Florence Mussat, M.D.
680 N Lake Shore Dr. #1030 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 751-9000

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Month: June 2020

Why Are Mommy Makeovers So Popular?

As a mother, you’ll agree that motherhood is the most rewarding and challenging experience of your life. And yet, there’s nothing about it you would change! Except, perhaps, the part you didn’t see coming—the part about how your body will completely change with the arrival of your first child. 

Or that spending hours in the gym with that expensive personal trainer or running miles and miles would do never completely tighten stretched and sagging abs or get your breasts looking as good in a bikini as they did before breastfeeding reduced their volume.

A woman’s body changes in remarkable ways when she becomes pregnant and again after childbirth; unfortunately, these changes often have a drastic impact on her body that can affect her self-confidence and body image—some of which is physically debilitating. Loose, stretched out skin and muscles, pockets of fat on the hips and thighs, sagging breasts; the list seems endless. 

This is why so many women are turning to the “Mommy Makeover,” a series of procedures for body rejuvenation, after the birth of their last child. These procedures can either be combined into one single surgery for one recovery, or performed in separate stages.

What Exactly Is a Mommy Makeover?

But first of all, what exactly is a Mommy Makeover? Usually described as a combination of breast and body cosmetic surgery to which a woman treats herself after she’s finished having her children, a Mommy Makeover can take on a different form for every mother. 

Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Florence Mussat sees it as how you would describe your favorite pair of jeans where, with a set of plastic surgery procedures, she’ll help you “tighten up your abdomen, shape your waist, and redefine your breasts for the best body you’ve ever had, even before baby.”

  • Stretch Marks: A tummy tuck will remove excess skin and the stretch marks that come with it.
  • Breast Volume Loss: Breast augmentation and/or a breast lift to reshape, reposition, and fill the breasts.
  • Excess Abdominal Skin: A tummy tuck removes excess abdominal skin and fat, restoring a tighter, flatter abdomen.
  • Abdominal Muscle Separation: The abdominal muscles can separate during pregnancy, leaving a permanent pooch, and this can be corrected during a tummy tuck.
  • Areola Size: Some women experience an increase in areola size after pregnancy, and the position of areola/nipple can be adjusted.

What’s more, some of her Mommy Makeover patients also chose to have a labiaplasty to rejuvenate their ‘lower areas’ which might have become stretched due to childbirth, add in a little Botox to lessen those forehead lines and crows’ feet, or take care of those stretch marks through a tummy tuck! All of this can lead to a personalized makeover, increased self-confidence, and, may we say it, improved sex life!

Love Your Mommy Makeover Figure

You do not have to choose between loving your figure and loving motherhood. Thanks to your Mommy Makeover surgery, you can have both! To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Florence Mussat and learn more about mommy makeover surgery, contact her office by calling (312) 751-9000.

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars

As if frequent breakouts weren’t enough, the unflattering scars they leave behind are always unfortunate reminders of previous attempts to control acne breakouts. Fortunately, our Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Florence Mussat, can rescue your previously damaged skin with a professional set of treatments and at-home recommendations.

What Causes Your Acne Scars?

Before looking into the treatments, let’s consider the types of acne scars with which you might be dealing. These come in several shapes and sizes and are often accompanied by various signs of facial aging, including forehead and eye wrinkles and other signs of photodamage.

Atrophic or Depressed Scars:

Most prevalent on the face, these commonly seen scars create an indentation in the skin. The depth of the scars can vary depending on their shape. Where wide, U-shaped scars tend to be shallow, narrower V-shaped scars can extend deep below the skin’s surface.

Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars:

While more common on the chest and back for some people, these scars are especially visible, as they sit higher than the surrounding skin. Their prominence is caused by an excess of collagen developing in the area as the scar heals.

Professional Acne Scarring Treatment

Whether you’re a skincare novice or religiously follow the latest cosmetic dermatology news, any new skincare regimen should start with a visit to a trusted expert such as Dr. Mussat. She typically will start by prescribing medical-grade, topical retinoids to treat your acne conditions.

Depending on the condition, depth, and appearance of your current acne scars, Dr. Mussat may also recommend either additional in-office or at-home treatments.

Prevention of Future Acne Scars

To prevent new acne breakouts, continue following your prescribed course of topical retinoids and do the following.

  • Wash your face regularly at least twice a day and after exercise to remove dirt and sweat to that pores don’t clog
  • Stay out of the sun. Overexposure to the sun can darken scars and make them look more prominent
  • Avoid overwashing or scrubbing scarred areas, which can further reduce skin elasticity and heighten the scar’s appearance.
  • Avoid picking at scars. Bacteria from unwashed fingers and nails increase the risk of new cysts forming, leading to the development of a larger scar.
  • Use sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UV rays. Blocking harmful UV rays isn’t only critical for preventing skin cancer; it can also diminish the appearance of acne scars. As scars heal, the newly developing skin can darken faster than the surrounding tissue.

With the help of Dr. Florence Mussat, you can enjoy clear, smooth skin with minimal reminders of past acne outbreaks. To begin your journey towards achieving the look you’ve always wanted, call Dr. Florence Mussat at (312) 751-9000 or schedule a personal consultation with her online today!