Mommy Makeover: Consultation to Recovery
Mommy makeover procedures, which can include cosmetic breast surgery, body contouring procedures, and skin rejuvenation treatments, are common for both new mothers and women who have had children for years. The changes that occur in all women during and after pregnancy – for which mommy makeovers are designed to correct – do not typically revert over time, and it is for this reason that mommy makeovers can be performed at any stage after pregnancy once the body has restabilized. Ideally, however, I typically recommend undergoing this type of surgery when no further pregnancies are planned.
What Happens During the Mommy Makeover Consultation?
During the initial consultation, I will take a complete medical history and conduct a full examination of the patient. Following this, I will detail the various procedures that entail a mommy makeover, specifically those for which the patient is a candidate. I also explain that the goal of a mommy makeover is to reestablish the pre-pregnancy shape of the patient’s body and breasts. I find that the best way to manage expectations is to have patients look at before-and-after photographs from the gallery on my website. These represent my patients and their actual results. If patients like the results, their expectations can be met. On the other hand, if the postoperative photographs do not appeal to them, their expectations will most likely not be met, and they will not be good candidates for the surgery.
What Procedures May Be Included in a Mommy Makeover?
Most often, mommy makeovers include a combination of procedures to lift and enhance the breasts, recontour the body, and renew the skin’s appearance. Depending upon the unique needs and cosmetic goals of the patient, I may suggest the following options:
- Tummy tuck can repair stretched or torn abdominal muscles, remove excess skin and fat from the midsection, and give the abdomen a firmer, flatter appearance.
- Liposuction can recontour areas of the body affected by stubborn pockets of excess fat, such as the thighs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, lower back, and arms.
- Breast lift can elevate and reshape the breasts to achieve a more youthful, lifted, and contoured appearance. Breast lift can also be combined with breast implants to restore lost volume after childbirth.
- Labiaplasty can repair and rejuvenate the appearance of the labia minora and/or majora after the effects of childbirth.
Can a Mommy Makeover Be Performed During One Surgical Session?
Depending on the particular combination of procedures needed, I typically perform mommy makeovers in one surgical session to limit the number of anesthetics and recovery periods the patient will need to endure. For more on this technique, check out: “What Do Cosmetic Surgery and Aviation Have in Common?”
What Can I Expect During Recovery from a Mommy Makeover?
Recovery from a mommy makeover will vary depending on the combination of procedures performed. For a typical mommy makeover (breast surgery combined with a tummy tuck), an average timeline for recovery will include one to two weeks of rest with no exercise, followed by the resumption of light exercise within the next two weeks. Regular exercise routines or strenuous labor can generally be resumed one month after surgery. Most patients are able to return to work two weeks after surgery if they have office jobs, but women with more physical jobs such as police women, firefighters, and nurses may require up to one month prior to returning to work.
Ultimately, mommy makeovers are so popular because they consist of a group of operations designed specifically to address the changes of pregnancy that occur in virtually every woman. These changes from pregnancy do not resolve with diet or exercise, and it is for this reason mommy makeovers can be an excellent option for mothers seeking to restore their pre-pregnancy figures.
— Dr. Robert Rothfield, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Editor’s note: The original version of this post was published on November 14, 2013
Contact Weston Plastic Surgery
To learn more about mommy makeover procedures, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rothfield, please contact Weston Plastic Surgery today.