May 25, 2023

Mommy Makeover Before After: Is It Worth It?

Written by Dr. Smita Ramanadham. Posted in Blog.

If you’re a mom, it will come as no surprise that pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can do a number on your body. And while your precious little ones are surely worth all the pain and struggle, it’s also not out of line to say you miss your pre-baby body.

From stretch marks and loose skin, to sagging boobs and the dreaded “mom butt”, many mothers are anxious to reclaim the figure they once had (and perhaps even improve upon it!).

A mommy makeover is a surgery that helps moms improve those areas of their body that are most affected by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Is a mommy makeover worth it? Nearly all women who undergo a mommy makeover say yes.

What Is a Mommy Makeover?

A typical mommy makeover includes a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction, and some type of breast procedure (breast augmentation fat transfer, breast augmentation with implants, or a breast lift).

While the goal of the surgery is to help moms reclaim the body they had before having kids, the term “mommy makeover” is really just a marketing term. In fact, not all mommy makeover patients are mothers (this is a male female procedure and is often performed on weight loss patients too, for example).

What Are the Benefits of Mommy Makeovers?

There are countless benefits to mommy makeover surgery. Just take a look at some of our before and after mommy makeover photos to see the types of transformation this surgery can achieve. Women who choose this procedure after they are finished having children are overwhelmingly happy they made the decision.

Overall benefits include:

Help losing “baby weight” post-pregnancy. Liposuction can get rid of stubborn fat on almost any area of the body.
Improved breast appearance. Breastfeeding and overall weight fluctuations can cause flat, sagging breasts. A breast lift can draw up the breasts and nipples for a perkier appearance. A breast augmentation with implants or a breast augmentation fat transfer can add volume.
A flatter tummy. Your tummy must stretch and grow significantly when accommodating your baby during pregnancy. The loose skin that remains can be cumbersome and uncomfortable, but a tummy tuck can get rid of that sagging skin. Tummy tuck surgery is the most complex procedure performed in a mommy makeover.
No “mom pooch”. In addition to removing excess skin, a tummy tuck can also repair diastasis recti — the separation that occurs in the abdominal muscles during pregnancy (see mommy makeover before and after pictures). Not everyone needs a mommy makeover tummy tuck that includes muscle repair (some just need excess skin removed). Still, most women benefit from this — especially those who’ve had multiple pregnancies.

Mommy Makeover Before After: What to Expect

Preparing for Plastic Surgery

All mommy makeover procedures start with a consultation between you and your potential surgeon. Some women like to see a few surgeons before choosing the one they like. Consultation appointments present an opportunity for patients to meet in-person with a surgeon and learn about them and their practice. It’s also a time to discuss and look at photos of mommy makeover before and after cost, and other common concerns.

Surgeons like to get to know their patients this way too. We ask that you bring details about your medical history to your appointment and that you have at least a loose idea of the areas of your body you would like to improve.

Of course, we can discuss your options in more detail at your appointment. Many times, patients come in wanting one thing, but once they understand more about each procedure and are presented with additional options, it’s not uncommon to alter the plan.

After your consultation and once you’re cleared for surgery and ready to move forward, you and your surgeon will go over the finer details and set a date for your procedure. Note that some patients will require additional lab tests and medical evaluations to be cleared.

In order to prepare properly for your procedure, it’s important to avoid taking any medications or supplements that may cause bleeding issues in the weeks leading up to surgery. This includes certain herbal supplements and anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin.

It’s also critical that you do not smoke in the weeks before surgery (and the weeks following surgery). Other medications and supplements will be evaluated by your surgeon on a case by case basis.

Recovering From Mommy Makeover Surgery

For most women, recovery from mommy makeover surgery takes around two weeks. Of course, this depends on which procedures you chose for your makeover. Patients who opt for an included tummy tuck will usually have the lengthiest recovery times as this procedure is one of the most invasive.

At home, it’s important to have friends or family who can help you get around, cook meals, pick up prescriptions, run errands, etc. Additionally, you will not be able to lift anything over 10 lbs. for around six weeks after tummy tuck surgery, so if you have small children at home, you’ll definitely need childcare assistance.

In terms of exercise, we like to see patients walking as soon as possible (short distances and slowly at first). This is critical for maintaining proper circulation after your operation.

As time goes on, you’ll be able to walk a bit further and more comfortably. But never push yourself to an uncomfortable limit. For the vast majority of women, it will take at least six to eight weeks before you can start incorporating an actual workout into your daily schedule.