New York Mommy Makeover

Though childbirth can be a wonderful event in a woman’s life, it can also produce unwanted changes in the body. Many women find that their once shapely, full breasts have sagged and a pouch of excess skin has developed in their abdomen. Despite even the best attempts at diet and exercise, these areas can be difficult if not impossible to improve. For women who have finished having children and would like to return to a more youthful shape, Manhattan Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Donald Roland performs what he calls the “Mommy Makeover”.

The Mommy Makeover combines two common procedures performed on women looking to reverse the results of pregnancy and childbirth: the tummy tuck and the breast lift. During a consultation at his Manhattan office, Dr. Roland will assess your overall health and medical condition to evaluate your candidacy for this procedure.

Dr. Roland may perform the Mommy Makeover at one of the desirable hospitals or surgicenters in the New York City area. General anesthesia is commonly used. The breast lift, also known as mastopexy, elevates and reshapes sagging breasts for a firmer, more youthful shape. There are several different incisions which may be used, with the three most common being two rings around the areola in a doughnut shape, around the areola and down to the breast crease in a lollipop shape, and the lollipop with a small horizontal scar in the crease beneath the breast. Through the incision, Dr. Roland will lift and reshape the breast tissue to its new, rejuvenated contour and move the areola and nipple to a higher position.
The tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, provides a flatter abdominal profile. Two incisions are made: one near the pubic area running from hipbone to hipbone, and one around the navel. Through these incisions, Dr. Roland will tighten the underlying abdominal muscles, remove excess skin and move the navel to a new position.

Drainage tubes may be inserted at the surgical sites following surgery and these may remain in place for up to one week. Patients will need to wear a surgical bra or sports bra for one month, as well as a surgical binder around the abdomen for six weeks. Some numbness, swelling and bruising will likely result but these will fade with time. Discomfort can be relieved with medication. Many patients are able to return to work within two weeks of their Mommy Makeover.

Commonly Asked Questions Concerning Your Mommy Makeover

What can a Mommy Makeover do for me?

The Mommy Makeover targets two common problem areas that women have following pregnancy and breastfeeding: the abdomen and the breasts. By combining the techniques of the tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and the breast lift (mastopexy), this procedure can restore a flatter, firmer appearance to a protruding abdomen while raising and reshaping sagging breasts. The breasts are addressed by trimming excess skin and tightening the supporting tissues, while excess fat and skin are removed from the abdomen and the abdominal muscles are tightened.

Am I a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

The Mommy Makeover is a good procedure for women who are finished having children and would like to return their body to a more youthful shape.

The best candidates for the Mommy Makeover are looking to improve some or all of the following conditions:

• Excess abdominal fat
• Excess or stretched abdominal skin
• Stretched abdominal muscles
• Sagging breast
• Diminished breast shape or volume
• Flat, elongated, or pendulous (hanging) breasts
• Stretched breast skin and/or areola
• Downward pointing nipples or areolas
• Nipples or areolas that are located in the breast crease when the breasts are unsupported
• One breast that is lower than the other

It is also important that Mommy Makeover candidates be in good general health, maintain a stable weight, do not smoke, and have realistic goals that they have discussed with their plastic surgeon.

Who should not consider a Mommy Makeover?

Women planning to have children or lose significant weight are advised to postpone surgery.

How is a Mommy Makeover performed?

The Mommy Makeover may be performed in one of the New York City area's hospitals or outpatient facilities under general anesthesia.

For the breast lift, one of three different incisions may be used: two ring-shaped incisions circling the areola in a doughnut shape; an incision which circles the areola and continues down to the breast crease in a lollipop shape; and the lollipop incision combined with a small incision running horizontally in the breast crease. Through one of these incisions, the breast tissue will be lifted and reshaped, the nipple and areola moved higher, and excess skin removed.

For the tummy tuck, one incision is made in the pubic are between the hipbones to tighten the underlying muscles and remove excess skin. Another smaller incision is made around the navel in order to move it to a more natural and raised position.

What is the recovery from a Mommy Makeover like?

After surgery, the breasts are wrapped with gauze dressings and drainage tubes are inserted at the treatment areas to collect excess fluid. The drains will be removed within several days to a week. The breasts and abdomen may be bruised, swollen and uncomfortable after surgery. Discomfort can be relieved with medication. Some numbness may occur in the breasts and nipples but this should subside as the swelling fades. A sports bra will need to be worn for one month and a surgical binder will be worn on the abdomen for six weeks.

Dr. Roland will advise you when you can resume activities following your Mommy Makeover. Most patients can return to work two weeks post operatively.

What are the risks of a Mommy Makeover?

Possible complications of the Mommy Makeover include, bleeding, blood clots, infection, poor healing, temporary or permanent numbness in the nipple or areola, uneven positioning or shape of the breasts or nipples, widening of the scars, fluid buildup, breast hardening, damage or necrosis of breast tissues, and the need for revision surgery

During consultation in his Manhattan office, Dr. Roland will review all of your options and the potential risks to help you make an informed decision.

Click here to schedule a Mommy Makeover consultation.

Hours by Appointment at:

52 East 72nd Street, Suite 1A New York, NY 10021		80 Wall Street, Suite 615 New York, NY 10005
Tel: (212) 744-9400 Fax: (212) 744-9424		Tel: (212) 952-0200 Fax: (212) 952-0203