Things in life don’t always go according to plan—and that statement is never more true than when it comes to pregnancy and motherhood. Actress Jessica Biel learned that first-hand this past spring with the arrival of her son Silas, according to Self.com.

Childbirth 101: Prepare to be unprepared

Despite all of her planning—including hoarding baby books, working with midwives, and taking birthing classes—Biel’s vision of a picturesque natural birth was not meant to be, and she was quickly transferred to the hospital for an emergency C-section.

As someone who proclaims to be “obsessed with everything organic, toxin-free, natural, and homeopathic for our kid,” this was a particularly tough pill to swallow for Biel, who came home feeling tired and disillusioned.

Despite Biel’s success, financial security, and access to some of the best care and support, she learned that it is impossible to control every aspect of labor—and sometimes relinquishing that control is necessary for the health and wellbeing of yourself and your child. Simply put, sometimes childbirth is unpredictable, and you have no choice but to be flexible. You can read the full article on Jessica Biel’s birth experience here.

Our takeaway? You may not be able to control everything as a mother, but you can come armed with knowledge

The article suggests you forgo a birth plan in favor of a birth “preference,” which can make it easier to cope with unexpected occurrences during labor. This is a great way to approach being a mom—sure, you’ll have preferences, but don’t get down on yourself or be surprised if things don’t go as you expect.

To help yourself cope with whatever comes your way during childbearing and motherhood, remember you’re not alone and stay flexible when you hit a bump in the road. Get help from trusted healthcare providers as well as friends who are moms; you can also read up on issues in well-rated books and established online resources.

To do our part, we developed Dr. Parker’s guide about what goes on with your body during and after pregnancy. The information included in it, tempered with doses of humor, just might help you feel less discouraged when something doesn’t go to plan.

The post What Happens When Your Birth Plan Goes Off Track? Jessica Biel Discusses Her Emergency C-Section appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

Congratulations: you’re going to be a mom! Chances are you’re experiencing a rainbow of emotions, from elation and anticipation to fear and uncertainty. Thankfully, this is totally normal—and nearly every mom out there has been in the same boat.

Because so many amazing mamas have been where you are, there are a plethora of resources available online to help calm your nerves, offer advice, and even make you feel a little less crazy as you traverse the bumpy road of motherhood. Here are our favorite 5 online resources for moms.

1. “Momsplaining” video series, because we all need a little humor

Motherhood can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions—and bringing a little levity to the experience is a great way to step back and enjoy the ride. That’s why we love actress Kristen Bell’s “Momsplaining” videos, which tackle important topics for moms and moms-to-be with Bell’s unique brand of earnestness and humor.

The series covers everything from common pregnancy questions to which baby products you should purchase or pass on. And while you may already be in-the-know on most of the topics, it’s nice to be reminded that the things you’re experiencing or feeling are totally normal (and to be able to laugh about them).

2. The Honest Company for safe, quality products at an affordable price

Being a parent has gotten pretty tricky as we become more informed about what kids need to be happy and healthy. With so many products out there claiming to be right for your baby, sorting through which ones are ideal—and which are best avoided—is a challenge. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had someone to sort it all out for you, while also considering your budget?

A post shared by The Honest Company (@honest) on Mar 28, 2018 at 9:00am PDT

Enter The Honest Company, developed by Jessica Alba to provide safe, effective products for children. In addition to focusing their products on wellness for children and parents alike, Honest donates products and volunteers time to support children and families in need—so you can be glad knowing purchasing products you need helps others.

As an added bonus to using products you know will be safe for your children, the Honest Bundles subscription boxes are a convenient, cost-effective way to get what you need delivered right to your home.

3. The Rookie Moms blog offers advice from ladies who know exactly what you’re dealing with

The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” can feel a little outdated in the always connected yet also isolating world most of us operate in. Lucky for us, the Rookie Moms community is breathing life back into the idea—and moms everywhere can learn and connect over parenting.

A post shared by R O O K I E • M O M S (@rookiemoms) on May 11, 2018 at 6:00pm PDT

Whether you’ve only just learned you’re pregnant or have a house full of kids of all ages, Rookie Moms likely has something to help you learn or feel uplifted as you navigate parenthood. As an added bonus, their site is organized by child age, topics, and products, so you can get right to what you’re looking for without having to peruse content that’s irrelevant to your situation.

4. Get food & fitness inspo with @buddhabowlsandburpees and @diaryofafitmommyofficial

Finding time to tend to your own health and fitness isn’t easy once little ones enter the picture. At the same time, there’s the emotional challenge of getting used to your changed body while being inundated by images of celebrity moms’ perfect post-pregnancy physiques (which are most often the result of having a personal trainer, nutritionist, and round-the-clock child care—not to mention photo retouching!).

If you’re tired of all that and looking for down-to-earth tips on making healthy choices for yourself or your kids, check out these awesome and relatable moms on Instagram.

@diaryofafitmommyofficial is run by Sia Cooper, a certified personal trainer and all-around inspiring woman. In addition to offering great advice, meal plans, and some serious #fitnessgoals, Sia is also completely open about her struggles, up and down emotions surrounding her body and role as a mother, and both her fails and successes.

A post shared by SIA COOPER (@diaryofafitmommyofficial) on Apr 12, 2018 at 5:55am PDT

If you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Michelle Gindi’s @buddhabowlsandburpees. As a certified health coach, Michelle serves up some seriously delicious-looking, good-for-you meals, along with advice on how to tackle meal prepping, school lunches, and weeknight dinners like a pro—and like Sia, she’s not afraid to open up about her insecurities.

A post shared by Michelle Gindi, Health Coach (@buddhabowlsandburpees) on Oct 31, 2017 at 3:31am PDT

5. “What to Expect After You’re Done Expecting” for a candid tell-all of what your body goes through

When it comes to motherhood, unrealistic representations in the media leave many new mothers without a clear picture of what is really going to happen during pregnancy, childbirth, and the first few months (or even years) of motherhood. The truth is, it’s not always a glowing, magical experience—particularly when it comes to your own body and overall wellness.

That’s why Dr. Parker put together the book, “What to Expect After You’re Done Expecting: Your guide to all the wonderful weird things having a baby does to your body.” This head-to-toe guide covers everything from breast and body changes to humorous historical anecdotes and offers plenty of candid intel for new moms. The book is free and can be downloaded here.

What resources do you rely on as a parent? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

The post The 5 Best Online Resources for New Moms appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

Few moms escape the “mommy pooch” after pregnancy—a soft, bulging belly that’s virtually immune to the effects of diet and exercise. While sometimes excess fat and loose skin alone are to blame, a persistent belly bulge after pregnancy can also be caused by a separation of the abdominal muscles called “diastasis recti.”

The rectus abdominus muscles (the same that we associate with a “six pack”) run side by side along the front torso, joined together in the center by connective tissue. When the abdomen stretches to accommodate a growing fetus, the muscles and connective tissue stretch and move out to the side. In many cases, the connective tissue fails to return to its original, taut state, which leaves the muscles appearing stretched out and soft.

Diastasis recti is extremely common, estimated to affect over 30% of moms even a full year after giving birth. The effects can range from aesthetic, a protruding belly and seeming lack of waistline, to medical, where the weakened abdominal musculature leads to back pain and digestive trouble.

Rethinking what works for flattening a “pregnancy pooch”

Until recently, surgery has been the only consistently effective solution to repair the issue. But now, more doctors and fitness professionals are turning to a special type of exercise to help treat diastasis recti. We recently came across this article from NPR.org, in which the author investigates the ins and outs of diastasis recti and tries the “Dia Method” exercise program with fitness coach Leah Keller.

According to Keller, many commonly recommended exercises for diastasis recti, such as crunches, don’t work because they actually place additional strain on the rectus abdominus muscles, causing them to “splay your abs apart.” In contrast, the Dia Method, as well as the other pre- and post-natal core fitness programs mentioned in the article, focus on engaging the deeper core muscles over a series of breaths. This helps to stabilize the torso and draw the rectus abdominus back in toward the center. In addition to helping to close the gap between the abdominal muscles, this exercise aims to alleviate back pain and strengthen the pelvic floor.

While only small studies have been performed to evaluate how well these exercises work, the feedback is promising. Even the NPR author achieved a nearly ½-inch closure in her diastasis recti after just three weeks. You can read the details about her experience and the specific exercises she did in the article.

We’re not retiring the tummy tuck just yet

If you want to see dramatic changes, surgery is still the only proven option

While we’re excited there is a non-surgical way for some women to reduce mild diastasis recti, it’s important to note that exercise can only go so far. More severe cases of diastasis recti typically cannot be fixed through exercise alone. Surgery, such as abdominoplasty, is usually necessary to repair issues such as a hernia and may also the best choice to improve cosmetic and medical symptoms.

Additionally, no amount of exercise can tighten sagging skin, reduce stretch marks, or give you an hourglass shape if you’re not already predisposed toward having one—if you are concerned about any of these issues, you might benefit most from talking to an experienced plastic surgeon, who can both repair diastasis recti and create a smoother, more youthful abdominal shape through tummy tuck surgery.

Discuss your options to restore your pre-baby shape at a complimentary New Jersey mommy makeover consultation

If you are bothered by a “pregnancy pooch” that persists despite a healthy lifestyle, Dr. Parker and our experienced team can help. During a free cosmetic consultation, he will listen to your concerns and goals and explain your options so you can decide if a tummy tuck or another mommy makeover procedure is right for you. He’ll also be happy to discuss whether an exercise program, such as the one mentioned in the NPR article, might help you achieve your goals without surgery. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

The post Can the Right Exercise Fix Abdominal Separation After Pregnancy? appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

The dr. understands that each mom will have different concerns. “Each mommy makeover procedure is relevant to the individual patient’s desires and anatomy,” he says. “Often times, there is one main issue, say sagging breasts, that brings them in. But, during our consultation, I have them show me in a mirror what they don’t like and then we plan together a treatment that they will be happy with.”

For women in New Jersey, lipoabdominoplasty, liposuction, and breast augmentation are the most common procedures included in a mommy makeover. However, this is not a one-size-fits all process. While one mom may want implants and a lift, another may actually need a reduction and a lift. It isn’t always necessary to perform a full tummy tuck where a mini-lipoabdominoplasty will suffice. Thigh and buttocks lifts are sometimes added whereas liposuction of the area may be all that is necessary. And let’s not forget about non-surgical options. Treatments such as CoolSculpting can reduce fat on the hips, thighs or belly to complement a breast augmentation, while laser treatments can help with cellulite or other skin imperfections.

“Each mommy makeover we perform is different simply because of the unique characteristics of each patient,” says Dr. Parker.

However, there is one thing that is the same across the board when a mom goes in for a New Jersey mommy makeover at The Parker Center: patient safety, natural results and a Rapid Recovery from surgery.

“In recent years we’ve been able to combine several procedures into one surgery,” says Dr. Parker. “The reason for this is our commitment to safety and our finely-tuned staff of registered nurses and board certified anesthesiologists.”

While potential patients may cringe at the idea of an 8 hour surgery and the pain that surely follows, Dr. Parker offers his unique Rapid Recovery Program that gets moms back to their “activities of daily living” within several days. His pre and post-operative program works to minimize the risk of post-operative pain and complications. It is the reason New Jersey mommy makeover patients can get a moving the day after surgery.

“For any of our patients who are unsure about the process, we encourage them to talk to others who have been through it,” says Dr. Parker. “In fact, we have many former patients who are gracious enough to share their experiences with anyone who has questions. While we do everything we can to educate and make our patients feel comfortable, sometimes it helps to talk to another mom who has previously walked this same path.”

As a premier New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. Parker is dedicated to providing natural results in the safest manner possible. The Parker Center’s on site state-of-the-art Surgiplex, LLC ambulatory surgical facility is accredited and certified by Medicare, JCAHO and AAAASF—the highest level of credentialing possible. Their facility is designed for overnight patient stays following lengthy procedures, such as mommy makeover procedures. The Parker Center’s highly trained team of registered nurse provides one to one patient monitoring following these surgeries. Several days following their surgery, patients are scheduled for the first of three Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage treatments in the Parker Center’s onsite medi-spa, known as the Parker Center Medi-Spa. These treatments contribute to the Rapid Recovery program at the Parker Center, which allows patients to comfortably return to the activities of daily living within several days after their procedure.

The post At the Parker Center In New Jersey, Mommy Makeover is a Newly Customized Procedure appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

“They looked like pears. That kind of shape, except drained pears with no juice!” Cathy laughed. “That’s how I described them.”

Her breasts weren’t the only body part that had changed over the years. A petite woman, Cathy had always been happy with her body. She maintained her figure after childbirth, but was disappointed in the stretched-out skin she now found draped over her midsection. In clothes, she felt fine, but seeing herself in the shower or in the mirror changing wasn’t a pleasant experience.

“Everyone said, ‘You look fine!’ but I was like ‘Hey, you don’t have to see me naked!’” she said.

Although her husband assured her she looked fine, Cathy couldn’t get the negative image out of her head. She spent years considering a tummy tuck and met with six different plastic surgeons before actually undergoing the procedure. She did most of her research online and was extremely pleased by the wealth of information on the Parker Center website. She loved the positive reviews, the before and after pictures, and the price estimates the Parker Center provided online.

Seeing so many other doctors only confirmed her initial faith in Dr. Parker. She remembers showing up to one appointment only to have the office closed, getting to spend just five minutes with surgeons at other offices, and arriving at one appointment where the doctor didn’t even show up. Overall, Dr. Parker put her at ease.

“Other places they just try to rush you into making a decision. It’s like, I’m having surgery, not picking out a college class!” Cathy explained. “I’m not going to short change my health to save a couple thousand dollars.”

After calling surgeons from across the region including different states, Cathy was sure no one could top Dr. Parker. She loved how informative the entire staff was, answering all of her questions thoroughly to make sure she was getting the information she needed as she researched New Jersey breast augmentation options. She tried on three different sizes in multiple outfits to ensure the right fit and loved how patient everyone was with her.

“You go there and you have no idea what to expect,” she said. “But then I left with so much knowledge. Overall, it was such a great experience! I’m sending my mother-in-law to Dr. Parker to get her tummy done, too!”

After a lipoabdominoplasty and a breast augmentation, Cathy couldn’t be happier with her decision. For more information on breast augmentation or other procedures, visit us online at parkercenter.net. You’ll find before and after images and procedure details.

The post Cathy Discusses Her Breast Augmentation Decision and Results from Dr. Parker appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

There are many benefits to undergoing multiple procedures simultaneously. The patient will only go through one recovery period, as opposed to multiple recoveries. Also the exact procedures are customizable to what the patient is looking for. A mommy makeover can vary from person to person depending on what they are hoping to achieve.

Typical recovery time for a mommy makeover runs from six to eight weeks. Based on how you are recovering, your surgeon will let you know when it is safe to start an exercise regimen once again. During this time you can expect to have one last follow-up visit with your plastic surgeon. Visit the Parker Center’s mommy makeover page for more surgery details and additional resources: /mommy-makeover-new-jersey/

The post Downtime After A Mommy Makeover appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

“Even when I got back to my pre-pregnancy weight, my body just was not the same. My abdomen was
really distended, and I had a lot of extra skin. I’m a runner, but I could have run 24/7 and never gotten
rid of my abdomen,” explained Bridgette.

Bridgette began to consider a tummy tuck procedure. An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck,
involves the removal of excess fat and skin as well as tightening the loose, paired rectus abdominus
muscles. A prominent New York City plastic surgeon, for whom Bridgette’s friend works, highly
recommended Dr. Parker for the procedure. Although Bridgette was unhappy with her body, she was
hesitant to undergo surgery. She had never been under anesthesia before, and she was worried about
her recovery with two small children at home.

Meeting with Dr. Parker and the staff at the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery relieved any anxiety
Bridgette had about her tummy tuck procedure. She genuinely felt at ease after her consultation with
Dr. Parker and appreciated the pre-surgery education she received from Angela.

“Talking with Janet, the office manager at the Parker Center, was great. Janet herself had the surgery
by Dr. Parker, and she spent a lot of time walking me through the entire procedure. That helped relieve
a lot of the anxiety for me, as well. Just being able to talk to someone who went through it and could
answer even the most trivial question made me feel so much better,” Bridgette said.

Another of Bridgette’s concerns involved how she was going to handle her recovery with two small
children at home. Even though her family was very supportive of her decision to have surgery, they
weren’t able to help with the children during Bridgette’s recovery. Bridgette decided to hire someone
for two weeks after her surgery to keep her children occupied, allowing her time to completely heal.

Dr. Parker firmly believes that well educated patients who thoroughly understand the process and the
procedure will experience less anxiety, enjoy a smoother and quicker recovery, attain a superior result,
and have an overall better surgical experience. Patient education is the cornerstone of Dr. Parker’s
plastic surgery philosophy.

“I’m thrilled with my results. My body shape has completely changed. I was so unhappy before with
how I looked. Now I run all the time, and I feel so much stronger. I’ve been working on improving my
core abdominal strength, and it’s amazing how great I feel. It was the best thing I ever did for myself,”
said Bridgette.

If you’re interested in a tummy tuck or any other cosmetic surgery procedure call the Parker Center for
Plastic Surgery at (201) 967-1212 to make an appointment for a consultation. Visit our website at
dev.parkercenter.net to see before and after photos, read patient stories and view animated videos of
procedures.

The post Tummy Tuck New Jersey Patient Bridgette Discovers Strength in Her New Body appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

“My breasts have always bothered me. I am very petite so imagine trying to buy clothes with 36DDs,” says Joanne. “I could never wear the tops I wanted to.”

While she was in her consultation, Joanne and Dr. Parker decided she would also benefit from a lipoabdominoplasty with liposuction as well. After two pregnancies, the last one being a C-section, Joanne had sagging skin around the tummy. In April, she had all of her procedures performed at once. In November, she went on a family vacation to Puerto Rico.

“I haven’t worn a bikini since I was 18!”

“Of course, after the procedure, I had to buy new clothes because my breasts were so much smaller and shaplier, but I also had a flatter, contoured tummy,” she says. “So, I added a bikini to my list.”

She was quick to say it wasn’t a skimpy suit, but more of the sporty style. Nonetheless, she never thought she’d don a bikini again. It was almost like a dream- hanging out on the beach, enjoying her family and loving her new body.

After all of the years spent wearing unattractive support bras and being unable to wear form-fitting tops, Joanne can now wear the styles she likes and feel good about herself in them.

For women in New Jersey, breast reduction and lipoabdominoplasty are just two of the cosmetic procedures Dr. Parker performs in his state-of-the-art fully accredited Surgiplex, LLC. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit the Web site at dev.parkercenter.net or call (201) 967-1212.

The post Bikinis Now Part of Vacation Wear for New Jersey Mom after Lipoabdominoplasty and Breast Reduction at The Parker Center appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

“I had really poor self-esteem, I felt that nothing ever went right for me and I doubted that things would ever improve.  I didn’t like how small my breasts had become and when I bent over all my stomach would just hang.  I did a million crunches, owned every piece of abdominal equipment ever sold, but my belly never disappeared,” explained Monica.

Monica found Dr. Parker and the Parker Center through the internet.  She did a lot of research and looked at several surgeons websites.  While visiting the Parker Center website, Monica looked at the videos and testimonials and even submitted a few questions on the “Ask Angela” form.  Angela Parisi, Dr. Parker’s Nurse Coordinator, who is also an R.N.,  called Monica the next day to answer her questions and encouraged her to come in for a consultation.

“Angela scheduled my consultation so that I could learn what the procedure was all about.  I really liked how the office was set up, the staff was friendly and they really listened to my concerns.  I never felt rushed.  I felt very confident after meeting with Dr. Parker that he was the surgeon I wanted.  I stopped searching at that moment,” said Monica.

Monica was interested in a Mommy Makeover which typically involves a breast augmentation (sometimes with a breast lift) and a tummy tuck.  Even though it is more cost effective to have both procedures done at the same time (reducing the cost of anesthesia and the surgical suite), Monica couldn’t swing the total cost at the time.  She had a breast augmentation in May 2010 and followed up with the Parker Tummy Tuck (a combination of liposuction with a traditional abdominoplasty procedure) in July of this year.

Monica felt that Dr. Parker really took a lot of time to listen to her concerns.  He also explained in detail what was going on with the umbilical hernia.  Monica thoroughly enjoyed her consultation at the Parker Center especially her time with Liz Kobb, who handles the implant sizing and computer imaging sessions.  Monica brought home her breast implant sizing photos so that she could really look at the photos, see how she would look with different implants and make her decision.

“Before I had my breast augmentation, I was very unhappy with how my breasts looked.  The surgery went very smoothly and afterward I really had no pain whatsoever.  I really loved how my breasts looked after the surgery.  Because everything had gone so well with my breast surgery, it encouraged me to keep saving so that I could have my stomach done too,” Monica stated.

Monica works as a receptionist and with both surgeries used her vacation time to recuperate.  Even though Dr. Parker had told Monica that it would be two weeks before she could go back to work, Monica felt really good after just one week.  Monica followed Dr. Parker’s post-op instructions to the letter and believes that’s the reason she recovered so quickly.

“My results are phenomenal, mind-blowing really!  I can’t believe how flat my stomach is.   It’s incredible, I have no regrets and I would recommend Dr. Parker to anyone who’s interested in changing something that makes them unhappy.  I’ve recommended him to my mom, friends and co-workers, “said Monica.

Monica believes that the best thing about her surgeries is her new outlook on life.  She’s got her self-confidence back and she now believes that anything is possible for her.  Monica says she’s no longer the “down” person she was in the past.  She feels like a whole new woman, she’s going to finish her degree and is ready to take on the world.

If you are interested in a New Jersey Mommy Makeover or any other cosmetic procedure, Dr. Paul M. Parker and the staff of the Parker Center can help you feel like you can take on the world. Please contact us today at dev.parkercenter.net or 201-967-1212 for a consultation.  Dr. Parker and his staff want to give you back your confidence and help you enjoy your life more.

The post New Jersey Plastic Surgery – Monica Ready to Take on the World appeared first on Parker Center for Plastic Surgery.

This good question led Nicole, a mother of three, to Parker Surgery Center and New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul Parker.  Breast augmentation surgery was something she had been thinking about for a long time.  After the birth of each of her children, Nicole found her breasts getting smaller and smaller.  Prior to childbirth, she had been a “B” cup but after three pregnancies, she couldn’t even fill an “A” cup.

Nicole’s husband was unenthusiastic about Nicole having breast augmentation surgery and thought she looked fine.  Finally, after she kept talking about it, he said, “I’ll make you a deal, if you quit smoking, you can have the surgery.”  Nicole had quit during her pregnancies but always went back to smoking.

“I quit that day, on the spot and I’ve never looked back,” said Nicole.  It was the motivation she needed to quit and she started looking into having the breast augmentation surgery.  “I never wanted be huge, I just wanted them to look like what they should have,” says Nicole.

When investigating having surgery, Nicole set up consultations with three other plastic surgeons.  Dr. Parker was her first appointment and after meeting him and his staff, she and her husband immediately felt comfortable and secure in choosing the Parker Center for her breast augmentation.

“I had done my homework before the appointment and researched him and I was happy with what I saw in writing.  When I was there, I just said oh my God, I want to just do it.  I cancelled all my other consultations and I have no regrets about that.  I love him and everyone in that office.  I tortured them with questions and they were always so nice to me,” said Nicole.

“My self-confidence is now sky-high.  My friends say I stand up straighter.  I walk differently.  I love to get dressed up and putting on a bathing suit is no longer a nightmare,” says Nicole.

Nicole had her New Jersey plastic surgery in July 2009 and really enjoyed bathing suit shopping this year. She loves her new breasts and is very happy that she had the surgery. She loves the way she looks in the mirror and in clothing.

Nicole has The Parker Center’s phone number saved in her cell phone and gives it out regularly.  She says that anyone considering a breast augmentation needs to meet with Dr. Parker.

For more information about a New Jersey breast augmentation or any other cosmetic procedure visit us at www.theparkercenter.com.

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