Pregnancy is a beautiful journey but it can leave lasting changes to your body in ways that diet and exercise cannot always reverse. A mommy makeover addresses these concerns through a customized combination of surgical procedures designed to restore your pre-pregnancy appearance.
Understanding what is included in a mommy makeover is the first step toward making informed decisions about your body and your goals. A mommy makeover often combines procedures such as breast augmentation or lift, tummy tuck and liposuction, all tailored to your unique needs for a comprehensive transformation that meet your aesthetic goals.
Related: Can You Breastfeed with Breast Implants?
What Components Make Up a Mommy Makeover
Breast Augmentation and Breast Enhancement Options
Many women experience a loss of breast volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breast augmentation restores fullness and improves breast shape tailored to your body proportions.
Dr. Adrian Lo offers scarless breast implant placement through the armpit, which eliminates visible incisions on the breasts. This approach provides natural-looking results while minimizing scarring. Implants options include various sizes and profiles to match your body proportions. The most popular implant is the Gummy Bear silicone implant because of its natural feel and look.
Tummy Tuck for Abdominal Restoration
Tummy tuck and breast augmentation form the foundation of most mommy makeover procedures. Pregnancy stretches these muscles apart, creating a condition called diastasis recti. A tummy tuck removes excess skin, skin rolls and tightens separated abdominal muscles, commonly called your “abs”. Excess fat is removed through liposuction during the tummy tuck procedure.
The result? A flatter, firmer stomach and stronger abdominal wall. A tummy tuck addresses concerns that sit-ups and core exercises cannot fix. The surgical incision runs horizontally in the lower abdomen (similar in location to a C section scar but longer) and is discreetly hidden beneath underwear or swimwear.
Liposuction for Body Contouring
Liposuction in mommy makeover procedures targets stubborn fat deposits that resist diet and exercise. Common areas include the abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, and lower back. This procedure sculpts your body by removing localized fat accumulations or deposits using thin long tubes called cannulas inserted through tiny incisions. Liposuction is often performed at the same time as the tummy tuck procedure. Fat removal creates smoother contours and enhances overall body proportions. When combined with other procedures, liposuction enhances your overall results and creates a more balanced harmonious silhouette.
Breast Lift Procedures
Pregnancy and nursing can cause breasts to sag. A breast lift with mommy makeover surgery repositions and reshapes breasts for a more youthful appearance. This procedure removes excess breast skin and reshapes breast tissue.
Some women combine a breast lift with implants for both a lifted look and enhanced breast volume. Some may only need the breast lift to achieve their desired appearance. The plastic surgeon will evaluate your current breast look and recommend the best approach based upon your goals and breast shape.
Why Women Choose Mommy Makeover Procedures
Addressing Multiple Concerns in One Surgery
A mommy makeover offers the convenience of post-pregnancy body restoration through a single comprehensive procedure. This approach has significant advantages as all your concerns are addressed at once. This approach results in one recovery period minimizing downtime and helps you return to your routine faster.
Combining procedures also means one anesthesia session and one facility fee. The comprehensive approach is a harmonious transformation of both your upper and lower body. You see complete results at one time rather than addressing one area at a time.
Restoring Pre-Pregnancy Body Proportions
Pregnancy shifts your body proportions in multiple ways. Your breasts may shrink and droop while your abdomen expands. Fat may redistribute and accumulate in areas where it did not exist before. These changes often create an unbalanced appearance.
Mommy makeover surgery components work together to restore balance. Breast procedures address the upper body while tummy tucks and liposuction reshape the midsection and lower body. The combined effect creates proportions that look natural and feel right for your frame.
Improving Physical Comfort and Function
Many women experience functional concerns after pregnancy beyond appearance. Separated abdominal muscles can weaken core strength leading to back pain and poor posture. Sagging breasts can create neck and shoulder strain. Excess abdominal skin may interfere with exercise and daily activities.
Mommy makeover procedures address the issues to improve both form and function. Tightening abdominal muscles provides core support and reduces back strain. Breast procedures eliminate the sagging skin that causes upper body pain. Women often report feeling stronger and more confident and comfortable in their bodies after recovery.
Saving Recovery Time with Combined Procedures
Recovering from one surgery takes less total time compared to recovering from two or three separate procedures. With a mommy makeover, you will only need to time off work once instead of multiple times. Your body heals all treated areas simultaneously rather than going through repeated healing cycles.
For most women, the recovery period typically lasts four to six weeks for full activities. Initial healing occurs within two weeks for most daily tasks. This consolidated timeline helps you return to caring for your family and enjoying life sooner than staggered procedures would allow.
How Mommy Makeover Surgery Components Work Together
Customizing Your Surgical Plan
Every mommy makeover is unique. What is included in a mommy makeover varies based on individual needs and goals. During your consultation, the plastic surgeon will discuss your concerns and evaluate factors such as breast volume and position, abdominal skin laxity, muscle separation and areas of stubborn fat. Some women need multiple procedures to reach their desired result, while others benefit from just two.
Your medical history and lifestyle also influence the surgical plan. This personalized approach ensures the procedures address your specific concerns effectively.
Combining Upper and Lower Body Procedures
The typical mommy makeover combines breast enhancement with abdominal contouring targeting the two areas most affected by pregnancy. Breast augmentation or a breast lift rejuvenates the upper body while tummy tuck restores firmness and shape to the midsection.
Thanks to advances in surgical techniques, combining these procedures in a single session has become increasingly popular. This approach not only minimizes overall downtime but also delivers a more harmonious, balanced transformation. Each procedure complements the other, creating natural looking results that enhance body proportions.
Your plastic surgeon will carefully plan and sequence the surgeries to prioritize safety and achieve optimal outcomes and results.
Balancing Breast and Abdominal Changes
Achieving natural-looking results requires careful planning. What is included in a mommy makeover must create visual balance between your upper and lower body. If you choose breast augmentation, the implant size should complement your post tummy tuck waistline. If you opt for a breast lift, the new position should align with your improved abdominal contour.
The plastic surgeon considers these relationships during planning. Precise measurements and assessments help determine the right implant size, the degree of breast lift to be performed and the amount of skin and fat to be removed from the abdomen. The goal is creating proportions that look natural and feel balanced when you stand and move.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Adrian Lo
Understanding what is included in a mommy makeover is the first step toward reclaiming your body after pregnancy. Dr. Adrian Lo, board certified plastic surgeon, specializes in personalized surgical plans tailored to meet your unique concerns and goals.
During your consultation, you will receive a comprehensive evaluation and discuss which mommy makeover procedures best align with your needs and expectations. Our Philadelphia plastic surgery practice ensures every consultation includes an in-depth discussion of your surgical options, so you feel informed and confident about your choices.
Schedule a consultation today to explore how a mommy makeover can help you achieve the results you desire. Dr. Lo and his experienced team will answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process.