Ask the Doctor: Your Mommy Makeover Questions

Dr. Wayne Yamahata

More and more women are asking about the mommy makeover when they visit my plastic surgery practice in Sacramento and Granite Bay. Whether they’ve seen it covered on television, heard it discussed among their friends, or simply browsed around our website, patients find this customizable procedure appealing and they want to know more about it. These are some of the most common questions that come up regularly.

What is a mommy makeover, anyway?

“Mommy makeover” isn’t a technical term, so there’s some wiggle room when it comes to defining it. Simply put, a mommy makeover is a surgery that involves multiple procedures, with the goal of restoring the body and breasts. The specific procedures are typically determined by a patient and her doctor, but they’re usually focused on areas that are affected by pregnancy. The classic combination is breast enhancement (whether through mastopexy or implants), a tummy tuck, and liposuction, but women can choose another combination of procedures if they would like.

The advantage remains the same for every mommy makeover: By combining procedures into a single surgery, the patient only has a single recovery period.

How many different surgeries will I need?

A mommy makeover is almost always completed in a single surgery, which is a large part of its appeal. However, it’s important to note that if a patient desires very extensive improvement, we may decide to break her mommy makeover up into 2 separate stages of surgery. We do this with the patient’s safety in mind.

When is the best time to get a mommy makeover?

In order to fully appreciate the results of a mommy makeover and have them last for as long as possible, I recommend that patients wait until they’ve finished having children. If you were to become pregnant again afterward, it’s highly likely that your body will undergo some changes that may necessitate a revisionary procedure. Similarly, it’s also important that you’ve reached a stable weight before you have your mommy makeover. It doesn’t have to be your ideal weight as dictated by BMI or anything — just one that you’re comfortable maintaining.

What is recovery like after a mommy makeover?

The recovery process after a mommy makeover can vary depending on the set of procedures you’ve had. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists some of the mommy makeover recovery questions you should ask your surgeon so you know exactly what to expect.

However, as a general rule, I recommend that patients plan to take at least 10 days off from work and other daily activities. You’ll likely need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to support your body and prevent unnecessary swelling. Although you should take it easy while you recuperate, it’s important to get up and walk around once every few hours to expedite the healing process and prevent blood clots from developing.

How long will my mommy makeover results last?

By caring for yourself well during the recovery period and avoiding any significant weight fluctuations, you can hold onto your results indefinitely. Although your body will continue to age naturally, your overall shape is likely to stay the same for some time, as long as you maintain your normal healthy habits.

For tips on choosing a surgeon for your mommy makeover, review this blog post. To see the results of some of my mommy makeover patients, please visit my before-and-after photo gallery. If you would like to learn more about mommy makeover procedures at my Granite Bay and Sacramento practice, please contact us online or call (916) 929-1833 for an appointment.

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