The Mommy Makeover Trend: Recovery, Results, Scars & More

A growing number of mothers are undergoing mommy makeover surgery. While it used to be referred to as a trend, this procedure has gained popularity year after year. What exactly is a mommy makeover ?

A mommy makeover describes a group of procedures a woman uses to regain her pre-baby body—and possibly even improve it. Usually done in a single surgical session, it typically involves:

• Tummy tuck surgery to tighten the belly and repair muscles.
• Breast augmentation with or without a breast lift to raise saggy breasts or replace lost fullness.
• Liposuction to help with body contouring.

It may also include vaginal rejuvenation or a Brazilian butt lift.

A mommy makeover can help reverse the effects of childbirth. Many new moms tell us that months after their baby is born, they have been asked when their baby is due. Realizing your body has lost its original shape can be devastating, leaving you with a feeling of helplessness and frustration. No amount of exercise can tighten ripped fascia, join separated muscles, or remove loose skin. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause major changes in your breast, including loss of volume and sagging skin.

Get your pre-baby body back. Just be sure to do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. Pictured below is one of our patients, a 35-year-old woman who had a tummy tuck, breast implants, a left crescent breast lift, and liposuction to her back and flanks. Scroll through her before and after pictures to see all that a mommy makeover can do.

Mommy makeovers aren’t just for moms. Many women who have lost a good deal of weight and now have sagging breasts, loose skin on the abdomen, and stubborn pockets of fat can also benefit. You may be a candidate for a mommy makeover surgery if you meet the following criteria:

• Are in good medical health
• Are at your ideal body weight
• Have a positive outlook and realistic expectations
• Are finished with childbearing

Following your surgery, gauze or bandages will be applied to your incisions. An elastic bandage or surgical bra will minimize swelling and support the breasts. A compression garment may also be used to control swelling in the abdomen, waist and buttock areas.

Recovery time for a mommy makeover depends on what combination of procedures you’ve had done, but you’ll probably need at least 2 weeks off work—up to 6 weeks if your job is highly physical. Swelling will start to subside in 2 to 3 weeks, though you won’t see your full results for up to 6 months. Over time, the implants will settle, usually taking 3 to 6 months to “drop and fluff.”

With any surgery, you will have some scars. Your mommy makeover scars will never disappear completely; however, the scar lines will improve over time. Your surgeon will take care to place incisions in concealed locations:

• Tummy tuck scar : The incision is very low on the abdomen, so even tiny bikini bottoms and underwear will hide it.
• Breast augmentation scar : Our surgeons usually recommend an inframammary incision placed beneath the fold of the breast. This location makes the scar imperceptible to most people.
• Liposuction scar : Liposuction incisions are very short—about a quarter of an inch in length. These incisions are often placed in natural creases, when possible, so they’re easily hidden.

Scars are the trade-offs, but most women feel these scars are small compared to the large improvement in their self-confidence after surgery.

Feel like a new person, wear that two-piece bathing suit again, and regain your confidence. Your results should last 10 years or more, provided you maintain a healthy lifestyle and don’t gain a lot of weight. As with any surgery you are considering, make sure you consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Many patients are also naturally interested in what a mommy makeover costs. You can learn about the potential cost of a mommy makeover in our related blog post.

If you’re considering a mommy makeover, we are here to discuss your options. Use our online form to request a consultation or call us at (770) 421-1242 to schedule an appointment.

The post The Mommy Makeover Trend: Recovery, Results, Scars & More first appeared on Plastic Surgery Center of the South.