Female Plastic Surgery FAQs

For many women, breastfeeding is possible after augmentation. The ability to breastfeed depends on the surgical technique used, including incision location and implant placement. Our surgeons take care to preserve milk ducts and glandular tissue whenever possible.

The implants themselves will not be affected by pregnancy. However, the natural changes in your breasts—such as tissue expansion and stretching skin—can alter the aesthetic outcome of your procedure. These changes may lead some women to consider a breast lift after they are finished having children.

This is a personal decision. It is safe to have breast augmentation before having children, but future pregnancies can change the size and shape of your breasts, potentially affecting your long-term results. Some patients choose to wait, while others proceed and plan for a possible revision surgery later.

Yes, breast augmentation is a central component of a mommy makeover for many women. The procedure is often combined with a breast lift to restore both volume and a more youthful breast position after pregnancy and nursing.

Breast implants do not prevent you from getting an effective mammogram. It is important to inform the imaging facility that you have implants so they can perform special displacement views to get a clear view of all breast tissue for screening.

Breast reduction can ease common concerns like neck and back pain, shoulder grooving, skin irritation, and difficulty exercising. Many patients also feel more comfortable in clothing and experience improved posture after surgery.

Most patients return to light activities within 1 week, with swelling and tenderness improving steadily. You can expect to resume normal routines over the next few weeks, and final shaping continues to refine as healing progresses.

A tummy tuck is a single procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening the underlying muscles.

On the other hand, a mommy makeover combines procedures personalized to your needs, typically including a tummy tuck, a breast procedure (like an augmentation or lift), and sometimes liposuction.

Initial recovery from a tummy tuck generally takes about two weeks, during which you must focus on rest. Most patients can return to office-based work and light daily activities at that time. Strenuous activities and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least six weeks for proper healing.

A tummy tuck can improve the appearance of stretch marks, particularly those on the lower abdomen, as the skin carrying them is often removed. The procedure is also the most effective solution for repairing diastasis recti, where the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy.

We recommend waiting at least six months after giving birth before undergoing a mommy makeover. This allows your body sufficient time to heal, for your weight to stabilize, and to finish breastfeeding if you choose to do so.

Absolutely. A mommy makeover is entirely personalized to address your specific concerns and goals. During your consultation, our plastic surgeons in Ohio will discuss which combination of breast and body procedures will best help you achieve your desired outcome.

A Mommy Makeover is a customized combination of procedures designed to restore and enhance your body after pregnancy. Most treatment plans include a breast procedure (lift, augmentation, or reduction), abdominal contouring (tummy tuck and/or liposuction), and optional additions like thigh or flank liposuction. Your surgeon tailors the approach to your anatomy, goals, and the areas most affected by pregnancy, giving you a result that feels balanced and natural.

Recovery varies based on the procedures performed, but most patients take 1–2 weeks away from work and daily responsibilities. Tummy tuck recovery typically guides the timeline, as core healing requires more rest and limited activity. Swelling and tightness gradually improve over several weeks, and patients can return to light exercise around 4–6 weeks. With proper care, results continue to refine over the next few months as your body settles into its new contours.

No, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. It is a body contouring tool designed for patients who are at or near their ideal body weight but struggle with localized fat deposits. The amount of fat removed is relatively small in terms of overall weight.

Liposuction is a versatile procedure that can be used to treat various areas of the body. Common treatment areas for women include the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, back, and the area under the chin.

Downtime varies depending on the extent of the procedure. Most patients can return to a desk job and light activities within a few days to a week. A compression garment is typically worn for several weeks to manage swelling.

The fat cells removed during liposuction are gone permanently. However, it is important to maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle, as the remaining fat cells in the body can still expand, which would alter your results.

Ideal candidates are those who maintain a stable weight, have good skin elasticity, and struggle with localized pockets of fat that don’t improve with diet or exercise. Liposuction works best for shaping and refining—not for major weight loss. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your goals, anatomy, and medical history to determine whether liposuction or another contouring option will give you the most natural, balanced result.

Yes—liposuction is highly effective for enhancing overall shape. By selectively removing fat and smoothing transitions between treated areas, your surgeon can create a more sculpted waistline, flatter abdomen, or more contoured hips and back. The goal is to improve proportion and silhouette from every angle, giving you a result that looks intentional and harmonized with your natural frame.

A Brazilian Butt Lift uses your own fat, and the portion that successfully “takes” becomes a permanent part of your tissue. While some of the transferred fat naturally absorbs during healing, the remaining fat cells can last for many years. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle helps preserve your shape long‑term.

Direct pressure can compromise newly transferred fat cells before they establish a blood supply. For the first 2–6 weeks, patients must avoid sitting directly on the buttocks and instead use a BBL pillow under the thighs or choose standing/side‑lying positions. This protects the grafted fat and supports optimal contour and volume retention.

A full facelift addresses moderate to advanced signs of aging across the mid-face and neck, including jowls and sagging cheeks. A mini facelift is a less extensive alternative for patients with mild to moderate skin laxity, focusing primarily on the jawline and lower face. Mini facelift recovery time is also typically shorter.

A facelift can produce long-lasting results, often making a patient appear 10-12 years younger. While the procedure does not stop the natural aging process, you will continue to look younger than you would have without it.

Ideal candidates for a mini facelift are typically in their 40s or 50s and are just beginning to see signs of facial aging. Patients with more significant skin laxity, jowling, and neck sagging will achieve better results with a full facelift.

Dr. Bivik Shah and Dr. Alexandre Prassinos carefully place incisions within the natural creases around the ears and the hairline to make them as discreet as possible. Over time, these scars fade significantly and become nearly invisible.

Modern facelift techniques are designed to produce natural, not "pulled" or "tight," results. The goal is to lift and reposition the underlying facial tissues to a more youthful position, resulting in a refreshed and well-rested appearance.

A full facelift—also called a comprehensive facelift or traditional facelift—is a surgical procedure designed to lift and tighten the deeper facial tissues that contribute to visible aging. Unlike a mini facelift, which focuses on early laxity, a full facelift addresses moderate to advanced sagging in the lower face, jawline, and neck. By repositioning the underlying SMAS layer and removing excess skin, this procedure restores a more defined jawline, smooths deep folds, and creates a naturally refreshed, long‑lasting result. Many patients choose a full facelift when they want the most dramatic yet natural improvement in facial aging.

Most patients can expect an initial recovery period of 10–14 days, with swelling and bruising gradually improving each day. Many feel comfortable returning to social activities within two weeks, while residual swelling continues to refine over several months. Because a full facelift lifts the deeper facial structures—not just the skin—the results are both long‑lasting and natural‑looking. Following your surgeon’s post‑operative instructions, avoiding strenuous activity, and attending all follow‑up appointments helps ensure a smooth recovery and the best aesthetic outcome.

ZO Skin Health is a medical‑grade line developed by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi. The formulas use higher‑strength, clinically backed ingredients that target skin concerns at a deeper level than cosmetic products. This means more predictable, visible results with consistent use.

Not necessarily. While ZO works best as a system, most patients start with a few essentials—typically a cleanser, exfoliant, and toner (the GSR protocol). These steps strengthen the skin barrier and improve how the rest of your products perform.

• Acne and congestion
• Pigmentation and sun damage
• Redness and sensitivity
• Fine lines, texture, and early aging
• Overall skin dullness and uneven tone

A phenol peel is one of the deepest and most powerful chemical peels available, designed to dramatically improve severe sun damage, deep wrinkles, coarse texture, and significant pigmentation irregularities. Because it penetrates deeper than medium or light peels, it delivers more transformative, long‑lasting results—often in a single treatment.