Mommy Makeover Patients Say “Don’t Put It Off”

I get a lot of positive feedback from my Mommy Makeover patients, who are typically among the most satisfied of all the patients I see for cosmetic plastic surgery. One comment that I consistently hear is, “I wish I had done it sooner.” I think these words are worth sharing with women thinking about a Mommy Makeover who might be putting it off.

It is easy to put your own wants and needs on hold when you are focused on meeting the needs of your family. This is something I hear a lot from my Mommy Makeover patients. And since the Mommy Makeover usually involves a tummy tuck, a breast procedure such as a breast lift, and often liposuction, it can be a little daunting to think about taking time out of your busy schedule to recover from plastic surgery. Some moms have told me that they felt “selfish” focusing on their appearance, and dedicating a few weeks of recovery time to healing. But after undergoing Mommy Makeover surgery, their perspectives typically change.

Many of these mothers report feeling better about themselves than they have in ages – even better than they had thought possible. It is not uncommon for Mommy Makeover patients to use words like “energized,” “rejuvenated,” or “ecstatic” to describe their experience. A common sentiment among these patients is that they feel younger, more confident, and generally have a more positive outlook after their Mommy Makeover. Some feel that they are ultimately able to give more to their families after giving this gift to themselves.

So if you are considering a Mommy Makeover, consider the words of those who have been where you are. There may be no time like the present to get back your body and start getting more out of life.

Tags: breast lift, Mommy Makeover, tummy tuck
Posted in Mommy Makeover

Thermage® and Fraxel® illumiNATION Tour

The Thermage® and Fraxel® illumiNATION Tour wrapped up in Marina Del Rey this November and my practice was privileged to be the grand finale. Picture this: a retro Airstream filled with the latest Thermage and Fraxel technology. For a Los Angeles plastic surgeon like me who specializes in advanced skin rejuvenation treatments, a feature presentation of these devices is an exciting prospect.

The tour was a creative way for Thermage and Fraxel to introduce their newest technology. At the same time, doctors, patients and the general public were encouraged to have some fun. Traveling in the Airstream, the tour visited 20 major cities and allowed people to try out these cosmetic treatments. The new Thermage CPT™ System that was rolled-out on this tour is even better than the original system. Treatment with Thermage CPT is completely painless, whereas the old technology wasn’t quite as comfortable.

Thermage is a non-invasive procedure to tighten and contour the skin. It uses radiofrequencies to heat the deep layers and cool the surface of your skin. Thermage can be used on the face to achieve a non-surgical face lift result, but I’ve also had success treating areas such as the hands, legs and abdominal area. I’ve been performing Thermage treatments at my practice for many years and even receive them myself because the cosmetic benefits are so significant.

Thermage is often a good choice for women interested in Mommy Makeovers – combined procedures that often include a breast lift, a face lift, and a tummy tuck in Los Angeles. The general goal of the total makeover is to help women look younger and slimmer, the way they did before their pregnancies. Skin tightening can play an important role in turning back the clock and providing that “pre-baby” appearance.

I’ve spent a lot of time discussing Thermage but I should also point out that my practice offers Fraxel skin resurfacing as well. Both of these laser therapies are delivering satisfying results for my patients and it is encouraging that the company making these devices is taking the time to spread the word and educate people about professional, laser-based skin care.

Tags: los angeles plastic surgeon, tummy tuck los angeles
Posted in Facial Cosmetic Surgery,Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeovers: Safety Facts You Need

If you’re like most of my patients, you’ve probably heard about “Mommy Makeover” combined procedures, but you probably haven’t heard much about why these procedures are safe to combine. Along with several of my colleagues, I recently updated a study (initially published in 2006) that evaluated complications following combined breast surgery and abdominoplasty. We found that the combined procedures performed at Marina Outpatient Surgery Center over the period of the review were safe and effective, with complication and revision rates similar to standalone procedures.

The Rumor

Some people might assume that combining procedures could lead to increased risk – twice the surgery, twice the risk, right? Not necessarily. While this may be true of some combined procedures out of the scope of our study, it was not the case for the combined abdominoplasty/breast enhancement surgery cases we reviewed.

The Reality

We tracked the complication rates for hundreds of women who received breast enhancement (augmentation, reduction, lift, and removal or replacement of breast implants) combined with a Beverly Hills tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) at our Southern California practice. What we found is that not one patient experienced life-threatening complications such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The overall complication rate (34%) and revision rate (13%) were very similar to those reported for individual procedures.

As always, it’s important to point out that any surgical procedure carries inherent risk. However, the conclusion that may be drawn from this study is that, all other factors such as physician skill and surgical facilities being equal, combining breast enhancement with a tummy tuck does not appear to be significantly riskier than performing breast enhancement or a tummy tuck alone. This is good news for many patients because combining procedures can be more affordable and lead to a quicker recovery.

Tags: beverly hills tummy tuck
Posted in Mommy Makeover