“Back To My Pre-Pregnancy Body!”

Breast and Tummy, Lifts and Lipo, Implants or Fat grafts…

How do I decide?

Dr. Kimberly Short enjoys helping mothers restore their shape, especially as a mother of four herself. The changes women encounter as they go through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding are not corrected with diet and exercise. This can be very frustrating for women when they are working hard to get back in shape. Although good health practices with exercise and nutrition are important, the stretched muscles and pulled skin of the abdomen resulting in loss of abdominal muscle tone and stretch marks along with deflated, smaller breasts require correction with surgery. To counteract the effects of pregnancy on the body, many women chose to have a Mommy Makeover, which is a combination of post-pregnancy plastic surgery procedures. For mothers, the most common procedure typically involves a combined abdominal and breast rejuvenation procedure. To find out more information regarding the Mommy Makeover procedure and the many benefits it provides, we encourage our patients to contact The Gillian Institute in Indianapolis and schedule their private consultation with Dr. Kimberly Short today!

About The Mommy Makeover

During pregnancy, the abdominal skin and muscles begin to stretch, resulting in stretch marks, skin laxity, sagging breasts, and lower abdominal pooches. After childbirth, the body does not always go back to “pre-baby” shape and contour. Because of this, Dr. Kimberly Short has developed a handful of procedure options for mothers to choose from that correct a variety of concerns on the body as a result of pregnancy and nursing. The abdominal muscles that have stretched and separated may not rejoin back together even after rigorous diet and exercise. A tummy tuck will restore a flat abdomen with removal of stretch marks, tightening of the abdominal wall muscles, and contouring of the waistline to achieve the return of the “hourglass” figure. Liposuction also aids in full body contouring, getting rid of those pesky localized fat deposits.

Breast surgery is also a beneficial option for mothers to reshape sagging breasts and add lost volume after pregnancy. Many mothers lose breast tissue and experience loose, sagging skin after the breastfeeding process. Such cases may require breast implants to achieve their pre-pregnancy breast cup size or their desired cup size in addition to tightening the breast skin envelope to create a perkier, lifted breast shape. This lifting procedure gives mothers the opportunity to wear that “little black dress” with a strapless bra or without a bra for an evening out on the town.

Why Moms Are Getting “Makeovers”

Pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing are some of the many joys in life; however, they can cause tremendous strain on a woman’s body and lead to undesired aesthetic changes to the breasts and abdomen. Mothers often seek treatment to correct these issues but are not sure where to start. At The Gillian Institute, we offer moms many options to correct multiple areas of the body that have been affected, so each patient has a customized plan for their individual Mommy Makeover.

Moms work so hard to look after everyone else; it’s time we start taking care of them, too!

To women who are looking to regain their pre-pregnancy figure – this is not a sign of vanity or selfishness, but rather a way to increase self-confidence and feel youthful and sexy again. This procedure can improve a woman’s quality of life, giving mothers the needed “pep in their step” to take on the world!

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for a Mommy Makeover are women who experience undesired cosmetic changes after pregnancy and breastfeeding. These women should be in good health and have realistic expectations of the procedure. Patients who are looking into a Mommy Makeover have tried to improve the contour of their bodies through diet and exercise but have been unsuccessful. These mothers should be at or near their goal weight before undergoing surgery to ensure the best results. It is recommended that mothers wait at least six months following their pregnancy and four months after breastfeeding before undergoing a Mommy Makeover. Breast Augmentation and Liposuction can be performed before you are finished having children but Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasties) with muscle tightening should only be performed when you are sure you will not become pregnant again.

 

Mothers who have experienced one or more of the following may be considered a good candidate:

  • Sagging breasts
  • Decreased volume in breasts
  • Skin laxity on the abdomen
  • Had a C-Section in which fat is now hanging over the scar
  • Excess fat as a result of pregnancy in various areas of the body, such as arms, love handles, hips, and thighs

Consultation

During the initial consultation, Dr. Kimberly Short will ask you what your particular concerns are and what you would like to achieve with a Mommy Makeover. Next, we will review your medical history including routine medications and previous surgeries. Dr. Short will then conduct a thorough physical examination to identify your concerns and discuss her recommendations. Once you are found to be an ideal candidate, you and Dr. Short will work together to build an individualized treatment plan to address specific concerns. Depending on the patient, the combination of treatment options will vary.

These Mommy Makeovers are very personalized procedures with the ability to help a large number of mothers with many different concerns.

Mommy Makeover Procedure Options

The purpose of a Mommy Makeover is to provide comprehensive treatment by addressing a number of concerns that arise from childbearing. The most common procedures are listed below. Sometimes “staging” procedures is necessary for the best results.

BREAST AUGMENTATION – BREAST IMPLANTS OR FAT GRAFTING

Women can improve the size and shape of their breasts through a breast augmentation. This procedure uses breast implants or fat from your own body to enlarge the bust and enhance the shape and symmetry. Women who are unhappy with the size of their breasts find great satisfaction in this breast enhancing procedure.

BREAST LIFT (MASTOPEXY)

A breast lift can help women who have droopy or sagging breasts. This procedure will elevate and reshape them, providing a more youthful and perky appearance. A breast lift can be done with or without implants depending on your desire to have increased breast volume. A Mastopexy (breast lift) removes loose excess skin and repositions the areola and breast volume to achieve a “pre-pregnancy” look.

TUMMY TUCK (ABDOMINOPLASTY)

Due to effects of pregnancy, women can be left with excess skin of the abdomen as well as stretch marks and stretched abdominal muscles. During the tummy tuck procedure, the abdominal muscles will be rejoined and any excess skin will be removed. The navel (umbilicus) is carefully inset, sutured into position, and the surrounding area contoured to look very natural.

Our goal for our Tummy Tuck patients is to be comfortable in a bikini if they choose to wear one. Also, the incision is placed as low as possible to make sure it is well concealed even in a bikini. Sometimes, Dr. Short even has patients wear the swimsuit they would like to wear after the procedure so she can mark the boundaries and be sure the incision will be well concealed.

LIPOSUCTION/LIPOSCULPTURE

Liposuction can be performed on various areas of the body to sculpt and shape your figure and provide them with their desired contour. Contouring is commonly requested in the following regions:

  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Abdomen
  • Breast/”Bra Fat” Areas
  • Buttocks
  • Arms
  • Waistline
  • Knees
  • Chin

Liposculpture (Contouring & Liposuction) is not a weight loss procedure. Once a patient has a healthy diet and stable weight, it is time to consider liposuction to contour areas which may remain out of proportion. This involves removing fat from areas and sometimes reinjecting fat back in to create more volume in another area. For example, contouring of the hips and buttocks is frequently improved by specifically place fat grafts.

NON-SURGICAL & LESS INVASIVE ALTERNATIVES

BUTTOCKS AUGMENTATION (BRAZILIAN BUTT LIFT)

Involves using the fat which is taken from other areas to lift and shape the buttocks. This procedure doesn’t necessarily make your butt bigger, but more shapely. Click here for more information.

Surgery Information

Dr. Short focuses on getting women’s curves back! She prides herself on the feminine touch she brings to every procedure, ensuring that her female patients receive the best treatment possible. Her knowledge of the female body and her keen eye for detail not only allows her to provide mothers with their desired results but also exceed their expectations.

There are specific techniques that she uses in her Mommy Makeover procedures to provide her patients with natural results, preserving their desirable curves and correcting undesirable “curves” or areas of concern. Procedures are generally performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The length of the surgery will depend on the procedures.

BREAST AUGMENTATION

After creating a pocket, Dr. Short then uses a no-touch technique with the Keller Funnel to insert the implant. This protects the implant from gel fracture and the incision edges from stretching, and most importantly, decreases the risk of contracture. The incision is meticulously closed with dissolvable sutures and the minimal scarring will continue to fade over time.

BREAST LIFT

For the breast lift, Dr. Short uses the “lollipop” technique so there is no horizontal scar and a prettier shape than with older techniques. The incision will circle the areola and extend downward to the crease of the breast. Excess skin will be removed and the nipple will be repositioned. The nipple/areola is not removed so sensation remains intact. Again, the breast lift procedure can include a breast implant if desired.

TUMMY TUCK

The tummy tuck procedure typically starts with a liposuction contouring of the pubic area/waist followed by the tightening of the muscles and then removal of the excess skin. Dr. Short also uses a mattress suture technique to minimize or avoid the need for drains.

LIPOSUCTION / LIPOSCULPTURE

Dr. Short will make small incisions in inconspicuous areas. She will inset a small cannula for the fat removal process. The ultrasound is used when there is a need for skin tightening and must be performed after the fat is removed if fat grafting is planned. She performs liposuction on the pubic region with abdominal liposuction and tummy tucks to help prevent the body from looking disproportional if there is any weight gain in the future. The areas treated will be compressed and foam pads under a compression garment (like a girdle) for better contouring and less swelling.

Recovery

Once the surgery is complete, you will be escorted to the recovery area where you will be monitored by our nursing staff for a couple hours before being released home. During this time, you will be given a list of recovery instructions to follow in order to obtain the best results. Dr. Short advises you to walk a brief amount the evening after surgery to help improve circulation and reduce any potential risk of blood clotting. The compression garments should be worn at all times throughout the recovery period to help with swelling and bruising.

You should take about 10-14 days off work for optimal healing. It is recommended that you only partake in light activities for the first two weeks after the procedure. Dr. Short asks you to refrain from more strenuous activities for at least six weeks to give the body enough time to heal and help to avoid any complications from arising. If you have any questions during this time we encourage you to contact our office. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are here to help in any way possible! Dr. Short is just a phone call away.

Results

Women will see an improvement in their figures and the contour of the body right after surgery, but the final results of the Mommy Makeover procedure can be seen in about 4-6 months. Dr. Short provides her Mommy Makeover patients with stunning, natural-looking results. To ensure the results of the procedure are maintained, the doctor recommends that you establish a healthy diet and exercise regime. Our patients are very satisfied with their results, often noting an increase in their confidence and a more positive body-image.

Cost of a Mommy Makeover

The cost of a Mommy Makeover in Indianapolis is highly individualistic and must be determined upon meeting you. Dr. Short will evaluate your particular concerns during the initial consultation to construct a customized treatment plan. A personalized quote is then provided. You will return for a pre-op visit to review surgery and recovery details. At The Gillian Institute, we pride ourselves on providing our patients with the information to make informed decisions about their options, as well as providing honest value. Procedures may sometimes require more time and therefore cost a little more in some instances. Dr. Short is extremely detailed about each part of the surgery as she treats each patient as if she was operating on someone in her own family.