You’ve probably heard of a mommy makeover as a way to restore slimmer, firmer, and more attractive contours after having children. It’s a hugely popular and wonderfully transformative cosmetic treatment. But, unlike other plastic surgery procedures that target a single part of your body or face — a facelift, for example, or a breast lift — the name “mommy makeover” doesn’t explain much. What is it, exactly? What does it involve? Who is it for? We’ll get into all of that in this article.
Here are five things to know about a mommy makeover that can help you understand whether it might be a good option for you.
1. A Mommy Makeover Is a Customized Combination of Procedures
A mommy makeover is not just one procedure. It’s the name for a combination of cosmetic procedures that are customized to address your needs. The goal of a mommy makeover is to address the effects of childbearing, significant weight loss, or aging on a woman’s body. Depending on how your body has changed over time and your goals for a younger, shapelier, and more toned appearance, your mommy makeover might include:
- Breast surgery to correct sagging and bring the size and shape of your breasts into better harmony with your body’s proportions
- A tummy tuck to flatten and tone your abdomen, smooth stretched skin, and remove excess fat
- Liposuction to remove areas of excess fat that resist slimming with diet and exercise
- Other surgical procedures, such as an arm lift or thigh lift, or non-surgical treatments, such as injections of Botox or dermal fillers
The specific combination of procedures in your mommy makeover is customized to your needs and aesthetic goals, as is the approach used in each of those treatments
2. A Mommy Makeover Isn’t Just for Moms
The name “mommy makeover” can be misleading. Sagging breasts, excess belly fat, and loose skin or excess fat elsewhere on your body—the problems that most mommy makeovers correct—can occur for a number of reasons. While these concerns can arise as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding, they can also be caused by weight gain and loss, whether you’ve had children or not, or simply as a part of the aging process.
A mommy makeover can also adjust the size and shape of your breasts in ways that have nothing to do with the changes associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging. Breast augmentation, breast reduction, or a breast lift can make you look better and feel better about yourself.
3. A Mommy Makeover Is Not a Substitute for a Healthy Lifestyle
A mommy makeover is a combination of body-contouring procedures that are designed to make you look great when you’re at a healthy and stable weight. While selected areas of excess fat can be reduced as part of a mommy makeover, don’t look at it as a weight-loss treatment. The best candidates for a mommy makeover are in good overall health and within a healthy weight range. For long-lasting results, you’ll want to maintain your weight and muscle tone with a satisfying and sustainable routine of healthy eating and exercise habits.
It’s also important to note that additional pregnancies after having a mommy makeover can undo some of the positive changes made with the treatment. It’s best to wait until you’ve finished having children before planning your mommy makeover.
4. You’ll Need Time Off for Recovery
The surgical procedures in a mommy makeover require time for recovery. If your mommy makeover includes a tummy tuck, for example, you’ll need to rest at home for at least a week. You won’t be able to lift anything heavy, so you’ll need help with cooking, shopping, and other household chores. If you have young children, you’ll need someone to help with their care.
Most patients take about two weeks off from work after a mommy makeover, longer if their job entails lifting, bending, stretching, or other strenuous physical activity.
As you consider whether and when to have a mommy makeover, factor in the time your body will need for healing after the surgery and who will be available to help you at home.
5. Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon Is Your Most Important Decision
Not all mommy makeovers are the same. Each is customized to address the patient’s unique needs. Not all plastic surgeons are the same, either. When considering a mommy makeover, your most important decision will be to choose the right plastic surgeon, someone with the medical knowledge, skill, experience, and artistry to transform your body in beautiful ways. Look for a plastic surgeon who is board-certified (a key indicator of surgical training) and who has experience in the specific procedures you are contemplating. Look for a surgeon, too, who listens to patients to understand what they are looking for and who tailors procedures to the unique characteristics of their bodies.
You can learn some of this from a practice’s website, such as where a doctor has trained and what procedures are offered. Before-and-after pictures of actual patients are another useful tool for your initial screening. Look for natural-looking results that bring out the beauty of each patient. You’ll learn even more in a consultation, most critically whether the doctor asks questions to understand your goals for the procedure.
Schedule Your Mommy Makeover Consultation in Beverly Hills
Contact Feldmar Aesthetics today to schedule a consultation with David Feldmar, MD to find out how a mommy makeover might benefit you. Dr. Feldmar is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon, who combines art, science, and deep expertise in his medical work to create beautifully natural-looking results for his patients. Dr. Feldmar is considered one of the best mommy makeover surgeons in the Los Angeles area. He and his staff run their practice to be a warm and welcoming experience, where patients feel comfortable, listened to, and appreciated for who they are.