A “mommy makeover” is a combination plastic surgery procedure that addresses common effects that pregnancy and breastfeeding can have on a woman’s body.
Although the breasts and abdomen are the primary areas of focus of a mommy makeover, your surgery may include any of the following procedures:
Procedures of a Mommy Makeover
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure in which breast implants are inserted beneath the chest muscles or breast tissue to enhance the size or shape of the breasts.
There are two main types of breast implants used in breast augmentation: silicone breast implants and saline breast implants.
Breast Lift
A breast lift (mastopexy) raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape the breast.
According to Mayo Clinic, “During pregnancy, the ligaments that support your breasts might stretch as your breasts get fuller and heavier. This stretching might contribute to sagging breasts after pregnancy–whether or not you breast-feed your baby.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery (reduction mammaplasty) removes excess fat, tissue, and skin from the breasts to decrease their size and help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with large breasts.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) tightens muscles and removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen to help flatten the stomach.
Liposuction
Liposuction (lipoplasty) removes excess fat from the body through suction. It does not remove cellulite, dimples or stretch marks.
Circumferential Abdominoplasty
This type of tummy tuck is more extensive than a standard tummy tuck, and is typically performed on people who have lost a lot of weight and have loose skin as a result.
Buttock Augmentation
Buttock augmentation (gluteal augmentation) helps improve the size, shape, and contour of the buttokcs. This is done through the use of buttock implants, fat grafting or sometimes a combination of the two.
Is a Mommy Makeover Right For Me?
You may be a good candidate for a mommy makeover if you are interested in regaining your pre-pregnancy body and:
- Are in good health
- Are finished childbearing
- Are at your ideal body weight
Note: You should wait at least six months after your last pregnancy before considering a mommy makeover.
Average Cost of Mommy Makeover
The cost of mommy makeover surgery can vary based on the specific procedures you choose, your location, and your surgeon.
Some mommy makeover costs may include:
- Anesthesia fees
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Surgeon’s fee
- Implants
- Medical tests and x-rays
- Prescription medications
- Post-surgery garments or supplies
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 for a mommy makeover.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Before you schedule your mommy makeover surgery, you should first get a consultation from a surgeon. The consultation is a time for your surgeon to get to know you and learn what your expectations are regarding your procedure.
During the consultation, you and your doctor will talk about your medical history and risk factors, and go over any medical conditions you have that could put you at risk of complications.
To prepare for your mommy makeover surgery, you may be asked to:
- Stop smoking
- Get a medical evaluation or lab tests
- Adjust your medications
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs or herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding during surgery
A mommy makeover is typically performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery setting, and general anesthesia will likely be used.
Your mommy makeover may be done in one or two stages, depending on how many areas of your body are being addressed.
Recovery
The recovery period for a full mommy makeover can be long, typically lasting anywhere from two to three months.
The first several weeks of your recovery, you may be on bed rest, so you should think about having someone with you who can help you perform basic tasks during that time.
As with any medical procedure, it is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions after your mommy makeover surgery. For instance, your surgeon may ask that you do not exercise or smoke in the weeks following your mommy makeover. Carefully following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions can help ensure you heal quickly and avoid complications.
Risks and Complications
Some common risks and complications related to mommy makeover surgery include:
- Bleeding after surgery
- Hematoma (collection of blood outside of the blood vessels)
- Seroma (fluid accumulation)
- Infection
- Poor healing of incisions
- Inability to breastfeed
- Scarring
- Recurrent looseness of skin
- Deep venous thrombosis (this happens when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body)
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Persistent pain
- Anesthesia risks
A Note About Anesthesia
General anesthesia is typically administered during mommy makeover surgery to ensure you don’t feel pain during the procedure.
Anesthesia drugs may be inhaled or administered intravenously by an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist.
Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists are specially trained in anesthesia and will monitor your vital signs and rate of breathing during the surgery.
Some common side effects of anesthesia include:
- Memory loss
- Temporary confusion
- Difficulty urinating
- Dizziness
- Bruising or soreness around the IV site
According to Medical News Today, “Overall, general anesthesia is very safe. Even particularly ill patients can be safely anesthetized. It is the surgical procedure itself which offers the most risk.”
Some conditions that may increase the risk of complications related to general anesthesia include:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Seizures
- Heart, kidney, or lung conditions
- Alcoholism
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Drug allergies
- History of reactions to anesthesia
- Medications that can increase bleeding
3 Tips for Choosing a Surgeon
When deciding on a surgeon to perform your mommy makeover, we suggest following these 4 tips.
1. Do your research
Taking time to research a particular surgeon can help ensure you choose one who does good work and has a good reputation.
2. Talk to your friends
If you have friends who have gotten plastic surgery, ask them about their surgeon and whether they would recommend them.
3. Ask to see “before and after” photos
A reputable surgeon will have no problem sharing examples of their past work with you. Once you’ve narrowed your options down to a few choices, reach out to them and ask to see some before and after shots.