| In Alaska, Doctor performs Mommy Makeovers to enhance the body’s natural curves providing patients with the opportunity to regain their desired body shape. |
| A Mommy Makeover, also known as a Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck, is often able to re-create the patient’s pre-baby figure which helps the patient achieve better proportion, a more flattering overall body shape, and a renewed sense of self-esteem and confidence. |
| The typical Mommy Makeover patient in Alaska is over the age of eighteen and is in good overall health. Patients are encouraged to refrain from smoking or using nicotine products for two weeks prior to this surgery to reduce the risks of certain complications. Women who are unhappy with the size and shape of their post-baby bodies undergo this procedure. Very often these patients have noticed their bodies changing in unflattering ways including protruding bellies with extra, loose skin and stretch-marks, as well as deflated, sagging breasts after breastfeeding. A Mommy Makeover can provide volume and lift to the breasts while at the same time removing the excess tummy skin and restore firmness to the abdominal area. |
| As with all cosmetic surgery procedures, realistic expectations should be maintained throughout the process. Just as no two Mommies are the same – no two Mommy Makeovers are exactly alike either. Patients will meet with Dr. to discuss their treatment goals and options with this procedure. The patient’s body type and personal look desired will be discussed and used as a guide to choosing the right amount of work to be done. |
| This procedure is the preferred method for patients who do not plan to have further children. If patients do plan on more children, they are usually advised to wait on this makeover as the effects of a tummy tuck are usually negated with subsequent pregnancies. Other procedures that can be included with the Mommy Makeover and performed at the same time by Dr. are Liposuction, Breast Reduction, and/or Breast Augmentation. |
| Because this procedure is actually a combination of other cosmetic surgery procedures being performed at the same time, it is best to research each individual procedure. One of the procedures normally performed is a Tummy Tuck. Depending on the desired results and the options decided upon by the patient and Dr. , the Tummy Tuck surgery can take anywhere from one to five hours. The complexity of the particular situation will also determine whether it is completed as an in-patient or outpatient procedure. General anesthesia is normally used. During the procedure itself, the abdomen is cut from hipbone to hipbone; the incision is made low, at about the same level as the pubic bone. M.D. will then manipulate and contour the skin, tissue and muscle as needed. The belly button will have a new opening because it's necessary to free your navel from surrounding tissue. Drainage tubes may be placed under the skin and these will be removed after a few days. |
| The other procedure that is normally included in a Mommy Makeover is a Breast Lift. While there are different methods for performing a Mastopexy, the most common technique is for Dr. to make an anchor-shaped incision along the natural contour of each breast. The incision is made where the excess skin will be removed. Once this skin is removed, the areola and nipple are relocated to their higher position. The skin around the areola is carefully brought down and used to reshape the breast so it has a more youthful appearance. Once the breast has been satisfactorily re-contoured, stitches will be put into the area around the areola. The stitches are placed in a vertical line that extends from the nipple area to the lower crease of the breast. A normal breast lift can be completed in two to three and a half hours. |
| All of the different procedures are available at Alaska and can be read about specifically on this website. |
| After surgery it is not uncommon for patients to experience some bruising and to feel very uncomfortable. Pain medications will be given to help alleviate any discomfort. Again, because of the nature of a Mommy Makeover being several different procedures being performed at once, patients are encouraged to take their recovery seriously. Expect a recovery time of at least four weeks and patients are advised to take it easy in the first few weeks following the procedure, however, normal exercise routines can be resumed at around six weeks post-op. Healing times will vary form patient to patient and depending on the type of procedures performed. |
| As with all cosmetic procedures, costs vary depending on geographic region, experience of the surgeon, anesthesiologist fees, and any hospital stays associated with the procedures. In general, patients can expect a Mommy Makeover in Alaska to cost between $12,000 and $14,000 – depending upon the items listed above as well as the type of procedures performed during the “makeover”. Unfortunately most traditional medical insurance providers do not cover elective procedures performed for cosmetic reasons. |