February 2025
The Mommy Makeover Diary:
Addressing Stretch Marks
Motherhood is one of lifeās greatest joys, but it also comes with unexpected changesāespecially to your body. You love your baby, but you might not recognize yourself when you look in the mirror. The smooth, taut skin on your belly has been replaced with stretch marks and loose skin that no amount of diet or exercise can fix. Your core feels weaker, your waistline is different, and despite your happiness, you may also feel a sense of loss for the body you once had. Youāre not aloneāmany women feel this way after pregnancy, and the good news is, there are options to help you feel confident in your skin again.
A Mommy Makeover is a comprehensive set of cosmetic procedures designed to restore your pre-pregnancy body, enhance confidence, and help you feel like yourself again.
Dr. Burns, a leading expert in plastic surgery, offers customized solutions to address post-pregnancy body concerns. One of the most common questions patients ask is whether a tummy tuck can effectively remove stretch marks. The answer depends on several factors, including the location and severity of the marks.
The Most Common Post-Pregnancy Body Concerns
Many women struggle with the physical effects of pregnancy. The most common concerns include:
1. Stretch Marks
Stretch marks occur when the skin stretches rapidly, causing tiny tears in the dermis. While they often fade over time, many women seek treatments to reduce their appearance. Their severity depends on genetics, skin type, and pregnancy-related weight gain. Stretch marks typically occur on the abdomen as the skin stretches with pregnancy but can also appear on the breasts, flanks, arms, and thighs.
2. Loose Abdominal Muscles (Rectus Diastasis)
Pregnancy can cause abdominal muscles to separate (rectus diastasis), leading to a protruding belly and weakened core strength. A tummy tuck can correct this by suturing the muscles back together, restoring a firmer and more toned midsection. In our Dallas plastic surgery practice, Dr. Burns performs a 3 vector plication to flatten the front of the abdomen while cinching in the oblique muscles to redefine the waistline
3. Excess Skin
After childbirth, many women experience sagging skin that doesnāt respond to exercise. A tummy tuck removes this excess skin, tightening the abdomen for a smoother appearance.
4. Loss of an Hourglass Shape
Pregnancy can widen the waist and alter body proportions. Our mommy makeover includes a corset tummy tuck and liposuction, which helps restore an hourglass figure.
5. Stubborn Fat Deposits
Hormonal changes can lead to fat accumulation in the waist, hips, and lower back. Liposuction is often used to sculpt these areas, making a womanās post-pregnancy body more contoured. In our practice, Dr. Burns often performs VASERĀ® high-definition liposuction for smoother results with skin-firming benefits.
How To Tell If You Need Lipo Or A Tummy Tuck
Understanding Tummy Tucks and Stretch Marks
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, tightens abdominal muscles, and improves overall contour. While a tummy tuck can significantly enhance the appearance of the abdomen, its ability to eliminate stretch marks depends on their location.
Stretch Marks Below The Belly Button
These are often removed during a tummy tuck surgery because this area of skin is typically excised.
Stretch Marks Above The Belly Button
These may not be completely removed, but the skin is repositioned, potentially making them less noticeable. In addition, the tighter skin improves the appearance of stretch marks.
Although a tummy tuck is not a dedicated stretch mark removal procedure, it can dramatically improve a womanās abdominal aesthetic by removing excess skin and creating a firmer, smoother midsection.
Getting A Beautiful Belly Button With Your Mommy Makeover
Our Comprehensive Treatment For
Stretch Marks
For women seeking additional improvements in the appearance of stretch marks, a combination approach may be best. Common treatments include:
Laser Therapy & Light-Based Treatments
Red or purple stretch marks respond well to IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or vascular laser therapy, which targets pigmentation.
White or older stretch marks benefit from microneedling or fractionated resurfacing lasers, which stimulate collagen production.
Surgical Removal
Our tummy tuck procedures can remove a significant portion of stretch marks located on the lower abdomen.
PRP Or Exosome Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or exosomes enhance the effects of laser and microneedling treatments by stimulating skin regeneration.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Consistent use of laser therapy, microneedling, and skincare products can provide gradual improvement over time.
What To Expect When You're Expecting A Mommy Makeover: Recovery Tips
Is a Mommy Makeover Right
For You?
If youāre struggling with post-pregnancy body changes and want to feel confident in your skin again, a Mommy Makeover could be a life-changing solution. With customized procedures tailored to your needs, Dr. Burns can help you achieve a more youthful, toned, and contoured body with fewer stretch marks.
A consultation with Dr. Burns can help determine the best approach to restoring your body and confidence. Whether youāre considering a tummy tuck, liposuction, or non-surgical treatments, the right combination of procedures can help you reclaim your pre-pregnancy shape and feel amazing in your own skin again.
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