What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A procedure package, commonly termed the Mommy Makeover, restores the appearance of your breasts, abdomen, and buttocks after pregnancy. Women who undergo Mommy Makeover surgery can choose from a variety of cosmetic procedures that address their individual aesthetic concerns.
What Are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
Common benefits you may experience with a Mommy Makeover include:
- Increased confidence: feel like yourself again
- Combined recovery times for multiple procedures
- Revived skin: excess skin is removed, leaving the body more taut
- Better cleavage: feel sexier with a more youthful bustline
- Medical issue relief: alleviate stress urinary incontinence, lower back pain, etc.
- New wardrobe possibilities: clothes will fit better
Am I a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
The ideal candidate for a Mommy Makeover must be generally healthy and have a realistic expectation of her procedure. Ideally, she should be finished having children. Patients are also advised to stop using nicotine products in the weeks leading up to their surgery and during recovery to prevent potential complications. Women who relate to the following concerns may consider Mommy Makeover surgery:
- Sagging or deflated breasts
- Abdominal muscle weakness (diastasis recti)
- Abdominal skin laxity
- Localized fat deposits
- Sagging or deflated buttocks
Preparing For Your Mommy Makeover in Cleveland, OH
During your consultation, you and Dr. Goldschmidt can discuss specific ways to prepare for surgery that are tailored to your lifestyle. That said, there are some general guidelines to follow to prepare for a Mommy Makeover:
- Lose the baby weight: Surgery is not a weight loss solution, and you will see much better results if you are close to your goal weight.
- Quit nicotine: At least six weeks prior to surgery, stop using all nicotine products, including cigarettes, vapes, etc. Nicotine can cause complications with healing, like an increased risk of blood clots and tissue necrosis.
- Limit alcohol: Drink in moderation, and two weeks before surgery, cut out alcohol completely. Alcohol thins the blood, which can potentially increase bleeding during and after surgery.
- Clear your schedule: Take time off work and other duties and focus on yourself and your recovery.
- Arrange for childcare: You won’t be able to lift small children for up to six weeks or drive your kids to school. You will need at least two to three weeks to focus on rest and recuperation, so help with kids is crucial.
- Set up a designated driver: You will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery. It’s important to have someone reliable to drive you to and from surgery, as well as the first few follow-up appointments.
- Build a cozy recovery area: Create a space that’s comfortable and easy to get into and out of. Stock it with pillows, blankets, and entertainment options. If you get a tummy tuck, you will need to be elevated, so ample pillows or specialized bolsters are important to have beforehand.
- Meal prep: Figure out some easy, healthy meals to eat during recovery, so you can have the ingredients stocked or entire meals ready to heat up in the days following recovery.
What Is Included in My Mommy Makeover?
During your consultation appointment with Dr. Goldschmidt, he will assess your areas of concern and discuss your cosmetic goals to develop a customized surgical plan. There are several options available for your Mommy Makeover surgery, including:
What Are My Breast Enhancement Options?
- Breast Augmentation
- Adds volume to the breasts using implants
- Improves the size, projection, and shape of the breasts
- Implants are available in various sizes and types
- Breast Lift
- Corrects varying degrees of breast sagging (ptosis)
- May involve repositioning or resizing the nipple-areolar complex
- Can be performed using an incision around the nipple, in the shape of a lollipop, or in the shape of an anchor
What Are My Body Contouring Options?
- Tummy Tuck
- Removes excess abdominal tissue
- Repairs weak abdominal muscles
- May involve re-shaping the belly button
- Liposuction
- Can remove pockets of fat from virtually anywhere on the body
- Fat is removed using a thin, hollow tube (cannula)
- Tumescent or ultrasonic techniques are offered
- Brazilian Butt Lift
- Fat is first harvested from problem areas of the body using liposuction
- The fat cells are then purified
- Lastly, the purified fat is injected into the buttock and hips
How Is a Mommy Makeover Performed?
Mommy Makeover surgery is an outpatient procedure performed using general anesthesia to ensure complete patient comfort and safety throughout the process. Some patients must stay overnight for observation before being discharged. The length of the procedure depends on the techniques used and the extent of correction necessary. Dr. Goldschmidt will provide you with specific details that reflect your personalized treatment during your consultation.
How Long Is My Mommy Makeover Recovery?
Right After Surgery
Patients can expect to experience the bulk of their discomfort and swelling during the first week after surgery, but Dr. Goldschmidt will prescribe medication to manage any pain. Wearing the recommended compression garments will help minimize side effects and promote healing. Women who opt for the Brazilian Butt Lift must refrain from putting any pressure on the buttocks for several weeks, except to use the restroom.
Returning to Work
Typically, patients can resume working within a week or two as long as their occupation is not physically demanding. Before your scheduled procedure, Dr. Goldschmidt will provide you with a thorough aftercare guide that specifies your recovery timeline and physical limitations.
When Will I See My Mommy Makeover Results?
Patients should notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of the treated areas, but the final results will not be visible until the body has adjusted to its new modifications. Residual swelling and bruising can obscure the final results for a few months, though most patients start to enjoy their appearance after the first month. If any scarring develops, it is likely to fade over time with proper scar treatment and minimal sun exposure. Mommy Makeover results are considered permanent, but pregnancies, significant weight fluctuations, and aging after the procedure can alter the effects.
Are There Potential Complications After a Mommy Makeover?
It is rare for patients to experience major complications after Mommy Makeover surgery, and the risks can be minimized by diligently following all of the provided aftercare directions. Some of the possible complications associated with Mommy Makeover procedures include:
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Infection
- Abnormal reaction to anesthesia
- Changes in sensation
- Blood clots
Mommy Makeover FAQs
How soon can I have a Mommy Makeover after my baby is born?
While it is recommended to wait for a Mommy Makeover until you know for sure that you are finished bearing children, some women become interested in the procedure soon after the birth of their child. If you are considering a Mommy Makeover during this timeframe, you will want to make sure that you have stopped breastfeeding and otherwise healed from the delivery. Most often, it is required to wait at least six months after the birth of your child. It is critical to remember that this procedure will prevent you from lifting anything over a few pounds for up to six weeks. You will need to have significant help around the house and around-the-clock childcare if you have young children at home.
What type of breast enhancement surgery is right for me?
Mommy Makeover surgery almost always includes a breast enhancement procedure, such as breast augmentation or breast lift surgery, since the breasts are so significantly impacted by pregnancy and breastfeeding. While some women choose either breast augmentation or a breast lift, others benefit from a combination of both. Breast augmentation adds volume to the breasts, but it does not tighten sagging breasts. Breast lift surgery elevates the breasts and makes them more compact and youthful, but it does not increase volume. The right procedure for you depends on what aspects of the breasts you hope to improve.
Why should I wait to have a Mommy Makeover until after I am done having kids?
You are choosing to undergo a Mommy Makeover because of the physical changes brought on by childbirth. An additional pregnancy will have a similar impact on your physique, and you may discover that you are back to square one following another delivery.
Why should I combine surgical procedures into a Mommy Makeover instead of performing them separately?
The Mommy Makeover is a combination procedure. While some women benefit from addressing multiple areas, others only require the treatment of one or two areas. You can choose to undergo these techniques separately; however, if you think you may want an additional one down the line, you may want to consider combining them with a Mommy Makeover. When compared to separate operations, the Mommy Makeover has a shorter recovery period (because you are healing simultaneously), is more cost-effective, and only requires one day of surgery.
How much is Mommy Makeover surgery in Cleveland, OH?
Your Mommy Makeover is tailored to you, and the overall cost of your procedure will reflect this personalization. Therefore, there is no way to estimate the cost of your Mommy Makeover until you consult with Dr. Goldschmidt. During this meeting, Dr. Goldschmidt will discuss your options and what is needed to provide you with superior results. The total price of your Mommy Makeover will vary depending on the procedures combined, the cost of anesthesia, the facility fees, the surgeon’s fees, and the cost of preoperative tests and postoperative dressings.
When can I go back to work after my Mommy Makeover?
Every woman experiences recovery differently. Some women can return to work and their day-to-day routines within one to two weeks of their Mommy Makeover; others require more time. This will depend on how fast your body heals as well as the type of work that you do. Women can return to desk-style jobs much sooner than positions that require them to be on their feet all day. Dr. Goldschmidt can provide you with a better estimate about when you can return to work when he sees you for your postoperative appointment.
For more information about Mommy Makeover in Cleveland, OH or to schedule your Mommy Makeover in Cleveland, OH consultation with Dr. Matt Goldschmidt, please call (216) 264-8100.