When Mia had her youngest child during menopause, she didn’t expect her body to feel so unrecognizable afterward. As a mother of four, including twins and a 9-year-old, Mia felt trapped in a body that no longer reflected how she wanted to feel. “I tried everything—diet, exercise, you name it—but nothing worked. My skin was just so distended and my muscles were obliterated. It was terrible,” she shared. Determined to reclaim her confidence, Mia researched her options extensively, interviewing several plastic surgeons before finding Short Hills, NJ, board-certified plastic surgeon Mokhtar Asaadi, MD. “When I met Dr. Asaadi, it was different. He wasn’t trying to impress me. He listened—really listened—to how I felt. He’s such a kind, brilliant soul,” Mia said.
A Two-Part Journey
Mia’s makeover was thoughtfully staged over two years, starting with an extended tummy tuck to address the significant abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) caused by multiple pregnancies. “My muscles weren’t just separated; they were on the sides of my waist. My stomach was literally falling—I could lift it up and put it on a table,” Mia explained. Dr. Asaadi’s careful techniques ensured natural-looking results while addressing Mia’s concerns about scarring. “I’m half Black and I keloid, so I was worried I’d have this huge rubber band scar across my torso. But my scar healed beautifully—it’s the same color as my skin and I have full sensation,” she noted. A year later, Mia underwent breast augmentation to complete her transformation. “I’ve always had smaller breasts, so filling out my chest with implants felt like the perfect touch,” she said with a laugh. “I look like a goddess now!”
Mia credits much of her smooth recovery to her thorough preparation. “I went Amazon crazy,” she joked. “I had every contraption—walkers, faja garments, creams and even those grabber sticks. I also turned my office into a recovery area with a bed and labeled it as a medical space. I didn’t leave anything to chance.” She also followed a healing-focused diet in the weeks leading up to surgery, prioritizing protein and anti-inflammatory foods. “I ate eight to ten eggs a day, chicken, pineapple and papaya. The bromelain and enzymes helped minimize swelling and the protein was essential for healing,” she explained.
Advice for Others
For Mia, the results of her makeover went deeper than the physical. “I feel good in my skin again. I used to keep everything in the dark—candlelit rooms and 25-watt bulbs. Now, I have big mirrors everywhere,” she shared. “I didn’t do this for anyone else; I did it for me. And Dr. Asaadi made sure it was about me, not about some fantasy look.” Now 50, Mia wants others considering a similar journey to know it’s worth it. “The extended tummy tuck was the hardest part, but I’m so glad I started there. Once that was done, the breast surgery felt like nothing,” she said. “Do your research, find the right surgeon and be prepared to invest in yourself. Don’t let fear stop you.” Smiling, she adds, “I’m in my golden years and I feel like I’m 30 again. I’m proud of my results, my health is great, and I finally feel like the best version of myself.”
