Mommy Makeover

One of the most common procedures our surgeons perform is affectionately known as the “mommy makeover.” The goal of this surgery is to correct the many changes that can affect a woman’s body during pregnancy, after childbirth, or due to weight fluctuations. When performed by a skilled plastic surgeon, a mommy makeover uses a combination of procedures to significantly improve the body’s contours. That’s why many Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona, women seek out our board-certified plastic surgeons for their mommy makeover surgery.

Receive a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Cohen or Dr. Sigalove to learn more about mommy makeovers. Our facility is conveniently located for women and men living in Tempe, Paradise Valley, and other communities in the Greater Phoenix area.

Plastic Surgery Post-Pregnancy

The breasts often droop or “deflate” after having children (especially after breastfeeding) and the abdominal wall (the abdominal muscles and overlying skin and fat) can become permanently stretched out, causing a bulging belly and stretch marks. Finally, excess fat can accumulate on the love-handle area as well as the hips and thighs.

Several plastic surgeons in Phoenix market a “Mommy Makeover,” but it is important to understand that it is not one specific procedure – it is a combination of plastic surgery procedures done at the same time to correct the problems mentioned above. Which exact procedures are performed is based on the specific needs for each individual patient.


What Are the Most Common Procedures Used in Mommy Makeover Surgery?

Breast Enhancement Surgery

With regard to breast enhancement, some patients simply need breast augmentation to fill out breasts that appear “deflated,” while others may need implants in combination with a breast lift (mastopexy) of some kind. Other women actually need a breast reduction with a lift.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Surgery

In the abdominal area, most patients need body contouring procedures such as a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with tightening of the muscle layer as well as removal of the excess skin and fat. When our surgeons perform tummy tuck, we can perform a modified procedure, called a mini-abdominoplasty (mini tummy tuck), if a woman’s problem area is limited to the region below the umbilicus (bellybutton). For information on a medication that can lessen the pain after tummy tuck or mommy makeover procedures, please take a look at our blog post about EXPAREL®.

Liposuction

Many women benefit from liposuction of the hips, flanks (love-handle areas), or thighs in order to smooth out their contours and lengthen the appearance of the torso area.

Labiaplasty

Elongated, uneven, or misshapen labia due to pregnancy, childbirth, or even genetics, can cause self-consciousness and discomfort. Labiaplasty reshapes and resizes the labia and leaves a thin scar that is virtually unnoticeable.

Recovery After Mommy Makeover Surgery

Recovery depends on the procedures performed, techniques used, and individual patient factors. While there will be multiple surgical sites, the tummy tuck typically creates most of the discomfort and limitations. In general, mommy makeover recovery progresses along the following timeline for patients who carefully follow their doctor’s post-op instructions:

  • Day after surgery: Begin gentle indoor walking multiple times a day to increase circulation and facilitate healing.
  • 2 weeks: Back to daily activities, work, and nonstrenuous exercise. Swelling and bruising subside.
  • 6 weeks: Resume full activities, including heavy lifting without restrictions.
  • 3 to 6 months: See final results. Completely healed.

Review our Post-Op FAQ for general guidelines.

Do You Have To Be a Mom To Get a Mommy Makeover?

Mommy makeovers are not just for moms. Many women are interested in rejuvenating their breasts and bodies with a single surgery and recovery period. These procedures are called “mommy makeovers” because they address the common effects of pregnancy on a woman’s body.

Can I Still Get Pregnant After a Mommy Makeover?

Although mommy makeover surgery will not affect your ability to get pregnant, we strongly advise that you finish having children before undergoing this procedure. This is the best way to maintain your beautiful new look, as the results could be undone by subsequent pregnancies.

Can I Combine Nonsurgical Procedures To Enhance My Overall Results?

Many women consider adding nonsurgical procedures for an overall head-to-toe makeover. Some of the most popular options include:

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Mommy Makeover FAQ

Is mommy makeover surgery worth it?

Although the mommy makeover is a significant surgery, the advantage of this procedure is a dramatic improvement of the post-pregnancy body (which usually cannot be corrected with exercise and diet alone) with only one trip to the operating room and a single recovery period. Very few surgeries can provide this level of immediate cosmetic improvement, and patients are usually thrilled that they can once again (or for the first time) feel comfortable wearing a bikini. In fact, according to RealSelf.com, mommy makeovers have a 95% “worth it” rating.

How much weight will I lose with a mommy makeover?

Weight loss is not the goal of this procedure, although you might look that way with your new slimmer, firmer contours. Patients often drop 1 to 2 dress sizes after a mommy makeover.

Are all the procedures performed in the same surgical session or will I have to come back to get everything done?

A significant benefit of mommy makeover surgery is having multiple procedures performed during the same surgery. Our surgeons do take safety very seriously, so there are some rare cases where patients have a second surgery.

How painful is recovery after a mommy makeover?

Most of the discomfort during recovery is due to muscle tightening during the tummy tuck. Our patients may request that their surgeon apply a long-acting pain medication called EXPAREL during surgery. EXPAREL controls pain for the first 3 days after surgery when it is typically most significant.

Is there anything I should avoid before or after surgery?

You will be provided with pre- and post-op instructions as part of your consultation to ensure your surgery and recovery go as smoothly as possible.

What happens if I lose weight after a mommy makeover?

Losing 10 to 15 pounds shouldn’t affect your results; however, significant weight loss may lead to skin laxity and sagging. Our surgeons recommend being at or near your goal weight before plastic surgery.

Receive a cosmetic consultation, or call (480) 423-1973 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Cohe or Dr. Steven Sigalove. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have about mommy makeover surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Cohen and Dr. Sigalove welcome patients from all over Arizona, as well as other states and countries. Our facility serves Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley.

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