Giving birth is in no way easy on a woman’s body:

• Frequently, the skin of the abdomen stretches while the woman carries her baby and doesn’t easily retract after birth.
• The vertical rectus abdominis muscles sometimes separate and become slack, causing the stomach to protrude.
• Breasts can droop after the baby is delivered and from the overstretching of the skin caused by pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. The breast is not supported well as a result.

But being a mother makes you no less a woman, and there is no reason why you can’t continue looking and feeling your best after having children. In our practice, we help many women who cannot seem to diet or exercise away the impact that childbirth has on their bodies.

Nationwide, many women are recognizing that some of the changes childbirth effects on their bodies simply cannot be reversed without help. In fact, for women in their thirties:

• A nine percent to 12 percent increase in tummy tucks and breast surgery occurred from 2005 to 2006.
• In 2007, 59 percent of American Society of Plastic Surgeons members said they witnessed more patients who were seeking out cosmetic procedures following childbirth.

Because the effects of pregnancy on the body are global, we offer a remedy that is global: the mommy makeover is a combination of procedures–including tummy tuck, breast lift, and other body contouring options–that are offered to target all of your postpregnancy cosmetic concerns simultaneously at a discounted rate.

If you are in the La Jolla or San Diego, California areas and are interested in the possibilities that a mommy makeover can offer you, please call our office at 800.715.5052 to schedule an appointment for a mommy makeover consultation.

While most plastic surgery procedures are not covered by insurance and can be expensive, it is critical that patients not choose a surgeon based on price. The safety of the procedure and surgical outcomes are far too important for these decisions to be price based. A low price can conceal costs that will appear out of nowhere at a later stage in the patient’s care. Sometimes low costs also mean that a physician is inexperienced and attempting to gain experience—on you. Be wary and remember that your body–and your life–is too precious to be put in the hands of a cut-rate surgeon.

In our practice, we offer cosmetic surgery financing options that ensure that our patients have access to the best quality cosmetic care—even if it appears to be out of their reach financially.

Some Procedures are covered by Insurance
Keep in mind that surgeries for some conditions may actually be covered by insurance, especially if these conditions cause pain or a diminished quality of life:

• Breast reduction – If neck or back pain results from overly large breasts, insurance may cover the surgery to reduce breast size.
• Blepharoplasty – If lids that droop cause some or complete vision impairment, insurance could cover the cost of eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty.
• Rhinoplasty– If an accident damaged your nose or if you have a congenital defect, insurance could cover the rhinoplasty procedure.

If are worried about the cost of cosmetic surgery, please be aware of the financing options available at the La Jolla/San Diego, California practice of Dr. John Smoot, Dr. Wendell Smoot, and Dr. Richard Chaffoo. We partner with a local credit union and offer 100 percent financing that does not include the price of anesthesia. We also accept Visa®, Mastercard® and CareCredit®. Please call us at 800.715.5052 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.