Over the course of a person’s life, there are many things that can cause the body to shift and change, however few can cause changes that are as wide-spread as those caused by pregnancy and childbirth.  The rapid gain and loss of weight can tax the skin’s elasticity to its limits, leaving areas of stretched and sagging skin in the breasts, abdomen, and even in the arms and thighs.  Many women would love to have their body look the way it did before their pregnancy, and acknowledge that it may require more help than just diet and exercise can provide.  Phillip Haek, MD, the president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, noted that “in the past we saw a lot of women in their 50s getting these types of procedures, but today we are seeing young mothers in their 30s coming in for procedures such as tummy tucks and breast lifts.  They don’t want to wait years to reestablish how they used to look.  They want their pre-baby bodies back now.”  That may explain why the mommy makeover is becoming increasingly popular.

Mommy makeover is actually a combination of procedures performed to restore a woman’s body to its pre-pregnancy state.  Typically, it includes one or more body contouring procedures, such as liposuction, tummy tuck, thigh lift, or even arm lift, as well as breast procedures including augmentation, lift, or reduction.  While liposuction is frequently used to remove small areas of localized fat deposits, it can do nothing for the stretched and sagging skin that significant weight loss frequently leaves behind.  Both arm lifts and thigh lifts remove excess skin and tighten the tissue that remains, leaving their specific target areas with smoother, shapelier contours.  More significantly, a tummy tuck not only removes excess skin, but can also tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall.

Many women experience significant stretching and sagging of the breasts due to breast feeding and often opt to restore their youthful figures after pregnancy with a breast lift.  This procedure, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.  A breast lift can be combined with a breast reduction, for those women whose breasts have grown beyond a comfortable size.  For women who wish to retain the fullness of the upper breasts, I frequently use an auto-augmentation technique where the lower breast tissue is moved from underneath the breast and sutured higher up on the chest rather than thrown away.  This allows the breasts to be lifted without losing their volume.

If you’re interested in cosmetic or reconstructive procedures that I perform, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.  Additionally, Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. provides a variety of options for financing, including Care Credit®, to assist you.  Don’t forget to connect with me, Dr. Hunter Moyer, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.

As we get older, and the effects of time and gravity increasingly take their toll, muscle and skin begins to sag.  Our metabolisms slow and the fat that was once able to be burned off, is now seemingly impossible to get rid of.  As a result, the once-trim midsection of youth begins to grow and stretch.  Weight gain or pregnancy can cause the muscles in the abdomen to stretch and separate and, as a result, even losing weight can’t tighten that midsection despite our best efforts.  Fortunately, I perform cosmetic procedures like abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, to address specific abdominal concerns for my patients.

Abdominoplasty can help improve the appearance of the midsection, especially after significant weight gain or loss. It helps flatten the lower abdomen and tighten stretched skin and may also help relieve skin rashes or infections that happen under large flaps of skin.  Generally, I perform tummy tucks by creating an incision in the lower abdominal region that is easily hidden by underwear and bathing suits. Unwanted skin and fat are removed and the skin is tightened downward.  The shape and length of the incision are primarily determined by the amount of excess skin.  Once the abdominal skin is lifted, underlying weakened abdominal muscles are repaired.  Liposuction is performed on the flanks to further enhance the hourglass appearance and excess skin is trimmed and the remaining skin is sutured together while maintaining a natural navel appearance.

Tummy tuck results present a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with your body type and weight.  During your recovery, dressings or bandages may be applied to the surgical sites, and you may be wrapped in a compression garment to minimize swelling and support your abdomen as it heals.  I always give my patients specific, post-operative instructions and always encourage them to ask any specific questions about what to expect during the recovery period.  Individual recovery times can vary significantly, but maintaining a good line of communication with me is the best way to reduce the risk of any complications arising from elective procedures.

If you’re interested in body contouring, cosmetic, or reconstructive procedures that I offer, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Connect with me, Dr. Hunter Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.

Dr. Hunter Moyer has launched his newly redesigned website, specifically focused on keeping you abreast of the latest developments in plastic surgery, updating you about special events and important information, and giving you the insights gleaned from Dr. Moyer’s own blog, with expert commentary on topics ranging from skin care to minimally-invasive cosmetic surgery.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, with years of refined training in reconstructive and cosmetic breast, body and facial procedures, Dr. Moyer understands that the decisions we make about our bodies affect every aspect of our lives. Therefore, he makes patient communication and education one of his top priorities. The new website is specifically designed to reach out to his patients and keep them informed.

For more information on a cosmetic or reconstructive procedure Dr. Moyer performs or to schedule a consultation, contact us today. Also, connect with Dr. Moyer on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more plastic surgery updates and the latest news articles.