A mommy makeover is a surgery that uses a combination of cosmetic procedures that targets parts of the body that are affected by pregnancy. This includes the breasts, abdomen, hips and thighs. The ideal candidates for this procedure are those who have completed childbearing and who have tried to regain a pre-pregnancy shape through diet and exercise, but are not able achieve the results they desire. The most common techniques used during a mommy makeover include breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy-tuck and liposuction surgery. The goal is to tighten and restore areas stretched by pregnancy, which allows women to regain their pre-pregnancy body and an improved self-image.
The surgical techniques used during a mommy makeover vary based on the condition of each of the body parts the patient wishes to improve. For the breasts, common issues include sagging and loose skin and a loss of breast volume. Some women will have breasts that remain enlarged. Surgeries that may be considered include breast reduction, breast augmentation and/or a breast lift. For many, a combination of these techniques creates a youthful, beautiful pre-pregnancy breast appearance. The most common example is a breast augmentation with a lift. For the lower body, it is normal to see loose skin, surface irregularities such as stretch marks, and persistent pockets of fat. These are normally addressed with liposuction and a tummy-tuck, which firms and flattens the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin, as well as restores the weakened or separated muscles caused by pregnancy to create an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.
A mommy makeover covers a sizeable area of the body. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and can take 3 hours or longer to complete. Depending on what was addressed during surgery, the recovery time can vary. Most patients can go back to a normal routine in an average of 2-3 weeks; however, strenuous exercise is discouraged until at least 6 weeks after surgery. Ultimately it could take between 6 months to a full year for the final results to appear.