Cosmetic Surgery: Promises and Pitfalls™

The "Mommy Makeover" - Reversing the Changes from Pregnancy in Dallas

PROMISES

A combination of surgical procedures that reverse the changes to the female body as a result of pregnancy. Since breasts and abdomen are usually effected by pregnancy, this surgery addresses both areas in the same surgery.
 

PITFALLS

  • A "cute" marketing term that packages surgical procedures
  • Using terms like "makeover" tends to trivialize a combination of major surgical procedures
  • While many women may be troubled by post-pregnancy changes to both breasts and abdomen, clever marketing may encourage correction of a deformity that was previously of little concern. In other words, a woman seeking a tummy tuck, although not particularly concerned about the appearance her breasts, may be influenced to have breast surgery just because it is part of "the package..."
  • Extensive combinations of surgical procedures may increase convalescence, risk, and, of course, expense.
     

OUR APPROACH:

  • We did not originate the term "Mommy Makeover" but we agree with the concept that deformities that are a result of pregnancy are inevitable and are often distressing. Patients should consider the previously mentioned pitfalls, but in reality surgery is usually the only means of reversing these changes. 
  • Modern surgical technique can safely and effectively reverse these problem areas.
  • The two most common of these postpartum deformities are:
    • Loss of breast volume and shape.
    • Fullness of the lower abdomen, often associated with an excess of skin, localized accumulation of fat, and stretch marks.
  • Therefore the most common combination of procedures characterized as "Mommy Makeover" here in Dallas are breast surgery and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).
  • Breast surgery (breast augmentation, breast lift, etc.) can be done in conjunction with an abdominoplasty. Of course doing these procedures in two sessions is also a reasonable approach. Each patient should be individualized in terms of number of procedures, extent of procedures, child care situation, and associated medical problems.
  • By adding the Progressive Tension Sutures (PTS) to our abdominoplasty, we are able to avoid the use of drains, permit patients to stand upright as soon as comfortable, thereby minimizing convalescence, making combined procedures easier on the patient. Further, the addition of these PTS sutures significantly reduces the complications of this surgery.
  • All surgery has its risks, expense, convalescence, etc. Even though elective, the decision to have surgery should be carefully considered.
  • No cosmetic surgical procedure is standardized - procedures vary from surgeon to surgeon.  Second opinions are both helpful and important when considering elective surgery.

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Offices of Drs. Harlan Pollock and Todd Pollock
8305 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 210
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 363-2575
1105 North Central Expressway, Suite 2310
Medical Offices 2, Allen, TX 75013
(214) 509-0270
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Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
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Presbyterian Hospital of Allen complex

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