mommy makeover

The Mommy Makeover is a combination treatment with multiple procedures. Tailored according to the individual needs of the patient, these procedures can include a tummy tuck with liposculpture and a breast augmentation, lift or reduction, non-surgical face contouring and even a mini or full facelift. In addition, liposuction can be used to remove stubborn pockets of localized fat all over the body.

The Cocoona surgical team use the latest innovative tools and techniques to ensure the best possible results. For example, Ultrasonic assisted liposculpture and VASER assisted liposuction not only enables unwanted fat to be removed from the stomach and waistline, it allows the area to be sculpted and the skin to be tightened for the most aesthetically pleasing result. The Endoscopic assisted tummy tuck is another advance that allows for even deep repair of abdominal muscles with no more than a small incision in the bikini line.

Depending on the combination of procedures opted for, patients are usually discharged within a couple of days, are able to resume moderate exercise within three to four weeks and will be completely recovered within four to eight weeks – a similar recovery period to that of a caesarian section.

The Mommy Makeover is tailored to the specific needs of each patient. Typically, the procedure involves a combination of surgeries to correct a combination of the following:

• Abdomen – upper and lower fat, excess skin and bulging, plus separation of the diastasis recti muscles
• Arms – sagging and excess skin on the underside of the arms
• Breasts – enlargement, reduction or uplift
• Face – sagging and/or signs of ageing
• Inner thigh area
• Lower back (‘love handles’)
• Outer thigh area (‘saddlebags’)
• Upper and mid-back (‘bra rolls’)
• Waistline or top of hips (‘muffin top’)
• Genital rejuvenation (‘labiaplasty’, ‘fat grafting to labia majora’)

The Mommy Makeover is a combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures. Depending on the specific procedures to be undertaken, the downtime and recovery period will vary from individual to individual and from case to case. Even for the most minor surgical cases, the Mommy Makeover will alter your shape and overall appearance, in some cases to a significant extent, so careful thought needs to be given prior to going ahead.

At Cocoona, we ask for you to conduct a self-evaluation to help you assess if you are one hundred per cent ready, both physically and mentally, for Mommy Makeover surgery. You should ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I exhausted all the non-surgical options, such as diet and exercise, to improve my shape?
• Am I clear about which problem areas can be treated with the Mommy Makeover and to what extent?
• Do I have realistic expectations about what the Mommy Makeover can achieve?
• Do I fully understand the surgical and non-surgical procedures involved, how long it will take and what I need to do afterwards to promote healing and recovery?
• Am I prepared to maintain my weight through a healthy diet and an exercise routine after surgery so that the results of the Mommy Makeover surgical and non-surgical procedures will be long-lasting?

Once you have clarity on the above, the next step is to find the right surgeon and clinic. These are of paramount importance.

You need a surgeon who is experienced in performing Mommy Makeover surgeries, has a sound reputation and proven results. You should also look for a surgeon who will give you honest and realistic advice about what you can and can’t achieve with this procedure.

A good clinic is one that has an experienced and highly skilled surgical team, licensed aestheticist(s), well trained nursing staff, an excellent reputation, and a low complication rate. Of course, the clinic also needs to be licensed with the relevant authorities for the country or region it is situated in. At Cocoona, we tick all these boxes.

The anesthetic protocol required will vary from patient to patient depending on the combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures that have been decided upon.

Some procedures can be performed under local anaesthetic with light sedation, otherwise known as twilight anesthesia, to make them more comfortable. In other cases, general anaethesia will be required.

Your surgeon will be able to advise further in line with your individual case.

• Women who have one or more pregnancies and want to regain their pre-baby bodies, especially those who are struggling with common post-pregnancy issues, including: a sagging and/or bulging tummy; separated diastasis recti muscles; loose and excess skin; sagging, ‘empty’ and/or enlarged breasts; stubborn pockets of fat; loss of contours and loss of definition around the waistline
• Women who, despite following a healthy eating and exercise regime, are still unhappy with their post-baby bodies for any number of reasons
• Women who are not planning on having any more children and who have given birth at least six months previously, and who have completed breastfeeding
• Women who are close to or at their target weight

The permanence of the results will vary from patient to patient depending on the combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures that have been decided upon. Your surgeon will be able to advise further in line with your individual case.

For an accurate cost assessment, you will need to book an initial consultation with our surgeon. As with almost any aesthetic procedure, the cost will depend on the following factors:

Procedures – The combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures to be undertaken; each procedure will have a separate cost

Surgeon’s Expertise – The surgeon’s fee is based on their experience. Obviously, a reputable surgeon who is established and has a successful track record will charge higher fees.

Clinic/ Hospital – Fees also depend upon the quality of the facility chosen for the operation.

Geographic Area – Depending on the city/ area you decide to have the surgery in, the cost is likely be different: clinics in larger metropolitan cities tend to cost more. You should bear in mind that the expertise of your consultant and your comfort factor with him or her should be one the most important considerations, much more so than the cost of the procedure. A cheap procedure could turn out to be an expensive proposition in the long run.

Once you are clear about your reasons for having Mommy Makeover surgery and have decided to proceed, call us to fix an appointment.

On the appointed day, the expert surgeon who will perform the surgery will consult with you. During the consultation, you should expect the following:

• Discussion about why you have opted for having a Mommy Makeover and what your goals are in relation to the combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures you are considering
• Understanding your medical history
• Evaluating your health status
• The different options available for your Mommy Makeover
• An examination of the areas to be treated, measurements (if relevant) and potentially, photography to record what the area or areas look like prior to the procedure being undertaken
• Explanation of the options, steps involved, future treatment, risks, and potential complications, if any

Feeling apprehensive before the surgery takes place is entirely normal. Be sure to discuss any fears or concerns you have with your surgeon and don’t hesitate to ask any questions related to the results you hope to achieve.

Being well informed is being well prepared. Apart from checking that your clinic and doctors have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience, here are some more areas that you should explore:

• How many years of experience do you have as a Plastic Surgeon?
• How many Mommy Makeover procedures have you done?
• Where will the surgery be conducted?
• Is the clinic prepared and certified to undertake Mommy Makeover surgery?
• What are the most common complications experienced by your patients? And how were they handled?
• Do you have a “before” and “after” photo album to show results of Mommy Makeovers?
• Am I a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
• What can I expect after the surgery?
• What precautions would I need to take before and after the surgery?
• How many weeks will I take to recover fully?
• What should I do for a quick recovery?
• Will the shape and appearance of the area(s) to be treated change over time? If yes, how?
• What are the risks involved in this combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures?
• What treatment option/ techniques will be used for me?

Please feel free to add any more questions that you wish to this list before your consultation.

After your initial consultation, you will need to make the final decision regarding your surgeon. Never choose your surgeon simply based on how much the treatment will cost. Instead, focus on the following:

License & certification – is the surgeon licensed and certified to conduct Mommy Makeover surgery by a reputable body?

Expertise & experience – the number of years of experience/ how many Mommy Makeover surgeries the surgeon has performed previously

Before/ after pictures – evidencing their capability of past performance

Clarity on possible results – whether they are providing you with realistic expectations and honest feedback

Professionalism & comfort factor – if you feel comfortable with the professionalism and manners of a surgeon, and feel you can trust him/her with your face and body, then that’s the surgeon you should consider

Safety philosophy – if the surgeon is ready to put you at risk by recommending or agreeing to perform multiple unrelated surgeries and/or procedures on the same day or within a short period of time, you should refuse to proceed and go elsewhere. While the Mommy Makeover involves a combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures, there is a limit as to how many procedures can be completed in one single surgery.

Patient testimonials & reviews – A good reputation and a large number of positive patient testimonials and reviews on independent forums should be an important consideration in your process of choosing the right surgeon

Keep in mind that there are hidden costs in the long term and greater risks (including threat to life), associated with a surgery where costs, safety and skills are compromised. Always be wary of a plastic surgeon or clinic offering very low costs and/ or miraculous results.

After your initial consultation with the surgeon, once you are satisfied with the outcome of the ensuing discussions and have confirmed that you will go ahead with your chosen consultant, a date will be fixed for the procedure.

Here are some of the important steps that you must take before the procedure:

• Discuss all medication and vitamins that you regularly use with your consultant to see if you should stop taking them before surgery and, if so, for how long. For example, any medications and vitamins that interfere with your body’s blood clotting ability, such as Vitamin E, will need to be stopped completely prior to surgery. OCP’s need to be withheld.
• Smokers should quit two months prior to surgery; smoking interferes with the efficiency of blood flow to the skin which may have an impact on achieving optimal results and increase the risk of complications.
• You should be in the best possible health and at a stable weight; ensuring that you follow a healthy, balanced diet prior to surgery will help you to be in optimal physical condition to help promote the best outcome

Our surgeon and patient counselor will guide you thoroughly about what you need to do so that you are completely at ease and ready for surgery and beyond.

What can I expect after mommy makeover surgery?

This will vary depending on the combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures that have been done. Your surgeon will be able to give you more specific advice. In the meantime, we recommend that you read the section for each surgical and non-surgical procedure you may be considering as part of your Mommy Makeover, such as:

• Arm Lift
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Reduction
• Face Lift
• Liposuction
• Mini Face Lift
• Non-surgical Face Contouring
• Tummy Tuck
• VASER Liposuction
• Labiaplasty or genital rejuvenation