If you’re wondering, “What does a mommy makeover consist of?” you may be surprised to learn that there is no one right answer. Keep reading to discover why.

What Is Included in a Mommy Makeover?

The combination of plastic surgery procedures included in a mommy makeover is customized to your needs and typically addresses changes brought about by pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are some core procedures that many patients come to associate with a mommy makeover, but even these are optional depending on your goals.

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Breast Enhancement

It can be a bit depressing to see what had been full and shapely breasts suddenly appear saggy and deflated after having children. That’s why many mommy makeover patients often choose to include some type of breast enhancement surgery. The options include:

Breast lift: A lift restores a more youthful shape and reduces the size of overly large breasts, if necessary.

Breast augmentation: If your breasts have lost volume but don’t sag, augmentation without a lift may be the best approach.

Breast lift combined with implants: Combining augmentation with a lift creates beautiful results if your breasts have lost volume and are sagging.

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Body Contouring

Pregnancy stretches the abdominal skin and often results in the “six-pack” muscles being separated—a condition called diastasis recti. This is often the reason for a post-pregnancy belly pooch. It can also be hard to shed stubborn fat, even if you exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet. Body contouring procedures that are typically part of a mommy makeover include:

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): A tummy tuck removes excess skin that often results after pregnancy, especially for women who have had multiple pregnancies. Depending on your needs, your plastic surgeon may perform a mini tummy tuck or extended tummy tuck.

Liposuction: Targeting stubborn fat in the abdomen, on the flanks, or lower back is often part of a mommy makeover. This minimally invasive procedure breaks up fat deposits before suctioning them out for improved body contours.

Other Procedures

Every patient is different, and so are their needs. Some patients elect to include some type of vaginal rejuvenation procedure as part of the mommy makeover. This may include:

Labiaplasty: A vaginal birth can affect the appearance of your labia. Labiaplasty reshapes or reduces the labia minora or labia majora, alleviating the discomfort caused by oversized labia and restoring a more normal appearance to the area.

ThermiVa®: This nonsurgical treatment tightens loose or stretched vaginal tissues and can be combined with labiaplasty.

O Shot®: You can address sexual dysfunction and enhance your sexual experience with this injectable treatment.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?

A mommy makeover is a significant investment for yourself. Combining multiple procedures can address various concerns in a single surgical experience, often resulting in a more cost-effective and efficient approach to body rejuvenation than booking each procedure individually. The cost of your mommy makeover depends on the procedures included and the time needed to complete the operation, among other factors.

A mommy makeover is not about erasing the journey of motherhood but celebrating it by feeling confident in your own skin. You can discuss your concerns and goals with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons (including our mommy makeover expert, Dr. Cat!) by using the online form to request a consultation or by calling us at (770) 667-0904 to schedule an appointment.

Still have questions? Dr. Cat answers top mommy makeover questions in this blog post.

Once you have made the decision to have a procedure, it is important to take all steps necessary to let your new body heal. Whether you have had a tummy tuck, vaginal rejuvenation, breast augmentation, or any combination of the above, your own recovery should remain a top priority. This may involve your spouse taking time off of work to tend to you/your children’s needs, hiring a babysitter, or having family stay over to help.

Most plastic surgeons agree that the recovery process following a mommy makeover can take between 1-2 weeks, at which time an individual can begin increasing physical activity. The duration of recovery depends on a variety of factors including:

• your age
• overall fitness
• and ability to heal

Following surgery, individuals may require pain medication for the first 2-3 days to ensure optimum comfort. Many individuals report total recovery after 1 month.

To arrange for your recovery, you should be prepared to take 10-14 days off from work. The actual amount of time may vary depending on the amount of physical activity your job duties require. Keep in mind; both constant movement and remaining seated for extended periods of time are not optimal for your recovery. Caring for your children and household obligations should be relayed to your recovery help, to allow for the  relaxation needed to achieve an enjoyable recovery experience. The end results of a peaceful and uneventful recovery will be well-worth it!

In addition to removing excess skin and fat, your surgeon may decide that you would also benefit from tightening the abdominal muscles. This is called rectus plication, and it is so routine that many patients don’t even give it a second thought. If you’re considering a tummy tuck and you question the necessity of rectus plication, you may be surprised to learn that there are times it is crucial and other times it may not be necessary.

For most women with children, widening or separation of the abdominal muscles can occur during pregnancy.  The muscle separation can develop from the long-term pressure on the abdomen during pregnancy, and theses muscles may not completely return to their pre-pregnancy state.  Correction of these muscles during a tummy tuck is recommended if the abdomen has the appearance of an abdominal “pouch.”

It is important for you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to assess your unique situation so they can advise you on the best surgery to help you achieve your desired results.

The answer is Yes! Not only is it safe, but also convenient.

A mommy makeover is a combined set of cosmetic procedures designed for women who want to improve certain areas of the body following pregnancy. Mommy makeovers can be a combination of many procedures, but usually include a variety of these:

• breast augmentation
• breast lift with or without implants
• a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
• labiaplasty
• and liposuction

Depending on your personal circumstances and surgical requirements, these procedures can typically be performed in a single surgery.  As a general rule, surgery should not last longer than 6 hours. This is for the safety of both patient and physician.

The first step in planning for a mommy makeover is scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in mommy makeover procedures. You’ll get a chance to discuss your medical history, desires for your new appearance, and whether single or multiple surgeries may be right for you.

The benefits of an all-inclusive mommy makeover are that you’ll only have to go through one recovery period, you may be able to reduce some costs by undergoing all the procedures at once, and to top it all off, you’ll get to see and enjoy the end results much sooner!