Ultimate Guide to Mommy Makeovers

Guide to Mommy makeovers can help you achieve your post-pregnancy body goals so that you can feel like yourself again.

No one would ever deny the amazing gift that is motherhood. At the same time, it’s okay to be a mom and lament the fact that your body has changed significantly as a result of pregnancy, giving birth, and breastfeeding. It’s not easy to say goodbye forever to that full round butt you used to have, those perky youthful breasts, and that flat stomach.

The problem is that even with a diligent diet and regular exercise, after you are done having children, it’s hard for your body to bounce back on its own. During pregnancy, the abdominal wall often separates as the result of a condition known as diastasis recti. Furthermore, the breasts can droop and sag, looking deflated — generally not desirable traits for breasts. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to improve conditions like these without surgery.

Fortunately, a mommy makeover can be your solution.

In the following guide, we will go over everything you need to know about the mommy makeover procedure, including who it is for; what it involves; and what to expect before, during, and after surgery.

What Is a Guide to Mommy Makeovers?

A mommy makeover procedure is a catch-all term for a collection of surgical procedures that aim to help women get their bodies back after having children and breastfeeding. It is a catch-all term because a mommy makeover will include different procedures for every individual.

For example, one woman may opt for liposuction plus a breast lift and breast augmentation, whereas another may choose to have a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast reduction surgery. In this way, mommy makeover prices will also vary depending on the chosen procedures.

Many women choose to get a mommy makeover after pregnancy because being pregnant alters the body so significantly. Carrying a baby stretches the skin of the abdomen and often separates the abdominal muscles and widens the hips. Breasts become bigger during pregnancy and are stretched while breastfeeding as well. The rest of the body can change during pregnancy and childbirth too.

All of these changes are well worth it for mothers, but there’s no denying that many women feel they have a different body after having children. It’s okay to want your pre-baby body back, and a mommy makeover can help.

What Is Included in a Mommy Makeover?

Mommy makeovers focus on improving a woman’s appearance through body and breast surgeries. Mommy makeovers can include any combination of the following procedures:

Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Breast Reduction
Breast Augmentation-Lift
Liposuction
Tummy Tuck

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

For many women, a mommy makeover is the best solution for improving the parts of their bodies that were changed during pregnancy and as a result of giving birth and breastfeeding.

The best candidate for a mommy makeover is someone who:

Is physically healthy overall
Is it their ideal weight
Has been at a stable weight for at least six months
Does not plan to have any additional pregnancies
Has completed breastfeeding
Is nicotine-free
Has realistic expectations about surgery

How to Prepare for a Mommy Makeover

If you have read about mommy makeovers and are considering one for yourself, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the individual surgeries that are available for this procedure. Have an idea of which procedures you may like to move forward with, and bring a list with you to your consultation appointment.

What to Expect at Your Mommy Makeover Consultation

Your consultation appointment is an opportunity to discuss treatment goals with our surgeons at Hill Country Plastic Surgery. You should feel comfortable discussing what areas of your body you would like to improve. It is perfectly fine to bring pictures of yourself in the past or photos of others whose figures or features you would like to emulate. Take a look at our mommy makeover before and after gallery for a start.

Together, you and your surgeon will discuss your options and go through your medical history. This includes your family’s medical history, any medications or supplements you are currently taking, past surgeries, allergies, and other relevant health details.

Be sure to bring with you any medications list, lab test results, and other pertinent health-related information. It is essential that we obtain honest and accurate information about your health. Most importantly, we need to know about any possible bleeding or clotting problems or other significant medical issues. We are happy to work closely with your hematologist and other physicians to create a comprehensive surgical plan that you can undergo safely.

In addition to discussing your medical history, your surgeon will also want to perform a brief physical exam. This may include taking measurements that will be necessary in preparation for your procedure.

Preparing for Surgery

Once your procedure date has been scheduled, it’s important to start planning for your surgery by taking time off from work and/or scheduling care for your children if necessary. You will not be able to pick up more than 10 pounds for several weeks after your surgery, so if you have small children, be sure to arrange necessary care and any other help you’ll require for yourself.

How Is the Mommy Makeover Procedure Performed?

Your mommy makeover procedure will be performed at a hospital or an accredited ambulatory surgical center. We will choose the location that is safest for you and the procedures you plan to undergo.

Once you have spoken with your surgeon at the surgical facility or hospital, you will be taken to the operating room for the procedure. Once there, the first step will be to administer general anesthesia. With general anesthesia, you will not experience any pain during surgery.

Depending on which procedures you’ve chosen for your mommy makeover, the specific steps will vary.

Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

Tummy tucks require incisions to be made along the lower abdomen and around the naval. The abdominal muscles will be tightened, the belly button location will be adjusted if necessary, and the skin will be pulled down taut. Any excess skin will be removed.

Liposuction on the abdomen often accompanies a tummy tuck procedure before the abdominoplasty incisions are closed. Liposuction can also be performed on other areas of the body such as the upper arms, flanks, buttocks, and thighs. Liposuction requires small incisions to be made in the target areas. These incisions must be large enough for a thin hollow metal tube called a cannula to be inserted. The cannula will agitate and remove the excess fat.

Breast Surgery

Several different types of breast surgeries may be performed with a mommy makeover. Many moms are interested in getting a breast lift to correct sagging, drooping breasts. If your nipples hang below your breast crease when you’re standing relaxed in front of the mirror, a breast lift may be for you.

Breast lifts may be combined with breast augmentation surgery as well — if added volume is desired. Incisions will be made under the breast where implants of the desired size will be placed.

In some cases, patients may be interested in reducing the size of their breasts in which case breast reduction surgery will be performed using a vertical or anchor incision to remove excess breast tissue, fat, and skin and reshape the remaining tissue.

Mommy Makeover Recovery

Mommy makeovers may be performed, inpatient or outpatient. That is some patients — especially those who are having a large amount of skin removed or numerous individual procedures — may have to stay overnight after surgery. However, most patients are able to go home on the same day of their procedure (after a short period at the surgical facility or hospital).

Be sure to have a trusted friend or family member ready to take you home. It’s best to have some assistance at home for the first few days of your recovery as well.

At home, it is critical to follow the aftercare instructions given to you by your surgeon. This will reduce your recovery time, reduce the appearance of mommy makeover scars, and increase your comfort overall.

It’s typical to have some discomfort and pain after your surgery. Moderate swelling is also normal. If you’re having a breast augmentation performed, you may or may not have drains to reduce the accumulation of fluid and swelling. Directly after surgery, if have had both breast and body procedures performed, you will be placed in abdominal compression garments and a supportive bra.

Mommy Makeover Recovery Time

Mommy makeover patients can expect to return to their normal activities at approximately six weeks post-surgery. You will not need to have any sutures removed after mommy makeover surgery as all incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures.

With any exercise, start slow. Keep in mind that you will want to limit workouts involving your abdominal muscles for approximately three months after surgery if you had a tight abdominal plication performed. Wear an abdominal binder as you begin, and slowly, as you build confidence and strength, you can use the binder less and less until you no longer need it. As always, if you have any questions at all during your recovery, ask your surgeon.

Some of your mommy makeover results should be seen right away. However, swelling will occur after surgery, so your complete results will take time to appear. Each day, the swelling will go down, and you will begin to see more and more of your new figure.

What Are the Risks of Mommy Makeovers?

All invasive surgeries require the consideration of possible risks and complications. Mommy makeovers are no different.

At your consultation appointment, your surgeon will go over your anatomy and medical history and discuss any personalized risks and limitations for you. In general, however, these are the main possible risks you’ll want to know about:

Bleeding
Prolonged pain and discomfort
Risks related to anesthesia
Infection
Seroma (fluid accumulation)
Poor wound healing
Changes in sensation to the nipple or skin
Prolonged numbness
Looseness of skin
Shape or contour irregularities
Poor scarring
Asymmetry

For breast implants:

Implant rupture or leakage
Scarring around the implant
Poor positioning of the implants

FAQs About Mommy Makeovers

Where can I find a mommy makeover near me?

At Hill Country Plastic Surgery, our surgeons specialize in mommy makeovers, including both breast and body procedures. If you live in the area and are considering a mommy makeover, call us today to schedule a consultation appointment.

How much is a mommy makeover?

Your mommy makeover price will vary depending on the amount of surgery required. To calculate your total mommy makeover cost, include the amount for each procedure, including anesthesia fees, surgical center or hospital facility fees, the cost of medical tests, the cost of compression garments, prescription costs, and your surgeon’s fee.

Are mommy makeovers covered by insurance?

No, mommy makeovers are not covered by health insurance. Other related procedures such as breast reduction surgery may be covered in some cases, but as a general rule, health insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures.

What should I know before a mommy makeover?

You must discuss your complete medical history and any current conditions with your surgeon to be sure you are a good candidate for this surgery. It’s also important to have a generalized idea of your desired results. This will help your surgeon recommend the best procedures for you.

Next, it’s important to be in good physical health and be a non-smoker before your surgery. Finally, you should be at a stable weight.

Do mommy makeover scars go away?

Scarring is an inevitable part of any invasive surgery that requires incisions. The procedures included in mommy makeovers — including tummy tucks, liposuction, breast augmentation, and others — all require incisions.

Therefore, there will be a certain amount of scarring. Fortunately, if you follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions closely, these discreetly located scars will fade. Over time, they should become difficult to see.

Guide to Mommy Makeovers

Guide to Mommy Makeovers Want to learn more about the mommy makeover procedure and discuss your options with a doctor?

Hill Country Plastic Surgery is proud to have some of the best mommy makeover surgeons in Texas. No matter your goals or where you are on your self-improvement journey, we are happy to discuss your mommy makeover options with you.

References

https://med.stanford.edu/cosmeticsurgery/aestheticservices/body/mommy-makeover.html

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