Combining Surgeries to Restore Your Pre-Baby Body
A mommy makeover is a combination of plastic surgery procedures to help restore a woman’s body after pregnancy. Common surgeries include breast lifts, tummy tucks, and liposuction.
After pregnancy and childbirth, many women find that their bodies don’t bounce back to their pre-baby shape. Carrying a child for 9 months followed by breastfeeding can take a toll, leaving saggy breasts, excess skin on the abdomen, stubborn fat pockets, and stretch marks.
These physical changes can take a hit on a new mom’s confidence and self-image. But there are options to help restore your body, including a combination of procedures known as a “mommy makeover.”
Keep reading to learn what a mommy makeover is, the most common procedures involved, expected results, finding the right plastic surgeon, recovery, and more. With the right information and realistic expectations, a mommy makeover could help you achieve the beautiful, confident physique you desire after motherhood.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
a mommy makeover refers to a combination of cosmetic surgery procedures designed to restore areas of a woman’s body impacted by pregnancy and childbirth. The goal is to tighten loose skin, reduce fat deposits, enhance breast shape, and minimize the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite.
While a single procedure can provide improvement, a customized combination of procedures generally yields the most dramatic results. Some of the most popular include:
- Breast enhancement: Augmentation, breast lift, or reduction
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
- Liposuction of the hips, thighs, arms, back, abdomen or other areas
- Non-surgical skin treatments like injectables or laser therapy
A board-certified plastic surgeon will assess each patient individually and recommend a customized mommy makeover plan to target her specific problem areas and goals.
Combining multiple procedures in one surgery reduces costs and recovery time compared to undergoing each operation separately over an extended period.
Common Breast Procedures
Pregnancy and breastfeeding impact the breasts in various ways. Many women experience reduced breast volume, sagging, enlarged areolas, and stretched skin. A plastic surgeon can recommend options to rejuvenate the breasts as part of a mommy makeover.
| 1 | Breast Augmentation | Enlarging the breasts is a popular option, either with implants or the patient’s own fat grafted from other areas of the body. Implants come in different sizes and types to match the patient’s anatomy and desired results. |
| 2 | Breast Lift | Also called a mastopexy, a breast lift reshapes sagging breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning the nipple/areola into a more youthful position. This elevates the breasts for a perkier profile. |
| 3 | Breast Reduction | For women with oversized breasts, a reduction removes glandular tissue and skin to effectively “downsize” the breasts. This relieves excess weight that can cause neck, shoulder and back pain. |
Restore your pre-baby breast shape and confidence with breast enhancement options like augmentation, lifts and reductions – contact Dr. Smith today for a customized surgical plan
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
One of the signature components of a mommy makeover is a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty. This surgery flattens abdominal skin while tightening underlying muscles weakened by pregnancy. The results are a trimmer, tighter tummy profile.
During a full tummy tuck, an incision is made horizontally between the belly button and pubic line. Excess skin and fat is removed, separated abdominal muscles are stitched back together, and remaining skin is stretched taut. The belly button is repositioned if needed.
A mini-tummy tuck requires a shorter incision and focuses on the lower abdomen below the belly button. This targets stretch marks, loose skin and fat deposits commonly seen after pregnancy. Liposuction may be incorporated to remove stubborn fat.
Liposuction
Liposuction slims areas that don’t respond to diet and exercise by removing excess fat deposits. Common sites treated during mommy makeovers include the stomach, hips, thighs, arms, back, and buttocks.
Liposuction uses small cannulas inserted via tiny incisions to vacuum fat out of problem spots. When combined with procedures like a tummy tuck, the results are comprehensive reshaping and contouring of the midsection.
Non-Surgical Options
While surgery is the most effective strategy to tighten and reshape post-pregnancy bodies, some nonsurgical options may also be incorporated into a mommy makeover plan. These include:
- Botox or fillers like Restylane or Juvederm to smooth wrinkles and plump lips.
- Laser skin tightening and resurfacing to improve skin tone and reduce cellulite.
- Body contouring devices utilizing ultrasound, radiofrequency, or massage to reduce fat pockets.
Such non-invasive treatments won’t replace the dramatic effects of surgery but can provide mild enhancement and help prolong surgical results.
Goals of a Mommy Makeover
The combination of procedures in a mommy makeover are specifically designed to address common physical changes after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Goals patients seek to achieve include:
| 1 | Restoring breast volume, shape, symmetry, and position |
| 2 | Flattening stomach area by tightening abdominal muscles and removing loose skin |
| 3 | Eliminating stretch marks and cellulite dimpling whenever possible |
| 4 | Reducing pockets of localized fat resistant to diet and exercise |
| 5 | Creating an overall natural, youthful contour and proportion |
| 6 | Boosting body image, self-confidence and sense of femininity impacted by post-pregnancy changes |
Individual patient goals vary based on her unique areas of concern. That’s why a reputable surgeon will listen closely during an initial consultation to understand each woman’s aesthetic objectives and develop a customized surgical plan.
Dr. Darren Smith is dedicated to understanding your unique mommy makeover goals and developing a customized surgical plan – book a private consultation today
Who is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
The ideal mommy makeover candidate is a woman who has completed childbearing and is in generally good health without any conditions that could impair healing. Obese individuals, smokers, or those with diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or bleeding issues may not be suitable candidates.
Patients should have realistic expectations about the extent of enhancement possible while comprehending the risks and potential complications. As a major elective surgery, a mommy makeover takes mental and physical preparation.
It’s also vital women wait until they are done having children. Subsequent pregnancies can reverse surgical results and undermine the benefits. As a general guideline, planning a mommy makeover at least 3-6 months after giving birth allows the body to recover and complete breastfeeding. Being close to your ideal or stable weight also ensures optimal results.
Recovery After a Mommy Makeover
It takes time and healing before seeing the full effects of multiple procedures performed together in one surgery. Patients need to prepare for a recovery of several weeks to months, depending on the extent of the makeover. Timing also depends on the patient’s health, whether complications arise, and how well post-op instructions are followed.
Some initial side effects like swelling, bruising, and discomfort are normal and resolve within about 2 weeks as incision sites heal. Stitches often come out within 7-10 days.
Post-op instructions usually involve wearing compression garments on the breasts and abdomen to minimize swelling while supporting new contours as they settle into position. Minimal movement and restricted activity is encouraged initially, followed by gradually increased mobility over several weeks.
Results appear gradually over the months following surgery. Breast enhancement offers immediate augmentation, but it takes up to 6 months for swelling to fully dissipate and the breasts to “drop and settle” into their final shape and position. A slimmer abdominal profile becomes more defined over several months as swelling recedes.
Are There Potential Risks and Complications?
Because a mommy makeover combines multiple procedures, risks are increased compared to a single operation. Potential complications include:
- Excess bleeding or blood clots
- Infection of incision sites
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Breast asymmetry or loss of nipple sensation
- Fat necrosis (hard lumps) under the skin
- Skin loss (necrosis)
- Persistent swelling or bruising
Proper surgical technique and aftercare reduces such risks. Be sure to choose a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon and follow all post-op instructions carefully. Report any worrisome symptoms right away.
Pros and Cons of a Mommy Makeover
Undergoing a surgical transformation requires weighing the risks and rewards. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
| Potential benefits | Downsides to consider |
| Significant improvement in body contours and proportions | Considerable cost, preparation, recovery time, and discomfort |
| Enhanced breast shape, size, and symmetry | Small risk of complications from surgery |
| Flatter, tighter abdominal profile | Results may not meet unrealistic expectations |
| Removal of excess or stretched skin and fat deposits | Cannot halt all aging-related changes |
| Reduction in the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks | May divert energy from core relationships |
| Boosted self-confidence in body image and sexuality | Does not fix underlying insecurities or life challenges |
| Investment in personal priorities and well-being |
Schedule a complimentary consultation about the pros and cons of a customized mommy makeover plan with skilled surgeon Dr. Darren M. Smith today
Finding the Right Plastic Surgeon
The specialist performing your mommy makeover has the greatest impact on your safety, comfort, and ultimate results. Be selective about choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon. Verify qualifications and reviews. Look for these indicators of expertise:
- Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
- Years of experience performing mommy makeover procedures
- An aesthetic eye for proper proportions and technique
- A professional, welcoming facility and staff you are comfortable with
- Excellent past patient reviews and results
Schedule multiple consultations before deciding on a surgeon. Make sure you communicate your goals for surgery and address any questions or concerns. Ensure you feel confident in the doctor’s ability to deliver the results you want in a supportive environment.
Take the First Step Towards a Mommy Makeover
If you desire to refresh your body after having children, a mommy makeover could help you feel more beautiful, feminine, and self-assured. Dr. Darren M. Smith is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York specializing in mommy makeovers and other procedures to enhance the breasts, body, and face.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Smith today to learn more about your options for a customized mommy makeover plan. His skillful surgical techniques and caring bedside manner aim to help patients reveal their inner glow and youthful spirit.
