Posted by Dr. Hardesty

A “Mommy Makeover” is often referred to as a combination of breast and abdominal procedures usually consisting of a Breast Augmentation, Mastopexy, and Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

Mommy Makeover Preparation

Now that the decision is made, a detailed preparation plan will reduce complications, provide for realistic expectations and improve the entire experience. The following is what my staff and I will review with you again in detail prior to your Mommy Makeover surgery.

I trust you will find the following helpful as you prepare for your “Mommy Makeover”.

PREOPERATIVE

30 Days Before

1. Start iron pills 325 mg a day.  However, may turn stools black and cause constipation.
2. Start a multivitamin (provides nutrients for healing) no mega E; it can cause bleeding.
3. Stop any hormonal birth control or post-menopausal female hormones (increased risk of blood clots).
4. Stop any over the counter supplements (can cause unknown problems).
5. If you have had Bariatric surgery start on 100 grams of protein per day. Healing after any surgery requires protein to heal properly.
6. Stop smoking. No exceptions. Can cause the wound to heal poorly and associated with skin and flap death.
7. If over the age of 45 or medical issues our surgery center recommends a preoperative clearance by your primary care physician with basic laboratory data and specialized preoperative testing as recommended.
8. Purchase 3 bras (no padding/full-bodied of the desired size you think you want to be). Place rice in nylon (1 oz. = 30 ccs). Try on form-fitting clothes over bra and nylon filled with desired rice amount.
9. Gather “idealized model photos” of the shape of desired breasts.
10. A blood test measuring your blood values (hemoglobin and hematocrit) will be performed.

14 Days Before

1. If over the age 45 or medical issues, provide preoperative clearance letter with laboratory data for your surgeon.
2. Preoperative appointment with Dr. Hardesty and his Physician Assistant who will provide prescriptions (for before and after surgery), counseling and lengthy discussion of the preparatory needs. Surgicenter’s required preoperative paperwork and educational materials will be given you. A discussion of what medications are ok to continue or stop.
3. Final “sizing” of desired breast volume based on your “rice sizing” and ordering implant and profile that best fits your chest.
4. Stop shaving around the pubic area (razor blade shaving causes small cuts that can harbor bacteria and increase infection rate).
5. NO aspirin, Aleve, Motrin (can interfere with normal clotting) use only plain Tylenol (will not interfere with normal clotting) or pain medication prescribed by your regular provider.
6. Make arrangements for drop off, pickup and aftercare provider (childcare).
7. Bring a list of your questions
8. Complete final payment of procedure prior to leaving the office after the pre-operative appointment is concluded.

4 Days Before

1. Start bromelain and arnica as directed (anti bruising and swelling).
2. Purchase 2 large bags of frozen peas or corn (Costco size). Can have one in pillowcase and place over abdomen/breasts and change out with second one (in the freezer) when thawed.
3. Purchase any needed food, supplies and verify with your postoperative support team yours/their schedule.
4. No shaving of pubic area (can increase infection rate) Operating Staff will clip pubic hair if needed.
5. Fill all prescription for needed pre and postoperative care.

3 Days Before

1. Start anti-bacterial decolonization showers.
2. Topical antibiotics (prescription is given at preoperative appointment) to be applied in the ear canal, nostrils, and umbilicus (tummy button).

Day Before

1. Make sure ALL prescriptions filled.
2. Bed, recliner, pillows, large bags of frozen peas/corn in freezer and foam wedges, etc. ready.
3. Make sure you know the location of surgicenter, see if you can obtain any of Surgicenters required preoperative paperwork to fill out prior to arriving on the day of surgery.
4. Call surgicenter for your expected time of arrival.
5. Have or purchase bell to ring (if you need assistance after surgery) to notify your support team.

Night Before

1. Make out a list of any “last minute” questions, your needs, wants desires and expectations of the surgery.
2. Complete a preoperative enema (decreases fecal load) for postoperative constipation (from pain meds) and potentially reduces the risk of blood clots (hard stool pressing on intra-abdominal veins during tightening of the muscles).
3. Take a shower with an antiseptic solution and scrub the entire body well.
4. No alcohol-containing drinks 24 hours before surgery.
5. Nothing by mouth after midnight or 8 hours prior to surgery (unless instructed so by surgicenter).
   • EXCEPTION: prescription medications with a small sip of water.
6. Gather your 3 model nude photos if desired breast shape.

THE OPERATIVE DAY

1. Awake and take a shower and scrub the surgical area
2. Bring a list of any of your (written) questions and model bring model photos demonstrating your desires).
3. Place anti-nausea patch behind the ear (prevents nausea).
4. Take all necessary prescription medications with sips of water. Bring any inhalers with you to the Surgicenter.
5. If anxiety begins, may take 5 mg of Valium with a sip of water.
6. Remove all piercings, jewelry, “Bobbie pins” from hair and body.
7. No make-up and remove nail polish (intraoperative monitoring).
8. Button-down or zipper blouse/shirt, sweatpants or stretchable pants. A stretch surgical bra will be furnished for you.
9. Go over your lists with Plastic Surgeon and Anesthesia provider.
10. Reaffirm with surgicenter when your postoperative care provider should be at the surgicenter for postoperative education and instructions.
11. To prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) you will be given 5,000 units heparin injection, thromboembolic device (TED) hose, and sent home with a sequential compression device (before, during and after surgery).
12. I will meet with you just prior to surgery and we will:
    • verify the breast implant size and profile.
    • bring with you a pair of panties or bathing suit so we can plan to place the abdominal incision so it will be located and covered by your garments.
    • bring 3 nude model photos of your idealized breast shape so I can better understand your breast shape desires.
    • breasts will be marked utilizing standard breast landmarks. The type of mastopexy technique used will depend on your model photos.
13. A blood test measuring your blood values (hemoglobin and hematocrit) will be performed.
14. A urine pregnancy test will be performed.
15. Time for the “mommy makeover “and the new you!

POSTOPERATIVE CARE

Please see and click on our champion blog in the title:

MOMMY MAKEOVER RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY: WHAT TO EXPECT AND PLAN FOR

Before & After

HOW MUCH IS A MOMMY MAKEOVER?

The fees are based on the anesthesia used (local vs sedation or general anesthesia), the facility (minor surgical suite, outpatient operating room or hospital setting) and if combined with other procedures. All pre and post-operative care are included.  Some preoperative laboratory analysis may be required (usually covered by your medical insurance). Please see our blog on “Costs of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery”.

SUMMARY

The most important factor to consider is seeking the opinion and services of a skilled, experienced and Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who are experts in “Mommy Make-Over” techniques. The Imagine Plastic Surgery team uniquely provides the full array of both non-surgical and surgical alternatives to “Mommy Make-Overs”, thus filling our motto of “One Goal, Many Options”. For more information, call and schedule a consultation.