It’s common after pregnancy for women to have excess fat, loose skin around their midsection, and sagging or deflated breasts. A mommy makeover is a popular way to surgically correct these issues.

How a mommy makeover is performed

A breast lift may be a good option for you if you are happy with the size of your breasts and just want to reduce sagging. A breast lift involves surgically removing excess skin, raising the placement of your areolas and nipples, and reshaping your breast tissue to improve height, projection, and firmness. Breast lift surgery leaves more visible scarring on your breasts compared to augmentation.

Breast augmentation adds implants to your breasts to increase size and improve fullness and projection. Incisions can be made in your armpits, under your areolas, or along your breast creases for less noticeable scarring. Some women may have more significant results from augmentation rather than just a breast lift. 

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a surgical procedure to tighten your abdominal muscles and remove excess skin from your midsection for a flatter and firmer belly. A long incision is made above your pubic area, your abdominal muscles are tightened with stitches, and excess skin is trimmed away from below your belly button. A mini tummy tuck is less invasive but only corrects issues below your belly button. An extended tummy tuck makes a longer incision that goes around your hips to correct issues in your side areas as well as your midsection. 

Liposuction (lipoplasty) is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat with suction, and is commonly done with a tummy tuck to achieve a more contoured and slimmer look. A hollow tube called a cannula is inserted under your skin to loosen and break up fat and suction it away.

Recovery

Recovery can take two to four weeks depending on what procedures you had done. Most women can start returning to work after one week. You’ll have some pain, swelling, bruising, and soreness while you heal and you’ll have to avoid strenuous activity for about one month.

Costs

Since a mommy makeover can involve a combination of three different procedures, your costs can vary depending on what you have done. Your location, surgeon and health insurance coverage will affect costs as well. Most health insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures, but you can talk with your plastic surgeon for more detailed cost information.