The term “mommy makeover” is coined for any surgery, or collection of surgeries, that is designed to help restore your pre-pregnancy silhouette. Even though being a mom can be one of the greatest joys in life, new mothers may dislike the numerous changes the body goes through that are often hard to reverse after giving birth. This combination surgery targets and restores the areas most affected by having children. Massive weight loss patients can also benefit significantly by receiving a mommy makeover as it focuses on skin removal and body contouring.

The surgeons and medical professionals at Honolulu’s Athena Clinic focus on safe and effective cosmetic surgery that yields effective results. Our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Daniel Murariu and Dr. Robert Peterson are experienced and passionate about helping their patients reach their body goals, and perform Mommy Makeover according to each patient’s specific needs.

We offer private consultations for all surgical patients. Call our office today at (808) 944-8551 or follow this link to schedule your free Mommy Makeover consultation.

What does a Mommy Makeover Include?

A mommy makeover typically combines abdominal and breast surgery to restore a large area of the body at one time. This strategy allows patients to contour multiple areas of concern in a single procedure, saving both time and money. Though it may seem irrational or risky to receive multiple surgeries at once, a study found that combining abdominal and cosmetic breast surgery does not increase a patient’s risk of complications. ⁽¹⁾

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

The mommy makeover is extremely customizable and each one that our surgeons perform is different from the last. After pregnancy or significant weight loss, the abdomen skin may be stretched and loose, which can be uncomfortable and displeasing. Patients may have diastasis recti, a condition where the abdominal muscles separate in the middle. Abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck, commonly corrects this by suturing them back into place and removing sagging skin. ⁽²⁾ For this portion of the mommy makeover, Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson will make a horizontal incision from hip to hip to access the abdominal muscles and excise excess skin.

Breast Enhancement

Mommy makeover patients almost always combine a tummy tuck with breast augmentation and/or a breast lift to further contour the body. During a breast augmentation, Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson will place breast implants above or below the pectoral muscles to enhance the volume and shape of the breasts. This procedure can return the breast cup size back to pre-pregnancy measurements, or exceed them, should the patient request. Patients can also opt for fat grafting to the breasts rather than an implant to achieve a similar result. There are numerous considerations you can discuss with Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson at your private consultation, including the procedure type, implant type, its profile, and its positioning.

A breast lift involves removing excess skin from the lower pole of the breast to lift and restructure the breast mound. This procedure also repositions the nipple higher on the mound to improve the appearance of sagging that can result from pregnancy or breastfeeding. Whether these procedures are combined or not, or completed in tandem with a tummy tuck, they both significantly improve the contour of the chest to restore a patient’s breasts and abdomen. For patients who have enlarged breasts as a result of pregnancy or weight gain, breast reduction removes excess skin and tissue from the breasts to reduce and restore their shape. A reduction, by necessity, frequently includes a breast lift to reshape the nipple-areola complex and elevate the chest contour.

Body Contouring

After enhancing the midsection with a tummy tuck, the surgeon may perform liposuction (liposculpture). This procedure can remove unwanted pockets of fat from the lower abdomen, hips, thighs, legs, arms, and lower back. Liposuction uses special hollow tubes called cannulas to break up and safely remove destroyed fatty tissue to slim and smooth the body. It is particularly useful for patients who have excess fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.

Intimate Surgery

Especially after pregnancy, patients may undergo labiaplasty to remove excess skin from the labia. Vulva rejuvenation can immensely increase a patient’s self-esteem and body confidence if giving birth or hormones have caused enlarged or stretched labia.

Mommy makeover procedure plans can include any or all of these body-contouring procedures depending on the patient’s needs and expectations. Dr. Murariu and Dr. Peterson tailor the procedure to individual cosmetic goals, providing their knowledge and expertise to create a unique, customized mommy makeover experience for each patient. Candidates may ask about these specifics during a private consultation at Athena Clinic.

Mommy Makeover Benefits

This custom surgery caters to your anatomy to achieve optimal results.

A mommy makeover benefits patients by providing:

Ideal Mommy Makeover Candidates

Good candidates for a mommy makeover are typically women who have experienced pregnancy or significant weight loss resulting in excess skin and are in good overall health. They should achieve a stable weight before their procedure to ensure their results are optimal. Patients should be free of serious medical conditions that would negatively impact their surgery and outcomes. Though there is no ideal age at which to undergo a mommy makeover procedure, patients are typically between the ages of 30 and 60. Candidates should have reasonable expectations and a positive outlook before undergoing any kind of body contouring surgery, and the mommy makeover is no exception. That is why a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson is an essential first step in the process.

Personal Consultation at Athena Clinic

Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson will meet with you privately for a surgical consultation to discuss the details of your mommy makeover. The surgeon will perform a thorough physical examination of the treatment area to plan your treatment steps accurately. He will inquire about your health history and current medications and will ask you to make the necessary alterations, should they be required. Blood tests and other preoperative testing may be required. After creating a personalized treatment plan, your surgeon explains each step of the procedure in detail. You may ask any questions about the procedure during this appointment, so please come prepared.

How to Prepare for Surgery

Patients who smoke should quit tobacco and nicotine use at least 6 weeks before their mommy makeover surgery. The chemicals in these substances greatly increase your risk of surgical complications and blood clots. Candidates should avoid NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen both before and after surgery to reduce their risk of excessive bleeding. Refrain from drinking alcohol and taking certain herbal supplements like vitamin E and fish oil.

Before your procedure, please ensure you:

Mommy Makeover Procedure

One of our Board-Certified, in-house anesthesiologists starts the surgery by administering IV sedation. If your procedures are combined, the surgeon works his way through your treatment plan. Typically, he performs liposuction and a tummy tuck first to strengthen and contour the abdomen. Then he performs your chosen breast surgery. The surgery smoothly transitions transitions between each procedure to ensure your comfort and safety. This leads to optimal results, a shorter overall procedure time, and less recovery time. Mommy Makeovers can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to complete depending on the patient and their procedure plan.

Recovery & Results

Combining surgeries for a mommy makeover also combines recovery times for patients. When you get home, you will be wearing compression garments around the treatment areas to help with swelling and to preserve your results as you heal. Please follow your surgeon’s postoperative instructions carefully for a smooth and fast recovery. You will likely need at least 7 to 10 days of rest before returning to work and regular activities. You should take short and gentle walks to optimize blood flow. Keep yourself hydrated and eat healthy, nutritious meals during your downtime.

After a full body contouring procedure like a mommy makeover, it will take some time before the swelling and bruising fully dissipate. You will see your results immediately, and they will only improve throughout your recovery. Your abdomen will be tighter with improved core strength. Your breast shape will settle into a natural-looking profile over the next several months. Over the course of 6 months to a year, your final results will continue to improve. They are long-lasting and maintainable with a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Cost of a Mommy Makeover in Honolulu

Since each mommy makeover is unique, procedure costs vary from patient to patient. Our surgeons provide you with an estimated total cost during surgical consultations. To schedule your private appointment with us to discuss your body transformation with a mommy makeover, please call our office at (808) 944-8551. You may also fill out this convenient form to contact us online.

FAQ

References

1. Khavanin N, Jordan SW, Vieira BL, et al. Combining Abdominal and Cosmetic Breast Surgery Does Not Increase Short-term Complication Rates: A Comparison of Each Individual Procedure and Pretreatment Risk Stratification Tool. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2015;35(8):999-1006. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjv087
2. Radhakrishnan M, Ramamurthy K. Efficacy and Challenges in the Treatment of Diastasis Recti Abdominis—A Scoping Review on the Current Trends and Future Perspectives. Diagnostics. 2022;12(9):2044. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12092044