Becoming a mother is one of the most treasured experiences in a woman's life, but it does take a toll on your physical body.
What is a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover is a single, comprehensive surgical procedure that’s designed to help mothers renew their bodies after pregnancy. Dr. Hendricks knows that bringing a child into the world dramatically changes most women’s bodies.
Breastfeeding can leave your breasts smaller and sagging, excess skin around your stomach can make you feel insecure in a swimsuit, and problem areas of fat can linger well after you give birth. But don’t worry. With a mommy makeover, Dr. Hendricks addresses – and corrects – all of those issues to help you feel like the confident, beautiful mother you are.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can lead to changes in a woman’s body, including sagging breasts, excess skin around the abdomen, and stubborn pockets of fat. A mommy makeover aims to address these concerns comprehensively, providing a holistic approach to body rejuvenation. By combining multiple procedures into a single surgery, women can minimize downtime and achieve their desired results more efficiently.
The goal of a mommy makeover is to help mothers regain their pre-pregnancy physique and feel more confident in their appearance. It is important for individuals considering a mommy makeover to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Hendricks, to discuss their specific goals, expectations, and the best approach to achieve the desired outcome. With the right planning and professional guidance, a mommy makeover can be a revitalizing experience for mothers looking to enhance their physical appearance and self-esteem.
Who is a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover is ideal for women who don’t plan to have any more children. It brings your body back to its pre-pregnancy state so you can enjoy watching your family grow while feeling and looking your best.
If you have loose abdominal skin or breast sagging as a result of pregnancy, the procedure might be a good fit for you. In addition to no longer planning to have more children, the ideal candidate for the procedure is someone that has reached, or is very close to, their goal weight.
The mommy makeover procedure is not a weight loss surgery. While pregnancy can cause weight gain in women, a healthy diet and a regular exercise program is the best way to lose weight after pregnancy. Any excess skin that remains after post-pregnancy weight loss can be removed with a tummy tuck or breast lift. Small areas of fat can have liposuction (surgical fat reduction) and other body contouring procedures.
Mommy Makeover Procedures
Each mommy makeover is customized to the patient. The first step is to talk with Dr. Hendricks about the way your body changes during pregnancy and after childbirth, pointing out any areas that bother you. That way, during your consultation for a Mommy Makeover Newport Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Hendricks can tailor your surgery to you to address your specific areas of concern. Some of the procedures many women choose during their mommy makeover include:
Breast Augmentation
This procedure involves the use of implants to increase the size and enhance the shape of the breasts. It can help restore lost breast volume and improve symmetry, contributing to a more youthful and balanced appearance.
Breast Lift
Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift raises and reshapes sagging breasts, providing a more uplifted and youthful contour. It can address the effects of breastfeeding and gravity, resulting in firmer and more aesthetically pleasing breasts.
Tummy Tuck
Also referred to as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck aims to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fat from the midsection. This procedure can help address stretched abdominal muscles and skin laxity caused by pregnancy, resulting in a flatter and more toned abdomen.
Liposuction with SmartLipo
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes stubborn pockets of fat from various areas of the body. SmartLipo, a specific type of liposuction, utilizes laser technology to liquefy fat before it is removed, offering potential skin tightening benefits in addition to fat reduction.
Buttocks Augmentation
Also referred to as a Brazilian butt lift, this procedure involves enhancing the shape and size of the buttocks, often through the use of implants or fat transfer techniques. It can help improve the overall contour and symmetry of the buttocks, addressing concerns related to volume loss or asymmetry.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, involves harvesting fat from one area of the body and transferring it to another to add volume and improve contours. It can be used to enhance areas such as the buttocks, breasts, or face, contributing to a more balanced and natural appearance.
What are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
The benefit of a mommy makeover is that instead of having each of these procedures performed individually – each with its own cost and recovery period – Dr. Hendricks bundles everything you want into a single surgery.
Not only does this make it more affordable to get your body back after having a baby, but it also means your downtime while you heal is confined to a single period. Dr. Hendricks knows that your priority is being with your family, so he offers mommy makeovers in Newport Beach to minimize your recovery time.
Another benefit is the mommy makeover procedure is fully customized to your needs. Dr. Hendricks creates tailored surgical plans that are centered around you. He reshapes and tightens the body, including the breasts, abdomen, and/or buttocks, keeping your unique aesthetic preferences in mind. No two women’s bodies are exactly alike after giving birth, and your surgical plan reflects that.
Tighten Loose Skin
A tummy tuck, a common component of a mommy makeover, can help tighten the skin around the abdomen and flanks, providing a smoother and flatter appearance. This addresses one of the biggest concerns for women following pregnancy, helping to restore a more toned and youthful abdominal contour.
Potentially Get Rid of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks, a common side effect of pregnancy, can be distressing for many women. A tummy tuck, often included in a mommy makeover, can eliminate stretch marks below the level of the belly button, offering the potential to improve skin appearance and boost confidence.
Restore Pre-Pregnancy Figure
Pregnancy can affect various aspects of a woman's appearance, and some women find it challenging to regain their pre-pregnancy figure through diet and exercise alone. The procedures in a mommy makeover, such as tummy tuck, breast enhancement, and liposuction, can help address concerns related to loose skin, excess weight, or stubborn pockets of fat, contributing to the restoration of a woman's pre-pregnancy physique.
Increased Confidence
One of the most significant benefits of a mommy makeover is the restoration of self-confidence. By addressing physical changes that occur after pregnancy, such as sagging breasts and excess skin, a mommy makeover can help women regain their vitality and feel more confident in their appearance. This boost in confidence can have a positive impact on mood, relationships, and overall well-being.
Customizable Treatment
A mommy makeover is fully customizable to the individual's needs, allowing for tailored surgical plans that address specific aesthetic preferences. Whether it's reshaping the breasts, abdomen, or buttocks, the procedures are centered around the unique concerns and goals of each patient, reflecting the diversity of women's bodies after giving birth.
Relief from Medical Issues
In addition to aesthetic benefits, a mommy makeover may also provide relief from medical issues such as lower back pain and stress urinary incontinence. This highlights the potential holistic impact of a mommy makeover, addressing both aesthetic and functional concerns.
The Mommy Makeover Process
A Mommy Makeover is ideal for women who don’t plan to have any more children. It brings your body back to its pre-pregnancy state so you can enjoy watching your family grow while feeling and looking your best.The mommy makeover process typically involves a combination of procedures tailored to address the specific concerns of each patient. The procedures commonly included in a mommy makeover often focus on breast and abdomen contouring, with additional elements as needed. The steps for the various procedures that could be part of an individualized mommy makeover surgery may include the following:
Anesthesia: Medications are administered for the patient’s comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices for anesthesia may include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia, with the doctor recommending the best option based on the individual’s needs.
Procedure Length: The length of the mommy makeover procedure can vary depending on the specific combination of surgeries being performed. Typically, a mommy makeover includes some form of breast surgery and a tummy tuck, which can be performed together to address multiple areas of concern in a single surgery.
Breast Surgery: This may include breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction, depending on the patient’s goals. These procedures aim to address changes in breast volume, breast sagging, and breast asymmetry that can occur after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Abdomen Contouring: This often involves a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove excess skin and fat from the midsection. This can help address stretched abdominal muscles and skin laxity caused by pregnancy, resulting in a flatter and more toned abdomen.
Additional Elements: Depending on the patient’s needs, additional procedures such as liposuction, buttock augmentation, or fat transfer may be included to further enhance the overall results of the mommy makeover.
Fat Transfer: Fat transfer, also known as fat grafting, involves harvesting fat from one area of the body and transferring it to another to add volume and improve contours. It can be used to enhance areas such as the buttocks, breasts, or face, contributing to a more balanced and natural appearance.
What should I expect from my Mommy Makeover?
Once he customizes the planned procedure to your unique wants and needs, Newport Beach plastic surgeon, Dr. Hendricks talks with you about exactly what to expect both during and after your procedure. He prioritizes patient education and strives to make sure you feel knowledgeable and comfortable with the process. After the consultation, you may meet with the office financial advisor to obtain a full breakdown of the cost of mommy makeover surgery. From there, a surgery date is scheduled. Each patient is provided with steps they can take to start preparing for mommy makeover surgery.
It is important to follow all pre-operative instructions carefully. If you have any questions, Dr. Hendricks and his staff will be glad to follow up with you prior to surgery. On surgery day, you’ll meet with Dr. Hendricks and the surgical team to answer any last-minute questions before heading into the operating room, where you’ll drift comfortably to sleep with anesthesia administered by a licensed MD (anesthesiologist) who will oversee you for the duration of surgery. In just a few weeks, you can start enjoying a dramatically renewed body after baby.
Mommy Makeover Results and Recovery
During the initial stage of recovery, patients can expect to experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness as the body heals. This period is crucial for allowing the body to recuperate from the surgical trauma. Most women plan to take about two weeks away from work to rest and recover at home, during which time they should avoid lifting anything heavy, including their children. It’s important to enlist help from another adult during this time to ensure a smooth recovery process. As the body continues to heal over the next weeks, patients will gradually be able to increase physical activity under the guidance of their plastic surgeon. The full recovery process can last about six months, although most patients return to their routine much earlier.
The final results of a mommy makeover may not be immediately apparent and can take several months to fully manifest. Over time, the implants will settle, and the scar lines will improve, although they may never disappear completely. Patients should expect some trade-offs, but most women feel these are small compared to the significant improvement in their self-confidence after surgery. It’s important to follow the plastic surgeon’s instructions for optimal healing and results. Additionally, patients should seek medical attention immediately if they experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heartbeats, as these could be signs of complications that require prompt attention.
Mommy Makeover scars
Enjoying Your Mommy Makeover Results
mommy makeover frequently asked questions
Patients can generally shower within 24-48 hours of the procedure. Dr. Hendricks provides aftercare instructions, which include not scrubbing the incisions, but rather letting the soapy water to wash over them.
A mommy makeover typically includes a combination of surgical procedures tailored to address post-pregnancy aesthetic concerns. Common components involve abdominal reshaping, breast enhancement, and buttock contouring to achieve comprehensive and personalized results in a single surgery.
The average cost of a mommy makeover varies based on factors such as the specific procedures included, geographical location, and the surgeon’s expertise. On average, costs can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Consultation with Dr. Hendricks can provide a more accurate estimate based on individual needs.
While it’s technically possible to conceive after a mommy makeover, it’s generally advisable to undergo the procedure when family planning is complete. Pregnancy post-mommy makeover may alter the results as the body goes through changes. Discussing family planning with Dr. Hendricks during the consultation is crucial for personalized advice.
There isn’t a specific age for a mommy makeover; instead, the decision is based on individual factors such as physical health, emotional readiness, and completion of family planning. Many women choose to undergo a mommy makeover in their 30s and 40s, but the suitability varies for each person.
To ensure the body has adequate time to recover from childbirth, it’s generally recommended to wait at least six months to a year after giving birth before considering a mommy makeover. This allows for the stabilization of weight and hormone levels and the resolution of any postpartum issues.
While a mommy makeover provides long-lasting results, the aging process, lifestyle factors, and future pregnancies can impact the outcome over time. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, can contribute to the longevity of the results.
The extent of size reduction after a mommy makeover varies among individuals and is influenced by the specific procedures chosen. Breast procedures may result in a change in cup size, while abdominal reshaping can lead to a reduction in clothing sizes. Dr. Hendricks discusses size expectations during the consultation, taking into account individual goals and preferences.
