Whenever patients come in seeking information about plastic surgery after pregnancy, mommy makeover scars are one of the main topics they want to learn more about. In fact, one of the first questions they usually ask is, “Does mommy makeover leave scars?”
And the answer is: “It’s difficult to say.”
In general, yes, mommy makeover procedures will result in scars because incisions create scars, and mommy makeovers require incisions.
However, what type of scars you have, where they are located, and how noticeable they are will depend on which procedures you choose for your mommy makeover.
What Does a Mommy Makeover Involve?
Common mommy makeover procedures can include any of the following individual surgeries:
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery)
- Liposuction
- Breast lift surgery
- Breast augmentation
- Vaginal rejuvenation
Typically, patients choose from this list based on their major concerns and how they want to look after surgery, how challenging they are okay with their mommy makeover recovery being, and what their budget is.
We can help you visualize what types of scars will generally result from each of these procedures. But naturally, we need to determine which procedures you want to undergo first.
Scars After Mommy Makeover Surgery
Again, scars from mommy makeover surgery vary depending on the surgery. So, let’s take a look at the typical scars that will result from each of the mommy makeover plastic surgery procedures:
Tummy Tuck Scars
A full tummy tuck requires a lateral incision from hip to hip on the lower abdomen as well as a virtually invisible incision around the belly button.
With an extended tummy tuck, the lower incision will be longer on either side. With a fleur de lis tummy tuck, an additional tummy tuck incision is required, which runs vertically from the belly button down to the lower abdominal incision.
Liposuction Scars
Liposuction incisions only need to be large enough so that your plastic surgeon can use their cannula instrument to suction out fat from each one. This means that each incision only needs to be less than a centimeter long (on average) to minimize scars.
Furthermore, the best plastic surgeons always make sure to locate liposuction incisions in hard to see areas.
Breast Lift Scars
There are three main types of incision patterns with breast lift surgery. Incision placement depends largely on how much excess skin you have. The first only requires one incision to be made around the outer edge of the areola.
The second pattern, often called the lollipop incision pattern, involves the outer edge of the areola incision as well as another incision running from the bottom of that circular incision down to the breast crease. And finally, the anchor incision pattern is the lollipop pattern with the addition of an incision running along the best crease or inframammary fold.
Breast Augmentation Scars
In order to insert your breast implants for an augmentation breast procedure, your surgeon will need to make incisions large enough for the actual size of the implants. So, if your breast implants are very large, the incisions will need to be larger as well.
Incision placement depends on your anatomy, the opinion of your plastic surgeon, and what type of breast implants you have.
Brazilian Butt Lift Scars
BBL scars are usually only present wherever you have liposuction. And again, lipo scars are quite small (see above). The injected of grafted fat will not result in noticeable scars.
Vaginal Rejuvenation Scars
The type of scars that result from vaginal rejuvenation surgery depend on what type of rejuvenation you choose. For most procedures, however, scars will be well-hidden within the folds and color changes of your natural anatomy.
FAQ: Mommy Makeover Surgery
Do tummy tucks leave big scars?
Tummy tuck surgery can often result in the most visible scars when compared with other mommy makeover procedures. Nearly all tummy tuck surgeries will require a lower abdominal incision, and some tummy tuck procedures may also require a vertical incision extending from the belly button down to the lower abdominal incision.
Wounds heal faster and scars fade better when silicone sheets or gel are used. So, if you opt for a tummy tuck, your surgeon will likely recommend one of these scar treatment options.
How much is a mommy makeover?
Mommy makeover cost tends to vary based on geographic location, your choice of provider, what procedures you are specifically seeking, the extent of your surgery, what anesthesia you choose, and local hospital or surgical facility costs. Please request a consultation appointment with Dr. Rachel Mason to learn more about mommy makeover pricing.
What are the cons of a mommy makeover?
Likely the largest drawback to mommy makeover surgery is the extensive recovery time. Many months of swelling and some bruising and pain are common after most mommy makeovers. You will need to take several weeks off from work and refrain from physical activity for at least one month or more.
Of course, mommy makeover procedures can also be expensive and may result in some scarring. For most patients, however, the pros far outweigh the cons.
Book a Mommy Makeover Consultation
Looking for the best mommy makeover surgeon in Las Vegas? Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rachel Mason performs mommy makeover surgery at her Las Vegas practice.
Let Dr. Mason and her team help you look and feel your very best. Contact us today to set up your personal consultation appointment for mommy makeover surgery.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-will-your-mommy-makeover-scars-look-like