Dr. Douglas Grace is an experienced Burlington plastic surgeon who has helped many women from throughout Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville and the greater Toronto area regain their feminine curves following pregnancy and childbirth. As any mother knows, pregnancy results in dramatic changes to a woman’s physique. Her breasts may be saggy and deflated, and she may have excess stomach skin and stretched out abdominal muscles that result in a flabby stomach appearance that is resistant to diet and exercise.
Mommy makeover surgery can address all these concerns at once. It typically involves a combination of treatments that may include a tummy tuck, breast lift, breast augmentation and/or liposuction.
The goal of Dr. Grace and the entire Grace Clinic staff is to help each Burlington mommy makeover patient regain her pre-pregnancy curves, along with her feelings of sexiness and self-confidence, in a safe, comfortable environment.
How to prepare for your mommy makeover in Burlington
If a breast lift or augmentation is part of your mommy makeover in Oakville / Hamilton, Dr. Grace may recommend a baseline mammogram prior to surgery and another mammogram several months after surgery. He will most likely take this step if you or your family has a history of breast cancer. Following surgery, regular self-examinations will remain an important breast cancer prevention measure.
Patients who smoke will be asked to quit well in advance of surgery. In addition, you will be asked to stop taking aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory medications, as they can result in increased bleeding. Additional specific pre-operative instructions will be provided by Dr. Grace or his nurse.
What will the day of surgery be like?
You will be provided with medications for your comfort during surgery. Although the type of anesthesia may vary depending on your specific treatment combination, most mommy makeover Burlington patients will receive general anesthesia and will be asleep throughout the surgery.
Following surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area, where our highly trained medical staff will closely monitor you. Drains may be placed in your incisions to help prevent the accumulation of fluids. Your abdomen and breasts may be wrapped in gauze, bandages and/or a surgical bra.
How will I look and feel initially?
Your recovery will depend on your specific treatment combination. Regardless of which procedures you undergo, it is important to get up and move around the day after surgery to promote blood circulation. However, bending, lifting and straining must be avoided in order to prevent bleeding. Dr. Grace will provide you with detailed instructions on what activities are acceptable following surgery.
Your surgical drains will most likely be removed within one week after surgery. At that time, your dressings may also be changed or removed. Stitches will dissolve or be removed within one to three weeks, depending on your procedures.
Some swelling and bruising are to be expected following surgery and will gradually abate during the weeks following surgery. Some Burlington mommy makeover patients who have undergone tummy tuck may not see their final results for months. Please be patient.
Tummy tuck results in a permanent scar. The scar will fade over time but will never completely disappear. However, it will be placed so as to be easily covered by even very skimpy clothing. Depending on the technique used, breast lift may result in a vertical scar from the bottom of the areola to the base of the breast.
When can I resume my normal activities?
Your timetable for returning to normal activities will depend on your chosen procedures as well as your general health and your body’s ability to heal. Of the various mommy makeover procedures, tummy tuck requires the longest recovery time. These patients should be able to resume normal, non-strenuous activities after four weeks. However, combining tummy tuck with a breast procedure may result in a somewhat longer recovery time.
Results of your mommy makeover
Mommy makeover patients who opt for tummy tuck surgery will result in a firmer, flatter, more toned stomach. Excess skin will be gone, torn abdominal muscles will be repaired and stubborn fat pockets will be removed. In addition, most Hamilton / Oakville mommy makeover patients notice a reduction in stretch marks.
Mommy makeover patients who undergo breast lift will have breasts that are elevated higher on their chests and are more prominent. Those who receive implants will have more voluminous breasts.
Taken together, these procedures and others will result in a body shape that is reminiscent of the patient’s youthful figure.
How long will the results last?
The results of mommy makeover procedures, including tummy tuck, breast lift, breast augmentation and liposuction, are long-lasting. However, significant weight gain or pregnancy can result in bodily changes to the stomach and breasts. For that reason, women are advised not to undergo mommy makeover if they plan to have more children.
The process of aging will also continue to affect the body, including the stomach skin and the size and shape of the breasts. Even women with breast implants may find that the implants no longer produce the desired results over time. In fact, breast implants often require replacement due to increased skin laxity, implant shifting and other changes.
After Care
The Grace Clinic staff closely monitors each patient with prescribed follow-up visits. During these visits, the nurse carefully assesses the patient’s recovery and healing process and promptly addresses any concerns that may arise.
Please remember that your relationship with Dr. Grace and The Grace Clinic does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns while your recover, or if you need more information at a later date, please contact The Grace Clinic. Moreover, please do not hesitate to contact The Grace Clinic if you would like to learn about specific procedures, such as Body Jet liposuction. In addition, Dr. Grace is a skilled Hamilton SmartLipo provider who can help you achieve a refined body shape with this leading-edge laser-assisted liposuction technology.
