The “mommy makeover” is fast becoming one of the most popular phrases and procedures in the world of aesthetic and cosmetic surgery, but what is it exactly?
When a woman’s body goes through a pregnancy, lots of things change. Obviously, your tummy grows as the baby inside grows, but there are many other changes that happen.
Pregnancy affects EVERYTHING in a woman’s body, from head to toe.
- Your hair thickens during the pregnancy and shedding is common after
- Your skin gets that “rosy glow” of pregnancy and then can become dry or acne prone due to hormone changes
- Your breast tissue becomes fuller and then can get saggy and “deflated” after breastfeeding several babies
- The skin on your tummy may develop stretch marks or a “mother’s apron” of extra abdominal skin after being stretched to its limits
- Your vaginal walls may become more lax and you may have difficulty achieving orgasms
- Your ankles and feet swell because of fluid retention and spider and varicose veins may develop as a result of the increased vascular pressures related to pregnancy
Being a mother is one of the most amazing blessings of life, but it does come with the “side effect” of a baby body. Fortunately, modern medicine has found the solution to many of the problems that may make it difficult for you to enjoy the blessing that is motherhood.
What is a Mommy Makeover Procedure?
Simply stated, a Mommy Makeover is any combination of procedures and treatments that help to reverse or improve the effects of pregnancy on a woman’s body. It’s important to keep realistic expectations; your body has been through a lot and will probably never look just like your pre pregnancy body. You can certainly improve your concerns and raise your confidence level though!
What is typically included in a mommy makeover surgery?
A “mommy makeover” is traditionally considered to be a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) with a breast lift. Often there are other procedures combined into the package, including liposuction, breast augmentation, breast reduction and repair of your abdominal muscles (diastasis recti). This traditional mommy makeover neglects many of the changes that can most affect a woman’s self confidence, including her facial and vaginal concerns. A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin, done under general anesthesia. The scars that can result from tummy tuck and breast surgery are significant and can, in and of themselves, affect a woman’s confidence and comfort level when she’s undressed. The more invasive plastic surgery procedures can also have longer recovery times, which can be difficult for today’s busy moms.
What does a mommy makeover consist of at Imagen Body Sculpting?
At Imagen, we recognize that your post pregnancy concerns consist of more than just your boobs and your belly. Every mommy makeover package that we offer is custom designed around your concerns. From top to bottom, we offer treatments for every change that your body has been through.
Of course we offer body contouring with liposculpting of the highest caliber (including 4D Hi Def Liposculpting) but we also offer Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) for buttock enhancement and a scarless tummy tuck with Renuvion. The tiny incisions leave minimal scars and the recovery period of just 2-3 days is more manageable for moms on the go.
If your concerns are related to hair loss or losing that “glow” of pregnancy, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a great natural treatment with minimal downtime. Of course, we can’t leave out your vagina. It has been through a lot with childbirth! If you are suffering from urinary stress incontinence, vaginal laxity or difficulty achieving orgasm, Intima Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation may be just the help you’re looking for.
Labiaplasty may require up to 6 weeks of abstaining from intercourse, but Intima patients are back to normal sexual activity just 7 days after their treatment.
Am I a Good Candidate for Mommy Makeover?
Ideal candidates to be mommy makeover patients:
- Are generally healthy.
- Are within 30 pounds of their ideal body weight (usually that means a BMI of less than 30). If you are above that, you would most likely benefit from some weight loss before your procedure.
- Are frustrated by their body shape and have excess fat deposits in spite of a healthy diet and regular exercise.
- Do not smoke, use drugs or drink to excess.
- Have realistic body image and expectations. You most likely won’t look exactly like your pre-baby body.
What is the best age to have a mommy makeover?
When you are considering a mommy makeover, the most important question is probably “do you plan to have more children?” If you do, you will most certainly want to wait on a procedure like a tummy tuck until you are past your childbearing plans. If you have a tummy tuck and then get pregnant again, your skin has less ability to stretch and you may end up with a wider scar and more extensive stretchmarks, essentially undoing your investment. If you are considering more children, but are ready to get rid of stubborn fat to feel more confident about yourself now, you may want to think about liposuction combined with a skin tightening treatment like Renuvion.
How Do I Prepare for a Mommy Makeover?
You should always follow your surgeon’s pre-op instructions. Make sure you let them know about any medical conditions, medications and allergies. If you smoke (including marijuana and vaping), you should stop. Avoid alcohol for at least a week before your procedure. Avoid medications like aspirin and ibuprofen which can thin your blood. Many herbal medications can also increase your risks of bruising and other complications. Prepare your house, making sure you have extra sheets and towels, a shower curtain liner and Clorox wipes. Fill any prescriptions and get your vitamins and arnica for your recovery.
What are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover can restore your confidence, make you less self-conscious and help you feel empowered. Sometimes being a mom can be stressful, but giving to your family shouldn’t mean giving up on yourself!
- Shapelier figure
- Toned and tightened core
- Reduced extra skin
- Improved sex life
- Lifted, perkier breasts
What are the Risks of a Mommy Makeover?
The risks of a mommy makeover will depend on exactly which procedures you are having done. For a procedure like PRP, the risks are minimal and are mostly related to the fact that the treatment uses needles. You may have some bruising and redness, but there will be almost no effect on your day to day life. On the other end of the spectrum, an invasive plastic surgery including removing loose skin and adding breast volume with silicone breast implants has risks for significant post op complications.
How long are you down with a mommy makeover?
Different procedures will have different down times. With a liposuction with Renuvion treatment, most of our patients are back to normal activities after 2-3 days. For an Intima vaginal rejuvenation you will have a week of vaginal rest but no real “down time.” With more invasive surgeries, like a tummy tuck, you may require as much as 3 weeks of recovery before you’re back to heavy lifting (like your children!) and full time working.
How Much is a Mommy Makeover?
Again, the cost of a mommy makeover depends on which cosmetic procedures are included. If you have minimal looseness in the skin with just a small amount of fat, CoolSculpting may get you sufficient reduction to help you feel comfortable and may cost as little as $500 per treatment. A larger procedure including mastopexy and abdominoplasty will require a surgical plan including surgeon’s fees, anesthesia fees and possibly operating room fees. At Imagen, we offer several different financing options to make sure that your Mommy Makeover pricing is within your budget.
Is the mommy makeover worth it?
RealSelf (a popular cosmetic surgery review site) rates Mommy Makeover with an impressive 95% worth it. The confidence that is gained by being comfortable in your body is priceless. Being able to enjoy time with your family at the pool or the park, rather than worrying about how you look, is the best result you can ask for.
How do I get a Mommy Makeover Treatment Plan?
At Imagen Cosmetic Surgery Center, we will start with an initial consultation. At your complimentary consultation, you will meet with one of our board-certified specialists to discuss your concerns and the treatments that we offer to help you achieve your goals. We can discuss everything from Botox and injectable fillers to liposuction and fat transfer. Please call us at 402-347-4433 to schedule a free consultation today. At your complimentary consultation, our team will discuss your goals and the expectations for your treatment as well as cost and financing. If you are not in Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs or the surrounding Nebraska/Iowa metro, we do offer virtual consultations as well!
