After research and consultation, you have decided to have a “Mommy Makeover” with the meticulous expertise of Dr. Christine Rodgers and her staff. A Mommy Makeover typically involves some or all of the following: surgically correcting and enhancing breasts, tightening and repairing torn abdominal muscles, contouring the body with liposuction, and applying DiVa lasering to vaginal tissues for rejuvenation.
Knowing that Dr. Rodgers and her staff will all do their part to provide you with the utmost of care in order to have a successful result and a beautiful new you, you will want to do your part to make the entire process as smooth and successful as possible.
I interviewed Katie McCarty, one of Dr. Rodgers’ Physician’s Assistants, who has very closely worked Dr. Rodgers for several years. I learned what she recommends patients can do for the best possible outcome, before and after their Mommy Makeover. Dr. Rodgers is all about patient and staff education. Excellent information is a part of the extensive patient education that is continuously given before and after surgery. This article is written to help Mommy Makeover ladies prepare for surgery, and to provide information for those women in the process of making the decision to have a Mommy Makeover.
Here are Katie’s key recommendations to best prepare for a Mommy Makeover:
Physically:
- Determine, establish and maintain your proper weight; according to body type and height, before and after the surgery. Liposuction will be done for excellent contouring and the best liposuction results are achieved by those women who are at their proper weight and fitness level. Make this a part of your lifestyle.
- Smoking cessation. Stop smoking now. This is very important. Nicotine from cigarette smoke or vapor causes constriction of the blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to newly reconstructed surgical sites. Proper healing can be greatly affected. Some patients have even reported being able to quit completely for the rest of their lives after quitting prior to surgery. Make it happen for you and for everyone who loves you. Do it now.
- Eliminate medicines that affect bleeding for two weeks prior to surgery. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like aspirin, ibuprofen and more, increase bleeding and thus bruising. Other drugs that affect bleeding and clotting include fish oil, estrogen and more. Dr. Rodgers will provide individual information about what medicines you will need to stop taking prior to surgery; usually one to two weeks, and after surgery. Be sure to tell the staff about all of the medicines taken, including herbs, supplements and vitamins.
- Hydrate well in the days prior to and after surgery. A good rule to follow is to divide the number of pounds you weigh in half, and drink one ounce per pound every day. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, half of that weight is 70, so you will need to drink 70 ounces of water each day.
- Lymphatic massage is a great help before and especially after surgery to assist the body’s tissues to maintain even tone, balanced hydration and movement. A good massage therapist can be very helpful before and after surgery. We specifically recommend “Soultice” massage therapists for care before and after surgery to aid in healing, recovery time, and to reduce swelling.
- Scar management. Dr. Rodgers’ staff will assist in providing the best products to help minimize scarring after surgery. One product, “Embrace” is an amazing silicone film dressing that is applied directly to the incisional site. The way it helps an incision to heal is revolutionary. By “off-loading” or balancing tension on the incision site, the depth and breadth of the scar is minimized. Lasering can also be provided by Dr. Rodgers’ many certified staff members to help lighten dark or red scars.
Home Environment:
- Prepare your home for comfort. Be sure to have extra pillows, a reading wedge and/or a soft chair available to enhance comfort after surgery. For example, one patient bought a used recliner on Craig’s List that provided her with great comfort and sleep after surgery. She said it was a great decision! Of course, you need not buy new furniture, but finding a suitable, comfortable spot to rest after surgery is very important.
- Garments. You will need to have some compression garments similar to “Spanx” after surgery for enhanced healing and comfort.
Emotionally:
- Prepare yourself emotionally. The team at Dr. Rodgers’ office is ready, willing and able to listen and give support to each patient throughout the process. Some patients experience a few ups and downs after surgery. Many times, women who are the greatest care givers find it difficult to accept the care of others. Also, many of Dr. Rodgers’ patients who are quite active struggle with being sedentary after surgery. Consider ways to fill your down time with something you enjoy. Reading, watching movies, taking short walks outside, and/or visiting with friends can be very helpful. Be sure to enlist a few close friends and confidants to check in from time to time while you are in the process of healing. And remember, it won’t last long.
- Check in with the staff at Dr. Rodgers’ office. Each and every staff member on the team is so very tuned into helping each and every patient with all aspects of care. They are your greatest cheerleaders and will be there for you. Talk to them!
- Log in to “Real Self.” The “Real Self” website is an excellent way to confidentially connect with others across the nation who are having a similar procedure done. It is a wonderful way to share stories and tips as well as celebrate wonderful results.
- Plan to have helpers. After surgery, you will have restrictions on how much weight you will be allowed to lift, push and pull for about five weeks. It is very helpful to have child care, someone to help with daily activities, meal preparation or whatever is necessary for you to concentrate on healthy healing. Let your helpers help you!
- Celebrate you. Many times, women feel guilty for wanting to enhance their bodies with plastic surgery. Don’t go there! Consider this. As a parent, if your child needed braces for a bad bite or crooked teeth, you would not hesitate to enlist an orthodontist to give them a beautiful smile. You only have one body and one life. Go ahead and do this for yourself. Then, give yourself a pat on your back for taking charge of your body and making it the way you want it to be. Celebrate the beautiful results. You will never look back.
This list, while quite extensive, is not all inclusive. Dr. Rodgers is very committed to providing the latest and greatest education and information to each of her patients in order to enhance the best surgical results. She and her staff are continually trained, educated, certified, and regularly attend conferences to keep updated on the most recent advances in plastic surgery and aesthetics. Please do not hesitate to get all of your questions answered at any time. You will be given the utmost of care, and will be very pleased with your decision to have Dr. Christine Rodgers and her staff provide you with the best Mommy Makeover.
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