Mommy Makeover Maryland

Have you been considering breast augmentation or tummy tuck surgery? Hundreds of thousands of American women undergo these procedures each year. A “Mommy Makeover” often includes both procedures to help a mother restore the fit, firm look of a pre-pregnancy body.

If you are seeking a plastic surgeon in Maryland, you won’t find anyone more qualified to help you achieve your aesthetic goals than Dr. Brent Birely. A board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses upon cosmetic and aesthetic procedures, he brings decades of experience and the eye of an artist to his work.

What Does Breast Augmentation Involve?

Women who want to improve the size and fullness of their breasts, or to address concerns about their shape, can accomplish these changes through breast augmentation surgery. In this procedure, saline or silicone implants are surgically placed in the breast, either under or over muscle.

Options regarding the choice of implant and the method of placement make it possible for you to bring about virtually any change that you desire. A consultation with Dr. Birely will give you an opportunity to explain exactly what you’re hoping to achieve and enable him to outline your options, including providing visual examples of past cases that can help you see what is possible.

Who Chooses Breast Augmentation?

Concerns about breast size or shape can have a significant impact on a woman’s self-confidence, even causing her to feel that it is almost impossible to feel truly “feminine.” In some cases, this is a consequence of how breasts have developed; in others, it may be a reflection of changes that have developed over time.

You may decide to choose this procedure for a variety of reasons, including:

You believe that your breasts are too small.
Your breasts are sufficiently asymmetrical for you to feel uncomfortable and introverted regarding their appearance.
You are unhappy with the way that your breasts have changed as a consequence of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
You have achieved a weight loss milestone only to find that it caused your breasts to shrink along with your waist.
You don’t like the way your breasts have changed as you have aged and you’d like to restore their youthful appearance.

How Old Do I Have to be to Receive Implants?

There are age requirements for this procedure, wet by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They vary according to the type of implant:

You must be at least 18 years old to receive a saline implant.
You must be at least 22 years old to receive a silicone implant.

What Can I Expect During Recovery?

Breast augmentation is a surgery, and you will have a recovery period following your procedure. Each individual will have a slightly different experience, as is the case for any surgery. Here are some general guidelines:

You will experience some degree of pain, bruising, and swelling for two or three days after your surgery.
Following your surgery, you can expect to be away from work for about a week.
You will be asked to avoid strenuous activity for the first week.
You should not lift, push or pull heavy objects for two weeks.
You will be able to resume light exercise after a month.
You should be able to resume your regular activities after about six weeks.

Dr. Birely will monitor your progress and can provide specific instructions based on how you are healing, your general health and your particular exercise habits, the demands of your work or family life, etc.

Can I Expect to Breastfeed After Implants?

It is possible that you will be able to breastfeed after breast augmentation surgery, though it may be more difficult than it would have been otherwise. It’s possible that the specific nature of your procedure could affect your ability to produce milk.

The only way to get your questions on this subject fully answered is through a consultation with Dr. Birely.

Once he has examined you and has a full understanding of what you hope to achieve, you can discuss surgical options and what they might mean in regard to future breastfeeding. He will be able to draw upon his experience with thousands of cases.

You may want to consider postponing your surgery if you intend to become pregnant to avoid any breastfeeding issues. This has the additional advantage of enabling you to be sure that you retain the results from your procedure.

Why Choose a Tummy Tuck?

Sometimes, excess fat and skin in the abdomen won’t go away no matter how hard you work to do something about them. This isn’t necessarily your fault, and if a toned and smooth appearance is important to you a tummy tuck may be the right choice.

A tummy tuck can help resolve a number of issues:

Stretched and saggy skin resulting from one or more pregnancies
Bulging or unwanted contours in the abdominal area that don’t resolve even after strict attention to diet and exercise
Stretched and saggy skin that has developed after you gained a significant amount of weight and were then able to successfully lose it.

What is the Tummy Tuck Procedure?

The basic objective for a tummy tuck is to remove excess skin and tighten muscle. The procedure can vary somewhat depending on what is being addressed.

A tummy tuck can range from “mini” to “extended,” depending on whether you are addressing a “pooch belly” below the belly button or areas above and below the belly button.

In every case, the surgeon will make an incision above the pubic bone as a first step. An additional incision may be needed around the navel in some cases. The length of the incision will vary according to the size of the area being treated.

Is a Tummy Tuck What I Need?

A tummy tuck is not an answer to every problem, and it is definitely not a substitute for a healthy diet or regular exercise. If you can achieve your ideal appearance through less-invasive means, that is advisable.

You may not be able to retain the results of your surgery if you plan to become pregnant afterward, or if you gain a significant amount of weight. Before making your decision, you should consider such factors and have a frank discussion with Dr. Birely.

What's Recovery Like?

For a week or so following your surgery, you will feel sore. Within two to four weeks, you should be able to return to work.

You’ll be able to return to work more quickly If you have a desk job. You’ll have to wait longer If your work involves strenuous physical activity, lifting, etc. Dr. Birely will advise you based on his understanding of your lifestyle and your progress during the recovery period.

Why Dr. Birely?

Whether it’s a matter of a musical performance or a design for a building, it’s always possible to recognize the work of a true artist. You deserve a partnership with a cosmetic surgeon who has these qualities.

Dr. Birely has performed more than 5,000 procedures during more than 20 years in practice. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon, a specialist with a deep understanding of muscle, skin, and tissue structure. He is the partner you need to achieve the beautiful outcome you desire, and to bring you to that result with compassion and kindness.

Learn About Dr. Birely