Category: Mommy Makeover

What to Expect for Mommy Makeover Recovery

Posted on by Dr. Fichadia

Most women who undergo a mommy makeover report excellent results and are delighted with their decision to have the procedure. However, as with any surgery, a period of recovery is required to ensure optimal results. Here is what you can expect during your mommy makeover recovery.

Immediately After Surgery

After your surgery, you will be moved to a recovery area where you will be closely monitored for up to an hour or so. You will be given a compression garment or surgical bra to help minimize swelling and support your breasts as they heal, assuming your mommy makeover included breast enhancement. It is normal to feel some discomfort after surgery, but you will be given pain medication to help keep you comfortable. You may also have drainage tubes in place to help prevent fluid build-up.

During this period, it can be beneficial to have someone else stay with you to help with any tasks or chores you may need to complete. Also, get plenty of rest and avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for at least the first week if not longer.

The First Few Days

Most women feel well enough to go home within a day or two of their surgery. It is essential to have someone there to help you with moving around for the first few days. You should avoid any strenuous activity, lifting anything heavy or bending over for at least two weeks. Walking is encouraged as it helps increase circulation and prevents blood clots from forming.

Also, keep your incisions clean and dry to prevent infection. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on caring for your incisions.

The First Two Weeks

During this time, you will likely still feel some pain and discomfort. You will also have swelling and bruising, which should improve after the first week. It is important to continue following your doctor’s instructions and avoid any strenuous activity.

You may also have drains in place to help prevent fluid build-up. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on caring for your drains.

The First Month

Bruising has resolved and swelling continues to dissipate. You may still have some pain and discomfort, but it should now be manageable with over-the-counter medication. You can also expect to see a significant improvement in your results.

It is important to continue following your doctor’s instructions and avoid any strenuous activity or lifting anything heavy if so instructed.

After the First Month

After the first month, you should start enjoying the best of your new figure. You will likely have some residual swelling, but it should not be significant. You will also continue to see improvements in your results as any remaining swelling dissipates.

At this point, you can usually return to all normal activities. However, be sure to listen to your body and take things slowly.

Mommy Makeovers in Portland, OR

It is important to remember that every person is different and will heal at their own pace. Dr. Fichadia is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in mommy makeovers and will work with you to ensure a smooth and successful recovery for whatever rejuvenation and body contour enhancement you may want. The procedure she uses is designed to help you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin again, and Dr. Fichadia will do everything he can to help you achieve your goals. If you are considering a mommy makeover, contact Dr. Fichadia’s office today to schedule a consultation.

Everything you need to know about a mommy makeover

Posted on by Dr. Fichadia

A Makeover Specially Designed for Moms?

What is a mommy makeover and why would a mother be interested in having one in the first place? It’s no surprise that the secret behind the trim and fit bodies of celebrity moms is more than just a good diet and exercise plan. While it is necessary to combine a healthy body type with these two things, at the same time there is no mystery as to what the extra boost to vibrant looks comes from. It’s more than only celebrities that are seeking makeovers that extend even further than face makeup or a new hair cut. Everyday, ordinary mothers are just as likely to seek certain procedures to revert their bodies back to the glory that existed before introducing the world to a new member of the family.

Achieving Your Desired Results

Due, in part, to the influence of celebrity mothers, there is a great demand for “mommy makeover” plans. These plans include a series of procedures that are specially designed to help restore a woman’s body by repairing the natural damage that it has undergone throughout their pregnancy. Even though this series of procedures can help individuals in reaching their physical goals, it is important for patients to be realistic in their expectations. Clear communication between doctor and patient can help everyone involved in getting to where they need to be to understand what can and cannot be achieved. Great things can be done with cosmetic and corrective surgery. However, what can be done and when will depend on each individual case.

While it may seem as if celebrities who lose a ton of weight and achieve a toned body soon after giving birth do so with some sort of surgical miracle, that is not necessarily the case. Since all mothers go through extreme stress throughout their pregnancy and while giving birth, it is not realistic to be prepared for major corrective surgeries right off the bat. It may take weeks or even months of recovery before a patient will be fully ready for the physical healing demands that certain cosmetic procedures will require of them. Dr. Fichadia will be able to go over all of the important details pertaining to an individual’s needs during your consultation.

What Does This Makeover Include?

Even though a mommy makeover is a very personal thing, there area few common types of surgeries that are usually included in a customized plan. When a woman undergoes months of pregnancy, her body tends to go through changes that differ depending on the woman. For some, certain areas of the body may be much more affected than for others. For example, one mother may see an extreme gain in weight in all areas of her body, while another mother may only experience significant weight gain in a few areas.

For this reason a tummy tuck is one of the absolute most common types of cosmetic procedures for recently pregnant women to undergo. Since pregnancy is renown for extending the stomach, there is a good reason for this. In the same vein, some individuals may seek liposuction, breast lifts, and labiaplasty to help in repairing damage experienced while giving birth.

5 Signs That You’re A Good Candidate For A Mommy

Posted on by Dr. Fichadia

Giving birth is a magical time for every mother, but it’s also a huge change not only for your life but also your body. Pregnancy can leave your body looking very different. You may have noticed that your breasts have lost volume, stretch marks appear, and you have excess skin and tissue in different areas. Getting back to a proper diet and exercise plan can help fix the issues you are having, but they won’t always solve the whole problem. This can be extremely frustrating for a lot of women.

Double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Fichadia, offers mothers the chance to rejuvenate their bodies with a mommy makeover. This type of makeover addresses the after-effects that occur from giving birth. It is a combination surgery that involves multiple procedures to address each woman’s specific concerns. It typically involves a tummy tuck, breast surgery with or without implants, and liposuction. The end goal of the mommy makeover is to make you feel good about your body again. While it is a great procedure for many women, it is not for everyone. That is why we always speak closely with every patient in order to make sure that the procedure is right for them.

Are you interested? Here are five signs to help you decide if a mommy makeover is the best option for you:

1. You’ve Already Tried to Lose Weight

A mommy makeover works best for patients who are healthy and within 10-15 pounds of their goal weight. If you are in your weight loss journey, it is recommended that you are approaching your target weight before considering surgery, as any dramatic postoperative weight loss may cause loose skin. Women who are overweight, smoke, or have conditions such as hemophilia are not typically good candidates for such an extensive procedure. For women who are trying to get back into shape after pregnancy, it is important to always seek the advice of a doctor. If you have worked hard at losing weight but are still dealing with excess skin and saggy breasts, a mommy makeover may be right for you.

2. You are Done Having Children

Sure, you can have a mommy makeover if you plan to have more children. However, once you get pregnant again you may lose all of the benefits you gained from the makeover itself and may need additional procedures to correct any damage done. In order to maximize the incredible results of a mommy makeover, we do recommend that most patients wait until they are done having children before they undergo the procedure.

3. You Had a C-Section

A cesarean section leaves a large scar on the lower third of your stomach, which can sometimes be associated with loose skin above the scar, resulting in a noticeable step off. A tummy tuck can correct this.  It is also a great option for women who have stretch marks, scars from previous surgeries, hernias, or diastasis recti—a separation of the rectus abdominal muscles that is fairly common after a pregnancy. Consult your doctor to discuss imperfections in the abdominal area that bother you, as many of them can be resolved with a mommy makeover.

4. Your Last Birth was Six or More Months Ago

Your body needs time to recover after giving birth, especially if you underwent a C-section. The tissue in your abdominal wall, skin, and breasts progressively stretch for months during pregnancy. It is recommended to give them time to shrink back and return to their baseline before considering surgery. You will always want to wait for a minimum of six months before you think about a mommy makeover.

5. It Has Been At Least Six Months Since You Breastfed

Breastfeeding is a great way to make sure your baby gets the nutrients they need. However, it can also change the way your breasts look. You will want to wait until you are through breastfeeding and they settle back into a more natural state before you consider getting a mommy makeover.

Schedule a Consultation

Dr. Fichadia will answer any of your questions or concerns. She is a double-board certified plastic surgeon located in Portland, OR. We want your experience to be the best you have ever had! Feel free to call our office at (503) 488-2344 for more information.

 

 

What a Mommy Makeover Can Do For You

Posted on by Dr. Fichadia

Motherhood is a rewarding experience but can cause havoc on the body! During pregnancy, weight gain is important to support the health of the baby. This weight is stored as fatty tissue in the breasts, abdomen, flanks (love-handles), hips, lower back, buttocks and thighs. The breasts also grow due to weight gain and to prepare for nursing. Along with this weight gain, there can be a separation of the abdominal muscles (also known as diastasis recti) and stretching of the abdominal skin during pregnancy, resulting in stretch marks.

Many new moms do lose the excess weight, but it can be disproportionate, which means that more weight may be lost from the breasts or buttocks than the abdomen and waist. This can lead to smaller breasts despite fullness of the waist and abdomen. After breastfeeding is complete, the breasts deflate even further and begin to sag. The weak abdominal muscles and the excess abdominal fat appear as fullness and bulging of the belly. Despite our best efforts, sometimes the stomach muscles cannot regain their original strength. Even if you have successfully lost weight after pregnancy, often you cannot reverse stubborn pockets of fat and sagging skin. This is where a Mommy Makeover can really help.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is a combination of surgeries used to contour the body. These procedures may include a breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck, and liposuction. These procedures can help to combat sagging skin, excess, stubborn, fat, and a protruding belly for a slimmer, more youthful silhouette.

The mommy makeover is a highly customizable procedure, so no two patients’ procedures are the same. Whether you would like to focus on your breasts, your abdomen, or other areas of the body, a mommy makeover can rejuvenate your body shape.

Who can Benefit?

Women desiring an improved silhouette with relief from stubborn areas of fat, loose, excess skin, and weakened abdominal muscles after having kids can benefit from a mommy makeover. Women should be finished having children before undergoing this procedure. It is not only for recent moms, with some moms choosing to wait to treat themselves to this procedure. As always, the best way to determine if a mommy makeover is right for you is through a consultation with Dr. Fichadia.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are ready to restore your pre-baby body with a mommy makeover, contact our office today! Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified plastic surgeon in Portland. You will be stunned by the boost of confidence you experience!