Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Giving birth often results in body changes that may adversely affect the body image
of the new mother. Unlike decades ago, when women had to deal with post-partum
figure changes, today there are several exciting options in cosmetic surgery to help
you get back your pre-pregnancy body. For today's busy new mother anxious to be at
home with her baby, many plastic surgery procedures can be done on an outpatient
basis, which means less time away from the family.

Many new mothers worry that breastfeeding may alter the shape of their breasts. Milk
glands in the breasts swell and replace fatty tissue, and after childbirth, the milk
glands shrink causing the breasts to sag. Plastic surgery offers natural-looking
implants that give your breasts a youthful contour, and breast augmentation can be
done on an outpatient basis; stitches are typically absorbable in most instances.
A breast lift (mastopexy) can reduce breast sagging by removing excess skin. Using
local or general anesthesia, Dr. Placik will tighten the skin on the lower half of
the breasts, lifting and firming them.

Tummy tucks (abdominoplasty) are popular post-childbirth. Pregnancy can result in
laxity of the abdominal muscles causing an unsightly bulge as well as undesirable
collections of fatty tissue, and loose skin. This is made worse by stretch marks and
C-section scars which usually linger long after childbirth, so stomach tightening
procedures may be what you are looking for to remove the excess skin below your
navel.

Liposuction is the most commonly-requested cosmetic procedure after pregnancy. Many new mothers complain that they just cannot lose the fat in areas such as the thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. Your plastic surgeon can remove fat deposits that contribute to the flabbiness in those troublesome areas.

A labiaplasty can repair the damage done to the labia that often occurs during a
normal vaginal delivery. Your plastic surgeon may perform this procedure as
outpatient and will use either local or general anesthesia. Recovery only takes a
few days, typically.

There are many options available now to new mothers who want to regain or even
improve their pre-pregnancy figure. We will discuss these options with you, and
together we can decide which options are best for you.

To learn more about the cosmetic surgery options available to you after pregnancy,
please call or email the office of Chicago Plastic Surgeon Otto J. Placik, M.D.