Mommy Makeover

Motherhood is a joy.  As a mom, you love your kids in a way you could not have imagined before becoming a parent. But after months of pregnancy and months or even years of nursing, you may not love what having children has done to your body. If you want to alter some of the changes that have occured with your body, the board-certified plastic surgeons at Salmon Creek Plastic Surgery have a variety of ways to help you look and feel your best.

The media coined the phrase “mommy makeover” to describe a number of procedures we can perform to help you if you’ve had children and want to return to your pre-pregnancy figure.

What procedures are done in a mommy makeover?

The procedures that can be done differ from patient to patient, so the first thing we do is listen to you about what you would like to change. Liposuction or body contouring may be appropriate or you may want a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). In some cases you may also want a breast lift or breast augmentation.

What can I do about my belly?

If you have excess skin on your belly or your belly seems too round, then abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, is a procedure to consider. We will start this procedure with some liposuction on the flanks. Then we will remove any excess skin from the belly and perhaps tighten the abdominal wall to remove the round appearance to the belly. Once you’ve recovered from the procedure you will have a flatter tummy and a trimmer waist, much like you had prior to pregnancy.

What can I do about problems I see with my breasts?

If you breast fed your children you may notice a deflated appearance to your breasts or they may seem to be hanging lower than they were prior to pregnancy. The deflated appearance can be addressed using breast augmentation. In some cases an implant will be necessary to restore the breast shape. In other cases you may have enough existing breast tissue to avoid having implants. Your breast volume may simply be in the wrong place and can be moved with a breast lift procedure. In both cases your outcome should be a more conical appearance and more projection from your breasts, similar to the way they were prior to pregnancy.

What can I expect when I visit and during recovery?

The first thing we do is invite you in for a consultation, where we can review both surgical and non-surgical options to address your concerns. We will then review pricing for these procedures.

Tummy Tuck Recovery

When you are recovering from a tummy tuck you won’t feel like doing a lot for the first few days. You will have a drain in place which will be removed in
the office.

• Bathroom: You will need help into the bathroom, but not in the bathroom, for the first two days.
• Sleeping: You will probably be more comfortable sleeping in a chair, such as a recliner, for the first week or two.
• Showering: You’ll need to be careful showering for the first two days and will want to stand with your back to the shower.
• Driving: You won’t be able to drive for the first two weeks or so because it will be difficult to manipulate the pedals of the car.
• Exercise: You will be able to do low impact exercise in 3-4 weeks, and will be able to resume higher-impact exercise such as jogging after 4-6 weeks.
• Pain Control: Most patients will need a combination of narcotic pain medication and muscle relaxants after this surgery. At Salmon Creek Plastic Surgery, we now also offer Exparel® as an option for our patients. Exparel® is a long acting numbing medication which lasts three to four days. It is injected along the incision and the abdominal wall to provide long lasting pain relief. If you’ve had a hysterectomy or a c-section, then recovery from a tummy tuck will feel quite similar.

Breast Augmentation Recovery

When you are recovering from a breast augmentation, you won’t feel like doing a lot for the first few days.

• Bathroom: You will need help into the bathroom, but not in the bathroom, for the first day.
• Sleeping: You will be able to sleep in your own bed, although sleeping on your back is preferred. Stomach sleepers may have difficulty sleeping comfortably for several weeks.
• Showering: In general, you will be able to shower one to two days after your surgery. You will want to stand with your back to the shower.
• Driving: You won’t be able to drive for the first week, or as long as it takes to be off of any narcotic pain medication.
• Exercise: You will be able to do low impact exercise in one week, such as walking or sitting on a stationary bike. You may resume higher-impact exercise such as jogging after four weeks and upper body weight lifting such as bench press after six weeks.
• Pain Control: Most patients need prescription pain medication for five to seven days after surgery. We encourage patients to take ibuprofen or Aleve regularly and their prescription pain medication as needed.

Breast Lift Recovery

When you are recovering from a breast lift you won’t feel like doing a lot for the first few days.

• Bathroom: You will be able to take care of yourself in the bathroom.
• Sleeping: You will probably be more comfortable sleeping on your back for the first week or two.
• Showering: You’ll be able to shower after two days and will want to stand with your back to the shower.
• Driving: You will be able to drive once you no longer have drains and you are off of all narcotic pain medication.
• Exercise: You will be able to do low impact exercise in one week, such as walking or sitting on a stationary bike. Patients resume higher-impact exercise such as jogging or aerobics after three to four weeks.
• Pain Control: Most patients need prescription pain medication for the first few days after surgery only. We encourage patients to take ibuprofen or Aleve regularly and their prescription pain medication only as needed.

Our Vancouver, WA clinic features a discrete, state-of-the-art, on-site surgery center staffed by medical professionals. You won’t have to travel to a hospital or other generic surgery center for your procedure. You also will have a private room where you can recover from surgery.

I cannot say enough about my wonderful experience at Salmon Creek Plastic Surgery. Dr. Green and his staff- are warm, kind, welcoming and professional. You won’t find better bedside manners – or skilled hands! Deb made me feel very comfortable when scheduling my sugery and post-op appointments, and and joined in my excitement about my special day! Jim , the anestesiologist was great at easing my nerves before surgery. The staff was great about answering any questions that popped up before and after surgery. My breast augmentation turned out not only beautiful and natural, but BETTER than I had ever imagined—Dr. Green is a master of his craft. I will continue to recommend Dr. Green and the staff at SCPS to anyone interested in cosmetic or reconstructive procedures.

Madeline O.,
Age 31