Mommy Makeovers 101

Giving birth can reap significant changes in your body. While certain aspects of your body might snap back into shape as they were before, it’s not unusual to find certain “problem areas” that weren’t an issue prior to giving birth.

While this is completely normal, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do something to get your body back to your ideal shape! Coupled with a healthy diet and exercise regimen a mommy makeover is a solution many women turn to post-pregnancy to whip their body back to its former glory.

Whether you’re just now hearing of a mommy makeover or are considering one but want to find out more before making a decision, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading for a thorough overview of what a mommy makeover is, what it entails, recovery time, and the typical costs involved.

Let’s get started!

What Is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is simply a customized group of cosmetic procedures you can choose from to reduce the aftereffects of giving birth, including signs of aging on the breasts, face, and other regions of the body. A mommy makeover is designed to help women achieve their pre-pregnancy appearance through personalized procedures that help each patient reach their desired body goals.

A mommy makeover may consist of invasive cosmetic surgery or non-surgical procedures. Sometimes, the patient may choose a combination of each for her mommy makeover.

After pregnancy, you will likely notice significant alterations in your physical appearance. Things like stretched stomach muscles, loose, sagging skin, and drooping breasts are all common complaints women have post-pregnancy. It is not unusual for women to feel discouraged after giving birth when healthy eating habits and frequent exercise don’t bring quite the results they were hoping for.

If this describes you in any way, a mommy makeover might be the answer to help you take back your pre-baby body. The primary reasons women opt for a mommy makeover include:

• To increase breast volume and correct sagging breasts
• To fix enlarged or stretched nipples
• To make the breasts more symmetrical
• To fix separated abdominal muscles or stretched muscles
• To get rid of sagging or excess skin on the stomach
• To fight fat pockets that resist health habits like a good diet and regular exercise
• To improve how your swimwear and clothing fit

Choosing the ideal time to undergo your mommy makeover is ultimately up to you. You should discuss your options with your cosmetic surgeon to ensure your body is ready for any procedures you opt for. It is important to note, that you should be 100% recovered from childbirth before the doctor performs any procedures.

Also, if you are thinking about breast surgery, you must wait a minimum of several months after you have stopped breastfeeding so your breasts can go back to their regular shape and size. If you are still breastfeeding your baby, non-surgical procedures such as injections are not advised until you are completely done.

As a rule of thumb, it is also advisable to hold off from any lifting surgeries such as a breast lift or tummy tuck until you are done having children. If you are considering becoming pregnant again at any point, certain skin treatments and body contouring options that don’t involve actual surgery could be a good choice.

What Does a Mommy Makeover Consist Of?

You have plenty of surgical and non-surgical procedures to pick from if you’re considering a mommy makeover. Since pregnancy and giving birth can really take a toll on your breasts and areas of your body like the thighs and abdomen, mommy makeovers often feature body contouring and breast enhancement procedures.

With that said, you should discuss your options with the cosmetic surgeon, including your target goals for your final look so you can pick the procedures that work best for you.

First off, most mommy makeovers involve at least one, if not more, surgical procedures. It is not uncommon to have more than one procedure performed in an individual operation, which means that you can enhance multiple regions of your body with a single surgery and recovery.

The most popular mommy makeover surgical procedures are:

• Breast lifts
• Breast augmentation
• Tummy tucks
• Liposuction
• Feminine rejuvenation

Surgical procedures like breast implants can enhance the fullness of your breasts while restoring volume lost after giving birth and breastfeeding. A breast lift is a fantastic option to physically lift drooping skin for a tauter shape. If you find that you have very large breasts following pregnancy and are unhappy with their enhanced size, a breast reduction could be a viable procedure for you to consider.

Not all procedures involve surgery. There are plenty of non-surgical options to choose from and incorporate into your ultimate mommy makeover as well. If you intend to get pregnant later on or are a bit hesitant to choose the more invasive procedures, the non-surgical route could be ideal for you. It is worth noting that non-surgical procedures will not have as significant an effect on your body, but you can still attain the changes you’re looking for.

The most popular non-surgical mommy makeover procedures are:

• Cellulite reduction
• Non-surgical fat reduction
• Skin tightening
• Fillers and Botox
• Skin resurfacing
• Non-surgical feminine rejuvenation

How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Mommy Makeover Surgery?

If you have a comprehensive mommy makeover with multiple procedures involved, you must know that your recovery time will be significantly longer than if you have fewer, non-surgical procedures. Procedures like tummy tucks have a fairly lengthy recovery time, so you should anticipate a 2 to 3 month recovery period following the surgery.

With a tummy tuck, you won’t have to spend the entire period in bed. However, you will need to stay in bed for about 2 weeks initially and will not be permitted to lift over 25 pounds for the duration of your recovery. If your children are still very young, you will require significant assistance caring for your children during the few months in which you will be out of commission.

You can also opt for a mini tummy tuck, which has a much shorter recovery time of just around 2 to 4 weeks total.

In the initial few weeks after your mommy makeover, you will require daily aid to assist you with routine tasks. While resting, managing your pain won’t be as much of an issue, but once you start to move around the incisions can begin to hurt. Having a trusted family member, friend, or companion around to assist you with needs like preparing meals or walking to the bathroom will be invaluable.

Ahead of your mommy makeover, it is advisable to carve out a unique rest area in your home that you can use for recovery later on. Stock your rest area with items you will require throughout the duration of your recovery, such as a wash basin, your pain medications, water bottles, and snacks. Make sure your bed has a body pillow and plenty of additional pillows, so you have the support you require during recovery.

After your mommy makeover, you will likely need to elevate your feet and head in the initial days following your procedure. Finally, it is essential to bear in mind that your surgery results will not be immediately apparent. In the initial 3 to 6 weeks of your recovery, you should expect ongoing swelling in your breasts and abdomen.

The swelling is completely normal and is the body’s built-in inflammatory reaction to your surgery, which helps to promote healing. You will note that your abdomen and breasts appear larger than you would desire due to the swelling, but once the swelling begins to subside, you will start to see your desired vision for your body come to fruition.

How Much Does It Cost for a Mommy Makeover Plastic Surgery?

The cost of your mommy makeover plastic surgery is largely going to depend on the number of procedures you have done and the type of procedures you have done. The experience and expertise of your cosmetic surgeon as well as their physical office location will also have an impact on the final cost of your procedures.

The average overarching cost for a mommy makeover plastic surgery starts at around $9,000 and goes up all the way up to $20,000. Remember, the costs of a mommy makeover vary widely from patient to patient, so your total could be less or more than this range.

Certain surgical procedures that you may include in your mommy makeover are more expensive than others. For example, the average cost of a breast augmentation is approximately $4,000 while a breast lift can push $5,000. Procedures like breast augmentation with a lift or breast reduction cost $6,000 each, on average. Liposuction, on the other hand, costs significantly less with an average charge of $3,000.

You never want to select an inexperienced cosmetic surgeon because they’re “cheaper,” which could put you at risk of needing a corrective surgery at some point and potentially developing health issues in the future.

There is no one size fits all cost projection for a mommy makeover plastic surgery. If the costs associated with a mommy makeover seem daunting, you may want to consider the financing plans that many providers offer patients to make the procedures an accessible, viable option for women everywhere.