Motherhood changes everything — your life, your priorities, your body. While the journey is beautiful, the effect it has on your body can leave you feeling disconnected from the woman you once saw in the mirror.
The mommy makeover is all about making you look and feel your best after pregnancy. It corrects the physical changes from pregnancy, such as smaller breast size and loose abdominal skin to give you back your pre-baby body.
Unlike having one surgical procedure, the mommy makeover recognizes that pregnancy impacts multiple areas of a woman’s body. From separated abdominal muscles and loose skin to changes in breast size and breast droop, a mommy makeover provides a solution that addresses each concern.
What does a mommy makeover include? This blog will discuss the different surgical combinations that make up a mommy makeover so that you can understand how a mommy makeover can help you reach your aesthetic goals.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Adrian Lo can help you feel more like yourself with a personalized mommy makeover designed just for you. Schedule your consultation today!
Traditional Procedure Combinations
Pregnancy and childbirth create complex physical transformations that often require a combination surgical procedure.
A mommy makeover combines procedures designed to restore a woman’s body contours, leading to the frequently asked question, “what does a mommy makeover include within these combinations?”
Combining treatments allows plastic surgeons to address multiple areas during a single surgical session, minimizing overall recovery time and maximizing aesthetic outcomes.
Breast Procedures to Restore Breast Size
The change in the shape and volume of the breasts is one of the more common concerns for women after pregnancy.
Hormonal fluctuations, breastfeeding, and weight changes can dramatically alter breast shape, size, and positioning. After a personalized consultation with Dr. Adrian Lo, you may discuss the following surgical procedures depending on your situation:
- Breast augmentation to restore lost volume
- Breast lift to address sagging
- Breast augmentation and lift to give you breast volume and better positioning of your breast
- Breast reduction for those experiencing excessive breast tissue development
These breast surgical options speak to what a mommy makeover includes to restore breast size. Depending on their aesthetic goals, sometimes women opt to go with an even larger breast size than their pre-pregnancy breast size. Each technique is carefully designed to recreate natural-looking, symmetrical breast contours that align with your body’s proportions.
Related: Breast Lift vs. Breast Augmentation: The Key Differences
Abdominal Procedures aka Tummy Tuck
One of the most important components of a mommy makeover procedure is the tummy tuck.
Pregnancy often results in significant muscle separation (diastasis recti) and skin laxity that cannot be resolved through exercise alone. Post-pregnancy surgery includes abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, which removes excess skin and repairs the separated abdominal muscles. This effectively restores core strength and creates a flatter abdominal profile.
Liposuction of the abdomen and flanks are usually performed at the same time as your tummy tuck to give you the best result possible.
Other Mommy Makeover Surgery Options
What does a mommy makeover include besides the breast and tummy procedures?
Mommy makeovers can incorporate complementary treatments that enhance overall results. Body sculpting techniques like liposuction of the inner thighs, posterior flanks and back can refine contours.
Labiaplasty surgery is also a common part of mommy makeover combinations, as the labia can undergo significant changes with pregnancy and childbirth.
Your plastic surgeon will discuss these options with you, personalizing the mommy makeover procedure to what your body needs to meet your aesthetic goals.
Customizing Your Mommy Makeover
You will discuss the plan for your mommy makeover with your plastic surgeon. No two bodies are identical, and therefore, no two surgical approaches should be completely the same. This principle reinforces why it is essential to consider what a mommy makeover includes for each patient.
To help patients visualize the potential outcomes of the procedure, be sure to check out some Mommy Makeover before-and-after photos for some inspiration!
Common Combinations
Most patients benefit from strategic procedure pairings that maximize aesthetic outcomes. These mommy makeover procedures are carefully selected to address individual patient needs.
The most requested mommy makeover combination is breast augmentation, with or without breast lift, and a tummy tuck. These two complementary procedures work synergistically to restore both upper and lower body contours, creating a harmonious overall transformation.
Optional Add-ons
Non-surgical enhancements can further refine mommy makeover results, prompting many to ask what a mommy makeover includes in terms of these optional procedures and their benefits. Many women will consider non-surgical facial procedures, as often they notice subtle changes after pregnancy and childbirth.
Treatments like Morpheus8 for facial skin tightening or Botox and fillers can complement the overall look, providing additional refinement and textural improvements. Ultrasound skin tightening with SofwaveTM can also treat areas of loose skin without little or no downtime. These adjunctive treatments offer patients comprehensive rejuvenation options besides the traditional surgical approaches.
Procedure Timing
The best age for a mommy makeover varies depending on individual physical and personal circumstances. Plastic surgeons typically recommend waiting at least 3 months after childbirth or cessation of breastfeeding. This waiting period allows the body to stabilize hormonally and ensures patients are at their optimal weight for surgical intervention.
Individual Assessment
A successful mommy makeover plan should involve an evaluation of the patient’s current situation and overall goals.
Factors such as overall health, body composition, healing potential, and aesthetic objectives are analyzed. This assessment ensures that recommended procedures align with the patient’s current situation and desired outcomes.
Related: Why a Menopause Makeover Could Be Your Best Decision This Year
Combined vs. Staged Procedures
Having a multiple-procedure surgery can be done either through combined or staged procedures, each approach has its own advantages. Combined procedures offer efficiency and reduced overall recovery time while staged approaches – in separate surgery sessions – provide a more gradual transformation and potentially lower immediate surgical complexity.
Both options require planning and the specialized techniques of your board certified plastic surgeon.
Safety Considerations
Patient safety is the most important consideration when choosing which procedure is better for a multiple-procedure surgery.
Comprehensive medical screening, advanced surgical techniques, and thorough pre-operative assessments minimize potential risks during the surgery. Board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Adrian Lo employ strict protocols to ensure patients’ safety and overall well-being throughout the procedure.
Recovery Differences
Mommy makeover recovery experiences vary significantly between combined and staged procedures.
Combined approaches typically involve a single, more involved recovery period, whereas staged procedures distribute healing across multiple sessions. After a thorough assessment, your plastic surgeon will suggest which approach is best for you.
Cost Implications
Both approaches also differ when it comes to mommy makeover costs.
Combined procedures often provide cost advantages through reduced anesthesia and facility fees. Transparent pricing and comprehensive consultations help patients make informed decisions aligned with their budgetary constraints.
Most practices offer medical financing to help make the mommy makeover procedure more affordable.
Preparing for Multiple Procedure Surgery
Pre-Surgery Requirements
Thorough medical evaluations, comprehensive health screenings, and potential lifestyle modifications prepare patients for surgical intervention. Your plastic surgeon will provide detailed guidance on nutritional support, medication management, and physical conditioning to optimize surgical outcomes.
Support System Planning
Recovery success relies on a solid network of personal support.
Patients are encouraged to arrange assistance for childcare, household responsibilities, and personal care, especially during the initial healing phase. With a strong support system, recovery becomes easier and less stressful.
Recovery Arrangements
Detailed pre-surgical home preparation ensures a comfortable, stress-free healing environment. This includes creating a dedicated recovery space, preparing nutritious meals, and organizing necessary medical supplies and compression garments.
Related: What to Expect During Your Mommy Makeover Recovery Time
Start Your Mommy Makeover Journey with Dr. Adrian Lo!
You have given so much to those around you — now is the time to do something wonderful for yourself. A mommy makeover can help you reconnect with your body, rediscover your confidence, and feel like YOU again.
Dr. Adrian Lo offers world-class expertise, combining advanced surgical techniques with compassionate, personalized care. We focus on patient education and safety, and creating individualized plans that turn your surgical experience into a journey of renewal and empowerment.
This is the right moment to invest in yourself. Make the choice to look and feel your absolute best. Schedule your consultation today!