Women undergo many changes when they become mothers: new responsibilities, a different outlook on life and a different body. While some of the changes your body experiences during pregnancy return to normal after you give birth, other changes may be permanent. Here, Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Marco Ellis explores some of the changes you may notice after having a baby as well as some of the plastic surgery procedures that can improve these changes.
Stomach Changes
Every woman knows to expect the belly expanding to accommodate the developing baby. What you may be less prepared for is how different the abdomen looks after pregnancy. Your skin stretches to accommodate the larger size of the belly. Later, if your skin still has elasticity, it may shrink back down to match the belly’s new size. However, women whose skin is not as elastic may find a muffin top of loose skin develops around the midsection. While diet and exercise are proven ways to take off most of the pregnancy weight, they unfortunately cannot do anything to address loose skin.
Breast Changes
Your breasts and areolas will get bigger during your first trimester, with the most significant changes manifesting during the second trimester. These changes come in anticipation of breastfeeding. Your breast will feel noticeably heavier and you may spot stretch marks on the skin if your skin does not have sufficient elasticity to meet the expanded size of the breasts. Once you have completed nursing, your breasts will shrink, though not necessarily to the size they were before your pregnancy. You will likely notice that the volume of the breasts has sunk lower, causing the breasts to look droopy or deflated.
How a Mommy Makeover Can Help?
With all these changes to your stomach and breasts, it only makes sense that new mothers like yourself may become interested in making cosmetic improvements to these areas. Dr. Ellis recommends a Mommy Makeover to help. A Makeover is made up of two separate cosmetic procedures, Tummy Tuck and Breast Lift.
Tummy Tuck
For the stomach, women who have given birth usually choose tummy tuck. Dr. Ellis removes loose skin and reconnects abdominal muscles to create a firm, smooth tummy. Some women who have difficulty shedding the least bit of baby weight may also consider liposuction, which suctions out stubborn fat cells. Liposuction can be combined with tummy tuck to maximize the results.
Breast Lift
As for the breasts, the most popular procedure is breast lift, which fixes the drooping breasts by removing loose skin. While this does not change the overall volume of your breasts, it does ensure that your breasts sit higher on the chest with the nipples protruding outward for a perky appearance. If you are no longer happy with the size and shape of your breasts, you may also consider breast augmentation.
Schedule Your Mommy Makeover Consultation Today
If you want to restore your pre-pregnancy body with one of Chicago’s most respected surgeons, look no further than Dr. Ellis. After sharing the areas that you would like to improve on your body, Dr. Ellis can discuss a surgical plan that best meets those goals. For a consultation, please call (312) 695-6022.