Mommy Makeovers: How They Work and What To Expect

Having a baby is amazing. But it can change your body. If healthy eating and exercise haven’t helped you feel like yourself again, you might be thinking about a “mommy makeover.”

Although popular, they aren’t right for everyone. And surgery always has risks.

Plastic surgeon J. Vicente Poblete, MD, offers insight about the process and what you should consider before getting a mommy makeover.

What is a mommy makeover?

A mommy makeover is a series of cosmetic surgeries that help reshape some of your physical features after giving birth. These procedures can include a tummy tuck, breast surgery (augmentation, lift, reduction or fat transfer), labiaplasty and/or liposuction.

The most popular procedures in a mommy makeover

When it comes to mommy makeovers, you can choose a single course of action or combine several for a more comprehensive approach. Some of the more common surgical options include:

Tummy tuck

During pregnancy, your belly (both your skin and its underlying structures) stretches to accommodate the growing fetus. Following pregnancy, your tummy area may feel looser than before.

If you’re uncomfortable with how your abdominal area looks or feels, a tummy tuck can help remove excess skin around your abdomen and tighten your abdominal muscles. It may even improve or remove stretch marks and C-section scars.

“Usually, the excess is a combination of fat and skin,” says Dr. Poblete. “The optimal procedure may be a lipo-abdominoplasty, with the benefits of both liposuction and tummy tuck for enhanced contouring.”

Breast augmentation, reduction or lift

You may also want to consider some kind of breast enhancement as part of your mommy makeover:

• Breast augmentation: If your breasts have lost volume, implants can make them look fuller. “The deflated appearance after pregnancy may make them appear sagging, but in reality, it’s more about volume correction,” clarifies Dr. Poblete.
• Breast reduction: If your breasts are larger than before pregnancy — and making you uncomfortable or causing back pain — this option can remove tissue and reshape them.
• Breast lift: If your breasts are sagging, a surgical breast lift can help raise them by removing extra skin and tightening breast tissue.

“Combining a breast lift with augmentation is popular,” notes Dr. Poblete. “This combined approach is a more effective way of achieving a lifted appearance and more volume on the upper half of the breast.”

Liposuction

Liposuction is a popular mommy makeover option if you aren’t getting the results you want from healthy eating and exercise alone. For this approach, a cosmetic surgeon can remove fat from your abdomen, arms or thighs.

“Liposuction works best for localized fat deposits,” explains Dr. Poblete. “If the main concern is fat and there isn’t much excess skin, liposuction might be the optimal option.”

Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is a surgical option that reduces the size of your labia minora, the skin folds that surround your urethra and vagina.

Maybe pregnancy hormones led to changes in this skin. Or maybe it was stretched in childbirth and hasn’t returned to its pre-pregnancy shape. When you have a lot of labial tissue, it can get pinched or tugged during exercise and sex, making those activities uncomfortable or painful. Removing extra tissue can help with comfort and appearance.

Recovery time

Your recovery time from a mommy makeover varies based on your age, health and the number of surgeries and treatments you have. For most cases, you can go home right away. Often, surgeons recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the first four to six weeks.

After surgery, follow your doctor’s care instructions. Pay close attention to stitches and the areas that were affected during surgery. You may need some additional help in those first few weeks with daily activities around the house, or you may need to take a week or two off from work. So, make sure you plan accordingly.

Things to consider before having a mommy makeover

If you’re thinking about having a mommy makeover, it’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself. Dr. Poblete suggests the following considerations:

• Scarring: Scars are a natural part of healing. While they usually fade, seeing them in new places can take some getting used to.
• Future children: Future pregnancies can undo some of the effects of previous treatments. You may want to hold off on having a mommy makeover if you plan on having more children.
• Existing health conditions: If you have other health conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, talk with your doctor about the risks of cosmetic surgery.
• Smoking: You’ll need to quit smoking for at least six weeks prior to surgery. Smoking has been linked to increased risk during surgery, and it can lengthen your recovery time.
• Choosing a plastic surgeon: Get to know your surgeon by asking to see results from other surgeries. Also, make sure they’ve been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.

Final results

The decision to get a mommy makeover shouldn’t be rushed, emphasizes Dr. Poblete. First, talk with your doctor about the risks, benefits and expected outcomes. From there, your surgeon can discuss a variety of options that fit your goals and help you feel more in tune with your physical body.

“Many people are very satisfied with the results,” he adds. “If it helps people feel good about their appearance, it can be a really satisfying experience.”