Mommy Makeover
As a plastic surgeon, I fully explain all options available and discuss these with my patient at length. However, it’s her face and her body and I want my patient to have enough time to talk about what she’d like to change and to feel comfortable describing her appearance goals, preferences, and any concerns she may have.
A Mommy Makeover refers to a combination of body contouring procedures designed to help women restore their shape and pre-pregnancy figure after having children. Every Mommy Makeover is customized to address each woman’s unique problem areas, sculpting them to achieve a tighter, firmer post-pregnancy body.
What Are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover can offer patients a range of potential benefits, including:
- Restored Pre-Pregnancy Figure: Each customized treatment plan is designed to address areas commonly impacted by pregnancy and breastfeeding, such as the breasts and abdomen.
- Improved Confidence: Mommy makeovers often help enhance a woman’s body image and self-esteem.
- Customized Procedures: Dr. Wittpenn tailors each Mommy Makeover to the needs of the patient, ensuring that the final results align with their aesthetic goals.
- Comprehensive Results: A Mommy Makeover addresses multiple areas in one surgery for balanced, harmonious results.
- Reduced Recovery Time: Combined procedures minimize overall recovery time compared to separate surgeries.
- Enhanced Comfort: Mommy makeovers can sometimes help alleviate physical discomfort caused by excess skin and weakened abdominal muscles.
- Long-Lasting Results: With a healthy lifestyle, Mommy Makeover results can be maintained for many years.
Who Is a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
The Mommy Makeover procedure specifically targets the breasts and abdomen, which are the areas of the body most affected by pregnancy and childbirth. A Mommy Makeover may be recommended to healthy women who are done having kids, have achieved their post-pregnancy goal weight, have stopped breastfeeding for at least 3 months, and wish to correct any combination of the following problems:
- Sagging breasts
- Small, deflated breasts
- Overly large, pendulous breasts
- Enlarged nipples or areolas
- Abdominal stretch marks
- Loose, sagging abdominal skin
- Stubborn deposits of excess fat
What Procedures Are Commonly Included in a Mommy Makeover?
Some of the most common procedures incorporated into a Mommy Makeover include:
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Pregnancy can stretch the abdominal muscles and skin in ways that exercise and dieting alone can’t correct. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is designed to tighten the abdominal wall and remove loose, sagging skin and stubborn fat. It’s a core component of many Mommy Makeover procedures for women looking to restore a smoother, firmer midsection.
Liposuction
Even with a healthy lifestyle, many women find they retain pockets of fat in areas like the abdomen, hips, or thighs after childbirth. Liposuction can help contour these areas by permanently removing fat cells through small incisions. It’s often used in combination with other body procedures to refine your overall shape.
Breast Augmentation
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, many women notice a loss of breast volume and fullness. Breast augmentation, typically using silicone or saline implants, can restore the size and shape of the breasts to better restore your pre-pregnancy body or achieve your desired proportions. Implants are often chosen as part of a Mommy Makeover to enhance confidence and improve flat or aging contours.
Breast Lift
It’s common for the breasts to sag and lose their youthful positioning after pregnancy and nursing. A breast lift, or mastopexy, removes excess skin and tightens the surrounding tissue to raise and reshape the breasts. This procedure does not add or lose volume, but can be combined with breast implants for those who want both lift and fullness.
Breast Reduction
Some women experience an increase in breast size after pregnancy that remains even after weight loss. This can lead to discomfort, back pain, or difficulty finding clothes that fit properly. Breast reduction surgery removes excess tissue and skin to create a more proportional, lighter breast size while also lifting the breasts into a more youthful position.
Nipple and/or Areola Reduction
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause the nipples and areolas to enlarge or stretch, sometimes permanently. Nipple and areola reduction surgery can reshape or resize these areas to better match the proportions of your breasts and restore a more balanced appearance. This procedure is often performed alongside a breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction.
Labiaplasty
Childbirth and aging can lead to changes in the labia that may cause discomfort, irritation, or self-consciousness. Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes or reduces the labia minora for improved comfort and appearance. While not always discussed as part of a Mommy Makeover, it can be an important option for women seeking more comprehensive rejuvenation.
What Is Involved in a Mommy Makeover Procedure?
Depending on each patient’s individual cosmetic goals and concerns, a Mommy Makeover may involve a variety of different procedures. In total, 4-6 hours will usually be needed to perform the pre-selected combination of procedures, during which time patients will be under general anesthesia. Dr. Wittpenn takes the time to go over the specifics of each procedure included in the personalized treatment plan with patients in advance to ensure that they feel comfortable, confident, and well-informed about the process.
What Is Recovery Like After a Mommy Makeover?
Most patients need at least a week off work to recover after a Mommy Makeover. However, the length of the recovery period depends on exactly which procedures a patient has had, work requirements and their body’s unique healing process. During the initial recovery period, pain can typically be well-managed with rest and medication. Detailed post-op care instructions provided by Dr. Wittpenn should be followed closely to ensure optimal healing. Strenuous activity should be avoided for 4-6 weeks after surgery, at which time your final Mommy Makeover results will start to take shape.
How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?
The costs of a Mommy Makeover are as personalized as the treatment plan itself; therefore, there is no uniform quote for the procedure that can be applied to all patients. Factors that will affect your cost estimate include:
- The types of procedures included in your treatment plan
- The surgical technique(s) utilized
- The extent of your concerns
- Surgical fees such as expenses for the anesthesia, operating facility, surgeon, post-op care, etc.
Our office accepts plastic surgery financing through CareCredit® and ALPHAEON™ Credit for qualified patients. Please don’t hesitate to contact our team for more information about the cost of a Mommy Makeover.
Contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery
If you’re done having kids and want to reclaim your pre-pregnancy form, contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery at (936) 564-3744 to schedule a consultation and find out if a Mommy Makeover is right for you. Dr. Wittpenn is an expert Nacogdoches Mommy Makeover surgeon serving patients throughout eastern Texas and western Louisiana, including residents of Lufkin, Huntsville, Tyler, and Shreveport.