Having children can be one of the most rewarding gifts in life. After pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, however, women are often left with unwanted changes to their body. For those who wish to restore their pre-baby body, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Andrew Cohen, MD, offers the Mommy Makeover procedure.
A Mommy Makeover is a highly customized procedure that includes multiple surgical options to address a variety of concerns in one overarching treatment plan. The combination procedure is specifically designed for mothers to correct common concerns that tend to result after having children. This may involve tightening loose abdominal skin and muscles, lifting the breasts, and reducing stubborn areas of fat. Dr. Cohen’s goal is to help you regain your self-confidence by restoring a more youthful body figure.
A Mommy Makeover offers a range of benefits by addressing the physical changes many women experience after pregnancy and childbirth. This customized combination of procedures can help restore a more youthful, toned, and balanced appearance. One of the biggest advantages is improved body confidence, as many women feel more comfortable in their skin and clothing after surgery. By combining multiple procedures into a single surgical session, patients can benefit from one recovery period, thus minimizing downtime. Each treatment plan is tailored to an individual’s unique needs and aesthetic goals, making a Mommy Makeover a highly personalized solution. By rejuvenating multiple areas of the body at once, this transformative procedure can help women feel more like themselves again, both physically and emotionally, after completing their families.
Patients who make good candidates for the Mommy Makeover are those who are unhappy with the changes they have seen in their body after having children. Despite diet and exercise, they cannot seem to get their pre-baby body back. To help these women, Dr. Cohen can address a wide range of concerns, including the following:
During your consultation, Dr. Cohen will listen to what concerns you most about your body and help you find the best treatment options based on your needs.
The details of your Mommy Makeover surgery will greatly vary based on the specific body areas you wish to enhance. Although the procedure is customized according to each individual’s aesthetic goals, popular techniques that can be included for a comprehensive rejuvenation include:
As the stomach expands during pregnancy, the skin and abdominal muscles stretch. This often causes lax skin, as well as separated muscles in some cases. Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, can address these concerns by tightening the loose skin and repairing the stretched abdominal muscles. Following the recovery period, patients can enjoy a tighter, more toned abdomen.
Liposuction is designed to remove localized areas of excess fat to create a more athletic, contoured body. This can be especially useful for mothers, since stubborn fat pockets often develop after pregnancy. When these trouble areas persist despite your efforts to live a healthy lifestyle, liposuction may be a beneficial addition to your Mommy Makeover.
Many women experience a loss of breast volume following pregnancy and breastfeeding. To increase fullness for more shapely curves, breast augmentation with implants may be recommended. Dr. Cohen will present the different implant types and shapes available to you, as well as help you find the best size to ensure you achieve the look you desire.
Breast lift surgery (mastopexy) is a common part of the Mommy Makeover procedure. This surgery can tighten sagging breast tissue and skin to produce a more youthful aesthetic. In addition to raising the breasts to a higher position, the nipples can be relocated for an overall more rejuvenated appearance.
Labiaplasty is ideal for women who have enlarged labial tissue that is causing chronic discomfort. This excess tissue often results from having a difficult childbirth and can be effectively treated through surgery. During the labiaplasty procedure, Dr. Cohen carefully reduces the size of the labia and reshapes the tissue to improve patient comfort and self-esteem.
Recovery following Mommy Makeover surgery will ultimately depend upon the procedures involved and extent of improvement needed. However, you should expect a certain amount of bruising and swelling after the procedure. Any pain you experience can be controlled with medication. More personalized details of your Mommy Makeover recovery will be discussed during your initial consultation. Should you have any questions about what to expect post-operatively, please feel free to contact our office.
The location and appearance of your Mommy Makeover scars will depend on the procedures that were included in your treatment plan. For a tummy tuck, the scar is made from hip to hip and placed low enough that it can be concealed under bikini bottoms or underwear. If liposuction is needed, Dr. Cohen may be able to use the same incision as the tummy tuck to remove fat. Liposuction on its own uses very small incisions, making scars virtually unnoticeable after the wounds properly heal. Scarring from a breast lift and/or breast augmentation depends on the type of incisions used. Scars may be visible on the naked breast but can be easily covered with a bikini top or bra.
During any surgery, Dr. Cohen uses the best techniques and technology to ensure that the incisions are made in inconspicuous areas of the body. This way, patients can easily hide any scarring with clothing. As the body heals, scars will flatten and lighten in color.
Patients can expect to see a difference in their appearance immediately following their Mommy Makeover; however, the final results usually do not settle until about three months after surgery, depending on the procedures involved. Weight fluctuations can impact outcomes so we recommend patients adopt a healthy diet and exercise regimen to maintain the long-term results of their Mommy Makeover.
While a traditional Mommy Makeover usually involves surgical procedures like a tummy tuck, breast lift, and liposuction, some women may choose non-surgical treatments to address post-pregnancy concerns. Options such as laser therapy, microneedling, and injectables, including BOTOX® Cosmetic, can help improve certain aesthetic issues with little to no downtime.
It is important to note that non-surgical methods often produce more subtle, temporary results compared to surgical procedures. They are typically not effective at addressing excess skin, stretched abdominal muscles, or significant volume loss in the breasts. A consultation with Dr. Cohen can help determine which treatments are right for you.
Since every Mommy Makeover plan is specially created for the patient’s unique needs, the total cost will greatly vary from case to case. The total cost of Mommy Makeover surgery will depend upon a number of factors, including which procedures are included and the extent of the patient’s surgical needs. In addition, the amount you can expect to pay will be affected by the geographic location of the practice and expertise of your plastic surgeon. To get a personalized quote for your Mommy Makeover, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Cohen. During this visit, he can help you design your custom procedure and estimate how much you can expect your total cost to be. At this time, our staff can also go over your plastic surgery financing options, should you be interested in turning your procedure into lower monthly payments.
Dr. Cohen recommends patients wait six months after childbirth before undergoing a Mommy Makeover. This gives the body ample time to heal from the effects of pregnancy, childbearing, and breastfeeding. Also, patients who are near or at their weight goal before their Mommy Makeover usually achieve optimal results that can last for many years. Future pregnancy may compromise outcomes, which is why Dr. Cohen highly suggests patients wait until their family is complete before undergoing treatment. If your body does happen to change after your Mommy Makeover, Dr. Cohen can perform follow-up procedures to touch up desired areas.
To schedule a consultation for Mommy Makeover procedures, please contact Dr. Andrew Cohen today!
