Before and after abdominoplasty in a 46 year old woman. She initially came to see me in consultation for a tummy tuck when her twins were very young. She was tired of people congratulating her on being pregnant when she was NOT and her children were walking already!
Having Plastic Surgery is a big decision and the recovery is often more than anticipated, especially for stay-at-home Moms whose primary job is to take care of their children. Surgery is “a family affair”, and everyone is affected for a short period of time when a Mom chooses to have a Mommy Makeover.
We never rush our patients into scheduling surgery; instead, our patients are fully educated about the recovery time, what to expect and the fatigue they can expect for the first 6-8 weeks after a major surgery like We encouraged her to wait to have surgery until her babies were less dependent on her and she felt more comfortable not being with them every minute during her recovery.
Her tummy tuck removed excess skin and fat from her lower belly. Her stretched and separated rectus abdominal muscles were repaired from the xiphoid process just below her sternum above to her pubic bone below. Her abdominal wall skin was pulled downwards to become taut. Liposuction removed excess fat from her upper and lower abdomen, flanks, pubic region and upper inner thighs.
Follow up photos are shown 7 months after surgery. Her scars continue to mature. Note her “sway back” has better posture now that her abdominal muscles have better ergonomics – she is standing with a neutral tailbone after surgery – just like they teach in barre class.
She still appreciates her hourglass figure but feels like her body reflects her personality and active lifestyle now. She is very comfortable wearing a two-piece bathing suit and she no longer feels “like the Venus of Willendorf”!
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
