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Mommy Makeover

Becoming a mother can be one of the most joyous moments in a woman’s life. The effects of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, however, can often leave unwanted changes to the body, which cannot always be reversed with diet and exercise alone. Many women who strive to attain their pre-pregnancy figure become frustrated when they do not achieve the results they desire.

What Is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is a fully customized, comprehensive body rejuvenation treatment plan that can address a number of common cosmetic concerns simultaneously. Most mommy makeovers combine plastic surgery procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, breast lift, and/or liposuction. This combination of procedures can effectively counter the bodily changes brought on by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Each mommy makeover procedure is tailored to meet the woman’s unique needs.

What Are the Benefits of Mommy Makeover?

During the consultation process, your board-certified plastic surgeon will thoroughly discuss your goals and expectations. Your customized mommy makeover can target a wide variety of changes caused by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, including:

Our plastic surgeon at Richmond Aesthetic Surgery carefully designs each mommy makeover to achieve beautiful, natural-looking results.

When Should I Get a Mommy Makeover?

The best time to undergo a mommy makeover will vary according to each woman’s lifestyle and goals. While some patients seek the combination of procedures soon after having children, others decide to wait several years. Although timing may be different from case to case, Dr. Zemmel informs women that they should wait at least six months after they have completed breastfeeding.

Since a mommy makeover is not designed for weight loss—but, rather, body contouring or other forms of enhancement—patients should be near their goal weight, maintaining it for at least six months. Additionally, Dr. Zemmel advises patients to wait until after they have completed their families to undergo a mommy makeover, as future pregnancies may compromise the positive outcome of their procedures. Although this is considered the ideal timing, undergoing a mommy makeover should not affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant or breastfeed in the future.

How Should I Prepare for a Mommy Makeover?

Proper preparation can help ensure a smoother procedure and recovery. Once your mommy makeover has been scheduled, Dr. Zemmel and our team will provide detailed pre-operative instructions tailored to your personalized treatment plan. In general, patients may be advised to:

Planning ahead helps create a safer, more comfortable surgical experience and promotes the best possible aesthetic outcome.

What Does a Mommy Makeover Consist Of?

Since each woman’s body is unique, there is no one formula for the perfect mommy makeover. A mommy makeover is comprised of a number of different procedures that can either be completed all at once or in stages. Common treatment options for a mommy makeover include:

Breast Lift

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause the breasts to change size, the skin of the breasts to become stretched, and excess tissue to remain. As a result, drooping or sagging often occurs. With a breast lift, your plastic surgeon can restore the breasts to a more youthful position and eliminate any excess skin.

Learn more about breast lift.

Breast Augmentation

Though a woman’s breasts may increase in size during pregnancy, breastfeeding can leave the breasts looking or feeling deflated due to an overall loss of volume. Breast augmentation with implants allows our plastic surgeon to restore lost breast volume with results that both look and feel natural.

Learn more about breast augmentation.

Tummy Tuck

Pregnancy and childbirth can cause the abdominal muscles to become stretched or torn, resulting in a laxity that cannot be corrected with diet or exercise. A tummy tuck (also known as an abdominoplasty) can tighten and repair these muscles while eliminating any excess skin and even stretch marks. Afterward, the abdomen can appear flatter, more toned, and provide a more athletic silhouette.

Learn more about tummy tuck.

Liposuction

Oftentimes, diet and exercise alone prove ineffective at eliminating areas of stubborn fat that have accumulated during pregnancy. Liposuction is a body sculpting procedure designed for patients who are at or near their ideal weight but who still struggle with troublesome areas of fat.

Learn more about liposuction.

Body Fat Grafting

Body fat grafting can redistribute a woman’s natural tissues to sculpt a more proportionate and symmetrical figure. By harvesting excess fat from one area and transplanting it to an area such as the breasts or buttocks, our plastic surgeon can enhance the curves and contours of the body.

Learn more about body fat grafting.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

With laser skin resurfacing, our plastic surgeon can improve the texture and tone of the skin. This laser treatment can be used to minimize the appearance of brown spots, age spots, sun damage, and facial aging for a refreshed and rejuvenated complexion.

Learn More about laser skin resurfacing.

Cosmetic Injectables

Injectable dermal fillers and neurotoxins offer a non-surgical solution to fine lines, wrinkles, and lost facial volume. These injectable treatments can be used to restore lost volume to the lips and cheeks as well as maintain youthful-looking skin.

Learn more about non-surgical skin treatments.

What Is Recovery After a Mommy Makeover Like?

The details of your recovery from a mommy makeover will depend upon which procedures you choose to combine. In general after a mommy makeover, you can expect mild soreness, swelling, and bruising at the surgical sites. Oral pain medication can be used to alleviate discomfort, which should quickly resolve. Compression garments may be recommended to further facilitate the healing process.

Dr. Zemmel recommends patients arrange for help around the house as well as help with children during the first few weeks of recovery. Most patients are able to move around normally after one week and drive after two weeks. Lifting heavy objects, including small children, should be avoided for about six weeks while the body heals. After six weeks, you should be able to resume all activities, including exercise.

How Will My Mommy Makeover Scars Look?

Since the mommy makeover involves surgery, post-operative scarring cannot be avoided. However, Dr. Zemmel utilizes advanced surgical techniques and careful planning to ensure scarring is minimal and incisions are made in areas that are easy to conceal. While the location and size of the scars from a mommy makeover will ultimately depend on the specific procedures that are performed, patients can typically expect their scars to appear red and raised at first.

Over time as the body heals, these scars should gradually flatten and lighten in color, becoming less noticeable. Post-operative care instructions will be provided to help further minimize your scarring after the mommy makeover process.

When Should I See My Mommy Makeover Results?

Results from a mommy makeover can often begin to be seen after the initial recovery period, but they may take several months to finalize. As the body continues to recover, the enhancement results should gradually take shape. While every patient recovers at a different rate, most women can see their final mommy makeover results within one year, after any residual swelling has subsided. During your follow-up appointments with your surgeon, they will provide you with a better understanding of when you should see your results. Should additional treatments be needed to achieve your desired outcome—such as with cosmetic injectables or body fat grafting—these can be scheduled as needed.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?

At Richmond Aesthetic Surgery the average cost of a mommy makeover can range anywhere from $25,000 to $30,000 or more. The total cost of the combination procedure will take into account which procedures are involved in your plan. After your preliminary consultation, your surgeon can provide you with an estimate based upon your customized treatment plan. When considering your choices for a plastic surgeon, remember that the cost of a procedure typically involves the experience of the surgeon, the geographic location of the practice, and a variety of surgery-related fees.

Qualifying patients can take advantage of our plastic surgery financing options, which can provide low monthly installment plans with little to no interest. To learn more about these mommy makeover financing options, please contact a member of our staff.

Additional Mommy Makeover Frequently Asked Questions

Will Insurance Cover My Mommy Makeover?

Because mommy makeovers are elective cosmetic procedures, they are typically not covered by health insurance. However, if a portion of the procedure—such as a breast reduction—is deemed medically necessary due to physical symptoms like back or shoulder pain, some insurance carriers may provide partial coverage. Dr. Zemmel and our team can help determine if any part of your surgery might qualify. Flexible financing options are also available to help make treatment more affordable.

How Long Will a Mommy Makeover Take?

A mommy makeover may involve multiple procedures performed in a single surgical session or divided into stages depending on your health, goals, and the extent of correction needed. When performed together, surgery may last between 4 to 6 hours. In more comprehensive makeovers, procedures may be spaced apart for safety and easier recovery. During your consultation, Dr. Zemmel will create a surgical timeline that aligns with your preferences and medical needs.

Does Mommy Makeover Surgery Hurt?

Discomfort is a normal part of the recovery process, but pain is typically manageable with prescribed medications. Many patients report feeling soreness and tightness in the treated areas, particularly the abdomen and breasts. Dr. Zemmel uses advanced techniques and gentle handling of tissues to reduce post-operative pain. Most discomfort subsides significantly after the first few days, and our team will ensure you have all the tools you need to recover comfortably.

How Do You Sleep After a Mommy Makeover?

Sleep positioning is important to protect healing tissues. After a mommy makeover that includes tummy tuck and breast surgery, patients are typically advised to:

Using a recliner or propping up with pillows in bed can help maintain the right position. Good rest supports the healing process and enhances recovery.

How Soon Can I Drive After Mommy Makeover Surgery?

Most patients are cleared to drive about two weeks after surgery—once they are no longer taking prescription pain medications and can move comfortably without straining the surgical areas. However, every recovery is different. Dr. Zemmel will assess your progress at post-operative visits and let you know when it’s safe to resume driving and other daily activities.

Schedule Your Mommy Makeover Consultation

To learn more information about the mommy makeover procedure, or to schedule a consultation, please contact Richmond Aesthetic Surgery today.