While having and raising children is an incredibly rewarding and unique experience, it can come with a few changes. Outside of the joys of raising a child and the known lack of sleep that may happen over the first year, a very personal change is the impact pregnancy, giving birth, and breastfeeding may have on your body. The dramatic transformation required to nourish and give life to a newborn baby can leave your body with stretch marks, loose skin, excess fat, and drooping breasts.
It’s natural to yearn for your pre-pregnancy figure, and that is why the mommy makeover is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for women. Dr. Leo Lapuerta, a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience serving the greater Houston area, breaks down how the mommy makeover has risen into popularity and what it offers to women today.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is a combination of plastic surgery procedures that help women reverse some of the adverse effects that childbirth can have on the body. Each mommy makeover is unique to the individual, as a plastic surgeon will completely customize the procedure to specifically address the needs and goals of each patient. A mommy makeover usually involves surgical procedures to revitalize the breasts and abdomen, as these are the areas of the body most dramatically impacted by pregnancy.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
A good candidate for a mommy makeover is any woman who has given birth to a child and is struggling to recover their pre-pregnancy appearance. Candidates should have already lost any excess weight following pregnancy, but have found that diet and exercise alone cannot successfully recover their previous physique.
Anyone interested in a mommy makeover should wait at least six months after they have finished breastfeeding to undergo the procedure, and should also not be planning on having more children. While a mommy makeover will not hinder a woman’s ability to have children in the future, becoming pregnant will reverse the results from the procedure.
What Can a Mommy Makeover Treat?
A mommy makeover can treat a number of different issues caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding via:
- Lifting sagging breasts
- Restoring lost volume to breasts
- Making breasts symmetrical
- Repairing any nipple irregularities
- Removing pockets of excess fat
- Removing excess or sagging skin
- Tightening abdominal muscles
- Improving the overall appearance of a body
Which Surgical Procedures Are Included In a Mommy Makeover?
As stated above, a mommy makeover is the name given to a combination of different cosmetic procedures. While each case is different, below are some of the plastic surgery procedures typically included as part of a mommy makeover.
*Depending on the goals of the patient, nonsurgical cosmetic procedures may also be implemented during a mommy makeover in order to achieve the patient’s desired results.*
Liposuction
Liposuction removes excess and unwanted fat. To perform the surgery, a small incision is made in the target area and excess fat is sucked out using a cannula. Some popular target areas include the thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, and back.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck helps patients achieve a tighter and flatter abdomen. Following pregnancy, the skin and muscles in the abdomen get stretched out, resulting in bulges or pockets of fat. The surgery removes any excess skin and fat, while also tightening the abdominal muscles to give the patient a firm and more youthful stomach.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation uses saline or silicone implants to reshape and resize the patient’s breast. The procedure results in the patient having fuller and more shapely breasts. In a mommy makeover, breast augmentation is often combined with a breast lift to help patients address issues caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breast Lift
A breast lift addresses sagging breasts that are no longer sitting in their natural, youthful position. As patients age, their breasts can lose the elasticity and tissue needed to prevent sagging and drooping. A breast lift removes excess skin to leave patients with fuller, firmer and perkier breasts.
Vaginal Rejuvenation
Vaginal rejuvenation aims to correct any cosmetic issues with the vagina and labia. Following childbirth, many women are self-conscious about the appearance of their vagina, and a vaginal rejuvenation will turn back the clock while addressing any cosmetic imperfections.
What Is the Recovery Process Like Following a Mommy Makeover?
It can be difficult to give a firm declaration on the recovery time following a mommy makeover, as each procedure is uniquely customized to the patient. Since multiple procedures are done at once, you will be able to focus on recovery for a shorter amount of time versus scheduling each procedure individually, which causes more back-and-forth appointments and individual recovery time.
Generally, full recovery from a mommy makeover should take between four and six weeks, with patients usually able to return to work and their everyday lives within two to three weeks. During the recovery period, there may be some pain and discomfort that will need to be managed with prescription pain relief medication. Patients will need to rest and try to stay off of their feet for at least two weeks, giving their body the time it needs to properly heal.
When Can I Expect to See Final Results from the Procedure?
A mommy makeover involves drastic changes to different areas of the body, and it will take some time for final results to be fully visible. While the recovery period should be completed four to six weeks after the procedure, results will not be fully visible until three to six months after the surgery. At that point, patients should be comfortable in a swimsuit, with no visible signs of the mommy makeover procedure.
How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?
The cost of a mommy makeover procedure varies based on the needs and goals of the patient, with the price ranging from $7,000 to $28,000. The best way to get an accurate quote for the cost of a mommy makeover is to visit a plastic surgeon for a consultation.