Mommy makeovers are for taking care of you By A.K. Bhattacharya, M.D., FACS Women are typically excellent caretakers for others.When it comes to focusing on their own well-being, today's women are telling themselves that they, too, are worth it. Many women are giving birth later, and returning to the professional workforce sooner.Women who want to regain their pre-pregnancy figures are opting for plastic surgery to help achieve that goal, with the "mommy makeover." There's no doubt about it: pregnancy and childbirth put stress on a woman's body. During pregnancy, the baby grows and forces the uterus against the inside of the muscle wall of the abdomen, those two vertical muscles (the rectus abdominis), the so-called "six pack muscles" that get stretched apart and elongate, resulting in a bulge of the lower tummy that cannot be fixed with diet and exercise alone. In addition, the breasts tend to grow during pregnancy and breast feeding.After that, breasts typically reduce down often to a size smaller than before pregnancy, leaving stretch marks and sagging skin.Repeated pregnancies can multiply the damage. What is a "mommy makeover?" A "mommy makeover" employs plastic surgery to correct the most visible, unwanted effects of childbirth, breastfeeding and childrearing including a loose abdomen, flattened breasts, sagging muscle tone, even a tired face. In the past, this was all considered an inevitable result of motherhood, but no more.Today the "mommy makeover" can offer a renewed post-childbirth figure to enhance a woman's overall appearance and confidence in her appearance. A"mommy makeover" is tailored to meet the needs of each patient, to offer what she needs to look and feel her best. Women can choose both surgical and non-surgical treatments to renew specific body areas, as well as the degree of focus on those areas.The "mommy makeover" can combine breast enhancement, body contouring, tummy tuck, face-lift and more,often more than one procedure at a time, along with non-surgical treatments like Botox to manage the tiny lines and wrinkles around the eyes and on the forehead,or IPL Laser Facial Rejuvenation for a complete complexion boost. For an even deeper skin renewal, eyelid surgery or face-lift can remove sagging and bags around the eyes and in facial areas.Breast lifts are often combined with breast augmentation not to enlarge the breasts,but to return them to a more natural shape.Today's implants look and feel more like natural breast tissue, and keep with the proportions of a woman's body, rather than increasing the breast size. Who is a good candidate for a "mommy makeover?" Women who maintain a good level of health and fitness, and have realistic goals for their plastic surgeries are very good candidates for "mommy makeover" body contouring plastic surgery.While it may not be possible to have exactly the body you had before giving birth, women who want to look as good in their bathing suits now as they did before they had children can — by safely combining tummy tuck, thigh liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift and even facial procedures, under the care of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Since a "mommy makeover" is personalized for each patient, you and your board-certified plastic surgeon should first consult to thoroughly understand the look you want; then let your plastic surgeon recommend how to achieve those results in the best and safest possible way. Women baby boomers also choose "mommy makeovers" As baby boomers age, the new middle age is now set at 60. Statistics show that an increasing number of women age 40+ are opting for surgical enhancements. Of course,we all continue to age.The desire is to continue to look and feel your best at every age is highly achievable. And today's women have the best options for combining plastic surgery and non-surgical cosmetic treatments to make aging graceful and beautiful at every stage of life. Dr.A.K. Bhattacharya is a double board-certified plastic surgeon in practice at Plastic Surgery Plus of Freehold; chief of Plastic Surgery at CentraState Medical Center; and newly appointed medical spokesperson for the American Cancer Society Jersey Shore Chapter. Contact him at www.plasticsurgeryplus.net or 732- 683-1033.