[Moms and Babies] Postpartum Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Revealed

(本文引用自媽媽寶寶雜誌－採訪Dr. Hsin-Yu Chen)

Busy with housework and childcare every day, postpartum mothers rarely have time to take good care of themselves. Occasionally, when they look in the mirror, they may feel disappointed by their out-of-shape figure and tired face. But mothers don't need to be discouraged. Through cosmetic procedures, the condition of loose or sagging skin, body shape, breasts, and intimate areas can be improved after childbirth. Not only will they look healthier, but they will also regain their confidence in their body shape.

Breast surgery

Improves deformity and nipple darkening

During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in the mother's body to ensure the fetus's healthy growth, affecting various organs and body shape. Breast deformation, sagging, and darkened nipples are particularly distressing for postpartum mothers. For those experiencing sagging breasts, the following options can help restore their perfect breast shape.

Common breast conditions in postpartum mothers can be divided into two main categories: breast deformation and darkening of the nipples and areolas. Different treatment plans are recommended for each of these categories, and mothers can choose the treatment method according to their own needs.

Breast atrophy and deformation

In the later stages of pregnancy, the mother's body will cause the mammary glands to enlarge in preparation for breastfeeding. Some mothers' breasts may even increase by two or three cup sizes from pregnancy to breastfeeding. As the size and weight of the breasts increase, the pressure of gravity gradually increases. In addition, when breastfeeding after childbirth, the breasts need to repeatedly go through the cycle of "engorgement and emptying". The skin is like a rubber band that is constantly being stretched, and it will gradually lose its elasticity.

Dr. Hsin-Yu Chen, a plastic surgeon at Arsty Aesthetic Plastic Clinic, explained that the skin of the breast contains mammary gland tissue, fat, and connective tissue that extends from the chest wall to the skin, acting like a net to hold the breast in place. When a mother's breasts become engorged, the mammary glands enlarge, and the skin and connective tissue expand accordingly. Once breastfeeding ends and hormone levels return to normal, the mammary glands return to their original size, but the stretched skin and connective tissue cannot return to their original state. The full breasts during breastfeeding instantly deflate like a punctured balloon, inevitably causing the mother a sense of loss.

Cosmetic procedures options: autologous fat transfer, breast augmentation, breast lift

若乳房皮膚鬆弛狀況不是太嚴重，Dr. Hsin-Yu Chen建議，可選擇像是隆乳、自體脂肪移植來改善萎縮的乳房，這類手術的原理即是以植入物或自體脂肪，來填充萎縮的體積。 Breast lift

If the skin laxity and breast sagging are severe, with the nipple more than 1-3 centimeters away from the lower edge of the breast, a breast lift surgery may be necessary. This involves removing some skin and fixing the sagging breast to its normal position. It's important to note that because changes in breast condition are unavoidable during pregnancy, breast lift surgery is usually recommended only for mothers who do not plan to have another child, to avoid the skin experiencing further stretching and sagging in a short period.

Reassess treatment six months postpartum or after the end of breastfeeding.

「無論是隆乳、自體脂肪移植或Breast lift，產後六個月再評估即可，因產後體態及皮膚彈性都有恢復期，待組織狀態趨於穩定，大約需要六個月左右，而哺乳媽咪It is best to stop breastfeeding before assessing the procedure, because nutrient-rich breast milk can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria, and if surgery requires the implantation of silicone or other implants, this may increase the risk of infection. Furthermore, after breastfeeding stops, the breast tissue gradually recedes and returns to equilibrium, at which point the assessment of treatment options is more accurate.

Dr. Hsin-Yu Chen提醒：自體脂肪移植或隆乳手術後，應依醫師指示做日常護理，並儘量避免穿著有鋼圈、強調集中托高效果的內衣，而是以具支撐性的軟鋼圈或無鋼圈內衣為佳，罩杯大小也不宜壓迫乳房。

Private part surgery

Restore vaginal and urethral tightness

G-Tight Laser

Using an erbium-yac laser with a wavelength of 2940nm, a special probe combined with photothermal effect heats the vaginal mucosa, thereby stimulating the contraction of the pelvic fascia and connective tissue. It can also be used on the vulva to lighten pigmentation. It is recommended to have this treatment once a month, and approximately three courses of treatment are needed to achieve vaginal tightening.

Vivi Radio Waves

Using Thermage's patented radiofrequency technology, the vagina is "tightened and lifted," which helps to stimulate tissue regeneration and collagen restructuring within the vagina. Most patients can feel their vagina becoming tighter one to three months after the procedure, and it also alleviates some stress urinary incontinence. Although the price is relatively high, only one treatment is needed to achieve significant results.

PRP injection

Injecting growth factors into the vaginal wall activates mucosal cells and can be combined with non-invasive treatments such as laser and radiofrequency.

Vaginal wall fat injection

Autologous fat is injected evenly into the vaginal wall to fill the atrophied volume and increase the thickness of the vaginal wall, thereby improving vaginal tightness.

Vaginal tightening surgery

If you have already tried treatments such as radiofrequency or laser therapy but have not achieved the desired results, or if postpartum laxity is severe.For mothers who are pregnant, a one-time vaginal tightening surgery may be necessary to re-suture the muscles and mucous membranes, and the ideal tightness can be customized.

You can consider it one month postpartum. Keep the perineal area dry after surgery.

Dr. Hsin-Yu Chen也表示,產後有意進行「私密處醫美治療」的媽咪，待產後傷口痊癒,大約1個月就能開始諮詢及評估。但因侵入性的陰道緊實手術，需視情況切除部分組織與縫合，建議未來已無生產計劃的媽咪再來考慮會較為適合。

Laser surgery leaves some microscopic wounds on the mucous membrane surface that are invisible to the naked eye. Therefore, there will be more discharge in the first few days after the surgery, and it is best to refrain from sexual activity for a week after the procedure. However, regardless of the type of treatment, it is necessary to keep the area clean and dry, wear breathable underwear, and avoid vaginal douching to prevent increasing the risk of bacterial infection.