Dr Steve Merten performs “post pregnancy reconstructions” at Pure Aesthetics to help patients restore confidence

Sydney, NSW – Dr Steve Merten, a recognised leader in the field of Sydney plastic surgery, strives to help his patients achieve their cosmetic goals with natural-looking results. At Pure Aesthetics, his private practice, he specifically caters to the needs of mothers with individually customized post pregnancy reconstruction procedures.

According to Dr Merten, some mothers sustain significant changes to the body after pregnancy and breast-feeding. The bodily changes most prevalent after pregnancy include:

  • Loss of tone and shape of the breasts
  • Retained fat deposits in the abdomen and buttocks

Dr Merten says these changes can lead to a loss of confidence, low self-esteem, a reluctance to exercise, and a lost feeling of youth for mothers. He points out that the skin and soft tissues of the breasts, which are full during breast-feeding, may be left loose, drooped, and empty afterward:

“Most women enjoy the volume and tone of their breasts during pregnancy, and they may be disappointed when that volume and tone disappears. Similarly, as the abdomen enlarges to accommodate the growing baby, the muscles, soft tissue, and skin become stretched and separated. After delivery, this area of the body may not return to normal, leaving loose skin, weak muscles, and bulges around the abdomen.”

When performing a post pregnancy reconstruction, Dr Merten treats areas of the body with a customized combination of plastic surgery options including:

  • Breast enlargement
  • Breast lift (Mastopexy)
  • Breast reduction
  • Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty)
  • Liposuction

According to Dr Merten, it takes a woman’s body a full year to recover following child rearing. Because the body is still undergoing the natural healing process during this period, he recommends waiting one year after the birth of the final child to consider a post pregnancy reconstruction. In addition, many mothers with small children might not have the time or the extra help required for the surgery and the recovery. Depending on which combination of treatments is performed, recovery can take up to six weeks.

Dr Merten has noticed that time for recovery is the main worry for all young mothers. He recommends the surgery to be planned with family support to minimise this concern. The Sydney plastic surgeon finds patients who spend time planning their post pregnancy reconstruction procedures and their recovery possess positive expectations and have a high rate of satisfaction after the surgery is complete. These patients tend to be realistic with their goals, and mostly want their bodies back to what they were like before, rather than wanting unnatural or excessive changes.

About Steve Merten, FRACS
Dr Steve Merten earned his medical degree from Sydney University. He has served as Chairman of the NSW Chapter of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and Head of Plastic Surgery at Concord Hospital in Sydney, a leading teaching hospital responsible for the training of aspiring Australian plastic surgeons. Dr Merten is available for interview upon request.