The birth of a child is one of the most exciting events in a woman’s life. However, it is often distressing, especially to first-time moms, when their bodies do not spring back into pre-pregnancy shape, often leaving them with sagging breasts, stretched abdomens, and an overall matronly feeling. Motherhood now has a new shape. Thanks to advances in cosmetic surgery, postpartum mothers can now reclaim their bikini bodies faster than ever before. Many women,although ecstatic about newfound motherhood, are riddled with insecurity after childbirth due to excessive weight gain in areas which may not have been troublesome before. Women primarily seek two forms of surgery as post par tum “tune-ups”— abdominoplasty (commonly referred to as a tummy tuck), and breast enhancement surgery(including breast lift and breast augmentation).
Unlike women who are simply overweight, pregnancy puts a certain strain on the body which cannot always be com bated by diet and exercise alone. The midsection of the abdomen can be compared to a girdle, a garment which is composed of an elastic portion which, when stretched, is likely to become one size too big. In the abdominal section,women often lose the desired “girdling” effect after childbirth, which can occur in varying degrees. Pregnancy not only weakens the muscles, but stretches out the connective tissue, which for most women will not revert to original form on its own. A tummy tuck not only targets excess skin, but also works to re tighten the connective tissue so that the abdominal wall reacts to give the waistline a desirable indentation. Without tightening the connective tissue and exerting a girdling effect on intra-abdominal contents, women cannot achieve their pre-pregnancy appearance.
As with any surgical procedure, it is important that anyone considering a plastic or cosmetic procedure do their research and consult with a qualified and skilled surgeon such as Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon Dr Ackerman. Be sure to have all your questions answered and you fully understand the chosen procedure prior to having the surgery. There are numerous websites out there that provide good information about plastic surgery. The best one I have found is lookingyourbest.com. This free website offers a wealth of detailed and accurate plastic surgery information and even offers a free service to help those wanting plastic surgery locate an experienced and qualified surgeon in their area.