Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a comprehensive combination of cosmetic surgery procedures designed specifically for women who wish to rejuvenate their post-pregnancy body. ⁽¹⁾ The changes that occur during pregnancy can significantly affect the body, leading to changes in the breasts, abdomen, and other areas. ⁽¹⁾

In its most basic form, the mommy makeover is a combination of breast augmentation or breast lift and a tummy tuck. However, what makes the mommy makeover so appealing to many patients is the fact that it can be customized to include additional or alternative procedures. Common additions include liposuction and Brazilian Butt Lifts, but many patients will also include labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, and more to achieve comprehensive rejuvenation.

Dr. Kenneth Hughes, a Harvard-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon and the leader of Hughes Plastic Surgery, has performed hundreds of mommy makeovers in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills for patients from over 30 countries and from all parts of the United States. His dedication to patient education, procedural safety, personalized care, and advanced techniques has positioned him as one of the leading mommy makeover surgeons in the world. If you are interested in a mommy makeover, please reach out to schedule a consultation.

You can get in touch with our office through our online contact form, or you can call us directly at (310) 275-4170.

Before and After Photos

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About Mommy Makeovers

During pregnancy, a woman’s body may undergo significant changes, including weight gain, skin stretching, and fluctuations in breast volume and shape. ⁽¹⁾ After pregnancy, many women experience loose skin, stubborn pockets of fat, and/or sagging breasts. ⁽²⁾

Many women report feelings of decreased self-esteem and dissatisfaction with their postpartum body. A mommy makeover can provide an opportunity for rejuvenation, allowing women to feel more confident and beautiful. ⁽²⁾

Mommy makeovers are not exclusive to mothers, either. Mommy makeover procedures can be effective for any patients who have stubborn fat deposits or loose skin caused by aging, weight fluctuations, or other factors.

Mommy makeovers can include many different procedures. Some of the most common of these include:

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, addresses both loose skin and separated abdominal muscles to create a flat, youthful abdominal contour. The tummy tuck can also create a more aesthetically pleasing belly button if necessary. Unlike some surgeons who may leave the patient with a straighter figure that lacks natural curves, Dr. Hughes takes great care to improve the waist-to-hip ratio during a tummy tuck procedure. His goal is to not only make the stomach flat but also make the waist look “snatched.” ⁽²⁾

Pregnancy often significantly impacts the appearance of the abdomen; both the abdominal wall (abdominal muscles and fascia) and the skin are stretched. The skin and muscle laxity that persists after pregnancy is typically difficult to address with exercise alone. Different patients may have varying degrees of loose skin and diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation). ⁽²⁾

A tummy tuck can also be beneficial for men and patients who have undergone massive weight loss.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is often a key part of a mommy makeover. As a result of pregnancy and pregnancy-related weight gain, as well as changes caused by lactation and/or breastfeeding, some women suffer a loss of breast tissue, causing the breasts to take on a deflated look. Breast augmentation restores volume to the breasts with the use of implants or autologous fat. Dr. Hughes offers breast augmentation with saline, silicone (cohesive gel), and gummy bear (highly cohesive or form-stable) implants as well as fat grafting to the breast, which eliminates the need for implants.

Breast Lift

A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is often necessary in addition to breast augmentation to adequately treat the breasts during a mommy makeover. For many patients, the skin of the breasts is stretched to the point that the droopiness can only be improved by tightening the skin envelope with excision and lifting techniques.

Dr. Hughes employs a breast lift method that uses the shortest scar possible to sculpt the best-appearing breasts. Less comprehensive lifts, such as crescent or donut lifts, are often inadequate for correcting significant drooping of the breast and areola, and therefore should not be considered suitable solutions. For this reason, Dr. Hughes prefers more effective techniques like the vertical (lollipop) lift or the inverted T (anchor) lift.

Breast shape plays an important role in how satisfied patients feel with their results. Boxy or overly long breasts take away from a natural, attractive look, so Dr. Hughes uses specialized techniques to lift, reshape, and round out the breasts. In many mommy makeovers, he includes a breast lift to deliver the most balanced and youthful appearance.

Liposuction

Not only is liposuction one of the most common additions to a mommy makeover, but it is also one of the most commonly performed procedures worldwide. ⁽³⁾ This body contouring technique suctions away stubborn fat deposits from various areas of the body, helping to create a more sculpted appearance. When included in a mommy makeover treatment, Dr. Hughes can effectively eliminate the stubborn fat deposits that often persist after pregnancy, leaving you with a contoured, accentuated, and more youthful-looking figure. ⁽³⁾

Brazilian Butt Lift

The Brazilian Butt Lift is a fat transfer procedure that enhances the shape, size, and contour of the buttocks by transferring fat—typically harvested from the abdomen or thighs with liposuction—to the buttocks. This procedure has the dual benefit of reducing fat in one part of the body and enhancing the size of the buttocks. After weight fluctuations, which often occur after pregnancy, the buttocks may appear deflated or flat. Including a BBL in your mommy makeover treatment plan is an effective way to contour the buttocks and achieve an overall more attractive post-pregnancy figure.

Intimate Procedures

The mons pubis (pubic mound), the labia majora (outer lips), and the labia minora (inner lips) are all areas that can benefit from rejuvenation after pregnancy.

Mons Liposuction: Dr. Hughes can perform mons liposuction to decrease the fullness of the pubic region.

Labiaplasty: Dr. Hughes can address concerns of enlarged or protruding labia minora with labiaplasty, which removes excess labia minora tissue to sculpt a more symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Vaginoplasty: The vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves only the vagina and not the labia. It aims to provide a tighter internal anatomy by addressing laxity. Rejuvenating this area with surgical techniques can be an effective way to enhance your confidence, especially during intimate situations, and potentially reduce incontinence.

Benefits

Undergoing a mommy makeover can offer numerous advantages. Under the expert care of Dr. Hughes, his patients can see results and improvements through:

Candidates

Anyone who has been pregnant or could benefit from a comprehensive treatment plan may be a good candidate for a mommy makeover. For patients who have given birth, it is generally recommended to wait at least six months after giving birth to undergo a mommy makeover. Additionally, it is best when patients have completed their family or have no plans to be pregnant again, as future pregnancy can impact the results achieved with a mommy makeover.

For men who would benefit from a comprehensive procedure, we can create a “daddy do-over” treatment plan.

Patients who undergo these procedures are often looking to address loose skin and stubborn, exercise-resistant fat to enhance their body image. Patients should:

Certain factors may make a patient an unsuitable candidate for a mommy makeover, such as:

Your candidacy will be ultimately determined by Dr. Hughes during a personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

The first step in the mommy makeover process is scheduling a personal consultation at Hughes Plastic Surgery. During this appointment, Dr. Hughes will review your medical history, discuss your goals, and perform an examination. This assessment will allow him to create a tailored surgical plan that addresses your unique needs and desires. During the consultation, you may ask questions about the procedures, recovery time, and expected outcomes, ensuring you leave with a clear understanding of what to expect.

Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form. If you have any further questions, please call our office directly at (310) 275-4170.

Preparation

Once your surgery date is set, you will receive detailed preoperative instructions to ensure a smooth experience. Preparation instructions may include:

The Night Before Surgery:

Morning of Surgery:

Day of Procedure

On the day of surgery, you should arrive at the surgery center approximately one hour before the beginning of your mommy makeover. Our team will help you finalize paperwork and consent forms, and they will also obtain your vital signs. We will be available to answer any additional questions you may have as well.

The anesthesiologist will meet with you to explain the anesthesia process. Dr. Hughes will go over the surgical plan with you again and address any additional of your questions or concerns.

You will then be taken into the operating room, where you will be given relaxing medication that will usher you off to sleep.

The mommy makeover surgery itself will take 2 to 5 hours to perform, depending upon the specific procedures to be performed. ⁽¹⁾ Once the procedure is complete, you will be transferred to our state-of-the-art recovery room. Patients typically remain in the recovery area for 1 to 2 hours before leaving the surgery center with a responsible adult.

Recovery

Activity & Mobility

Sitting & Sleeping

Garments & Incision Care

Nutrition & Digestive Health

Important Reminder

Dr. Hughes will provide personalized recovery instructions based on your exact combination of procedures. Follow his directions precisely to ensure optimal healing and results. His extensive experience with complex combinations (such as tummy tuck + BBL) makes a safe and successful recovery not only possible, but expected. ⁽¹⁾

Videos

Results

Swelling may take 6 months or more to resolve, depending on the types of procedures performed and individual healing characteristics. The scar maturation process may take up to 12 to 18 months before scars reach their best appearance. Scars tend to continue to improve after 18 months.

The results of a mommy makeover can leave patients with a rejuvenated figure, leading to greater body confidence, self-esteem, and satisfaction with one’s physical appearance.

Cost of a Mommy Makeover in Los Angeles

Mommy makeover (breast augmentation and tummy tuck) usually costs between $20,000 and $25,000 depending upon the level of complexity.

Additional procedures such as breast lift, liposuction, and Brazilian buttlift would add additional cost to the mommy makeover. His practice also offers financing options.

Schedule your consultation today to learn more. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call our Los Angeles office at (310) 275-4170.

FAQ

References

1. Matarasso A, Smith DM. Strategies for Aesthetic Reshaping of the Postpartum Patient. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015;136(2):245-257. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000001410
2. Toto V, Scarabosio A, Alessandri-Bonetti M, Albanese R, Persichetti P. Combined Surgery (Mommy-Makeover) Compared to Single Procedure (Abdominoplasty) in After-Pregnancy Women: A Prospective Study on Risks and Benefits. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Published online August 23, 2023. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03579-6
3. Sterodimas A, Boriani F, Nicaretta B, Pereira LH. Revision Abdominoplasty with Truncal Liposculpting: A 10-Year Experience. Aesthetic plastic surgery. 2019;43(1):155-162. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-018-1176-0