What is a Mommy Makeover?

Pregnancy is an exciting time for many women, but very few are prepared for the effect pregnancy has on their bodies postpartum. Many new moms assume that they will automatically return to their pre baby shape immediately after giving birth. On the contrary, pregnancy can have an immense impact on several areas of a woman’s body.

Noticeable physical changes resulting from pregnancy can often leave a woman feeling less confident and not as attractive as they felt before having children. As you might expect, this procedure’s name has led to a sharp rise in the demand for Mommy Makeover, as well as a rise in women looking to regain a more youthful appearance postpartum. If you’re considering postpartum cosmetic surgery, you’re in the right place. Keep reading as we take you through 9 surprising facts about Mommy Makeover.¬†

Fact 1: Mommy Makeover is not a new procedure in plastic surgery.

Contrary to popular belief, the Mommy Makeover is not a new procedure. Instead, it is a customized combination of two or more traditional procedures that creates a completely “made-over” physique. The term “Mommy Makeover” became popular because more and more women have been exploring plastic surgery as a way to restore their bodies after giving birth. 

Bundling procedures is not a new concept. However, the Mommy Makeover has gained popularity for being a highly effective way to regain a more youthful pre-pregnancy look and achieve a more flattering shape.

Fact 2: Mommy Makeover is completely customizable.

Your surgeon will help you choose the procedures that will yield the best result in their professional opinion. You are encouraged to customize your treatment plan and will ultimately choose the individual procedures you wish to have performed during your Mommy Makeover. Your surgery will typically include a combination of two or more of the following procedures:

• Tummy Tuck
• Breast Augmentation with breast implants
• Breast Lift
• Breast Reduction
• Liposuction
• Gynecomastia

Fact 3: Not everyone is a candidate for Mommy Makeover.

Although many people can benefit from a Mommy Makeover, it isn’t the right choice for everyone. New moms, in particular, should wait at least 3-6 months after childbirth to have the surgery. Women who are still breastfeeding will also need to wait to schedule their treatment, as you cannot still be breastfeeding when you have Mommy Makeover surgery. Allow your body enough time to go through the natural changes that occur after childbirth before having the procedure. You can think of it as if you‚Äôre getting lasik eye surgery – you must wait until your eyesight has stopped changing in order for the procedure to be successful.

Generally, if you’re still planning on having children, it is recommended that you postpone the cosmetic procedures and wait until after you are done having kids. This eliminates the possibility of undergoing additional procedures in the future and reduces the possibility of adverse effects.

Fact 4: Mommy Makeover is not only for “moms.”

Though the term “Mommy Makeover” infers that this is a procedure for women who have had children, Mommy Makeover is not just for “moms,” or even just for women. Both women and men find having multiple procedures performed during one surgery to be a practical solution to improve their overall physique. Women who have never had children, whose bodies are beginning to show signs of aging, often chose to have a Mommy Makeover to achieve a more youthful appearance.¬†

Male patients also choose to have Mommy Makeover like combination of procedures to enhance the appearance of their bodies, remove access skin and fat and more. A male patient, for example, may desire to have a combination of a tummy tuck, gynecomastia, and liposuction performed, which would be an equivalent to a Mommy Makeover.

Fact 5. Mommy Makeover is not for weight loss.

The Mommy Makeover, like any plastic surgery procedure, is not an appropriate solution for weight-loss. The intended results are to enhance your current physique and should not be used to initiate weight loss or as a means of combating obesity. Patients who are considered obese or desire to lose weight should commit to diet and exercise or a weight loss program and reach their weight loss goals before surgery. To achieve the best possible result, it is important for a patient to be at or close to their ideal weight before undergoing plastic surgery. Losing a significant amount of weight after surgery may require a patient to undergo additional surgeries to restore their appearance and remove any loose or sagging skin.

Fact 6. Mommy Makeover won’t help with stretch marks or cellulite.

While Mommy Makeover surgery can produce remarkable results, it will not erase stretch marks or diminish the appearance of cellulite. Unfortunately, these effects of pregnancy are relatively permanent. Although they may fade over time, some other procedures that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks or cellulite include: 

• Laser Therapy
• Microdermabrasion 
• Microneedling

Fact 7. Recovery takes time.

Keep in mind that the Mommy Makeover combines two or more plastic surgery procedures performed under general anesthesia, it is reasonable to assume that recovery will take longer than the time it takes to recover from a single surgical procedure. During the recovery phase, you should also expect typical movements and daily activities to be restricted or limited. Heavy lifting, working out, and other physically demanding activities will be impacted for 2-3 months. 

Ideally, a patient should be on bed rest for approximately two weeks post-surgery. Patients with young children should also plan to have a responsible adult available to assist with daily parenting and household responsibilities. Recovery times vary for all patients and depend on the overall health and other factors.

Fact 8. The results will take time to show.

Over time, the results of your surgery will gradually become more apparent.  Understand that it may take up to 6 months before you can see the full results of your surgery. In the meantime, it is not unusual for your breasts and abdomen to remain swollen up to 3 months post-surgery. This is a part of the natural healing process. It is critical that you allow your body to properly heal throughout this process. Generally, a recovery period for Mommy Makeover is anywhere between 6 Р12 months.

Fact 9. Maintaining results is up to you.

Once your body has completely healed, maintaining the results of your Mommy Makeover is up to you! You can resume your normal activities only after your surgeon tells you it is safe. It is also essential that you implement an overall, healthy lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise to maintain the results of your body contouring surgery.