Columbus, OH board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey H. Donaldson answers your most personal and practical questions about the mommy makeover procedure.
A mommy makeover is an umbrella term we use for any combination of surgeries that address the parts of the body most affected by pregnancy and childbirth. A typical mommy makeover may include any combination of:
Any patient who is healthy, and has those typical anatomic changes that are associated with pregnancy. Those changes might include abdominal muscle separation, extra subcutaneous fat that may have lingered after childbirth, stretched skin, stretch marks, or a deformity or overlap at the point of their c-section scar.
Some women’s breasts may have been deflated through breastfeeding, which is characterized by a lack of fullness in the upper pole of the breast, or by a lack of cleavage line. A breast augmentation can provide roundness for someone whose breast tissue has fallen lower on their chest, or they may even benefit from a breast lift. There are also patients whose breast tissue tends to grow and enlarge after pregnancy, in which case a breast reduction with a lift might be necessary.
Patients who may have enlarged labia minora or the inner lips of their vaginal area may require tightening or reduction, which is commonly referred to as a labiaplasty.
Not necessarily! The “mommy makeover” moniker is given because these changes are typical through pregnancy and childbirth, but similar changes can occur through massive weight change or weight loss, or just through our own genetics.
I recommend waiting at least 6 months from the time you finish breastfeeding to pursue any form of breast procedure. Your breasts continue to change over time, and you can see residual deflation in months and years after. It is possible to have an operation that might have been different had the breast tissue been given time to settle back into its normal state after pregnancy.
Yes — that’s a part of a routine abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, which is a procedure usually part of a mommy makeover.
Often times during pregnancy, the rectus muscles of the abdomen (or the “six pack”) tend to spread apart. There’s a small tendon called the linea alba that brings those muscles together; during pregnancy that can stretch to the point where what used to be a flat floor is now rounded or somewhat soft, causing your abdominal muscles to separate and weaken. During a tummy tuck, sutures are used to bring the outer covering of those muscles back together and reconstruct that tendon down the middle, so those abdominal muscles are brought back side by side. Repairing this diastasis recti makes it possible to get back that nice flat core that existed before pregnancy.
It certainly depends on what kind of combination of procedures are chosen. Typically, if there is both a breast procedure and a tummy tuck, it’s usually anywhere from a week to two weeks away from ordinary responsibilities, and closer to a month to six weeks before any strenuous exercise.
Generally, it’s best for patients to be within 15 to 20 pounds of their natural realistic weight. Most people are, so as long as they’re within that zone, then it would be safe. Other than that, it’s a matter of good nutrition, good rest, exercise, and being physically and emotionally prepared for surgery.
Implant selection is a highly customized process where we discuss proportions, anatomy, goals, and desires. Most often, we use a round, smooth silicone implant of moderate or high profile. The size is generally determined by the patient’s measurements and their own goals in terms of size and shape.
It depends on what procedures are selected, but for a breast augmentation, there will be a very small fine scar, approximately one inch long that is hidden within the fold under the breast. A tummy tuck would be similarly smooth, and would run right below the bikini line above pubic area from hip to hip across the front of the abdomen. Generally tummy tuck scars are not carried out to the sides of the flanks.
Any liposuction would be done through very small, quarter-inch incisions that are well concealed. And then, of course, labiaplasty would be very minimal scarring, often completely free of any scar tissue.
Yes. However, if a patient is actively planning on having more kids, we generally counsel them to wait until they are finished. In the event that a patient would become pregnant after a mommy makeover, there may be some sort of touch up procedure necessary.
Mommy makeovers are outpatient procedures that we perform in an outpatient surgical center in the Columbus, Ohio area. No overnight is required, but for someone who lives out of state or has more complex medical concerns, overnights could always be arranged.
If a patient knows that they want to have multiple procedures, then typically we will combine anything that can be done within a six-hour time frame. That is the point at which the risk curve tends to increase with more anesthesia. There is also an advantage in terms of only having a single recovery period, and it offers small financial advantages to combine multiple procedures.
There is no right age for a mommy makeover! Anyone over the age of 18 who has had children is usually a good candidate for a mommy makeover procedure. Genetics, health history, and background all play a role.
The mommy makeover is what we are quite well-known for. A lot of patients trust us to do multiple procedures for them at the same time, and we have excellent outcomes. We consistently have patients rave about our staff, about our process, and about our results, and they tend to heal very well.
Tired or inspired — our eyes have always communicated something about us to the rest of the world. Now, with face masks a regular part of our lives, our eyes are essentially our sole feature of self-expression, and their bright appearance feels more important than ever.
“Eye contact is a very important aspect of human connection”, says our expert PA injector Stacie Isler. “When you make eye contact with someone, you communicate with them on an intimate level and allow them to gain a deeper understanding of your mental state, which is perhaps why, in this particular crisis, we are so focused on finding solutions for the eyes.”
So, how can we prioritize our eyes? And what’s the best way to tackle under eye problems like fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles? To answer these questions and more, we have compiled a list of our top 10 products, at-home remedies, makeup tricks, and treatments that really work to revitalize the eyes and upper face.
Without any further ado, here are the top 10 ways to enhance your eyes whilst wearing a face mask.
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty or an eyelid lift, is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure for repairing the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess skin and tissue around the eyes. Eyelid surgery is the gold standard for addressing droopy, sagging eyelids and reducing visible signs of aging.
Sometimes a nonsurgical treatment may be a better option to address your concerns, so setting up a consultation with Dr. Sieffert is the best first step you can take to determine is eyelid surgery is the right treatment for you.
Hollowness under the eyes due to lack of sleep, age-related volume loss, or simply just anatomy can sometimes cast a shadow under the eyes, creating dark circles where the depression lies. Under eye filler expertly placed in what’s known as the “tear trough” can help to fill in that depression under the eyes, leading to a more youthful and well-rested appearance.
Don’t forget about crow’s feet! If you only treat your forehead lines, just a small pop of Botox right by the eyes can make all the difference in the world. Not only does it smooth those fine lines, but it can also open up your eyes by relaxing the surrounding muscles which will make them look wider and brighter.
While the makeup category can seem daunting, enough practice with the right products goes a long way! Beyond highlighting the cheekbones and using concealer to help cover dark circles and fine lines, you can make your eyes stand out with the right eye shadow and eyeliner, and by filling in and setting the brows with a pomade, gel, powder, or pencil. Since most of our facial expressions stem from our eyebrows, it can be a crucial step in helping to frame the face.
“As a makeup artist, one of my signature tips would be to put a pop of a light shimmer shadow in the inner eye corner to help brighten the eyes,” says our resident makeup and skincare expert Julia Plaat. “I also absolutely suggest using a mascara with a conditioning treatment, or a growth serum to help give your natural lashes strength and to maximize your mascara use.” Speaking of which…
Latisse lash growth prescription formula is by far one of the best kept secrets in the medical aesthetic world.
“Many patients have been asking about using Latisse versus GrandeLash, since both are popular options within the practice,” Julia continues. “While both have similar active ingredients that work to prolong the lifespan of the lash hair, Latisse tends to be a more potent product as it is of prescription strength. GrandeLash, while not quite as potent, has added vitamins and nutrients in their formula to boost the natural lash health.”
While both promote wonderful results, it is important to discuss your options with a specialist like Julia here at the practice to make the best decision for your lash goals.
Now, while she definitely recommends pairing at-home beauty and skincare with professional treatments to go deeper than a superficial fix, there are a few specific options Julia recommends that directly help with the eyes.
The skin around the eyes is entirely different than the rest of the skin on your face. It is much more fragile and sensitive. Other at-home products that Julia highly recommends would be Environ Skincare’s eye gels. The best way to maximize the restorative A, C, and E vitamins and invigorating peptide complexes within the gels would be to pair them with the CIT-Focus Eye Stamper. The stamper creates microchannels in the skin for the best product penetration, allowing your products to be their most efficient.
Microblading is a great semi-permanent technique that adds hairlike strokes by depositing color into the skin to help fill in and define your brows for up to two years.
Tatjana is a certified microblading expert! People travel long and far to have their eyebrows microbladed by Tatjana because of her reputation for sheer perfection and high attention to detail. Most aestheticians only receive a weekend of training before they begin microblading on live patients, but not Tatjana. Tatjana voluntarily spent years training and perfecting her technique before she ever saw her first microblading patient. She is not flippant about the semipermanent nature of microblading; she takes the responsibility very seriously. In fact, Tatjana even became a licensed tattoo artist, just to fully understand the relationship between ink and our skin!
Less permanent than microblading, brow and lash tinting are a phenomenal option for those who are tired of filling in their brows or applying mascara every day. It deposits pigment into the hair follicle and can last from four to six weeks while giving you the option to still apply makeup and products.
Not to be confused with at-home cosmetic needling (see CIT Eye Stamper in step 6), microneedling is a wonderful facial treatment for the skin. It improves from the inside out, impacting your skin on a cellular level by stimulating growth factors, and encouraging new collagen formation which plumps, smooths, and thickens the skin, aiding in the correction of sun damage. While it’s amazing for your entire face and neck, it’s especially wonderful for the delicate skin around the eye area, as it combats dark circles and fine lines.
Skin health is also something we should not forget, as wearing masks may be temporary but your skin health is a lifetime concern. Beyond wearing your SPF, facials are one of the best ways to prolong and augment the health and appearance of the skin.
If you aren’t already adding it on to your facials with Tatjana, make sure to get the Eye Repair add-on with your next facial for undereye rejuvenation, and a gentle exfoliation treatment to help brighten and smooth any concerns you may have!
Have you been thinking about trying out facial fillers, or maybe a fat-eliminating injectable like Kybella? Nonsurgical, injectable treatments for the mid- and lower face have been in high demand, and for good reason. Wearing masks allows us the perfect opportunity to try out new aesthetic treatments and procedures, without the need to take time off from your regular routine to heal from any possible swelling or bruising that may occur.
Face masks also offer a discrete solution for healing from surgical procedures. Combined with our surgeons’ gentle approaches, your face mask might present the chance for a subtle and smooth transition when it comes time to unveil your results.
There are several ways to create enhancement within the eye area, with the top three being makeup, professional treatments, and at home product use. Each of these include their own variety of options, but the best results come from combining different aspects of each.
It is no question that masks and protective coverings are key to keeping us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, don’t skip the face masks – instead, make the most of your beautiful eyes with one of these procedures, or simply by trying out a new medical-grade skincare solution or makeup product.
We hope this guide has helped you discover new ways to define your face’s most unique features. Thank you for reading our top 10 tips and treatments for enhancing the eyes while wearing a face mask — here’s looking at you!
