The name makes it clear that a Mommy Makeover is especially for women who have had children. Its name provides no clue, however, whether it can be done before you are done having children. Ideally, a Mommy Makeover should be performed after you are done having children—but some women don’t want to wait or are not sure if they will have more kids. Let’s examine the issues.

What Is a Mommy Makeover?

First, it is important to understand just what a Mommy Makeover is and what it can accomplish. A Mommy Makeover in San Diego is a combination of breast and body plastic surgery procedures performed at the same time. Its goal is to treat the two areas most affected by pregnancy: your breasts and abdomen.

Pregnancy causes many women’s abdominal muscles to become lax—leaving some women looking like they are still pregnant long after childbirth. Exercise and diet can take off weight, but can’t tighten abdominal muscles separated by pregnancy. A tummy tuck solves the issue by surgically bringing loose underlying muscles together. This procedure fundamentally tightens and slims your belly. Unwanted fat deposits that are above muscle can be removed with liposuction, which permanently removes fat cells from treated areas.

If your breasts have lost volume or begun to sag, a Mommy Makeover can include lifting and enhancing your breasts. Some women wish to just return their breasts’ pre-pregnancy size and shape. If you’d like to be curvier than ever, you can choose breast implants that will make your breasts larger than they were before. Whether you choose a breast lift or a breast lift with augmentation, it is performed at the same time as your other Mommy Makeover procedures.

The exact procedures that are right for you (abdominoplasty, breast implants, breast lift, liposuction, or a combination) can only be determined during a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, such as the Real Plastic Surgeons™ at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre.

Are Future Pregnancies an Issue?

Sometimes, young mothers find that pregnancy has changed their bodies to a shocking degree. They may not be done having children, but want to be able to wear the pre-pregnancy swimsuits and clothing stashed in their closets. Can they opt for a Mommy Makeover and still have more children?

Physically, most women can still bear children after a Mommy Makeover. The procedures don’t affect a woman’s ability to conceive. Breast augmentation rarely affects a woman’s milk ducts.

There is, however, one big drawback—a future pregnancy will reverse some effects of a Mommy Makeover. This is particularly true for the tummy-tightening procedures. Patients who have a tendency to put on substantial weight during pregnancy or happen to carry twins will be even more affected.

Our Recommendation

Although you can still bear children after a Mommy Makeover procedure, you may want to wait on any tummy-tightening procedures until you know that you are finished having children. Women who want more kids may still choose breast implants and liposuction to improve their curves, while saving the tummy tuck for later. Of course, another procedure to touch up a previous lipo can be done later.

Contact us for a personal consultation to discuss your options. Make sure to tell the surgeon about any family plans you have, and we will help you look better now without limiting your future.

But if you ask LJCSC patient Bette what she recommends, she’ll tell you: “Don’t walk—run … and get it done!”

Initially, Bette wasn’t sure it was time to have surgery. She still had personal weight loss goals, and she was worried she might have to lose the weight before having a neck lift. She decided to come in for a complimentary personal consultation with Dr. Michael Roark about the sagging skin on her neck.

“Once I met Dr. Roark, I just never considered using anyone else. He was never judgmental. He removed all the hanging skin.” Bette was thrilled with the results of her neck lift surgery.

After her first successful surgery and subsequent weight loss, Bette returned to Dr. Roark about a face lift and tummy tuck. She had great confidence in coming to LJCSC for additional procedures, based on Dr. Roark’s proven skill, the top-notch care supplied by the staff, and her husband’s ultimate trust in the facility.

Bette knew Dr. Roark would share her vision, and equally important, her husband would approve. Having the support of her husband was critical.

“Dr. Roark is one of the most caring and kindest doctors I have ever known. My husband thinks the world of him and I would never have allowed him to alter my looks without his trust in him.”

Bette’s hard work and the expertise of Dr. Roark have made the whole experience positive. Bette reflects on one particular follow-up visit to LJCSC and the encouragement she received from the staff, “After my tummy tuck, I came in with a size 5 jeans and the staff was so complimentary. I never felt it was forced. They make me feel so good! Dr. Roark is my hero!” She’s truly enjoying her weight loss achievements and new image.

Bette’s story is truly moving and reminds us all that courage, determination, and a great support system are the keys to a successful plastic surgery experience.

Thank you, Bette, for your inspirational story and advice!

Wedding Bells Inspire Action

Every bride dreams of a perfect day, yet Kim found herself anxious about how she would look in the strapless wedding dress she wanted. But it wasn’t just about one big day or one beautiful dress—Kim had always felt self-conscious about her small breasts and hid them under loose clothing whenever possible.

Setting the wedding date gave her that final incentive. With her fiancé’s support, Kim explored her options for breast augmentation. “The test drive program at LJCSC, where you actually try on implants with a T-shirt and then take pictures, helped me more than I can say.” She also credited her doctor’s honesty with helping her keep her expectations realistic.

Kim loves how she looked in her wedding photos. Now expecting a baby, she says her only regret was that she waited so long to have her breast augmentation done.

Active Mom Celebrates 50

It’s a common problem these days to feel younger than your body looks. Susan, a single mom who runs her own business, promised herself a few personal perks when she reached fifty. True to her focused personality, she did her research and decided on breast augmentation and a facelift. “I’m just the type of person who likes to know how things work.” What impressed her most about La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre was that “everyone in the office was always so friendly, upbeat, and accommodating.”

Susan feels like her investment continues to pay real dividends. In addition to feeling great about herself, she shared this nugget: “When people hear I’ve had work done, they always confide to me that they too would like to change something on themselves. I have given so many referrals to my women friends.”

Reconstructing Confidence

Not everyone decides to get breast augmentation in San Diego because they lack confidence. Carla said that she never really lacked confidence in herself. The mother of five grown children, she never considered plastic surgery. Then, after a cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment, she had to undergo a lumpectomy on one of her breasts.

That life-changing event left her feeling a bit lopsided. “Luckily, the lesion was benign,” she said, “but because they took so much breast tissue, I could never get clothes to fit right.” That made her change the way she felt about herself. She found her surgeon at LJCSC and had a breast lift with augmentation. Now Carla has regained her self-confidence: “I finally feel comfortable in my own skin.”

Perking Up the Girls

Brittini didn’t opt for San Diego breast enhancement because she wanted to increase her breast size. Her breasts were already big enough. Her problem was that they matured too early. “By the time I was in my early twenties, my breasts had already changed shape.” Instead of enjoying the prime years of her youth, she was worrying about sagging breasts.

Still, she didn’t jump into surgery. She explored all her options before deciding. The sizing session at LJCSC finally sold her. Seeing the before and after photos (with and without the sizing implants) convinced her of the difference breast augmentation could make. Brittini went ahead with the surgery and loves her new look. She is pleased to have the youthfully feminine shape she always wanted.

Read more stories from other real breast augmentation patients.

Do you love facial fillers, but hate the pain? We have good news! Gone are the sharp-tipped needles that can hurt and puncture blood vessels. We now use a new blunt-tipped device to inject Juvéderm®, Perlane®, Restylane®, Radiesse®, and Artefill® and help you restore volume in your face.

Until recently, needles with sharp tips were the only way to deliver injectable fillers. The sharp tips can scratch and puncture blood vessels, causing pain as tissues are penetrated. It also limits the injector’s control, which can cause irregular placement of the filler. The blunt-tipped device (called a cannula) avoids most or all of these issues.

What is a blunt-tipped cannula?

It is a very fine, hollow metal tube, very much like a needle, except that it is rounded at the tip. Another plus is that the hole for injection is on the side of the tip as opposed to being at the very end. Instead of cutting through the tissues like a sharp needle can, the cannula slides easily between your tissues, allowing us to deposit the filler at just the right place. In addition, most patients are comfortable with only a minimal amount of local anesthetic at the injection sites, as opposed to the wider anesthetic blocks previously used.

What are the benefits of blunt-tipped devices?

• Less bruising, swelling, and pain
• Less risk of injecting the filler into blood vessels, causing a disruption in blood flow
• Increased comfort because the cannula is smooth and blunt
• Increased accuracy in placement of the filler because we have much more control over the depth and location of the injection
• Ultimately, much better results with less irregularity and lumpiness than results from needles

While injecting dermal fillers in San Diego with blunt-tipped cannulas is very straightforward and safe in the right hands, it is still a very new technique. Not every injector is familiar with it, and there is a real learning curve. When using this technique, your doctor needs a very good working knowledge of the detailed anatomy of the entire face and its structures, not just of the skin and its surface contours.

At LJCSC, we believe you should have your fillers injected by a properly trained and board certified physician. This is especially true in the use of blunt-tipped cannulas. Make sure your San Diego plastic surgeon has advanced training for this device.

When properly administered, inserting injectables with a blunt-tipped cannula can make your experience pleasant and comfortable. You can benefit from much greater safety and accuracy while delivering many months or years of excellent results, depending upon the type of filler you are using. To find out more about this exciting new development, contact us online or call us at 858-452-1981.

Most new moms in San Diego want to get their pre-baby bodies back. It can be done, but it requires some effort. Diet and exercise are the first steps to get your body back in shape.

Before you start a diet, though, check with your doctor to make sure you’re ready. Going on an extreme diet can be detrimental to your health. If you’re breastfeeding, ask your doctor about a healthy diet to ensure that both you and your baby get what you need.

While you may be tempted to skip meals to get back your pre-pregnancy curves, resist the urge. Eating healthy foods at regular intervals gives you the energy you need to care for yourself and your little one, and it also keeps your metabolism up. Eat several small meals every day, focusing on healthy fruits, vegetables, and grains. Pack an apple or a pouch of mixed nuts in the diaper bag to stave off hunger on the go; frequent trips to the drive-through won’t help your belly get back in shape.

Like dieting, get your doctor’s clearance before you start a post-pregnancy exercise program. Exercising too soon can cause pain and discomfort, especially if you had a C-section or complications. However, if you exercised during your pregnancy and had an uncomplicated vaginal birth, you may be able to start a moderate exercise program just days after you deliver.

Exercise doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym. Strap your baby into a sling or stroller and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Follow a moderate exercise routine on DVD in your living room while your baby is napping. If you’d rather exercise in the company of other moms, look for mommy-and-me yoga or aerobics classes—some even incorporate your new baby into the workout. Another option is finding a group of moms who stroll around Murray Lake, Mission Bay, “OB” (Ocean Beach), or even Fashion Valley Mall. The results won’t be instant, but the pounds will eventually melt away, and you’ll start to see your old shape return.

Getting back into shape after your pregnancy is easier for some moms than for others. If you’ve had other children, you may find it difficult to lose that stubborn baby “pooch,” as well as the extra pounds you’ve gained. San Diego liposuction or even a “mommy makeover” may be the answer.

Liposuction surgically removes pockets of stubborn fat, giving your belly, hips, or thighs a smoother, flatter appearance. Liposuction can address specific areas of your body from your ankles to your neck. Just remember that liposuction is not a weight-loss technique; it refines a body already in good shape.

If your skin has lost its elasticity, liposuction may not be right for you. A tummy tuck in San Diego can remove excess fat and skin in your midsection while tightening the underlying muscles. This surgical procedure leaves a scar below your navel (inside your panty line), but moms appreciate the slimmer figure the procedure gives back to them.

Of course, your abdomen isn’t the only thing affected by pregnancy. Your breasts may have lost their shape and mass, and they may hang lower on your chest than they did before. A mommy makeover combines a breast lift with a tummy tuck. A mommy makeover at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre may also include liposuction and breast augmentation, if necessary. These surgeries require some recovery time, but the result is a more confident you—and that’s good for both mom and baby.

There was a time when BOTOX® Cosmetic was the only botulinum toxin product, but no longer. BOTOX® came on the market in the 1980s. Since then, it has been injected into literally millions of patients. Over time, we have come to use the name “Botox” to refer to any botulinum toxin treatment, much like we speak of “Kleenex” for facial tissues or “Xerox” for copies.

Now two comparable products are available in the United States for the treatment of facial wrinkles: Dysport® and the newest product release Xeomin®. All three products are not dermal fillers, like Juvéderm® or Restylane®. They are neurotoxins.

What is a neurotoxin and what does it do?

Basically, botulinum toxin is a purified protein formed by the bacteria Claustridium botulinum. Because they are highly purified, these products do not cause botulism. They are completely safe when used properly. What they do is weaken the muscles into which they are injected. Usually, the target muscles are overactive, causing undesired creases and folds in the skin. Injecting the toxins weakens the muscles, which decreases the creases and folds, thus improving the cosmetic appearance.

How are the products different?

During the manufacturing process, each company uses slightly different methods to purify the toxins. This creates chemical differences that are thought to cause minor differences in the way each product functions. In its natural form, the active part of the toxin molecule is surrounded by a number of proteins. The different manufacturing processes strip none, some, or all of these proteins from the molecule. The active part of the molecule, however, is still the same, regardless of manufacturing process.

This list shows how the three botulinum toxin products differ:

• BOTOX®—All of the proteins are still attached.
• Dysport®—Some of the proteins remain attached.
• Xeomin®—All of the proteins have been stripped away.

What do you need to consider?

Here are some questions to ask your San Diego plastic surgeon or dermatologist to help you determine which product is best for you:

• How quickly does the product begin to work?
• How intensely does the product cause muscle weakness for a given dose?
• How long do the effects last?

At La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, we are still evaluating the detailed comparisons between these products. Right now, there is no clear choice that works best for all people. Some people respond better to BOTOX®, while others prefer Dysport® or Xeomin®. It is possible that stripping the proteins away from the molecule—making it more “naked,” so to speak—may make it spread a little better through the tissues to provide a more even result, but then again, it may make it wear off sooner too.

Ultimately, we may find that one of the toxins works better on one part of the face while another works better on different area of the face. At the moment, though, it appears as though the differences between the products are very small. We expect most people will notice a similar onset, similar effects, and a similar duration.

The good news is that we can now choose between several neurotoxin products to weaken unwanted muscle contraction and decrease facial wrinkles. If one product doesn’t seem to work as well as you would like, we now have the option to try something else. For more information or to schedule a personal consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for this procedure, contact us.

“Fracking” has become a common term related to oil drilling. Fracking, short for “fracturing,” occurs when a fluid (often water) is pumped under high pressure into the ground to break up or fracture the layers of rock that have trapped oil in the ground. Fracking makes it easier to pump the oil from the well.

Fracking doesn’t just apply to oil drilling anymore. Plastic surgeons have taken a lesson from the oil industry to come up with an even better way to extract the fat from beneath your skin during a liposuction procedure. When it comes to San Diego liposuction, “Fat Fracking™” is the new way to go!

It’s been a while since we’ve had a meaningful advance in liposuction techniques. The last great advance was the “tumescent technique,” in which surgeons inject fluid beneath the skin to mobilize the fat before removing it. It also decreased the blood loss that caused bruising and swelling, although not as much as we’d like. Tumescent liposuction also didn’t have much impact on the contour irregularities associated with liposuction.

Enter Fat Fracking™. With this technique, we still inject the fluid beneath the skin, but before we remove the fat by suction, we first insert a special device which helps us safely break up, or fracture, the fat. Then, when we begin to remove the fat, the fractured fat is more easily removed. This means there is much less injury to blood vessels and other tissues, resulting in less bleeding, bruising, and swelling. It enables us to remove fat more accurately while allowing us to achieve smoother contours and a better shape.

Another significant advantage of the Fat Fracking™ technique is that it directly compares to other available technologies for breaking up fat during liposuction. Various laser assisted technologies—such as SmartLipo, Cool Lipo, Lipo Zap, and Slim Lipo—and ultrasonic liposuctions technologies—such as VASER and UAL—all work along the same lines: break up the fat beneath the skin first. Then apply the suction to the tissue and remove the unwanted fat.

The problem with these other technologies is that most have a downside. Almost all of them require specialized equipment that often adds to the price. Most work by generating heat that breaks up the fat in the tissues, which can cause severe burns. I have seen several instances where these burns resulted in permanent disfigurement. Fat Fracking™ averts this danger because no heat is generated, and only the standard liposuction equipment is necessary. Fat Fracking™ can produce the same results without the added risks and costs.

Liposuction has undergone a number of changes and improvements since its introduction in the 1970s. Fat Fracking™ is simply the latest. But who could have guessed that the oil industry would provide the next great advance in the safe removal of fat? To learn more, contact us to schedule a consultation.

Mary’s story is about losing weight to regain her self-confidence. As a nurse, Mary knew the significant health benefits of losing weight, but, as she said, “It’s a very long, hard road to lose over a hundred pounds, especially the old-fashioned way.”

Instead of having bariatric surgery, which reduces the size of the stomach, Mary chose dieting and exercise. It worked. After reaching her goal, she recalled, “I consider my amazing transformation as a kind of metamorphosis. I felt like a butterfly being released into the world for the first time.”

Even butterflies, though, may need a little help from their friends. After some thoughtful consideration and an encouraging referral from a friend, Mary came to LJCSC to meet with Dr. Joseph Grzeskiewicz (or as patients and staff fondly call him, “Dr. G”) to further enhance her newly changed figure.

“Right away, I felt I would be in good hands—literally. That speaks volumes. As a nurse, I was particularly selective in who I would choose.” Mary had done her research and developed a list of specific requirements that the practice and surgeon she chose had to have. To ensure that she’d have a safe and enjoyable surgical experience, she looked for these key points:

• Board certified plastic surgeons (not other specialties)
• Board certified anesthesiologists
• Capable and caring staff
• Accredited operating facility

LJCSC and Dr. G not only satisfied her requirements, but left her with no doubt that this was the perfect practice and doctor for her. She had a breast lift and abdominal procedures at LJCSC. Mary credits Dr. G and his “warm and supportive” staff for helping her enrich her life brighter, both socially and professionally.

All of us at LJCSC are so happy to have been part of this blossoming butterfly’s transformation to her new self. Mary said, “I would say these procedures have made a world of difference in my body image and self-confidence. I hold my head higher and make eye contact.” While we appreciate the accolades, it’s Mary’s incredible accomplishments that we salute. Congratulations, Mary!

Life can take a toll on your breasts. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight gain or loss, and aging can cause your breasts to change and your skin to stretch. One day, you notice that your breasts aren’t where or what they used to be.

The San Diego climate allows you to spend much of the year in clothing designed to show off your figure. Unfortunately, if you have sagging breasts, it can be disheartening to be forced to give up skin-baring tops. And it goes beyond clothes in public. Many women wear a bra to bed to avoid having their husbands or partners see their breasts. Sexy, huh? Many Southern California women choose breast lift surgery to enhance their figures and boost their self-esteem, but also to just not have to think about it all the time.

If you’re considering a breast lift (mastopexy), you may wonder how much change you’ll really see. It really depends on your goals. Do you only want your breasts to be lifted or do you also want them augmented as well? If, prior to your breast lift surgery, you’ve been wearing a bra that supports and lifts your breasts, people might not even realize that you’ve had a lift—it can be a subtle change. If you’ve chosen augmentation, too, then the change may be more visible. The biggest difference you will notice is that when you face the mirror, you can feel good about yourself again.

Breast Lift Procedure Details

San Diego breast lift surgery does just what the name implies: it lifts your breasts so that they sit higher on your chest. During the procedure, excess skin is removed, lifting your breasts to give them a perkier, more youthful appearance.

Because an incision has to be made to remove the excess skin, you will have a permanent scar. The location of your incisions will determine the extent of your scars—but with time and proper care, they will fade and become far less noticeable.

There are several different incision options:

• The Donut Lift (Cirumareolar Skin Excision): This breast lift is performed by removing skin in a circle around your areola. Use of this technique is usually driven by the patient’s desire to minimize scaring. This technique limits the amount of skin that can be removed. It also tends to flatten the breast. Often, women are disappointed with the results and end up returning for a traditional mastopexy.
• The Lollipop Lift (Vertical Mastopexy): In this technique, the incision around your areola is extended with a straight line to the bottom of your breast, where it meets your chest wall. This technique enables your surgeon to remove more skin and create a more attractive breast shape.
• The Anchor Lift: The incision for this breast lift begins with the Lollipop incision, but adds incisions at the base of your breast, along the natural fold. The Anchor Lift enables the most skin to be removed. The use of this technique is driven by your anatomy.

All the incision points are around the nipple area or below, so rest assured that they will not show when you are dressed.

Some women have a lot of resistance to the incisions and scars that are necessary to optimally lift their breasts. Most scars turn white and are far less visible than expected, but it takes 12–18 months. Most surgeons show you photos taken within the first six months after surgery, when the scars are in the most visible stage. You can impact the visibility of your scars by following your surgeon’s post-op instructions to help your breasts heal properly and to lessen scarring.

Immediate Results

Right after your San Diego mastopexy, your breasts will be swollen. That’s normal. You need four to six months for your breasts to settle into their new position, but the results are long-lasting. You can help maintain your breast lift results with a healthy lifestyle and by avoiding weight fluctuations. It is also important to follow instructions about the right type of bra to use during this period.

The most noticeable effect of your breast lift surgery is a change in your self-confidence. Your newly lifted breasts can make you feel more secure about your looks. It’s not just about enjoying your body again and being happy with what you see in the mirror. Shopping for clothes will suddenly be fun again as more clothing styles flatter your new figure.

San Diego breast lift surgery can improve the look of your breasts while enhancing your quality of life. If you are curious about how a breast lift can help you, visit our before and after photo gallery.

Dr. Saltz,

You’ve changed my life!

Thank you so much for all the beautiful work you’ve done on me. I have a lot of friends who have had body contouring—but none have achieved the same results. I can’t believe I’ve gone from a size 29–30 to a size 25. Not only do I look better than I have looked ever in my life, but also I feel good and more confident than ever.

A special thanks for everything from me and of course, my hubby!

Thanks
– Actual Patient