Nearly all of us need help at one time or another to achieve the smooth, svelte body we desire. When it comes to realistic expectations for flattening or improving sagging breasts, a push-up bra only does so much.
A mommy makeover can tackle all of these concerns in a single surgery. Mommy makeover surgery isn’t just for moms. It can be tailored for anyone. Board certified plastic surgeons, like Dr. Galanis, are able to combine cosmetic procedures and achieve incredible results with mommy makeovers and shorten overall recovery times for their clients.
Is a Mommy Makeover Only for Moms?
The catchy name of this personalized, whole-body makeover might lead you to believe it’s designed exclusively for moms, but it’s not. This is a common misconception, the issues we address with this procedure – which typically includes a breast lift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction – can affect anyone.
We’re talking about concerns like stubborn fat pockets, a protruding belly, excess skin, and sagging breasts.
Motherhood brings a number of unwanted changes to the body, but people of all ages can experience similar changes. From weight gain to aging, the body is not immune to the effects of daily living. The procedures packed into the mommy makeover can be delivered to anyone, regardless of parental status.
Tracing Its Origins
The mommy makeover package has become wildly popular in the last 10 years or so. As the name implies, it’s intended to rejuvenate targeted areas of the body following childbirth.
Patients who choose this procedure are usually between the ages of 24 and 37, and seek to restore their previous confidence in their bodies.
As new moms increasingly sought cosmetic procedures to correct stretched excess skin in the abdominal area, it became obvious multiple procedures were necessary to deliver the desired mommy makeover results.
Rather than separate them over an extended period, providers realized these plastic surgery procedures could be rolled into one large, rejuvenating procedure that is equally ideal for other patients – including those who haven’t given birth.
A Tailored Treatment Plan
This makeover routinely encompasses other procedures aimed at slimming the tummy and restoring contours to the breasts, it can be customized to meet your individual needs (and anatomy).
The key is in choosing the right combination of procedures to achieve the results you desire. Men, for instance, could substitute a breast lift with breast reduction.
More mature women may likewise add an upper arms or thigh lift. These are a few examples of the tailoring available with a full-body makeover.
Many women choose a tummy tuck and breast augmentation as part of their mommy makeover package. We can additionally use liposuction to target unwanted fat in your arms, thighs, and other areas.
A facelift or other rejuvenation procedure can also be included. The choices are nearly limitless and should reflect your personal goals.
Reviewing Your Cosmetic Treatment Plan
We’ll go over the cosmetic treatment plan with you to answer any questions you have and explain each of these plastic surgery procedures in detail. An estimated cost will also be provided.
Once you feel comfortable with the mommy makeover package, we’ll schedule your plastic surgery procedure.
Reasons for Mommy Makeover
To say your body undergoes dramatic changes during pregnancy is a gross understatement. You’ve given birth, so of course your body will look and feel different.
Many times, the abdominal muscles partially or completely separate and can result in poor posture and lower back pain. You might also have a c-section scar, sagging skin, loose skin, or stretch marks, but the good news is a tummy tuck as part of a mommy makeover surgery can rectify these issues.
Throughout pregnancy and after delivery, milk causes your breasts to become engorged. After breastfeeding, they can shrink compared to their pre-pregnancy size.
They’re also subject to volume loss that can cause breasts to sag. But these changes can be reversed. Combining a breast augmentation with a breast lift can simultaneously add volume and put your breasts back, or close to, their former position.
The Family Gene Pool
For women who haven’t given birth, you may simply have less elastic and/or thinner skin. You also could have lost a considerable amount of weight and have excess skin that needs tightening. If you’ve inherited your mother’s sizable bust, you likely have breast sagging regardless of your age.
This is another instance when a breast lift can completely change your body’s contours and help you look younger, thinner, and shapelier. A breast reduction may also be beneficial for some patients who have excess breast tissue or simply desire breast changes.
Fat Deposits
We briefly mentioned stubborn pockets of fat deposits earlier but need to circle back to them. Because a woman’s body is biologically programmed to hold fat for feeding and nourishing a baby, certain pockets are notoriously hard to lose.
They usually develop around the outer thighs and waist and remain even after losing the baby weight.
These same scenarios are true for women who have never had children. Men can also develop stubborn fat pockets, usually around the abdomen, that don’t respond to diet and exercise alone.
Keep in mind you cannot dictate to the body how to use fat. Leg lifts and sit-ups will build muscle in targeted spots, but they do little to burn unwanted fat. Instead, liposuction can quickly and effectively eliminate these rolls and handles.
Weight Loss and Age
Sagging breasts and loose abdominal skin are just as common following weight loss as they are after pregnancy. The aging process can yield similar changes, and in all of these cases, a whole-body makeover helps get your body where you want it to be. There is no age limit for mommy makeover procedures.
Mommy Makeover Recovery Process
Preparing for recovery starts before plastic surgery. Feed yourself with a healthy diet plan, create a special rest area for yourself, whether that’s in a corner of a room, on the couch, or in your bedroom.
A full-body pillow can be especially comforting, along with extra pillows that will support your weight as you rest. Also place a table near your rest area to hold everything you’ll need: a water bottle, snacks, books, magazines, and the television remote control.
You’ll need someone in the near future to drive you to and from plastic surgery, as you’ll not be able to operate a vehicle. If possible, this same person should stay with you for a few days to assist with children, care for pets, and perform tasks around the house.
You’ll want to spend those first few days out of surgery focused on your recovery, and having help around the house will relieve stress and allow you to rest.
One Week After Mommy Makeover Surgery
At the one-week milestone, you can plan on resuming light duties around the house. This includes cooking and helping children with homework.
You won’t be cleared to lift more than five pounds, however, until after six weeks. And if a tummy tuck was part of your makeover package, you’ll need to follow special instructions following plastic surgery.
Don’t worry – we’ll provide all the details you need. Also plan to sleep on your side or back during recovery.
Six Weeks Later
At Galanis Plastic Surgery, we understand you’ll be anxious to resume your normal activities. But we’ll exercise caution for several weeks to ensure your body heals optimally.
You will likely be allowed to return to work after two or three weeks, but compression garments will need to be worn throughout this time. And exercise will remain off the table.
After Six Weeks
Around two months out of surgery, you’ll likely be approved to return to your normal schedule, including exercise. The results of your surgery should also be visible, making this a highly anticipated time for most patients.
As you’re healing, keep in mind your reward is just around the corner: smoother contours, a flatter tummy, and tighter, firmer skin (depending on the procedures you choose).
Questions & Answers
Who can benefit from a mommy makeover?
Whether you’ve had one child, multiple children, or none at all, a mommy makeover can be beneficial. This term refers to a combination of plastic surgery procedures designed to enhance a woman’s body, self-esteem, aesthetic goals, and help you achieve the pre-pregnancy body you once had or the body you’ve always desired, without the impact of pregnancy.
What procedures are considered for a mommy makeovers?
A mommy makeover surgery may consist of a variety of plastic surgery procedures, including Tummy Tucks, Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift with or without breast implants, Liposuction, and Vaginal Rejuvenation Surgery. Traditionally, the classic Mommy Makeover typically involves a Tummy Tuck and breast augmentation.
Do you have to be a certain weight to get a mommy make over?
Typically, mommy makeovers and other cosmetic surgeries are conducted when the Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or lower. If your BMI exceeds 30, it’s advisable to discuss your options with your plastic surgeon. Additionally, in terms of overall body weight, being in proximity to your ideal weight, preferably within 10-20 pounds, is recommended.
Customize Your Package
Beverly Hills mommy makeovers are not limited to moms; thanks to the ability to fully customize your package, we can create the full-body makeover that’s right for you.
Male or female, parent or not, we can remove stubborn fat bulges and lift, tighten, and volumize certain body parts. Schedule your consultation today with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Galanis by calling Galanis Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, CA.
