Motherhood is a beautiful path to take in life, as the rewards are incomparable. That said, this can also come with plenty of personal sacrifices to make way for your family. It is vital to tend to your needs and do something for yourself; for many, a Mommy Makeover is the ultimate decision for self-care.
A Mommy Makeover is a fully customizable set of cosmetic procedures that aim to enhance a woman’s body by assisting the parts of her body that have been negatively affected by childbirth, breastfeeding, and the natural aging process. Dr. Prichard uses his skill and expertise to provide his patients with some of the best Mommy Makeovers in Phoenix.
If you’re considering a Mommy Makeover, it might be helpful to think about what areas of your body you would like to enhance or revitalize. Are your breasts sagging or misshapen? Does your abdomen carry extra weight and skin that resembles a pouch? These are all questions you can ask yourself to determine which cosmetic procedures may be helpful for your custom Mommy Makeover.
A Mommy Makeover is the ideal procedure for women who want their bodies back: be it from changes due to aging, childbirth, or weight fluctuations, it can be disheartening to no longer recognize yourself in the mirror. That’s where a Mommy Makeover comes in. By enhancing your physique the way you want, a Mommy Makeover allows you to regain confidence in your body and feel like yourself again. Other benefits include:
Candidates for a Mommy Makeover are women who have experienced body changes due to childbirth, aging, or weight fluctuations and are interested in enhancing their features through one or more surgical procedures. Additionally, candidates should:
Dr. Prichard customizes each Mommy Makeover procedure to the patient’s body and goals. However, many of his Mommy Makeovers are expected to consist of a combination of specific procedures that enhance some key anatomy: the breasts and abdomen. Below is a list of processes frequently included in a Mommy Makeover.
For a perkier, more youthful-looking shape, a breast lift can restore the look and position of the breasts. Nothing takes a toll on the breasts quite like nursing, with the profile suffering from significant sagging, drooping, and deflation. Breast ptosis (breast sagging) can also affect women who have experienced weight fluctuations–due to pregnancy or otherwise–or as an effect of the natural aging process. No matter the cause, a breast lift is a wonderful solution for these issues, providing corrective relocation of the breast to a more attractive position. A breast lift is often best complemented by a breast augmentation, performed during a Mommy Makeover, to ensure comprehensive improvement to the whole upper torso. Dr. Prichard also performs a breast lift he developed, the Angel Lift, a novel approach to the breast lift. For more information on this, please see the Angel Lift section.
Childbirth can have significant effects on the abdominal muscles. The region known as a “six-pack” separates and weakens, leaving the midsection in disrepair. Some moms may attempt to fight belly decline with diet and exercise, but unfortunately, no workout can realign the rectus muscles. Only a surgical tummy tuck or abdominoplasty can adequately address the issue. Dr. Prichard also performs an extensive High Definition Tummy Tuck in which the upper abdominal tissue deep fat is removed before using this tissue over the abdomen. This is much different from the general tummy tuck that is commonly performed, in which the lower abdominal skin and fat tissue are removed, but the upper abdominal deep fat is simply shifted lower.
As one of the safest and most popular body contouring procedures, liposuction is effective and diverse in application. Liposuction improves proportion by removing fat pockets around the abdomen, flanks, and hips, making it an excellent addition to any Mommy Makeover. Excess fatty tissue is gently suctioned out during the procedure through a cannula inserted through minor incisions. Your post-pregnancy body can regain its slim, shapely curves to reveal a new you. This procedure is ideal for body sculpting and can have dramatic results, but it should be seen as something other than a weight loss procedure.
Breast volume, size, and shape can rapidly decline after breastfeeding and pregnancy, leaving the silhouette distorted and disproportionate. With breast augmentation during a Mommy Makeover, either silicone or saline breast implants are inserted into carefully designed capsules over or under the pec muscles. The surgery can significantly improve self-confidence, as the breasts may look even more fabulous than they did before childbirth.
The breasts and torso aren’t the only places that suffer setbacks after childbirth. The face may show signs of stress, fatigue, and aging. Still, these can quickly be restored through an innovative regimen of non-surgical injectables that target wrinkles, fine lines, facial folds, furrows, crow’s feet, and even volume depletion in the lips, cheeks, and jowls. Dr. Prichard is a leading authority in the administration of Botox® Cosmetic, Radiesse®, Restylane®, Versa®, and Juvéderm® and a variety of exciting new fillers on the market.
Dr. Prichard also performs an extensive High Definition Tummy Tuck in which the upper abdominal tissue deep fat is removed prior to using this tissue over the abdomen. This is much different from the general tummy tuck commonly performed in which the lower abdominal skin and fat tissue is removed. Afterward, the upper abdominal deep fat is shifted lower rather than removed altogether. This allows for much more toning and definition in the abdomen.
The Angel Lift is Dr. Prichard’s improvement on the traditional breast lift or reduction. The ‘magic’ happens on the inside. It involves creating a ‘halo’ of tissue around the breast internally, repositioning the breast tissue circumferentially, and suturing it around the entire breast internally. Think of spokes on a bicycle wheel. The wheel is strong because the spokes create equal force and support around the wheel. This can be done with a reduction or just with a lift alone. The external skin is then contoured around the new breast support. It differs from a traditional lift in that it isn’t skin holding up the breast; it is the internal structure of the breast holding itself up. In a traditional breast lift, ‘bottoming out’ of the breast tissue tends to happen very quickly as the skin is not a support structure and cannot hold up the breast tissue.
The nature of your Mommy Makeover will depend on the number of procedures you and Dr. Prichard decide on and the specifics of each method. As each patient is diverse and will have different goals and levels of necessary revision, the length of Mommy Makeovers will vary greatly.
During your consultation with your expert Mommy Makeover plastic surgeon, Dr. Prichard can help you design a procedure that best suits your needs. Mommy Makeovers are created to be complementary procedures, meaning that in most cases, Dr. Prichard performs more than one procedure during a single operation.
Here, we have provided you with a “Before and After” gallery. We encourage you to peruse through the photos, allowing you to get a better idea of the amazing results Dr. Prichard consistently delivers to each of his patients in his Scottsdale office.
As a Mommy Makeover is comprised of a series of coordinated procedures, you will only have to contend with one recovery period. The length of this recovery period depends on the procedures you select to have done and your unique healing process. However, it is generally common for patients to be able to return to work two weeks after their Mommy Makeovers.
It is recommended that you avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for the first six weeks. Dr. Prichard will give aftercare instructions for specific procedures requiring varied recovery care. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your recovery, you should bring them up before your surgery day. In the interest of delivering among the best Mommy Makeovers Scottsdale has to offer, Dr. Prichard is there for you through every step of the recovery process.
For more information on the Mommy Makeover recovery timeline, read our blog, What to Expect During Your Mommy Makeover Recovery.
If you’d like to further explore your options for mommy makeovers in Phoenix, request a consultation online. Or if you’d rather, you can call the office directly at 480-752-7874 and one of our staff members can assist you.
A Mommy Makeover can provide transformational results, but incisions are required to make this happen. Any time a surgical incision is made, there is the risk of visible scarring. However, Dr. Prichard’s immense surgical expertise and precision reduce this risk as he carefully avoids undue scarring. Dr. Prichard can also instruct you on caring for scars to minimize their appearance and help them fade.
In rare cases, parts of a Mommy Makeover may be covered by health insurance. But in most cases, Mommy Makeovers and individual procedures are considered cosmetic elective surgeries; therefore, they will not be covered. Our staff is very familiar with working with insurance companies and will assist with these questions.
The cost of a Mommy Makeover in Scottsdale will vary greatly depending on the procedures, the necessary revision amount, and the specifics of the treatment plan. Dr. Prichard can give you a more accurate estimate during your consultation.
Absolutely. Mommy Makeovers, while excellent for women who have had children, can also provide fabulous benefits for women experiencing adverse effects from the natural aging process.
Yes, it is still possible to breastfeed after a breast augmentation done as part of a Mommy Makeover. Of course, this depends on the incision types used during the procedure and the placement of the implants. Be sure to discuss your concerns with Dr. Prichard during your consultation. Something to keep in mind, however, is that breastfeeding after your breast augmentation may affect the results of the procedure, making a breast lift necessary in the future. Additionally, subsequent pregnancies following a tummy tuck can also undo the results. For these reasons, it may be a good idea to complete your family and breastfeed before you undergo a Mommy Makeover.
The best candidate for an Angel Lift is someone needing a breast lift that would like better upper pole fullness than a regular lift can produce. Ideally, also someone who is either premenopausal or on hormone replacement.
Please take a moment to rate your experience
with our team.