This concept, known as the 'mummy makeover' in the USA, encompasses all plastic surgery procedures that may be offered to address changes to the body caused by pregnancy and/or childbirth.
I do not believe there is a 'magic' solution for everything; rather, many principles of reconstructive surgery can be applied to the changes caused by pregnancy and childbirth in a woman’s body. These 'happy events' are, as my patients have told me, among the most beautiful moments of their lives, but the physical consequences that may follow are not necessarily so!
Here, I will simply outline the requests I receive daily in clinic and the solutions that can be offered.
How long should you wait before considering treatment?
The breasts
The abdomen
The figure
The intimate area
The breasts are often the most affected.
Indeed, their shape changes after often having increased markedly in volume under hormonal influence, weight gain and sometimes breastfeeding, which may maintain glandular distension for weeks.
After childbirth, they may regain their previous appearance, which is fortunate! More commonly, due to glandular involution, they lose volume; this may indicate breast augmentation with implants or fat transfer (lipofilling).
If the skin becomes lax, this is called breast ptosis, and a mastopexy (breast lift) will be the recommended option, either alone or combined with breast implants or fat transfer if there is also volume loss. The most appropriate operation will be decided during your consultation, after discussing your personal concerns and the surgical possibilities.
If excess volume persists, this is termed breast hypertrophy. The breast is then too large and heavy, and a breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) is required to restore harmony with your figure.
The appearance of the abdomen is also altered. It often shows skin laxity after childbirth because it was stretched during pregnancy 'like a balloon'.
There may be residual excess skin, leading at minimum to more or less diffuse fine crêping above and/or below the umbilicus. Sometimes there may even be a fold of skin low down above the pubis, and stretch marks may have appeared.
Additional localised fat deposits may have developed; liposuction alone will treat these if skin elasticity is sufficient, or it will need to be combined with an abdominoplasty if it is not.
The abdominal wall muscles may be more or less lax because they have been stretched (depending on the 'weight of the baby or babies'). Separation of the muscles is called diastasis and, occasionally, a true hernia (e.g. umbilical) can occur.
If a caesarean section has also been necessary, the scar may present unsightly folds that are distressing and very difficult to conceal. These can be surgically corrected.
The contour of the figure may be altered by weight gain during pregnancy, widening of the pelvis during childbirth and various hormonal changes. The body is not quite the same as before and persistent 'curves' may sometimes benefit from liposuction.
The intimate area may also have changed in appearance, for example with labia minora whose size and shape are no longer quite the same. Labiaplasty will address this, and fat transfer (or sometimes hyaluronic acid injections) can restore volume to the labia majora that have become flattened.
During your consultation with Docteur L. Sallaz, he will be able to listen to your concerns, seek to understand your expectations and agree with you the most appropriate timing if treatment is required.
Plastic surgery can help you regain your femininity and restore your body, but to know what is achievable and when it may be considered, an initial consultation with your surgeon is essential.
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