Pregnancy can cause undesired changes in a woman’s body. While many women choose to keep these changes, for many others mommy makeover procedures are a popular option to help them return to their pre-pregnancy figures, or in some cases even improve upon them. Our Seattle, WA plastic surgery office sees countless referral patients for mommy makeovers, but for those moms who don’t know where to start, finding and selecting a qualified mommy makeover surgeon is a critical first step.
What is a Mommy Makeover
A mommy makeover is a collection of common cosmetic surgery procedures that plastic surgeons perform on women to help restore them to their pre-pregnancy body shape. Which methods are included in a mommy makeover procedure can vary depending on the woman’s preferences and goals. You can think of a mommy makeover as choosing from a menu of a variety of treatments.
What are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
The main benefit of a mommy makeover is the lifelong confidence boost it can give moms. Surgeries like a tummy tuck, breast lift, liposuction, and breast augmentation are all body contouring procedures that help to tighten, tone, and firm a mom’s figure, restoring youth and vibrance to her appearance.
What Are My Mommy Makeover Options?
Some of the most common mommy makeover procedures are:
- Tummy tuck
- Liposuction
- Breast lift
- Breast augmentation
- Thigh lift
- Arm lift
- Labiaplasty
- Buttock augmentation (Brazilian Butt Lift)
Many mommy makeovers often include a tummy tuck and/or liposuction, and most combine one or more breast procedures. Liposuction removes pockets of stubborn excess fat, and tummy tucks remove excess skin and small pockets of stubborn fat while tightening and repairing muscle tissue that may have been damaged or separated during pregnancy and childbirth. This gives you a flatter, more sculpted abdomen.
A combination breast lift and augmentation involve restoring youthful contours to sagging breasts and then adding saline or medical-grade silicone breast implants to increase the volume and enhance the cleavage lines of the breasts.
Liposuction can also be standard in mommy makeovers, and it’s frequently combined with tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and sometimes breast augmentation. Where diet and exercise fail, liposuction can help rid your “trouble spots” of small pockets of fat, such as the upper arms, thighs, hips, back, and belly, which is why it pairs well with arm and thigh lifts. Some patients also opt to have the removed fat transferred to their breasts or buttocks to enhance their natural curves and add volume.
Women who give birth vaginally sometimes feel unhappy with the changes that happen after birth. Labiaplasty can reshape the labia and/or reduce excess labial tissue, for a more attractive appearance and less difficulty with certain activities.
How Do I Find the Best Mommy Makeover Surgeons Near Me?
ASPS Membership
Some patients will simply google “seattle mommy makeover surgeon” for example but others may choose to start with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, one of the most reputable professional membership societies. On the ASPS website, patients can search for a plastic surgeon in Seattle, or any area in the U.S. Doing so ensures that the pool of surgeons available to them is comprised of highly qualified surgeons who meet very strict standards for expertise, care, and patient safety. ASPS members must also be Board Certified.
ABPS Board Certification
Board certification is one of the most important qualifications for any potential plastic surgeon. This means they are a recognized member of the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS), which is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABMS is the gold standard for certifying medical specialty boards, so ABPS accreditation is the one to look for when searching for a potential plastic surgeon’s website.
The most reliable way to confirm a plastic surgeon is board certified is by searching the American Board of Medical Specialties website.
These two starting points can yield a solid crop of qualified surgeons to perform your mommy makeover in Seattle.
How Should I Choose a Mommy Makeover Surgeon in Seattle?
There are a few essential criteria to keep in mind when you are searching for plastic surgeons to perform your mommy makeover.
1. Qualifications
As mentioned, making sure that your plastic surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons is the first thing you should look for when considering a potential candidate. Next, highly qualified and reputable plastic surgeons will also be registered with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This is an additional voluntary credential that proves the surgeon has passed a rigorous vetting process and is committed to continuing their medical education, promoting patient safety, and practicing according to the highest of ethical standards. When you see ABPS/ABMS and ASPS credentials, you know you will be in safe, skilled hands and receive top-quality care from your doctor and their team.
2. Reputation
A plastic surgeon’s reputation is a vital part of their business. Those who are skilled, pleasant, friendly, and professional will have plenty of great online reviews and personal testimonials from satisfied patients. When you are researching potential surgeons, it is crucial to look for positive and negative reviews from a number of sites.
This will help you get a better idea of whether or not the cosmetic surgeon you are researching has a good reputation for performing quality work and supporting patients through the entire mommy makeover process.
3. Before & After Photos
Review photos of actual mommy makeover patients across the spectrum of procedures you are considering. These photos will give you a very good idea of a surgeon’s “style” and expertise.
4. Consultation
The consultation is essentially like a first date. You need to get to know the surgeon, ask plenty of questions, determine how you feel in their presence, and ultimately decide if the two of you are compatible.
When you attend your consultation, you should pay attention to how warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating everyone in the office is, including the surgeon. They should be open to answering any questions you may have and willing to give you as much information as possible.
During your meeting with the surgeon, be as candid and transparent as possible about your medical history, concerns, and goals. This will help the surgeon decide which procedures will be best for your mommy makeover. It will also give you an idea of whether or not the surgeon will be able to meet your needs.
As mentioned, don’t be afraid to ask about before and after photos and their experience performing the procedures you’re most interested in as they may have many additional photos not yet published online. Skilled plastic surgeons won’t be offended; they understand that this is part of the vetting process.
It’s also important to consider things like how understanding the surgeon is about your concerns and how honest they are about how realistic your goals are. At the end of the day, how you feel about the surgeon and establishing a level of trust can be just as important as how qualified they are.
Tailored Mommy Makeover Treatment Plan
Every plastic surgeon you vet should be able to outline a customized treatment plan for your mommy makeover, based on all of the variables that are unique to you – including your health, body, and your aesthetic goals. Such plans can only come about after an in-depth consultation and honest understanding of your needs.
Questions to Ask During the Consultation:
- Are you Board Certified by the ABPS/ABMS?
- Are you specially trained in plastic surgery?
- How long have you been practicing plastic surgery?
- What specific experience do you have with mommy makeover techniques?
- Is your surgical facility accredited by a nationally or state-recognized accrediting agency?
- Am I a good candidate for a mama makeover?
- What will I have to do to get the best results from my procedures?
- What can I do to prepare for my surgery and recovery?
- Where and how will the procedure be performed?
- Which surgical technique is best for my goals?
- What kind of help will I need during my recovery period?
- How long will recovery take?
- What can I expect during my recovery, and what steps will you take to prepare me for it?
- What can I expect my results to look like when recovery is complete?
- What are the risks and complications associated with my mommy makeover?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the results of my makeover?
- How do you handle complications?
- Do you have before-and-after photos I can see?
- Can you tell me what results are reasonable for me?
Other Considerations
You may not need to ask every question in the list above, but it’s a good idea to bring a list that includes all of those questions and any additional ones you may have. It’s normal for patients to feel a bit nervous or flustered when discussing plastic surgery, so this can help you stay focused and ensure you feel well-informed when you leave.
Remember that how you feel about a particular surgeon is just as important as the quality and style of the work they do. You are trusting this person with your entire body and health, so it is essential to feel safe and comfortable with them during your initial meeting.
It is also important to note that while plastic surgery requires deep medical knowledge and expertise, it also requires an eye for aesthetics. This is why it’s common to hear that cosmetic surgery is an art as well as a science. Plastic surgeons, especially seasoned ones, often develop their own unique style that can be seen in how they perform aesthetic procedures.
Don’t hesitate to ask them about whether or not their style will match well with your body type and overall goals. The best surgeons are always open and honest about this, and most are happy to recommend trusted colleagues if they feel they are a better fit for you.
Still Have Questions?
If you have questions about getting a Mommy Makeover in Seattle, want to learn more about Seattle breast augmentation, or something more, ask Dr. Salemy himself, or schedule a consultation.
Please contact us today to schedule a Mommy Makeover Consultation in our Seattle office!
Click here to see Before and After Photos of Mommy Makeovers
