These are the most frequently asked questions I get regarding Mommy Makeovers. Include these during your consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
The Mommy Makeover remains one of the most commonly performed Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Procedure combinations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Today, on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog, I answer the top 10 Mommy Makeover FAQs (frequently asked questions).
1 – What is a Mommy Makeover?
What is a Mommy Makeover? – The procedure is actually two procedures: one enhances the breasts while the other addresses the abdomen. Since both the belly and breasts are affected by pregnancy, this combination of repairs is coined the Mommy Makeover; however, the combination is also frequently used after weight loss for women and men (Daddy Do-over).
Mommy Makeover most commonly refers to Breast Augmentation with a Tummy Tuck, but the procedures can be customized to your specific goals and needs. For the breasts, a Breast Lift can be included with insertion of Breast implants when the breasts are deflated, or Breast Reduction can be performed when the breasts are too large. For the Abdomen: an Abdominoplasty, Paniculectomy, Mini-Tummy Tuck or even Liposuction can be substituted.This creates a personalized Mommy Makeover combination which will provide your best results.
2 – Am I a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
Ideal Mommy Makeover candidates are in good health, have finished having children, and are at a stable weight. Since the Mommy Makeover is an elective procedure, good health is the number one priority. Having no medical problems is ideal. If you have medical problems, like diabetes or high blood pressure, they need to be well controlled to reduce the risk of complications.
Not having more children after a Mommy Makeover is important for maintaining your results. Pregnancy after a Mommy Makeover is certainly possible; however, pregnancy may reverse some, if not all, of the benefits achieved, and may require additional surgery to restore your results.
Weight stability also helps improve the predictability of your results. Large increases in weight naturally stretch the abdominal skin and muscles; while weight loss leads to laxity of the abdominal wall. A stable weight allows for maximal correction and minimal recurrence.
3 – Can I get Pregnant After a Mommy Makeover?
Yes, but as mentioned above, future pregnancy can reverse the results of the surgery. Recurrent weight gain can stretch both the skin and the muscles of the abdomen. leading to laxity of the abdominal skin and muscle, and loss of the flattening that a Tummy Tuck provides.
4 – How Long is the Recovery After a Mommy Makeover?
Initial recovery takes one or two weeks, but full recovery, including the ability to lift heavy objects or exercise, often takes six weeks. The time line is determined by how you feel, and how active your lifestyle is. Excessive lifting, especially before the surgery has healed, can lead to loosening of the muscle, and loss of some of the benefits of abdominal contouring.
5 – Can I Combine a Mommy Makeover With Other Procedures?
Yes. The Mommy Makeover itself is a combination of breast and tummy enhancing procedures. Other procedures, like Liposuction, can be added, but this should be discussed with your chosen Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to review both the benefits and the risks of a longer surgery.
6 – When Can I Have a Mommy Makeover?
It is recommended to wait at least six to twelve months after childbirth, or massive weight loss and at least three months after you have finished breastfeeding before your Mommy Makeover. This is to improve the predictability and safety of the procedure. By waiting, you become a better candidate for the procedure.
7 – Will I Lose Weight?
Yes. You may lose a small amount of weight due to the removal of excess fat and skin. You may also gain a little weight from your breast implants. It is important to remember, a Mommy Makeover is not a weight loss procedure like Bariatric Surgery. Its primary goal is to reshape the body.
8 – How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?
The cost of a Mommy Makeover depends on the extent of the surgery and the surgeon’s expertise. More extensive procedures take longer, and require more skill, and will generally cost more. A price range is available by calling my office; however, an in person consultation is required to judge what procedures are best, and thus a more precise estimate will be provided during your consultation.
When comparing costs, be certain your estimate includes: fees for the surgeon, anesthesia, facility, implants, garments and any prescriptions.
9 – Will I Have Visible Scars?
Yes. All surgery requires cutting the skin and thus the creation of a scar. For most cosmetic surgery, scars are placed strategically. They are typically hidden by underwear or swimwear. Scars do fade over time, and they tend to improve for a year or two. Care is taken in the planning and performance of the surgery, and there are treatments that are recommended after the Mommy makeover to reduce the appearance of scar. Compliance with these can improve your results.
10 – Do I Need to Stop Breastfeeding?
Yes. Since Mommy Makeovers are frequently performed for women who have young children, breast feeding needs to be considered. There are two reasons to stop. The cosmetic reason to stop has to do with the size of your breasts. In most cases, breast volume decreases during the months after breast feeding is stopped. This is important when adjusting breast volume is part of the Mommy Makeover. The second reason is to decrease complications. Milk producing breasts are not operated to decrease the risks of infection and milk leaking from the incisions. In general, you should stop breast feeding months before surgery, and ideally should have no milk production for three months before surgery for the best results.
Mommy Makeover Consultations
Mommy Makeovers are one of my specialties. The combination of breast and belly enhancement is one of the most rewarding procedures I perform. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, give my office a call at (925) 943-6353, and schedule a private consultation appointment. This gives us a chance to define what needs to be done and choose the procedures that can provide the safest and most predictable results.
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