Mommy Makeover Scars: What to Expect
Plastic surgeon Suzanne Yee understands the enormous toll that pregnancy and breastfeeding take on the body. Despite a woman’s efforts to restore her pre-pregnancy figure, she is likely to struggle with loose, saggy skin and stubborn fat deposits, particularly around the breasts and midsection.
Mommy makeover treatment targets problem areas to rejuvenate the female form so that women feel more confident and secure in their appearance. Mommy makeover treatment is highly effective, but as a surgical procedure, it does leave behind scars. Here, our Little Rock, AR, patients can learn what to expect from mommy makeover scars, and how they can care for surgical incisions to promote healing and minimize the appearance of scar tissues.
Location of Mommy Makeover Scars
Mommy makeover treatment is customized to the unique needs of each of our Little Rock patients. Most frequently, a mommy makeover consists of a tummy tuck and a breast lift or breast augmentation. Because multiple procedures are combined for mommy makeover treatment, patients can expect to recover with scars around the breasts and midsection.
Nearly every mommy makeover procedure involves a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck eliminates excess skin and fat from the midsection while repairing stretched abdominal muscles. To make these alterations an incision is made along the lower stomach (just above the pubic area). The incision typically extends from one hip bone to the other.
Breast surgery scars will depend on the type of procedure performed. When patients undergo breast augmentation with breast implants Dr. Yee will use either the inframammary technique or the periareolar technique. The inframammary technique utilizes an incision that is made below the breast, in the crease between the breast tissues and the chest wall. For the periareolar technique an incision is made around the edge of the areolar tissue.
Breast lift incisions may be slightly different than those used for breast augmentation. For a minimal lift, Dr. Yee can utilize the periareolar incision. However, if sagging is more pronounced she is likely to use the lollipop or anchor incision. The lollipop incision circles around the areola and extends vertically down the center of the breast. The anchor incision also circles the areola and extends vertically down the breast, but it then also stretches horizontally across the inframammary fold beneath the breast.
How Noticeable Will My Scars Be?
Mommy makeover scars are placed as discreetly as possible so that they can be easily concealed beneath clothing, including a bra and panties or bikini. However, our Little Rock patients are often concerned about what scars will look like when they are not clothed.
Initially, mommy makeover scars may appear bright red in appearance shortly after surgery, and the skin along the incision sites is likely to be raised and rough in texture. As tissues continue to heal, scars should minimize in appearance. The final color of your scar depends on your skin color, but it will typically fade a few shades, and the skin usually smooths and flattens, so that scars are no longer raised.
Minimizing the Appearance of Scars
Scars are an unavoidable aspect of any plastic surgery procedure, but there are steps that patients can take to promote healing and minimize the appearance of scar tissue, such as:
- Carefully follow all post-surgical care instructions
- Keep incision sites clean and dry
- Avoid spending time directly in the sun
- Refrain from smoking (this can prolong healing)
- Eat a diet rich in vitamins and nutrients
- Stay well hydrated
- Consider the use of a scar-minimizing product (after incision sites have healed and closed completely)
Contact Us
A mommy makeover procedure can help you get back your pre-pregnancy figure so that you feel more confident in your appearance. If you are interested in learning more about this plastic surgery treatment, contact our surgery center online, or call (501) 224-1044 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Suzanne Yee.