Table of Contents
From Tummy Tucks to Breast Lifts: What Does a Mommy Makeover Consist Of? : For many women, motherhood brings immense joy and fulfillment—but it can also leave lasting physical changes. In addition to the physical toll, these changes can affect your confidence. That’s why the concept of a mommy makeover has become increasingly popular.
This comprehensive approach to body contouring addresses multiple concerns in a single, tailored treatment plan. At Weiler Plastic Surgery Group, we’ve seen firsthand how these procedures transform lives by restoring a sense of vitality and self-assurance.
In this article, we’ll describe the procedures typically included in a mommy makeover, which helps women reclaim their pre-pregnancy bodies and feel like their best selves again.
What’s Included in a Mommy Makeover?
Virtually all mommy makeover surgeries involve body contouring and breast enhancement procedures, which include a range of options. For example, one of our surgeons may recommend an extended tummy tuck to address excess skin on the flanks, lower back, and abdomen. Or you may benefit from combining breast implants with a breast lift.
Here is a closer look at common mommy makeover options:
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
One of the most popular mommy makeover components is a tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty.
- What it addresses: Pregnancy can leave women with excess skin and weakened abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck addresses both concerns by removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen and tightening the underlying muscles.
- Procedure overview: During a tummy tuck, the surgeon makes a horizontal incision across the lower abdomen, typically from hip to hip. The skin and fat are lifted away from the abdominal muscles, which are then tightened and repaired. The surgeon removes the excess skin and pulls the remaining skin tight to create a smoother abdomen. Because the excess skin is pulled down and removed during the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision around the belly button to detach the skin. The stalk remains in place, and the surgeon creates a new notch in the skin for the belly button, giving the navel a more attractive shape and relative position.
- Recovery expectations: Recovery after a tummy tuck typically takes about 6 weeks, which is more time than needed for other procedures in a mommy makeover. You should expect discomfort and swelling to peak near the end of the first week, but you can take prescription medication to manage any pain. Following your plastic surgeon’s instructions carefully is important to ensure proper healing.
Breast Enhancement
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly alter the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. Mommy makeovers often include one or more breast procedures to restore a more youthful and lifted appearance.
Breast lift
- What it addresses: A breast lift elevates and reshapes sagging breasts. It can improve their overall appearance and create a more youthful-looking contour. It’s a good choice if you want to address breast sagging but you’re happy with your breast size.
Breast augmentation
- What it addresses: Breasts often appear deflated after pregnancy or weight loss. Saline or silicone gel breast implants create a fuller appearance that women often want.
Breast lift with implants
- What it addresses: Breast augmentation won’t improve the appearance of sagging breasts, so many women opt to combine implants with a breast lift to enhance their shape and size.
Breast reduction
- What it addresses: Some women have heavy, enlarged breasts, which can lead to discomfort and back pain. Breast reduction reduces the size and weight of the breasts, alleviating these symptoms and improving overall comfort.
Liposuction
Incorporating liposuction ensures smooth, even fat reduction, complementing the firm, flat abdomen achieved through tummy tuck’s muscle repair and skin tightening.
- Areas commonly treated: Besides removing excess fat from the abdomen, liposuction can address other trouble spots, such as the hips, lower back, buttocks, and thighs.
- How it complements other procedures: Liposuction can enhance other mommy makeover procedures by contouring the body and creating a more balanced and harmonious appearance.
Additional Procedures To Consider
Even though tummy tucks, breast procedures, and liposuction are the most common components of a mommy makeover, you might consider other procedures as well.
Vaginal Rejuvenation
- Types of treatments: Vaginal rejuvenation includes surgical procedures such as labiaplasty and nonsurgical treatments such as ThermiVa® that improve the appearance and function of the vagina.
- Benefits beyond aesthetics: These treatments can address issues such as vaginal laxity, urinary incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.
Customizing Your Mommy Makeover
Women who want breast enhancement surgery without implants have some advanced options at our practice. At our Metairie, LA, location, Dr. Daniel Womac performs the innovative DIEP Mommy Makeover. This procedure augments breasts using the patient’s own tissues transferred from the lower abdomen, resulting in a natural look and feel and long-lasting results.
Our surgeons also perform fat transfer breast augmentation if you’re seeking subtle enhancement with the added benefit of body contouring. The technique uses liposuction to remove fat from another area of the body, such as the abdomen, and transfers it to the breasts. However, if you want to significantly increase breast size and achieve predictable results, traditional breast implants are probably the better choice.
Is a Mommy Makeover Worth It?
The cost of a mommy makeover is an investment in your confidence. While the upfront cost can seem daunting, the transformative procedure is more accessible than ever thanks to attractive financing options. Many practices partner with reputable healthcare lenders and offer flexible payment plans, allowing patients to spread the cost into manageable monthly installments that fit almost any budget. Financing empowers you to prioritize yourself now, enjoying the emotional and physical benefits sooner while maintaining control over your finances.
