Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover

Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover pertains to any combination of non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed from head to toe. As the name suggests, it is done to give the patient –particularly moms – a whole body makeover. For the head and face, there is Botox, dermal fillers, and other non-surgical skin tightening treatments such as Ultherapy, which is very popular nowadays. Then for the body there is Thermage and Coolsculpting. Thermage is a skin-tightening procedure, while CoolSculpting involves freezing and subsequent removal of excess fat. There are multiple other procedures that can be considered for a Mommy Makeover that will also be discussed in this article.

ANALYSIS

As previously mentioned, there are various techniques and devices that can be used to perform a Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover. Which ones will be the most effective depends on what the patient’s needs are or what her goals are. But basically, it is all about trying to improve whatever bothers the patient. For instance, if it is their face, Botox is probably the most effective solution. It is actually one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the world simply because it works. It relaxes the facial muscles, thereby getting rid of wrinkles. It can be also be used for many other things such as sweating.  Fillers such as Juvederm, Voluma, Restylane and Sculptra give volume and fullness back to the face and also fills in lines, wrinkles, and folds.   On the other hand, if the problem is the body – most of the time, excess fat and loose skin – then the recommended procedure would probably be CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting gets rid of excess fats by exposing fat cells to extremely low temperatures causing them to die and be easily removed from the body.  For those who have loose skin in their tummy area as a result of pregnancy, Thermage is the best option.

CANDIDACY

There is no specific group of patients that would benefit the most from a Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover. Since the makeover consist of a combination of different cosmetic procedures tailored to the patient’s needs, one should look at the indications and contraindications for each non-surgical procedure she wants to go through. For instance, CoolSculpting works best for slightly overweight patients who are willing to improve their diet and perform regular exercise, but it may not work that well on obese patients who weigh about 200 to 300 pounds.

TREATMENT COMPARISON

Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover cannot produce results that are comparable to that of cosmetic surgical operations. Surgery tends to produce a more dramatic difference, but the risks are also higher. Furthermore, non-surgical approach requires no downtime while surgery has to have a recovery period that ranges from a few days to a couple to few weeks.

LIMITATIONS

The biggest limitation of the Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover is probably that it cannot produce the dramatic results provided by surgical cosmetic procedures. The longevity of results of non-surgical approach is also not as lasting. Botox, for instance, only lasts on the average about three months, while Thermage and Ultherapy have to be repeated after 12 to 18 months.  Fillers last between 6 months to several years depending on the filler that is used and the patient’s desires.   Most of the procedures included in the non-surgical makeover are just sort of maintenance type procedures. To maintain results, the patient will have to have the procedures done again after a certain period of time, and that is a bit of disadvantage.

Not all non-surgical procedures require repeat treatments, however. Such procedures include CoolSculpting and Kybella. Kybella is a FDA-approved treatment for the double chin. Both procedure causes destruction of fat cells. Destroyed fat cells do not regenerate and are gone permanently.  Both procedures may need more than one treatment to obtain the desired result, but the fat is actually destroyed at each treatment and will be permanent. CoolSculpting and Kybella will have to be repeated only if the patient gained significant amount of weight.

RISKS

The procedures included in the Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover may cause some bit of discomfort to the patient. The degree of discomfort depends on the procedure, but it is found to be greatest in Thermage and Ultherapy. Nonetheless, such discomfort is not a restriction for patients to go on with the procedure. Most patients can tolerate the pain and swelling; if not, there is always pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs to provide some form of relief.

When it comes to complications, most are associated with Botox. The complications are especially severe if the person who administered the Botox is not qualified to do so. With Ulthera and Thermage, there will not be any issues as long as the machine is working properly and the doctor knows how to operate it. The worst things that could happen include swelling, numbness, and pain in the treated area. These complications usually go away after a few days with or without treatment. Long-term complications are rare.

RECOVERY

Unlike surgical approach, non-surgical approach requires no downtime and there is much less risk of post-operative complications. Even Thermage does not require a recovery period. In fact, most patients who have had it end up going back to their work right after the procedure. There may be some redness and swelling especially if Thermage was done on the face, and these can go away by simply taking anti-inflammatory medications. Very seldom does the procedure cause a patient take a leave from her job.

RESULTS

The results of Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover typically last for a couple of months before repeat or follow-up treatments become necessary. Botox in particular will have to be repeated every three months or so. The number of follow-up treatments for CoolSculpting depends on the patient’s goal. An interval of at least three months is recommended for CoolSculpting til the desired results are achieved. To sum it up, of all the non-surgical treatments required for a Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover, Botox and Fillers are the ones most frequently repeated.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you are mom looking to have a fresh new look after giving birth to your lovely child, then Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover might just be the right solution for you. Visit your doctor now and find out which treatments can be done together to fit your needs.

Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial team- AA

Based on an exclusive interview with Suzanne Yee, MD in Little Rock, Arkansas