Dr. Rocco C. Piazza
A Diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery
In reviewing the 2012 Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Statistics as published by the ASPS, breast augmentation, liposuction, and tummy tuck procedures were in the top 6 procedures for last year. Similarly, we have seen these trends here in Austin plastic surgery. Frequently, I am asked if all of these procedures can be performed at the same time—and the answer is yes—the “Mommy Makeover.” I like to look at it as the “getting your body back” procedure. Having kiddos can alter the breasts, tummy, and waistline in such a way that the majority of women cannot get back to their pre-baby state with diet and exercise alone. When these women get exhausted from dedicated exercise and diet programs and have plateaued with little improvement in getting the body contour desired, they seek consultation with a plastic surgeon.
What are the changes that can occur? Well, let’s start with breasts. Oftentimes, the breast skin envelope is larger, and there has been some drop in the nipple position, stretched-out areola, and loss of volume in the upper portion of the breast. As far as I know, even as a fitness enthusiast, there is no specific exercise or set of exercises that can reverse these changes.
What about the abdomen and waistline? The abdominal muscles separate to accommodate the growing fetus during pregnancy. The rectus muscles (6-pack muscles) can come back together after pregnancy, but after multiple pregnancies, this is unlikely. Women report that they feel like their lower abdomen is bulging during sit-ups and crunches. This separation, known as a diastasis, must be surgically repaired in order to restore the contour of the abdomen. The skin of the lower tummy can have stretch marks and loose skin that pooches, most notably when sitting or leaning over. Fat distribution can also be different, creating what many women report as the “muffin top.” In Austin, liposuction contouring is frequently used at my practice to refine the waistline removing this unwanted fat.
The most important thing to remember is that a healthy lifestyle can have a very positive impact on achieving and maintaining an excellent long-term result. More information on the ASPS 2012 Statistics can be found on their website. If you have any questions, please call our Austin plastic surgery office at (512) 288-8200 or contact us via email! You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter on our “news” page.
