Becoming a mom comes with many wonderful moments. The unconditional love and bond with a child, all the firsts, and the joy of growing a family. While some women seem to snap back immediately after giving birth, others struggle to reclaim the sense of normalcy and confidence within their bodies after pregnancy and breastfeeding. According to Dr. Le of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery a Division of U.S. Dermatology Partners, “Carrying a child and giving birth is a wonderful experience, but it can take a toll on a woman’s body. From head to toe, changes can occur to the skin, muscles, and soft tissues that leave new moms feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious. As a plastic surgeon, mommy makeovers are some of my favorite services. These personalized treatment plans help women reclaim the form and function they had prior to giving birth. Mommy makeover treatments are all about comfort and feeling like yourself again.” In this blog, Dr. Le goes through the basics about what mommy makeovers are, who can benefit from them, and what treatments are included.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is a personalized cosmetic surgery plan that’s designed specifically to help women achieve aesthetic and functional goals. If you’re considering a mommy makeover, there are numerous reasons to move forward, including to:

• Tighten or remove loose skin.
• Repair and tighten laxed musculature in the abdomen.
• Remove fatty deposits.
• Reshape muscles and restore definition.
• Renew vaginal function and health.
• Increase self-confidence.

Common Procedures Included in a Mommy Makeover

Below are some of the most common mommy makeover procedures:

• Breast augmentation – breasts may swell and grow during pregnancy, but they can end up looking deflated following birth. Breast augmentation can help to make the breasts full again.
• Breast lift – if breasts are sagging following pregnancy, a breast lift can remove excess skin and reposition breasts to sit higher.
• Breast augmentation with lift – often times, after pregnancy and breastfeeding, many women need both an implant and a lift, which can be safely done together.
• Breast reduction – for some, hormones during pregnancy cause breasts to swell or change shape. A breast reduction can remove excess tissue and reshape the breasts to restore the desired symmetry and positioning.
• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) – restores the shape and definition of the abdomen by removing excess skin and fatty deposits while tightening and shaping healthy structures.
• Liposuction – a vacuum is used to suction fatty deposits from the hips, thighs, stomach, upper arms, and other areas.
• Vaginal rejuvenation – these are surgical treatments designed to improve vaginal appearance, function, and comfort following vaginal birth. Labiaplasty is one of the most common vaginal rejuvenation treatments. This procedure tightens protruding labia minora to ensure these sensitive vaginal tissues are protected by the labia majora.

Mommy Makeover Costs

The cost of a mommy makeover varies based on the procedures utilized, anesthesia administered, surgery location, number of treatment sessions, and a variety of other factors. In most cases, mommy makeover procedures are considered elective surgeries, so they aren’t covered by insurance. However, there are often financing options available.

Recovery Time and What to Expect

When it comes to recovery following a mommy makeover, Dr. Le says, “Every surgical procedure comes with some risk. Working with a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon can offset many of the adverse side effects that may occur following mommy makeovers. However, even the best surgeon can’t prevent every side effect following a surgical procedure. For this reason, it’s important to monitor your symptoms in the days following treatment. Your surgeon will let you know what symptoms are typical and what warning signs need to be reported right away. The cosmetic surgeon will also give you aftercare instructions to promote healing. This post-surgery treatment plan usually includes replacing bandages, using ice and compression to help with pain and swelling, keeping surgical sites clean, taking medications, applying topical treatments, and visiting the surgeon regularly for follow up visits.”

Recovery following mommy makeovers differs based on the procedures included in the individual mommy makeover plan. Some common symptoms following surgical procedures include bruising, swelling, and bleeding. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days or a week following the procedure. They are not usually anything to be concerned about. If you notice any of the following more serious concerns, you should contact your surgeon or seek emergency medical intervention:

• Shortness of breath not alleviated by resting
• Significant calf pain
• Prolonged bleeding
• Scarring
• Numbness
• Infection
• Poor would healing
• Asymmetry
• Chronic pain
• Tingling

Ideal Weight and Other Considerations for a Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover can be personally designed to help anyone achieve their goals. However, some candidates are more likely to achieve and maintain their desired results, including those who are:

• At or near their desired weight. Losing or gaining weight following mommy makeover procedures can change the results, leading to a possible need for re-treatment.
• In generally good health. Chronic health conditions, infections, or other serious concerns can all lead to greater risk for adverse side effects following treatment, including making healing take longer.
• Not planning to have more children. Those who are going to have more children in the future should wait to move forward with a mommy makeover. Many of the concerns that can be addressed by a mommy makeover will return after giving birth.

Reclaim Your Confidence

When it comes to looking and feeling your best as a new mom, Dr. Le says, “Mommy makeovers are all about giving my patients back their sense of confidence by helping them restore their body’s form and function. A plastic surgeon can help you understand the many options available to you and work with you to develop a personalized plan to achieve your goals.”

Schedule a Cosmetic Surgery Consultation

Whether a mommy makeover is the right option for you or there’s another treatment that will better meet your needs, a plastic surgery consultation is the best place to start. When you’re ready to work with one of our knowledgeable board certified plastic surgeons, just take a few moments to complete our online scheduling form. Once we hear from you, a member of our local office team will be in touch to finalize the details of your consultation visit.