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Some women seem to snap right back into shape after pregnancy: no lumpy stomach, no saggy breasts. With a beautiful smile, a glowing complexion, and boundless energy, they easily balance kids, housework, a job, and everything else in their busy life.
But let’s get real. Moms often need help to restore or improve their post-pregnancy figure. When diet and exercise fail, a customized mommy makeover can reverse the changes attributed to pregnancy and breastfeeding, and give moms a boost of self-confidence.
A consultation is a must, because a Mommy Makeover could be a breast augmentation and breast lift for one person and a tummy tuck and thigh lift for another. It depends on your needs. Today, more women are having breast reduction procedures, and a new technique promises fewer scars.
Along with the classic makeover surgeries of the breast and belly, moms are looking to enhance their appearance with nonsurgical cosmetic treatments and spa therapies. Botox, fillers, peels, and laser procedures can reverse signs of aging and eliminate unattractive dark spots, large pores, broken capillaries, acne, and other skin concerns.
With no-downtime, energy-based technologies, moms can be slimmer and shapelier or reduce their cellulite and stretch marks in just a few comfortable treatment sessions.
Rejuvenation starts from within. Moms would be wise to include a health and wellness component to their mommy makeover — a nutritious diet, vitamins and supplements, exercise, and alternative therapies all can help women manage stress. Even a simple, soothing massage can renew your energy and help you look refreshed.
Spa Renaissance
Q: What types of procedures are included in a Mommy Makeover?
A: While it’s common for women to have the classic Mommy Makeover surgeries such as a tummy tuck and breast lift or enhancement, there are many nonsurgical cosmetic treatments and spa services that can help moms look their best and improve their self-esteem.
“We see many women who will have Botox, fillers, and peels to reverse the signs of aging, and Velashape to reduce the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. William Stefani. “For women who have a little flatness of the cheeks, we do fat grafting to add fullness, so the patient will look more youthful and refreshed.”
To promote a quicker recovery with less bruising, patients are placed on a health and wellness program that may include vitamins and holistic supplements.
“A massage will help reduce their stress and loosen up tense muscles,” Dr. Stefani says. “We try to focus on the whole person, to enhance inner and outer health and appearance.”
Spa Renaissance & Renaissance Plastic Surgery
Birmingham Plastic Surgery
Q: Can breast reduction be performed with less scarring?
A: Most surgeons perform a traditional breast reduction that resembles an inverted “T.” The incision goes around the areola, vertically down to the breast fold, and horizontally in the fold. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ahmet Karaca is one of the few surgeons in the area to perform breast reduction using a vertical “lollipop” incision that stops at the breast fold, thereby eliminating the horizontal scar that most women dislike.
“The long, horizontal incision is more likely to develop keloids and hypertrophic scarring, which is thick scar tissue,” Dr. Karaca explains. “With the ‘lollipop’ approach, the cosmetic result is much better and there is less occurrence of eventual drooping of the breast.”
Birmingham Plastic Surgery
Renew Hair & Skin Center
Q: What can I do to improve the look of my hair?
A: “It’s important to use quality hair products that are paraben-free and sulfate-free,” advises Robin Welford, co-owner of Renew Hair & Skin Center, where clients can try out products from the styling bar to learn what works best for their needs.
“Avoid blow dryers, flat irons, and other styling tools that can cause damage,” says Renew co-owner Suzie Meklir. “If your hair is thinning, try a shorter, more natural hairstyle and maintain a healthy cut.”
Renew’s patented program includes noninvasive laser therapy to increase the quality and quantity of hair strands and bring damaged hair back to life. To maximize your look, call for a complimentary consultation today.
Renew Hair and Skin Center
FACE Skincare~Medical~Wellness
Q: How can I lose inches of fat quickly and without surgery?
A: With noninvasive, no-downtime Pure Light Slim, you can lose three to six inches in just a few weeks. This remarkable slimming and detoxification system is five times more powerful than other energy-based devices, and each treatment session takes just a mere 15 minutes.
Pure Light Slim safely and painlessly triggers fat cells to shrink and release excess fat, which is burned off during aerobic exercise. Treatments can be done every day or every other day for nearly half the cost of most other body-slimming technologies.
FACE is proud to be the first and only practice in Michigan to offer the phenomenal Pure Light Slim to help sculpt your perfect body in no time.
FACE Skincare~Medical~Wellness
Cutler Integrative Medicine
Q: I feel overwhelmed and stressed out. How can I get my energy back?
A: “We usually recommend that patients start their mornings by centering themselves — whether that’s with prayer or meditation or yoga. Healthy stress outlets, especially exercise, can also be helpful,” says naturopathic physician Dr. Doug Cutler.
“When adrenal deficiency is causing fatigue, we can give nutrients and botanicals to keep the levels of cortisol in balance,” he says. “If you eat ‘junk,’ you won’t have the fuel your body needs to perform. Why not start your day with a nutrient-rich fruit, vegetable, and protein smoothie?”
Dr. Cutler recommends several therapies that can help moms relax and manage stress, including acupuncture, neurotherapy, and constitutional hydrotherapy — a hot-and-cold application to the body.
Cutler Integrative Medicine
Dr. Myra Danish
Q: What can be done to rejuvenate my dull complexion?
A: Pregnancy can take its toll on the skin. For new moms who are breastfeeding, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Myra Danish takes a conservative approach and recommends a series of glycolic peels and laser photo facials.
“The peel gently exfoliates and the laser photo facial works on the dermis to help with large pores, discoloration, and collagen regeneration, giving the skin a nice texture and glow,” Dr. Danish says.
“The IPL laser is very effective for treating hyperpigmentation or dark spots, and our vascular lasers remove broken capillaries on the face. All of these laser treatments can be combined in one convenient session.”
MYRA DANISH, M.D., F.A.C.S.
West Maple Plastic Surgery
Q: What is a Mommy Makeover?
A: According to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Sherbert, a breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, or a combination of these surgeries can help new moms improve their post-pregnancy figure.
“We are addressing problems that the patient cannot physically change on her own. That could be excess skin and fatty tissue on the abdomen, or changes to the breast that come from pregnancy and breastfeeding,” Dr. Sherbert says. “After surgery, women can feel comfortable wearing fitted clothing or a bathing suit again, and feel more like themselves.”
When more than one surgery is recommended, busy moms typically have all of the procedures done that can be safely completed at one time.
West Maple Plastic Surgery
Boyd Birmingham
Q: What can be done to correct the changes in my skin due to pregnancy?
A: While some women experience a pregnancy “glow,” others suffer from the appearance of dark, splotchy spots due to increased pigmentation in their skin. Women may also notice more acne and blemishes, and the darkening of moles and freckles.
At Boyd Birmingham, new moms are seeing wonderful results with customized chemical peels, including the Vi Peel, which improves the tone, texture, and clarity of the skin, and improves or eliminates troubling concerns such as acne and hyperpigmentation. Minimal-downtime laser treatments deliver deeper skin resurfacing for further rejuvenation.
“We always recommend a skin analysis and consultation to determine the best treatment plan for the patient,” says board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Boyd.
Charles M. Boyd, MD, MBA, FACS
Comfort Dental Spa
Q: How can I look younger and more vibrant?
A: Life is a challenge, especially for busy moms. You’re up early, caring for the kids, grabbing meals on the go, and rarely taking time for yourself. Unfortunately, the health and beauty of your smile can suffer as a result. Dr. Aziza Askari, owner of Comfort Dental Spa and a proud mom, looks forward to being a part of the Mommy Makeover team by helping moms enjoy a brighter, whiter, and younger-looking smile. With both at-home and in-office whitening treatments available, Dr. Askari can give even the busiest mom a reason to smile!
Comfort Dental Spa
North Oakland Plastic Surgery
Q: I need a Mommy Makeover. What’s the first step?
A: The key to successful aesthetic surgery is an individualized treatment plan. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Hainer says a Mommy Makeover may be completely different for each person.
“Some patients may need a tummy tuck. Some patients may need a mini tummy tuck. Some may need a breast augmentation or a breast lift, or a thigh lift. It depends on what their issues are,” says Dr. Hainer, who recommends a consultation as the first step to achieving the best possible outcome.
“You talk to the patient. You listen to what her concerns are and what her expectations are, and you explain the fundamental cause of the problem so that she can understand the strategies in terms of correcting that problem.”
For patients who need several surgical procedures, Dr. Hainer will often combine two or three surgeries that work well together within a reasonable amount of time under anesthesia.
“First and foremost, it’s all about patient safety and making sure you don’t compromise that at all,” he says.
Dr. Hainer is seeing a greater demand for labiaplasty, a surgical procedure to reshape large or irregular labia for functional and aesthetic reasons.
“Many of these patients are embarrassed by the appearance and many also complain of discomfort, particularly with exercise and intercourse,” says Dr. Hainer, who has experience with this type of surgery, which is gaining acceptance and popularity in the United States. “More and more patients are asking for the procedure — both postpartum patients and younger women who have no children.”
North Oakland Plastic Surgery
Mune Gowda, M.D., F.A.C.S.
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