What Is a Mommy Makeover?

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered where your pre-pregnancy body went? Or, maybe, time, gravity, and weight fluctuations have started to take a toll. If so, you’re not alone. Many women find that even after losing the baby weight, their bodies just don’t look the same as they did before having children. A Mommy Makeover can rejuvenate your figure—whether you’ve had children or not. So, if you don’t need to be a mom to have this procedure done, then what is a mommy makeover, really? Find out everything you need to know below.

What Does a Mommy Makeover Consist Of?

You may be surprised to hear that what is considered a Mommy Makeover will vary from person to person. After all, A Mommy Makeover isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach! Rather, it’s a personalized, multi-procedure solution for your specific concerns.

Typically, a Mommy Makeover includes cosmetic breast surgery and body contouring procedures within a single operation, but the actual combination is for you and your plastic surgeon to decide. Common procedures in a Mommy Makeover may include:

• Breast lift (with or without augmentation)
• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
• Liposuction
• Labiaplasty

The goal of a Mommy Makeover is to restore a more youthful, lifted look to your body contour, addressing the physical toll that pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, weight loss, and other factors may take on your body.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Mommy Makeover Surgery?

Even though most of the Mommy Makeover patients I see are women who have had children, the combination of procedures isn’t just for mothers. If weight fluctuations or aging have resulted in significant changes to your body, the same suite of cosmetic breast and body contouring procedures included in a Mommy Makeover may be right for you.

Other factors involved in determining if you’re a good Mommy Makeover candidate include:

• Not planning more pregnancies
• Maintaining a body weight that is at or near your ideal size
• Being in good overall health
• Having realistic expectations about the results

If you have small children at home, it’s also important that you have a reliable support system for childcare and help around the house. For all individuals pursuing Mommy Makeover, you will also need to ensure that your situation enables you to take enough time off to fully recover from the operation.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—cost. A Mommy Makeover isn’t cheap, but many women find the investment worthwhile. The price of a Mommy Makeover can vary widely depending on your chosen procedures, the surgeon’s reputation, training, experience, and geographical location. We offer financing options to help make the procedure more accessible.

Is It Safe To Combine Procedures?

When carefully planned by a reputable, board-certified plastic surgeon, multiple procedures can be safely combined in a single operation. However, no surgery is completely without risk, so your provider’s expertise is an important consideration when considering this procedure.

Here are some of the most important factors to note about combining surgeries include:

• Most surgeons limit the total time in surgery to 6 hours or less to reduce risks
• If your surgical plan exceeds this limit, you may need to stagger procedures over 2 operations
• Longer surgeries increase the risks of complications like infection or bleeding
• Your recovery may be more intense with multiple healing sites
• Some procedure combinations are not advised for safety reasons

The benefits of combining procedures include reduced overall recovery time compared to separate surgeries and only having to pay certain fees once, such as for anesthesia and operating room time. Ultimately, you will make the decision to combine procedures based on the information we discuss during the consultation.

How Long Is Recovery After a Mommy Makeover?

Recovery after a Mommy Makeover is a bit more complicated just because there are multiple incisions and treatment areas, but it’s not necessarily longer than if you undergo a standalone tummy tuck. You’ll likely need about 2 weeks off work if you have a desk job. During this time, you’ll need to rest more than usual and avoid lifting anything heavy—including your kids.

In the first few days after surgery, you’ll experience some pain and discomfort, but this can be managed with prescribed medication. You may also have bruising and swelling that can take 2 to 3 weeks to resolve, with some residual swelling lasting up to 6 months. Learn about what not to do after a Mommy Makeover in our related blog post.

Most patients feel comfortable and confident enough to wear a swimsuit about 3 months after surgery. However, it’s important to remember that full results may take up to a year to develop fully.

Is a Mommy Makeover Right for You?

Deciding to have a Mommy Makeover is a big decision. It’s not just about the physical changes—it’s about how you feel on the inside as well. Many women say they feel increased confidence and improved self-esteem after their Mommy Makeover.

However, it’s crucial to have realistic expectations. A Mommy Makeover can dramatically improve your body contour, but it won’t necessarily make you look exactly like you did before having children. Your body has been through an incredible journey, and some changes are permanent reminders of the amazing feat of creating life.

Remember, there’s no shame in wanting to feel good about your body. Whether you choose to embrace your post-baby body as-is or opt for a Mommy Makeover, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin.

Get Your Pre-Baby Body Back

If you’re considering a Mommy Makeover, the first step is to request a consultation to discuss your options. You can use the online form or call Stoker Plastic Surgery at (310) 300-1779 to schedule an appointment.