WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR A MOMMY MAKEOVER?

If you are a woman who is finished having children, and there are areas of your body that you are interested in improving, mommy makeover surgery might be right for you. Some changes in the body after pregnancy respond to exercise and diet, whereas other changes, such as loss of breast volume and excess abdominal skin, do not. Drs. Jeffery and William Umansky will discuss your individual desires during your consultation and help you formulate a surgical plan.

You should be in overall good health before considering any cosmetic procedure. Mommy makeover surgery is best performed once your body is close to full recovery from pregnancy. Each procedure has a slightly different healing time and restrictions, so you will want to discuss this with your surgeon before undergoing surgery. If you are considering having more children in the immediate future or still recovering from pregnancy, it’s recommended that you wait before considering a mommy makeover. Future pregnancies could potentially reverse the results of your procedure and cause many of your concerns to return.

MOMMY MAKEOVER PROCEDURE OPTIONS

BREAST AUGMENTATION

The breasts change naturally over time, but the most dramatic transformation occurs as a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hormonal fluctuations can adversely affect the size and shape of the breasts, while stretched tissues might leave them looking deflated and droopy. These changes are usually the most apparent after the cessation of breastfeeding. Breast augmentation, with or without a breast lift, can reshape the breasts to restore lost volume and give a perkier, fuller contour.

During the process, you will be able to choose the size and type of implant that is best suited to your goals for highly personalized results. This procedure is frequently combined with a breast lift to correct droopiness that cannot be corrected with implants alone.

BREAST LIFT (MASTOPEXY)

During pregnancy, the breasts often grow and swell due to changing hormone levels, but then begin to lose volume as breast milk production declines in the months after giving birth. These changes can lead to stretched skin and tissues that won’t improve on their own, leaving the breasts with a saggy or droopy appearance. The nipples may descend and even point downward.

When included as part of a mommy makeover, a breast lift addresses these concerns by removing excess skin and lifting the breasts to restore a perkier appearance. This procedure also lifts the nipples and decreases the size of enlarged areolae. A breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation to restore lost volume and improve the results.

LIPOSUCTION

Hormonal and lifestyle changes can make it hard to lose the baby weight after having a child, especially in the abdomen, hips, and thighs. Liposuction is an effective way to permanently remove unwanted fat in common problem areas that don’t respond well to diet or exercise. It is a highly personalized procedure that can reshape specific areas of your body to restore slimmer, more youthful contours, eliminating even the most stubborn deposits of fat. Drs. Jeffrey and William Umansky offer patients traditional liposuction and SmartLipo, both of which are great options to include in your mommy makeover. As experts in the art of body sculpting, they can help you decide which technique is best for you.

TUMMY TUCK (ABDOMINOPLASTY)

During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles often stretch and separate to accommodate the growth of a baby. While a natural occurrence, this can leave you with weakened abdominal muscles, abdominal bulging, and stretched skin, which will not respond to diet or exercise. Some women may also have an unsightly scar after a cesarean delivery. These concerns are often permanent, but a tummy tuck can restore the appearance of your midsection by retightening the abdominal muscles, removing loose skin, and minimizing the appearance of stretch marks. Since many women have stubborn fat around the midsection after giving birth, a tummy tuck is often combined with liposuction of the waist and hips to create a better figure.

OTHER PROCEDURES

The above procedures are commonly performed as part of a mommy makeover, but there is no specific combination that you are limited to when developing your treatment plan. Your mommy makeover is customized to meet your unique needs and can include other surgical procedures as well. For example, a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) can add volume to flat buttocks. Breast reduction, vaginal rejuvenation, and non-surgical anti-aging treatments like dermal fillers or Botox are also common additions. During the consultation process, your doctor will review your options and recommend the right combination of procedures for achieving your goals.

MOMMY MAKEOVER IN LA JOLLA / SAN DIEGO

Since no two mommy makeovers are the same, your experience will be uniquely yours. Your surgical plan is tailored to your needs – so, the specifics will vary depending on which procedures are included. Your doctor will review the steps in more detail during the consultation process to help you feel prepared and confident on the day of your surgery.

Mommy makeovers are performed as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia in our state-of-the-art facility. Multiple procedures are combined into one operation and the surgical process can last for several hours. Compared to having each procedure performed separately, combining surgeries as a mommy makeover gives you the benefit of a single operation and a single recovery time.

After your procedure is complete, you should be able to go home later that same day. It can take some time for the effects of anesthesia to subside, so you may feel groggy or sedated for many hours on the day of surgery. You will need to arrange for transportation home and assistance during your first night after surgery to ensure your safety.

MOMMY MAKEOVER RESULTS & RECOVERY

One of the biggest perks of a mommy makeover is that by having multiple operations performed simultaneously, you’ll only have to go through recovery once. The healing process will differ depending on which procedures are included in your surgical plan, but you can expect to feel some discomfort, bruising, and swelling in treated areas. Compression garments are used to help alleviate these side effects. In the weeks following your surgery, you will need to get plenty of rest and limit any strenuous activities. During this initial recovery process, it might be helpful to have someone help with childcare, household tasks, and other daily responsibilities to give your body the time it needs to heal.

Your mommy makeover results will be increasingly apparent as your recovery progresses. If your surgery includes liposuction or a tummy tuck, the slimming effects will become noticeable once the swelling has subsided. For patients that undergo breast augmentation, the new implants will take some time to settle before the final size and shape of the breasts are realized. Both Drs. Jeffery and William Umansky use advanced techniques to minimize scarring, placing incisions in discreet areas. Over time, they will begin to fade.

Mommy makeovers have one of the highest satisfaction rates among patients. By transforming your body and restoring more youthful, pre-baby contours, a mommy makeover can help you feel like yourself again and give you a new outlook on life. These results can be maintained for years by following a healthy diet and lifestyle, making this procedure one of the most worthwhile to consider if you have pregnancy-related aesthetic concerns to address.

Frequently asked questions

How Long Should I Wait After Pregnancy to Have a Mommy Makeover?

You should wait at least six months after childbirth and complete breastfeeding before considering a mommy makeover. This allows your body to fully recover and hormone levels to stabilize. If you’re planning future pregnancies, it’s best to put your procedure on hold since pregnancy can reverse your results. During your consultation, our San Diego plastic surgeons will discuss your needs, lifestyle and goals to evaluate your readiness for surgery.

Can I Have More Children After a Mommy Makeover?

While it’s physically possible to have children after a mommy makeover, future pregnancies can compromise your results. Pregnancy may cause the abdominal muscles to separate again, change the shape of the breasts and alter your body contours. For the best long-term results, we recommend completing your family before undergoing the procedure. If you do become pregnant later, additional surgery may be needed to restore your results.

How Do I Prepare My Home and Family for Mommy Makeover Recovery?

Proper preparation is crucial for a smooth recovery. After your mommy makeover, you’ll need assistance lifting anything over 10 pounds — that includes children, so assistance with childcare and other household tasks is a must for at least two weeks. We recommend recruiting friends or family members to help, as well as stocking up on groceries, pre-filling all your prescriptions and preparing a comfortable recovery space in your bedroom or living area. Our team provides detailed pre- and post-op instructions to help you prepare thoroughly for your recovery.

Will I Have Visible Scarring?

Our skilled surgeons strategically place incisions in areas that can be concealed by clothing and undergarments. While scars are inevitable with surgery, they typically fade significantly over time and become less noticeable. Proper scar care, including following all post-op instructions and using recommended treatments, helps minimize their appearance. Most patients find that their scars are a worthwhile trade-off for their improved body contours.

When Can I Exercise After a Mommy Makeover?

Light walking is encouraged immediately after surgery to promote circulation and healing. You can gradually increase activity over several weeks, typically returning to full exercise after six to eight weeks. However, this timeline can vary depending on which procedures were included in your surgical plan and how your body heals. Our surgical team will provide specific guidelines tailored to your mommy makeover and monitor your recovery closely.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost in San Diego?

Mommy makeover costs vary based on the specific procedures included. During your consultation at our La Jolla practice, we’ll provide a detailed cost breakdown tailored to your treatment plan. We also offer financing options to help make your mommy makeover more affordable and accessible while maintaining the highest standards of safety and care.

Rediscover Your Best Self With a Mommy Makeover at Umansky Plastic Surgery

You’ve given so much to your family — now it’s time to give back to yourself. At Umansky Plastic Surgery in La Jolla, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky understand the physical changes that come with motherhood. Our personalized mommy makeovers combine breast and body procedures to help you feel confident and beautiful again. Schedule your consultation today to discover how we can help you reclaim the body you love while celebrating the incredible journey of motherhood.