Mommy Makeover in Wichita, KS

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is designed for women whose bodies have changed after pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, and who have not been able to reverse those changes with diet and exercise. You may be a good candidate if:

• Your breasts have lost volume or fullness, or have started to sag, after pregnancy and nursing.

• You have loose, stretched skin on your lower abdomen, or your abdominal muscles were stretched by one or more pregnancies.

• You have pockets of stubborn fat on the abdomen, flanks, hips or thighs that do not respond to a healthy lifestyle.

• You are in good general health, do not smoke (or are willing to stop well before and after surgery), and are at or near a weight you can maintain.

• You are finished breastfeeding and have realistic expectations about what surgery can and cannot do.

Timing matters. It is generally best to wait until you have finished breastfeeding and your weight has been stable for several months. If you are planning more children, you may want to postpone surgery: the abdominal muscles tightened during a tummy tuck can separate again with a future pregnancy, and pregnancy is likely to stretch the breasts again and offset the results of a breast lift.

 

What Is Involved in a Mommy Makeover?

No two mommy makeovers are the same. Your plan is built around the areas that bother you most, your anatomy and your goals. Most plans combine a breast procedure with a body contouring procedure.

 

Breast procedures

• Breast augmentation restores upper-pole fullness and volume lost after nursing. Dr. Rieger uses FDA-approved silicone gel implants placed under the chest muscle through a small incision in the breast fold (inframammary crease). Breast augmentation is outpatient, same day surgery. See breast augmentation cost in Wichita for what the $5,450 all-inclusive price covers.

• Breast lift (mastopexy) raises and reshapes breasts that have sagged, and can reduce the size of stretched areolas.

• Lift and implants together or in stages? A lift tightens by removing loose skin, while an implant expands the breast, so the two goals work against each other. When a complete lift is needed, Dr. Rieger stages the procedures: the lift is done first, and an augmentation can be performed about two to three months later or any time after. This approach is designed to give the tightest, longest-lasting shape. Read more in breast lift vs. breast augmentation.

• Breast reduction may be part of the plan for women whose breasts became heavier after pregnancy.

 

Abdomen and body procedures

• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) removes excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen and tightens the abdominal wall muscles that were stretched during pregnancy. It leaves a permanent scar placed low on the abdomen, so it can usually be hidden by underwear or a swimsuit.

• Mini tummy tuck treats loose skin and fat below the belly button through a shorter incision, for women whose changes are limited to the lower abdomen.

• Liposuction removes stubborn pockets of fat from areas such as the flanks, hips and thighs to refine your contour. It works best when the skin still has good elasticity.

• Other procedures, such as labiaplasty, can be added when they fit your goals.

During your consultation, Dr. Rieger will examine each area, explain which procedures would help and why, and tell you honestly if something is better done in a separate stage.

 

Where Is Mommy Makeover Surgery Performed?

Procedures that need anesthesia are not done in our office. Dr. Rieger operates at two private, accredited surgery centers: Andover Surgery Center and Kansas Surgery and Recovery Center. For a tummy tuck, Dr. Rieger prefers to allow patients a 23-hour stay in the surgery center, so you have nursing care through your first night. Breast augmentation on its own is outpatient, same day surgery. You can learn more about our surgery centers.

 

Mommy Makeover Recovery

Recovery depends on which procedures you have. Combining procedures means one anesthetic and one recovery period, but the recovery from a combined procedure is usually longer than from any one procedure alone, so plan ahead.

• The first days: expect soreness, swelling and tightness, especially after a tummy tuck. You will need someone to drive you home and help you at home for at least the first day or two. Getting up and walking soon after surgery helps lower the risk of blood clots.

• The first weeks: you will gradually return to light daily activity. Lifting, straining and strenuous exercise are limited while you heal. Dr. Rieger will tell you when you can return to work and to exercise based on your procedures and your job.

• Smoking: if you smoke, plan to quit at least two weeks before surgery and not resume for at least two weeks after. Nicotine slows healing and makes scars more noticeable.

• Final results: swelling fades over several months, and scars continue to soften and fade over time.

Before surgery you will receive written instructions. Please review our pre- and post-op instructions and the list of medications and supplements to avoid before surgery.

 

What to Expect, Step by Step

1. Consultation: You will meet with Dr. Rieger personally. He will listen to your goals, examine you, review your health history and walk you through your options, including what is realistic for your body. You will see before-and-after photos of his patients.

2. Your plan and price: You will receive a personalized surgical plan and a written price for your exact combination of procedures. Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance. We accept cash, cashier's checks, Visa and MasterCard, and we can give you information on financing options (see competitive prices and financing).

3. Preparing for surgery: You will get lab work or medical clearance if needed, stop certain medications and supplements, and arrange your ride and help at home.

4. Surgery day: Your procedures are performed at an accredited surgery center with anesthesia care.

5. Recovery and results: You will heal over the following weeks, with your final shape becoming clearer as swelling settles over several months.

 

Why Choose Dr. Rieger for Your Mommy Makeover in Wichita?

• Double board-certified: Dr. James A. Rieger is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Meet Dr. Rieger.

• More than 20 years in practice: Dr. Rieger has performed breast and body procedures for women in Wichita, Andover, Derby, Eastborough and across Kansas for more than two decades.

• You see the surgeon: Your consultation is with Dr. Rieger himself, and he performs your surgery.

• An honest plan: If staging your procedures will give you a better, longer-lasting result, Dr. Rieger will tell you so.

• Accredited surgery centers: Your surgery is performed at Andover Surgery Center or Kansas Surgery and Recovery Center.

• Transparent pricing: You receive a written price for your plan before you decide.

See real results in our breast before-and-after photos, body before-and-after photos and tummy tuck before-and-after photos.