Common Post-Pregnancy Body Changes and How to Treat Them
Motherhood profoundly changes a woman’s life – and body. Carrying, delivering and nursing babies can lead to changes that no amount of diet or exercise can fix. Some women are discouraged by these changes and turn to plastic surgeon Dr. Alexander Ereso for help.
Read on as Dr. Ereso discusses some of the most common changes after pregnancy and explain how they can help.
Stretched Abdominal Muscles and Loose Abdominal Skin
During pregnancy, a woman’s abdominal muscles stretch to accommodate the growing baby. They may never fully return to their original position. Separated abdominal muscles, or diastasis recti, can cause what looks like a pooch or a pregnant belly (even after delivering the baby).
Just like the abdominal muscles, the abdominal skin stretches to accommodate a growing belly. Unfortunately it may not snap back or retract over the stomach after having the baby. A woman may have folds of loose skin on the lower abdomen that cannot be tightened or reduced. Stretch marks on the lower abdomen may develop, too.
The Solution: Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is the best way to address these issues. The procedure involves bringing the separated abdominal muscles back together and suturing them into place (imagine an internal corset). It also tightens and flattens loose abdominal skin and with the addition of liposuction, targets and removes stubborn fat deposits . Depending on the skin that is removed during the procedure, stretch marks on the lower abdomen may disappear or become less noticeable.
Saggy, Droopy Breasts with Downward-Pointing Nipples
It is extremely common for pregnancy and breastfeeding (coupled with age and gravity) to leave the breasts looking saggy and droopy. The nipples may point southward and the areolas may look enlarged or stretched-out.
The Solution: Breast lift restores sagging breasts to a more youthful position on the chest wall. The procedure can reposition the nipples higher on the breast mound and reduce oversized or stretched-out areolas.
Loss of Breast Volume
Many women discover their breasts have lost volume after having and nursing children. What were once shapely, sexy breasts can look “deflated” after kids.
The Solution: Breast implants can be placed to restore volume and shape to the breasts after pregnancy and nursing. Breast implants won’t affect the position of the breasts, so to improve both position and volume, breast lift with implants is usually recommended.
If you have had children and wish to reclaim your pre-baby body, Dr. Ereso can help. Please schedule a consultation at our practice to meet with our team.
