“Mommy makeover” is a term for a collection of cosmetic procedures designed to target areas of the body that are affected during pregnancy and postpartum. This specialized group of procedures has grown in popularity over the last decade as women look for ways to build their confidence and regain control of their bodies after motherhood.
Mommy makeovers allow women to address multiple areas of their bodies at one time as opposed to scheduling multiple surgical appointments. Most mommy makeovers include:
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Lift or Breast Reduction
- Tummy Tuck
- Liposuction
- Abdominoplasty
If you have thought about having a mommy makeover, you probably have a lot of questions and even some concerns. Read on to learn more about this increasingly popular plastic surgery.
Table of Contents
9 Things to Know About Having a Mommy Makeover
You Must Be 6 Months Postpartum and Ideally Done Having Children
You Should Be At a Healthy Weight
All Of Your Feelings Are Valid
You Will Have to Decide How and What You Will Tell Your Children and Family
You Will Need to Prepare For Your Recovery
Why Choose a Mommy Makeover
The International Journal of Health Sciences and Research concluded in a study that most women have a negative attitude in regard to their body during pregnancy and postpartum. These feelings of dissatisfaction can lead to increased cases of postpartum depression, low sex drive, and negatively impact their relationships.
Many women are often surprised by the many changes their bodies go through after giving birth. And with growing pressure from pop culture and the media to “bounce back” and to age in reverse, today’s mothers are feeling worse than ever about their postpartum bodies.
Women may choose to have a mommy makeover to help with their body image, to build confidence and help improve their sex life after having children, or to feel better about themselves and improve their mental health and wellbeing as a mother.
9 Things to Know About Having a Mommy Makeover
There is no way around the fact that mommy makeovers are big procedures. To make an informed decision, you want to make sure that you are a good candidate for the surgery and that you will get the best results possible.
You Must Be 6 Months Postpartum and Ideally Done Having Children
While 6 months is a general rule, your doctor may ask you to be a year postpartum before scheduling your mommy makeover. Because mommy makeovers include work on the abdominal areas of your body, you will want to make sure you are fully recovered from your pregnancy and childbirth before having any kind of cosmetic procedure.
In addition, if you plan on having more children, you may want to wait on having your mommy makeover. Additional pregnancies can undo the results of your procedures and waiting until you are done having children will maximize the long-term benefits and results of your mommy makeover.
You Should Be At a Healthy Weight
Your mommy makeover will improve the shape and appearance of your body. However, these procedures are not weight-loss surgeries. For the best results, it is recommended that you are within 25 pounds of your goal weight and that your goal weight is a healthy one that is manageable and maintainable.
Mommy makeovers are intended to help you correct issues with your body that cannot be fixed with diet and exercise alone and you will still need to live a healthy and active lifestyle following your mommy makeover to maintain the results long-term.
The more you prioritize your health before your procedure, the easier and faster it will be to recover!
You Can Not Be a Smoker
Smoking is a big no-no following all surgeries and cosmetic procedures. However, given the complexity and intensity of mommy makeovers, smoking presents even bigger risks to your health. Because smoking impacts your circulation, being a smoker puts you at risk for delayed healing and serious complications during and after your mommy makeover.
It is recommended that you quit smoking for at least a month prior to your surgery and a minimum of six weeks post-op. Many women look at this as an opportunity to finally quit altogether as part of a healthier lifestyle for both themselves and their children.
You Will Need Help At Home
There are several reasons to consider the amount of help you will need to recover successfully after your mommy makeover. This may impact when you decide to schedule your surgery either when you have access to adequate childcare and home assistance, or in some cases when your children are a little older.
You will not be able to lift anything more than 10 pounds for up to six weeks following your mommy makeover. This includes your children. You will also feel sore, tired, and uncomfortable for the first week or so and will need assistance with your routine household chores and activities.
You may also be instructed by your physician not to drive for a certain amount of time and will need to make sure you have someone who can drive you to appointments or drive your children to school and their activities.
All Of Your Feelings Are Valid
When it comes to the complex feelings you have about your body, you are not alone. A survey on postpartum weight and bodies of 7000 women showed how much women struggle with their new “mom bodies” and what to do with them.
There is also a wide range of emotions when it comes to choosing a mommy makeover. Women report a wide range of experiences from excitement to nervousness to shame and sometimes short-term regret following their surgery.
The important thing to remember is that your mommy makeover is your decision to make, and it is not a selfish or vain thing to pursue for yourself. It is a good idea to find women in your area, ideally who have seen your surgeon, who have had a mommy makeover that you can talk to about the experience.
Mommy Makeovers Are Expensive
Mommy makeovers are considered elective procedures and are not covered by insurance. In some cases, you may be able to get partial coverage but only for certain medical conditions like diastasis recti and umbilical hernias.
The surgeries involved in your mommy makeover will vary depending on your needs and what you and your surgeon agree are best for your desired result. It is important to discuss the price with your doctor during your in-person consultation. You can expect on average that a mommy makeover will cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000. Many women experience “sticker shock” when faced with the expense of a mommy makeover.
Make sure you research and understand all your options for paying for your surgery. Plastic surgery financing is available and can be a great way to help you make your mommy makeover a reality. **** this would be a good place to link back to the financing article we already have written
You Will Have to Decide How and What You Will Tell Your Children and Family
Depending on the age of your children and their personalities the way you approach the conversation about your surgery will be a personal choice. However, this is a major surgery that will impact their lives as well as yours while you recover. Some children will ask for and need more detailed answers while younger children may just accept a simple statement.
When deciding how to discuss your surgery with other family and friends, remember that your personal choice is yours alone and you do not owe anyone an explanation for your decision to do something that will make you feel happier, healthier, and more confident. Having your answers and knowing your boundaries before your surgery will make these conversations easier when you are in the recovery process.
You Will Need to Prepare For Your Recovery
Mommy makeovers are not the same as waving a magic wand. There is a lot happening all at once and your recovery period is critical to your health and to achieve your desired results. Full recovery times will vary but you should plan for some of the most common experiences of mommy makeover recovery.
- The average recovery from a mommy makeover is six weeks, with full recovery and results at around 4 to 6 months.
- You will need to plan for and expect to need 10 -14 off complete downtime. This means time off from work, help with your home tasks, and care for your children.
- Swelling is not only normal but can last up to 6 months postop. Some women experience up to 2 sizes larger for a short time after their surgeries.
- You will probably feel very emotional with highs and lows. The pain, surgical trauma to your body, pain medication, and exhaustion can take a toll on your emotional wellbeing. It is not uncommon for many women to feel regret or remorse in the first few days following their procedures. Make sure to talk to your doctor or reach out for support during this time.
- Numbness and tingling are normal and are expected around your incision sites. You may also experience breast and nipple sensitivity. These sensations can last for up to 6 weeks after a mommy makeover.
- Scaring is inevitable but will continuously fade over time. The scars following your mommy makeover will be much more pronounced and noticeable over the first few weeks of your recovery. You will notice that over time they will begin to fade and that they are generally positioned in areas that are easy to conceal. Ask your doctor about ways to care for your skin to minimize scaring.
How Can Beautifi Help?
If you are interested in having a mommy makeover, the most important first step is to consult with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. Take your time researching your physician and don’t hesitate to consult with more than one doctor in your area.
The right doctor will help you customize your mommy makeover and help you achieve the results you are looking for. Many women have experienced higher levels of self-esteem, improved mental health, and a better quality of life after deciding to go through with a mommy makeover.
The Beautifi team is always here to help when choosing a surgeon or financially planning for a cosmetic procedure. Learn how our process works or fill out an application to start your procedure journey!