Having a child can be one of the most rewarding experiences any woman can have in a lifetime. As a woman prepares to carry a fetus (or two or three or more), her body begins to morph, grow and shift to provide a nurturing environment for the baby. Unfortunately many women find that their bodies are never the same after childbirth. Two of the most bothersome post-childbirth areas on women are the abdomen and breasts.
Skilled cosmetic surgeons routinely perform tummy tuck and breast lift or augmentation procedures on healthy women who have had children. These “mommy makeovers” can help women get their pre-baby bodies back, renew their self-confidence and do something positive just for themselves.
What happens in tummy tuck?
Heredity plays a large role in how your body will bounce back after childbirth. It is very common for a woman’s abdominal area to lose muscle tone. Often, regardless of how much exercise the mommy engages in, this area can retain fat deposits.
In a tummy tuck procedure, a horizontal incision is made along the lower abdomen. From this incision excess skin and tissue is removed. Sometimes a liposuction procedure is also implemented to remove excess fat. The remaining skin and muscles are tightened to create a flat abdomen. The surgeon will also relocate the navel to a natural position on the abdomen.
What happens in a breast lift or augmentation?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can wreak havoc on a woman’s breasts. The expansion of breasts during pregnancy and lactation coupled with the reduction of the breasts after breastfeeding can leave the breasts saggy and less firm. Many women also find that any breast asymmetry that existed before pregnancy is even more apparent after childbirth.
In a breast lift procedure (also called mastopexy), excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is tightened in order to raise the breasts to a more youthful appearance. The nipple and areola may also be repositioned to create a natural appearance. This surgery does not increase the breast size or create fullness; it merely lifts breasts that may be sagging.
In a breast augmentation procedure (also called augmentation mammaplasty), an incision is made in one of three areas: the nipple, below the breast crease or the armpit. A saline or silicon implant is inserted behind each breast. These implants can be round or made to look more natural, and the size of the implant depends on how large the patient would like the breasts to be. The surgeon should also take into consideration the woman’s breast anatomy, skin elasticity and body type when deciding the new breast size. A woman cannot be pregnant or lactating at the time of this surgery.
What are the risks?
The cosmetic surgeon you select to perform a tummy tuck or breast lift or augmentation surgery should outline all of the potential risks of these procedures before any work is started. As with most invasive cosmetic surgery procedures there is always a risk of complications, including:
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Anesthesia complications
• Nerve damage
• Blood clots
• Scarring
When performed by a skilled cosmetic surgeon, risks of complications during tummy tuck and breast lifts or augmentations procedures are greatly minimized. It should be noted that cigarette smokers should not undergo any cosmetic surgery due to the risk of extreme bleeding, circulatory issues and other complications.
ArrivaCostaRica.com is the primary web site for information about plastic surgery and dentistry in Costa Rica. See www.arrivacostarica.com.
Tags: Breast Augmentation, risks of breast augmentation, risks of tummy tuck, Tummy Tuck