Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and motherhood can all be infinitely rewarding. And yet, they can take a significant physical toll. Many women find that their post-pregnancy body is not quite as trim or as shapely as their pre-pregnancy form, and sometimes, even the most disciplined diet and exercise are insufficient for regaining the pre-pregnancy look. One solution available in Orange County: Get a Mommy Makeover.
Dr. Lavinia Chong‘s Mommy Makeover is a suite of procedures performed in her Newport Beach location. These procedures are selected to help you address all of your unique concerns surrounding your post-pregnancy body. As a female plastic surgeon and mother, Dr. Chong understands that each woman’s needs and concerns are unique. Your plan of care is developed and focused on three key aspects of care: making the correct diagnosis, excellent surgical technique, and careful follow-up. A Mommy Makeover can help correct issues with your breasts, your belly, and beyond.
Mommy Makeover Explained
Having a baby means your body goes through extraordinary changes … and some of those changes may be unwelcome. The Mommy Makeover is a suite of procedures that will help you return to the way you looked before you had a baby.
The specifics of a Mommy Makeover can differ from one woman to the next. Some may wish to replace the breast volume that they lost; others may wish to correct their breasts’ saggy appearance or to make the breasts a bit smaller. Still, others may wish to remove stubborn flab and fat from their abdomen. Dr. Chong will speak with you individually about what you are hoping to accomplish and design a Mommy Makeover package that will help you meet your aesthetic goals. Ultimately, every mom is unique, and every Mommy Makeover is, too!
With additional questions, please reach out to our Newport Beach office directly.
“Dr. Chong and staff have provided superb care and follow up during my surgical experience. Aside from being an incredibly skilled surgeon who has the eye of an artist, Dr. Chong & her staff are friendly… skilled & so very compassionate. They listen. They care. They empower patients to be a better version of themselves at this moment in time.” – T.S. (Patient since 2017)
What are the Key Benefits of Getting a Mommy Makeover?
One of the biggest frustrations that moms face is that, even with rigorous diet and exercise, they cannot always get back to their pre-pregnancy figure. That is why many women turn to the Mommy Makeover procedure. And, by entrusting your surgical needs to Dr. Chong, you can receive guidance from a surgeon who understands female body image issues from a first-hand perspective.
Some of the primary benefits of getting a Mommy Makeover include:
- Eliminating stubborn flab and fat from your belly, upper thighs, or buttocks
- Returning your breasts to their pre-pregnancy shape and size
- Strengthening the muscles in your abdomen
- Looking and feeling younger
- Regaining your self-confidence
- Getting results that are tailored to your needs and goals
A Mommy Makeover is perfect for any mother who simply wants to feel like her body is hers again. And, with this suite of procedures, you can effectively address multiple issues at the same time, which means a shorter recovery time and a smaller risk of complication.
See Dr. Chong’s Mommy Makeover Results
A Mommy Makeover procedure can make a world of difference in how you look, to say nothing of how you feel. Rather than take our word for it, take a look at these before-and-after images for an idea of potential results from a Mommy Makeover.
Am I a Good Candidate to Get a Mommy Makeover?
You do not have to be a Mommy to get a Mommy Makeover. Anyone can take advantage of the suite of surgical procedures. It has been suggested that the role of Plastic Surgery is to “restore that which time, age, and infirmity have taken away.” The services described within the Newport Beach Mommy Makeover are designed to improve changes that manifest in a woman’s breast and trunk (abdomen, hips), which can result from either the natural aging process or as a direct result of giving birth.
A Mommy Makeover is Generally Ideal For
While the specifics of a Mommy Makeover are customizable and always tailored to meet the particular needs of the patient, there are certain situations in which a Mommy Makeover is a natural fit.
Mommy Makeovers can be highly beneficial to any woman who struggles with stubborn flab around her abdomen, whether that is a paunch tummy or extra skin along the thighs or buttocks. Often, these are the areas hardest to hit with diet and exercise, but a Mommy Makeover can allow you to eliminate unwanted flab for a more streamlined and fit appearance. Mommy Makeovers can also work wonders for women who are dissatisfied with their breasts, including those who have lost breast volume due to nursing, those who cannot lose their pregnancy weight gain, or those whose breasts are not as perky as they used to be.
If you are ready to look and feel like your younger self again, the Mommy Makeover can be an outstanding option.
It is Not So Ideal For
Generally speaking, we do not recommend Mommy Makeovers for women who think they may still become pregnant or breastfeed. The reason for this is simple: Having another child may undo some of the results of your surgery. It is smarter to wait until you are reasonably confident you will not have any more children.
Additionally, ideal candidates for a Mommy Makeover do not smoke, do not have any underlying medical conditions that could impede their healing, and are in generally good physical health.
Pregnancy Specific Questions
Dr. Chong is happy to answer any questions you may have about your own eligibility for a Mommy Makeover. Here are a couple of the more common inquiries.
Can I Get a Mommy Makeover if I Have Not Had Children?
Definitely! Though we call it the Mommy Makeover, this suite of surgeries is great for any woman who wants to have a younger, more confident figure. Many women seek this procedure in order to reverse some of the physical effects of pregnancy, but other women just want to undo some of the effects of time and age.
Should I Wait Until I Am Done Having Children to Get a Mommy Makeover?
Yes. We would recommend that women who still think they might have biological children hold off on getting this procedure. This is simply to ensure that the results of your Mommy Makeover last you a good long while. Another pregnancy may be very welcome but remember that it could undo some of the effects of your surgery.
What Procedures Are Involved with a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover combines multiple surgeries, but what those surgeries are can vary from patient to patient. When you consult with Dr. Chong, you can talk with her directly about your goals, and she will develop a list of procedures to help you achieve your desired results. Some of the more common elements of a Mommy Makeover are as follows.
Breast Augmentation
It is not uncommon for pregnancy and breastfeeding to result in a loss of breast volume. As a result, some moms may wish to get a breast augmentation, allowing them to increase the size of their breasts through the use of implants. Dr. Chong can work with you to ensure results that look completely natural, whether that means restoring you to your pre-baby body or even giving you something extra. Breast augmentation is the ideal choice for any woman who simply wants larger breasts.
Breast Lift
Breast augmentation is all about changing the size of the breasts, but a breast lift is more concerned with the shape. There are a couple of reasons why women choose a breast lift. One is that their breasts have become droopy, a common experience following pregnancy and breastfeeding. A breast lift can make them look perky and shapely once more. Alternatively, some women want to reposition the nipple, especially if it has been damaged in the breastfeeding process. A breast lift can help with this, too.
Breast Augmentation with Lift
Often, a Mommy Makeover will include both breast augmentation and a breast lift. This is ideal for women who want to completely enhance the appearance of their breasts. Through augmentation, implants are added to provide some additional volume. The breast lift can reshape the breasts, making them perkier, and also reposition the nipple. Having these two procedures performed at the same time is one of the best ways to gain the breasts you have always dreamed of.
Breast Reduction
Some women come through pregnancy and breastfeeding feeling like their breasts are too large or like they cannot lose some of the pregnancy weight they have gained in their chest. As such, many Mommy Makeover patients wind up requesting breast reduction. This procedure can remove enough volume for you to fit comfortably into your clothes again, to avoid any undue back pain, or simply to feel less self-conscious about the size of your breasts. Dr. Chong would be happy to tell you more about breast reduction.
Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States. This body contouring procedure assists in targeting stubborn fat and flab. For women who have worked hard to regain their pre-pregnancy body, this is an optimal solution. Liposuction of the axillary tails (the area where the breast tissue extends into the underarm area), liposuction of the dorsal rolls (along the back bra-line) With liposuction, you can gain a firmer, fitter appearance along the belly, thighs, or buttocks and lipoabdominoplasty (a tummy tuck with a bit of lipo for body contouring) are all very common additions to the Mommy Makeover suite of procedures aimed at targeting back fat, belly fat and armpit fat. If you are at or near your goal weight, this combination of procedures can help you look and feel like your younger self again.
Additional Options
While the above procedures are some of the most common options, Dr. Chong tailors each mommy makeover to each patient. Whether you want additional procedures like blepharoplasty added to your treatment or are more interested in a tummy tuck than breast augmentation, she works with you to make sure you can meet your goals safely and comfortably.
“Dr. Chong explains all options and answers questions thoroughly. She and her staff made me extremely comfortable. I would recommend her office to anyone nervous about going in to learn about plastic surgery options. – D.B. (Patient since 2013)
Mommy Makeover Procedures Process Explained
Our Mommy Makeover procedure has helped many women rejuvenate their bodies after having a baby. For many Newport Beach women having children is one of the greatest joys of their lives, but the changes that the body goes through in the process of pregnancy, nursing, and childbirth are not always changes women want to live with through the rest of their lives.
Here we will outline the procedure process of getting a Mommy Makeover from consultation to recovery.
The Mommy Makeover Consultation
Dr. Chong and her team of assistants (an all-female office staff in Newport Beach) are interested in knowing about you as an individual as well as a prospective Mommy Makeover candidate. Our responsibility to you is to produce safe and beautiful results. Medical conditions must be stable before choosing elective surgery and this includes plans for future pregnancies.
When requesting to schedule your Mommy Makeover consultation in Newport Beach, please note that we advise consulting with us 3-6 months after delivery and/or after the cessation of lactation. Losing baby “fat” and embracing a healthy lifestyle prior to your surgery will not only improve surgical results but also ensure the longevity of your results. We are committed to your success and have a network of referral resources ranging from nutrition, exercise consultants as well as after-care recovery services.
Choosing Your New Look
You are encouraged to bring photos to your consultation in Newport Beach. This would include photos of yourself prior to becoming a mom, as well as breast photos of looks you like and/or do not like. Do be explicit with your objectives (cleavage, fullness, projection, firmness, etc.). When selecting implants, there are different types of implants used to achieve different looks (saline vs. silicone, or less cohesive silicone vs. highly cohesive Gummy Bear implants). Deciding upon how much cleavage you desire, how much perk and fullness you desire, and the general shape and slope of your ideal breast can help Dr. Chong evaluate which implant would best achieve your goal. Reviewing images of what you deem attractive helps us to understand your aesthetic goals and serves as a point of discussion so that surgical options can be proposed, accepted, and realistic expectations nurtured.
What is a Mommy Makeover Like During Surgery?
The Facility
Our private Newport Beach Cosmetic Surgery facility affords you a streamlined experience as consultations, pre-op appointments, post-op appointments, and surgery are scheduled and performed on-site. The office-based ambulatory surgical suite (ASC) is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) has championed patient safety worldwide for nearly 40 years. The facility is staffed by Board Certified Anesthesiologists, Registered Nurses, and Certified Scrub Technologists, who work collaboratively to care for the surgical patient according to the highest standards of safety and excellence.
Pre-Op
Two weeks prior to surgery, you will meet again with Dr. Chong and a member of her surgical team in Newport Beach. She will review your goals discussed during your consultation and finalize your surgical plan. All aspects of pre-op and post-op care will be reviewed at this time. You are encouraged to bring a list of questions you may have, as well as any friends or family who may be taking care of you during your recovery. Your pre-op appointment is also the time at which a nasal culture and blood will be taken in a lab located within the same Newport Beach medical plaza. You will sign consents for surgery, provide a list of all medications and vitamin supplements, and be given prescriptions for post-op medications.
The evening before surgery, you will receive a phone call from Dr. Lavinia Chong and a member of her anesthesia team. On the morning of your surgery, please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive at our Newport Beach location and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, preferably a zippered top.
“The entire staff is warm and welcoming. Doctor Chong is extremely knowledgeable. She is a true artist. She asks what you are wanting and does an amazing job delivering. I have recommended her to several friends and will continue to do so.” – Patient from RealSelf
What Is The Recovery From Mommy Makeover Like?
At the time of your pre-op appointment, we will review the dates and times of post-op and follow-up appointments for the days immediately following your surgery. Please be sure that you make transportation arrangements prior to your surgery date and notify us as soon as possible of any potential scheduling conflicts. For your safety, we do not advise using Uber or paid ride services while you are taking pain medication immediately following your surgery.
You may feel tired and sore for several days. Post-op medications, bowel programs, activity schedule, use of ice, massage techniques, and scar therapy will be discussed during your post-operative visits. Options for extended warranty of breast implants will be reviewed at your follow-up appointment. All patients are encouraged to contact our Newport Beach office with any questions or concerns at any point during their recovery.
