce overall recovery time and cost, while others might need separate sessions.

Consider Recovery Time and Support: Some procedures, like tummy tucks and thigh lifts, require more intensive recovery. Think about the support system you have in place, such as family or friends who can assist you, especially if multiple procedures are done simultaneously.

Budgeting: Financial planning is crucial. Get detailed quotations for each procedure, including post-operative care and any additional expenses. Some practices offer financing plans that might make the process more manageable.

Staging the Procedures: Often, surgeries are staged for safety, especially when multiple areas are being addressed. You might start with the procedures that concern you most and then gradually move to others. Also, consider the cumulative recovery time when planning.

Health and Medical Clearance: Ensure that you're in good health to undergo surgery. Discuss any medical conditions with your surgeon and ensure that you get the necessary pre-operative clearance.

Post-operative Plans: Think about the end goals and how each procedure will contribute to your overall satisfaction. Sometimes, starting with the most visible changes (like a facelift or neck lift) can provide a significant boost in confidence and motivation.

Remember, each individual’s journey is unique, and your plan should be tailored to fit your personal needs and lifestyle. Your surgeon will guide you in making informed decisions based on their expertise and your specific circumstances.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further guidance.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Thank you for the great question.
This is common situation and I see it frequently in our massive weight loss patients. Here is how I approach this. I start with listing, as you have, all the areas of concern. Then the patient and I go over the symptoms/concerns for each area. Using this information, we prioritize the most important to the patient. This is a rather detailed discussion but, in general, there is usually one or two anatomic areas that are most concerning aesthetically or symptomatically. Then we see if we can combine those two (rarely three) areas into one anesthetic. This addresses the most concerning things for the patient and gets it out of the way in case life and/or money get in the way and no more surgery can be done.
I do not recommend operating on all four extremities at once. Your facelift surgeon may not want you to have another procedure at the same time as this might result in more pain, increased heart rate and blood pressure after surgery that risks post op bleeding in the face.
Good luck.

Thanks for your inquiry. In general a surgeon will ask your order of priority first to understand your concerns. This gives us perspective on your goals. In my practice I like to restore the trunk/core first and then work to the extremities and face last in a staged fashion. Best of luck with your surgeries.

Thank you for your question regarding how to best prioritize the procedures you’re interested in!

In my practice, it is very common to combine multiple procedures into one surgery. I think this would be a great option for you. It would help with the overall number of recoveries you have, as well as potentially decrease the cost.

As far as prioritizing the procedures you are wanting, I encourage you to prioritize what areas bother you the most.

I recommend that you have an in person consultation with two or more experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons in your area to talk over your goals and make sure it is safe for you.

Hi & thanks for your question.
Schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options. Many procedures can be combined. Best wishes!

It may be a good idea to determine which issues you’d like to resolve the most. If your primary concern is your mid-section, for example, you can consider doing the tummy tuck first. If it is safe to do so (based on your health and surgeon’s opinion) you may have one or more other procedures done at the same time.

In order to address the concerns you mentioned you will need to plan for 2 to 3 surgical stages with a minimum of 3 to 6 months in between. Begin by scheduling a few consultations with board certified plastic surgeons in your area. Here you can learn about the procedures and after an examination and discussion of your goals an individualized plan can be created for you.

In our Practice we often perform complex combination procedures provided a patient is a good candidate. You mentioned that you always wanted to have a Tummy Tuck- so you can either do Tummy tuck by itself, or add breast lift , and then as stage 2 you can do your arms and thighs and possibly face.
Best to seek an experienced Board Certified PS and review your options at that time.