Mommy Makeover
A Mommy Makeover is a combination of cosmetic procedures designed to help women restore their pre-pregnancy bodies after childbirth. Pregnancy and breastfeeding often cause lasting changes to the body, such as overstretched abdominal skin, sagging breasts, and stubborn fat deposits. In many cases, these cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone. A Mommy Makeover addresses multiple problem areas at once to rejuvenate and correct body contours.
A Mommy Makeover is customized for each patient’s unique needs. Different procedures may be combined to target your areas of concern. The most common procedures included in a Mommy Makeover are breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction. Here’s what you can expect for a typical Mommy Makeover:
Candidates
You may be a candidate for Mommy Makeover surgery if:
- There are changes to your body from pregnancy or breastfeeding that you want to correct, such as sagging/deflated breasts, tummy pooch, sagging skin, and/or stubborn fat
- You are in good overall health and have realistic expectations for the outcome
- You are finished having children, as future pregnancies could affect your results
- You are a non-smoker (or are willing to quit prior to surgery)
Ideal candidates should also be at or near their stable weight, as significant weight fluctuations can affect the results.
Recovery
After surgery, you will be monitored in a recovery room before being discharged. Compression garments may be placed on the treated areas to help reduce swelling and support the healing process. You will most likely be discharged home the same day, but you will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Most of the first week will be spent resting and allowing your body to heal. You may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medications. You’ll need to avoid strenuous activities, including heavy lifting, which is particularly important if you have young children at home. Be sure to get childcare assistance so that you can rest and recover without having to worry.
Most patients can return to light activities within 1 to 2 weeks after Mommy Makeover surgery. Still, depending on the nature of your job, you should plan to take about 2 weeks off work. Those with physically demanding jobs may require more time off. It’s important to wait at least 4 to 6 weeks before resuming strenuous physical activities, including exercise. If you got a tummy tuck as part of your Mommy Makeover, you may need to wait up to 12 weeks to do any exercises that involve the core muscles.
While much of the swelling and bruising will subside within the first several weeks, it may take several months for your body to fully heal and for the final results to be visible. Follow-up appointments will help ensure that your recovery is progressing smoothly.