Mommy Makeover

During pregnancy the female body changes in many ways. Not all changes are visible even after birth. However, some pregnancy-related changes require a lot of time and active support from the woman in order to return to the original state. Other traces of the birth of the child cannot be reversed (without surgical intervention).

Especially in the third trimester of the pregnancy the pigmentation (colouring) of the skin changes. This change in colour may partially recede or remain as a slight stain. However, the clearly visible stretching of the skin, even after pregnancy is much more decisive. Depending on the body composition, this stretching in varying degrees leads to so-called striae, or typical stretch marks, especially on the stomach, breast and buttocks.

The stretching of the skin is caused by the increased cortisol level during pregnancy and leads to thinning and loss of skin elasticity. Occasionally the skin in the area of the vagina tears during the birth process and heals as a strong, sometimes painful scar. These ‘tear scars’ can cause considerable suffering for some women and can of course be surgically corrected to alleviate the discomfort and improve the aesthetic appearance.

During pregnancy there is a massive change in the hormone composition in the maternal blood. This causes the levels of cortisol, estrogen and growth hormones to rise. As a result, the body gains weight and stores fat. While the increase in volume due to the extra fat (and glandular growth) in the breasts is usually not sustainable, it often remains in the abdomen and flanks well beyond pregnancy.

The abdominal girth also increases due to an increased weakness of the connective tissue. Due to the increased pressure in the abdominal cavity during pregnancy, the tissue including the abdominal muscles tends to ‘drift apart’. Several other changes in the abdominal region are often of aesthetic relevance: an outwardly pressed navel, an enlarged or even drooping mons veneris or changes due to fat redistribution of adjacent areas, such as ‘bacon rolls’ on either side of the abdomen. To what extent all these changes recede after birth without surgery depends on many different factors.

Weak connective tissue and lack of exercise, but also unhealthy nutrition and smoking tend to have an unfavourable influence. But even with the best conditions and exemplary discipline, some women seem to retain diet-resistant fat deposits after pregnancy.

The initial increase in volume in the breasts is mainly due to the hormonally controlled growth of the mammary gland. After breastfeeding, an empty and sagging breast is common. The most prominent remodelling processes of the breast form now manifest themselves in a loss of volume, especially in the upper pole of the breast, increasing ptosis (sagging) of the breast and an enlargement of the areola.

The nipples are often pointing downwards and the tightness of the gland is reduced. Due to the sagging of the breasts, many women wear a larger bra after pregnancy than before. Breastfeeding can also change the symmetry of the breasts, so that you feel comfortable in your body again, you should consider a breast enlargement or breast lift.

If the above-mentioned traces of pregnancy on your body really do not disappear, a “mommy makeover” operation is definitely a possibility to improve the aesthetic picture. As mentioned above, the expectations of most patients for surgical correction of pregnancy-related changes in the body are greatly influenced by the appearance before pregnancy. In order to get as close as possible to this condition and to achieve an optimal result for you, a detailed preliminary talk is essential. Image comparisons can also be helpful here to prevent misunderstandings. In addition, during our consultation we also offer the possibility of a 3D simulation of different body regions to simulate the possible result of a breast enlargement or liposuction.

The primary goal of the postpartum patient (after pregnancy) is in most cases a firm and flat stomach – with as few visible scars as possible and the simultaneous correction of other neighbouring regions. Such a patient also hopes that the waist contour that has become narrower or disappeared as a result of pregnancy will be restored. Depending on the extent of the correction wishes and anatomical requirements, we recommend a large abdominoplasty (abdominoplasty) or a mini-abdominoplasty for such cases. If there is a clear excess of skin and strong fat deposits in the area of the flanks, the incision of the abdominoplasty can be widened if necessary.

Significantly slackened connective tissue is tightened, if necessary, by the inner corset. During this procedure, the straight abdominal muscle, which often diverges and is flabby after pregnancy, is brought together in the midline in such a way that it is tightened by a strong seam and the contour of the abdominal wall is waisted like a corset. For optimal contouring of the waist, it is usually recommended to perform supplementary liposuction of the flank areas. The desired ideal ratio of abdominal girth (narrowest part of the waist) to hip girth (height of the pelvic bone) is described as approximately 1:1.5.

After corrective surgery on the abdomen, the breasts are the second major area of ‘mommy makeover surgery’. Depending on the individual findings, no general recommendation for a specific operation can be made here either. The most common procedures are breast enlargements, breast lifts, breast reductions or implant changes. As a general rule, for every breast surgery, the more tissue that has sagged, the greater the extent of the surgery. In a detailed consultation in our private clinic, you will find out which treatments are most likely to be successful for you

Operations in the genital area are a very sensitive subject and certainly require an enormous relationship of trust between the patient and the plastic surgeon. In addition to the already mentioned corrections of ‘tear scars’ caused by the birth process, intimate surgery includes some operations of predominantly aesthetic importance. A fulfilled sexuality despite motherhood should not be a taboo subject and a satisfying partnership should not be backgrounded. The aims of ‘mommy makeover’ surgery in the genital area are varied and always adapted to the needs of the patient.

Typical consequences of pregnancy are a stretched and enlarged vagina and sagging labia. The return to the pre-birth condition can vary greatly, making surgical intervention a quick and safe option for certain patients. We would be happy to inform you about the various minimally invasive procedures of intimate surgery as well as techniques of labiaplasty (labia minora correction) in our private clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery in Berlin.

In principle, different procedures can be safely and successfully combined with each other in order to synergistically increase the surgical improvement of the body contour. A combination operation can even be advantageous, especially with regard to the shorter recovery time.

Although scientific studies have generally not been able to show higher complication rates due to the combination, we still recommend discussing possible risks in a detailed consultation. Most often our patients opt for liposuction, abdominoplasty and a breast lift, but you can also get the dream body back through other procedures. Therefore, we take the time to respond to you and your personal goals. Consulting takes time, which we are happy to make available to you.

Before and after pictures are usually very suitable for comparing and evaluating the results already achieved after the Mommy Makeover. However, since April 1, 2006, Section 11, Paragraph 1, Sentence 3 of the German Drug Advertising Act, or HWG for short, prohibits us from placing such images of patients on publicly accessible pages. However, we are allowed to show you such pictures in the course of an individual consultation.

This gives you the opportunity to compare your personal expectations with the results actually achieved. With the help of the before and after pictures, you will certainly notice that a professionally performed Mommy Makeover can lead to very natural results. In addition, the comparison pictures will help you make a decision if you are still undecided.

Mommy Makeover is a complex surgical procedure. Therefore, testimonials from our patients who have had Mommy Makeover in our clinic are important and valuable. They describe their personal experience with Sinis Clinic, sometimes mention the prices of their Mommy Makeover treatment and sometimes add their before and after pictures.

You should not choose a surgeon just because of the cheap price. Rather, you should look up how the reviews of the patients are and also check the experience of the surgeon in detail by taking an individual consultation and viewing before and after mommy makeover shots as part of it.

If you have already undergone such a “makeover”, you too can help other women in their decision by sharing your experience as well.

The ideal time to perform a ‘mommy makeover’ operation is, from a medical point of view, after the return to the physiological hormone levels of the woman following pregnancy at the earliest. This point is reached about six weeks after weaning. In addition to biological considerations, the burden of maternal responsibilities should not be underestimated. As wonderful as the joys of motherhood are, the change in everyday life should already have become routine before an additional stress factor is tackled by the operation.

The extent and type of treatment in ‘mommy makeover’ surgery can vary greatly. Therefore we ask you to take the detailed information for the post-treatment from the respective subitems of our website. However, the procedure immediately following the operation is the same for all the different procedures. You will wake up in the patient’s bed and will notice a dressing on the surgical site and drainage tubes from the wound area.

The number of drains and how long they should drain wound water from the body depends on the procedure. The postoperative routine also includes continuous monitoring by our experienced anaesthesia department. Blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation are constantly monitored for about two to three hours. During this time you will notice the ‘beeping’ of the machines. You should confine yourself to bed rest until the morning after the operation. At this point, a doctor’s visit takes place as standard and you can usually be discharged to your home environment.

This is followed by regular wound and findings checks in our private clinic for plastic and aesthetic surgery.

The term “Mommy Makeover” refers to an “all-round renewal” of the body, so to speak, after pregnancy and the subsequent birth. The Mommy Makeover trend comes from the USA, where it is a combination of various surgical and non-surgical procedures. Used together, they lead to the restoration of the body to the state as it was before pregnancy and birth.

The process of a mommy makeover treatment cannot be described without an individual consultation, as it involves several interventions. The various treatments reverse the effects of pregnancy so that your body is restored to what it was like before pregnancy and childbirth. A mommy makeover is always tailored to specific wishes or individual needs. The breasts are usually the first to be affected, and often the abdomen as well.

However, a major mommy makeover may involve a variety of other surgeries: liposuction of the abdomen, arms, and legs, breast augmentation, and in some cases, vaginal correction if defects were present at birth — in addition to breast and tummy tucks and tummy tucks nipple correction. Only in a personal consultation and together with you can the necessary operations be decided and the sequence of the mommy makeover can be determined.

In order to prepare for the mommy makeover and to reduce complications to a minimum and to promote wound healing afterwards, you should proceed as disciplined as possible - because your own responsible behavior is extremely important both before and after the mommy makeover. About two weeks before the planned mommy makeover, it is recommended to avoid smoking and alcohol as much as possible. The same applies to medicines, painkillers, vaccinations, sleeping pills or dietary supplements such as grape seed flour, which can have a blood-thinning effect. It would also be helpful if you start using contrast showers and continue them after treatment once you are allowed to shower again. This will promote wound healing, since your body and thus the wound areas will be better supplied with blood.

On the day of the mommy makeover treatment, please remove all piercings, wash yourself thoroughly and then do not use body lotions or other cosmetics. You should also remember that you must be sober when you arrive at the clinic so that you do not endanger yourself during the general anesthetic. The surgeon performing the operation and the anesthesiologist will be happy to answer any questions you may have before the procedure.

Mommy Makeover is a combination of more or less extensive operations, which always requires general anesthesia due to the multiple wound surfaces. This is painlessly initiated by an experienced anesthesiologist. The respective anesthesia team will continuously monitor you during and after the treatment until you wake up completely. In the rarest of cases, however, side effects of general anesthesia can occur. As a rule, the symptoms are dizziness, hoarseness, nausea, vomiting or temporary sensory disturbances. In extremely rare cases, short-term damage to the gums, larynx or difficulty swallowing can also occur.

This question cannot be answered without prior consultation, since the mommy makeover is a combination of different surgical procedures. The total duration of an inpatient stay depends largely on the scope of the operation and your condition afterwards. If the treatment is not very comprehensive, you must expect to be hospitalized for at least one night. Should the interventions become somewhat more extensive, you should expect two to three nights in the clinic for your own safety. After the mommy makeover, you will first be observed in the recovery room until you wake up completely. If your condition is then assessed positively by the doctor, you can leave the clinic on the second day, but only if accompanied by a person close to you.

Immediately after the mommy makeover, you should rest as much as possible and cool the operated areas with cold packs to refrigerator temperature to counteract the swelling. You should also take any prescribed medication and drink plenty of liquids without sugar, as sugar in the blood can have a negative effect on wound healing. You should move as little as possible for the first three to five days after the procedure. Otherwise, wound healing can be impaired. The movements can expose the skin sutures to a strong pull. In addition, you should keep the sutures dry by not showering for the first few days after the operation. If the fresh sutures are softened by the water, wound healing is disrupted and the scars become wider. If necessary, you can simply clean yourself with a washcloth, leaving the special compression underwear on. Basically, the continuous wearing of this underwear is an essential criterion for a beautiful end result - regardless of which surgical methods were used. The special bodices not only ensure rapid healing, but also relieve the fresh seams so that the scars can heal as inconspicuously as possible. It is best to wear the compression around the clock at first.

It is also better for wound healing if you sleep with your upper body slightly elevated. You can simply put several pillows underneath until your upper body is positioned a little higher. This can improve lymph flow, which can prevent unnecessary swelling overnight.

Before you resume your usual daily activities, you should consult with your surgeon. Remember — the more rest you give yourself in the initial post-mommy makeover period, the fewer risks you expose yourself to and the faster your healing will progress. For a beautiful end result, it is extremely important to follow our recommendations, which we will discuss with you in detail before the Mommy Makeover.

Despite careful follow-up care, the scars will appear reddish and feel hard for a few months. Only over time do they become paler and more inconspicuous, provided you do not sunbathe for the first six months. As a result, the scars can become more pigmented and therefore darken in color. In addition, the operated areas are very likely to feel unnatural at first and may also be tender, which will subside on their own over time. However, if you experience sudden pain, unusual sensations, or bleeding, contact your surgeon immediately.

However, when you are discharged from the clinic, you will be informed in detail about all measures for individual aftercare after the operation. You will also be informed about follow-up treatments and check-ups and the corresponding appointments. During the entire healing process you will be looked after by us until the end result. We will arrange several check-ups for you, which you should definitely attend. These are important for your safety on the one hand and for a good aesthetic end result on the other.

Mommy Makeover is a combination of various surgical procedures that are not problematic in themselves and for the most part do not cause any complications. However, risks with such a treatment cannot be completely ruled out - as with any other operation. In order to reduce these to a minimum, some details must be clarified before the mommy makeover. For example, you should definitely tell us about any allergies to medication or blood coagulation disorders. Occasionally, primary complications such as infections or postoperative bleeding can occur. However, by taking antibiotics, as well as strictly following the rules of hygiene, you can largely avoid this type of complication. The most common complications of mommy makeover include pain when moving, feelings of tightness, bruising and swelling, which will subside after a while with rest and cooling of the affected areas.

Basically, you can reduce overall complications to a minimum by having our highly qualified and experienced team operate on you. In addition, the Sinis Clinic has state-of-the-art equipment and thus offers the ideal conditions for carrying out such extensive procedures with little risk. In general, the right choice of an experienced surgeon can save you many risks and most complications.

Basically, the plastic surgeons specialize in making the skin incisions in less visible places. Special cutting and suturing techniques are used so that the remaining scars heal as inconspicuously as possible. The scars that remain after procedures such as breast lifts or liposuction (liposuction) will be barely visible or very inconspicuous. However, a major tummy tuck will leave a clearly visible scar. Larger scarring simply cannot be prevented due to the nature of the operation.

Depending on the extent of the treatment, the recovery phase after the Mommy Makeover can last up to six weeks, whereby the first few days can be very intensive. In order to keep the initial pain under control, you will first be prescribed painkillers so that you can move more or less or sleep. The pain and the associated discomfort will subside significantly after about five to seven days and drop to a tolerable level. However, you must be prepared for the fact that within the first 15 to 20 days you will not be able to do things such as housekeeping, pick up your child or be sexually active. You can only expect full recovery in about six weeks. It is best to rest as much as possible during this period — this would allow enough time for your body to regenerate and for the incisions to stabilize.

The ideal time to perform a ‘mommy makeover’ operation is, from a medical point of view, after the return to the physiological hormone levels of the woman following pregnancy at the earliest. This point is reached about six weeks after weaning. In addition to biological considerations, the burden of maternal responsibilities should not be underestimated. As wonderful as the joys of motherhood are, the change in everyday life should already have become routine before an additional stress factor is tackled by the operation.

Changes that pregnancy causes to the body do not usually affect the health of the women concerned. Therefore, this circumstance is not considered a disease – thus, the Mommy Makeover is an aesthetic treatment that is not necessary from a purely medical point of view. Because of this, neither the statutory nor the private health insurance companies cover the costs of such an operation.

The costs may be covered by the health insurance if the treatment is necessary for medical reasons. This can sometimes include serious mental illnesses that can arise in connection with the external appearance. In such a special case, consultation with your treating psychiatrist and your health insurance may be advisable. You can also find out whether a private health insurance company will cover the costs of the Mommy Makeover in such exceptional situations or would participate in it by calling your health insurance company.