Mommy Makeover
Pregnancy and childbirth are transformative experiences, but some physical changes may not fully reverse on their own. If you want to restore your pre-pregnancy shape, a mommy makeover at Hughes Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, CA, provides a personalized approach to help you achieve your goals.Expert Body Contouring in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills
Dr. Kenneth Hughes, a Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon, has performed hundreds of mommy makeovers in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills for patients from over 30 countries and all parts of the United States. The mommy makeover consists of breast augmentation and tummy tuck in its most basic sense. It may also encompass any number of additional procedures, including breast lift, liposuction, and the Brazilian butt lift.
Dr. Hughes performs these mommy makeover surgeries several times a week in his fully accredited surgical center with dedicated board-certified anesthesiologists. He performs most of these combination procedures in four hours or fewer, which means fewer complications and a faster recovery for his patients in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
Mommy Makeover Procedures
Dr. Hughes is committed to delivering the best possible mommy makeover results. Even if you haven’t had children, breast and body procedures can address skin laxity from genetics, aging, or weight changes, helping you achieve a more sculpted look.
Tummy tuck
The tummy tuck can be helpful after pregnancy or massive weight loss. During pregnancy, the abdomen, abdominal wall (abdominal muscles and fascia), and skin are stretched. The skin and abdominal wall do not usually return to their pre-pregnancy state, so a woman may have varying degrees of loose skin and abdominal wall laxity.
A tummy tuck tightens loose skin and the abdominal wall, creating a flatter, more youthful midsection and a refined belly button. As part of a mommy makeover in Los Angeles, Dr. Hughes enhances the waist-to-hip ratio, ensuring a sculpted, contoured look—unlike some approaches that leave the body looking straight and boxy. The goal isn’t just a flat stomach but a defined, balanced waistline for a more natural, shapely result.
Do not forget that tummy tuck is appropriate for men as well. Some men can get significant improvement from skin removal and abdominal wall tightening (usually due to the visceral fat component stretching the abdominal wall from inside the abdomen).
Breast augmentation
Breast augmentation is a frequent component of a mommy makeover. Some women, as a result of pregnancy and pregnancy-related weight gains as well as engorgement from lactation and/or breastfeeding, suffer a loss of breast tissue and a deflated look. Breast augmentation adds fullness to the look of the breasts and improves the deflation created by breastfeeding and pregnancy.
Dr. Hughes, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, 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. It is the breast augmentation portion of the mommy makeover.
Breast lift
A breast lift may be necessary in addition to breast augmentation to adequately enhance the breasts in a mommy makeover. For many patients, the skin of the breasts is stretched to the point that the droopiness of the breast can only be improved by tightening the skin envelope with a breast lift.
A breast lift can be used if the areola and/or breast has fallen below the inframammary fold. Dr. Hughes employs the breast lift that has the shortest scar. Many times, smaller lifts, referred to as crescent lifts or donut lifts, are wholly inappropriate for correcting the droopiness of the breast and areola and should not be offered as solutions. A vertical or lollipop lift, as well as an inverted T or anchor lift, are usually much more appropriate.
The shape is the number one factor in being happy with the breasts. Boxy breasts or vertically long breasts are to be avoided and there are technical methodologies that Dr. Hughes has developed to improve the shape of the breasts, lift them, and make them look round. The breast lift is necessary for achieving the best overall look for the breasts.
Liposuction and Brazilian butt lift (BBL)
In conjunction with a mommy makeover, liposuction can be used to reduce the waist size further and improve contour. Dr. Hughes will frequently liposuction fat from the sides, flanks, and back at the time of the tummy tuck to produce changes in waist size of six to eight inches or more. This fat can also be used to augment the hips or the buttocks, as in the Brazilian buttlift. It can further improve the hourglass figure and the overall silhouette.
Labiaplasty and vaginoplasty
The mons pubis (pubic mound), the labia majora (outer lips), and the labia minora (inner lips) may all be areas that are amenable to improvement.
Mons liposuction can be an important adjunct to decrease the fullness of the pubic region. The labia majora are sometimes addressed if there is an issue of deflation or the perception of bulkiness or fullness in the labia majora. The labia minora (the inner lips) are most frequently addressed due to concerns of enlargement. All of these are discussed more in the labiaplasty procedure section.
The vaginoplasty refers to a surgical procedure that involves only the vagina and not the labia. The vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces the laxity within the vagina and provides for a tighter internal anatomy.
Good Candidates for Mommy Makeover
Ideal candidates for a mommy makeover meet the following criteria:
- Age – Typically 25 to 50 years old
- BMI – Preferably under 30 for safer surgery and recovery
Stable weight – Maintained for at least six months - Post-pregnancy – At least six months postpartum with no future pregnancy plans
- Body concerns – Struggle with loose skin, muscle separation, or stubborn fat
- Skin quality – Good tone and elasticity for better results
- Health – Overall good health with no conditions affecting healing
- Expectations – Understand the procedure and recovery
Dr. Hughes at Hughes Plastic Surgery will evaluate your goals and health to determine if mommy makeover surgery is right for you.
Poor Candidates for Mommy Makeover
- Significant comorbid disease
- Morbid obesity
- Unwillingness to stop smoking
- Unrealistic expectations
- Plans for future pregnancy (relative contraindication)
- Upper abdominal transverse scars (relative contraindication)
patient testimonial
“After four kids (who absolutely wrecked my body) I decided it was time to tighten things back up. I searched real self and found Dr. Kenneth Hughes. His awesome reviews led me to schedule a consultation. He was very response and interactive with my million questions and always gave thorough answers despite my feeling like I was badgering him at times. I had several procedures done at once. A tummy tuck/partial lower body lift (similar to an extended tummy tuck), an infragluteal crease lift and he replaced my breast implants. It’s been about 5 months and everything is going great. My scars are all fading and everything looks lifted back up to the pre-babies days. The unique thing about Dr. Hughes is he doesn’t just specialize in one or two procedures, he’s truly a master of all trades. I’d absolutely trust him to do work on my face as well as body. I am in need of fat transfer to my face and a few other things down the road and because I’ve developed a good doctor/patient relationship with him, and trust him, I’ll definitely be going back to him”
Mommy Makeover Surgery Day
On surgery day, you’ll arrive at the surgery center about an hour before your procedure to complete paperwork, provide consent, and address any final questions.
The nurse and anesthesiologist will check your vital signs and medical history while the anesthesiologist explains the anesthesia process. Finally, you’ll meet with Dr. Hughes to review the surgical plan and discuss any last concerns.
You will then be taken into the operating room, administered relaxing medication, and be ushered off to sleep. The mommy makeover surgery will take two to five hours to perform (depending upon the specific procedures to be performed), and you will be transferred to the recovery room upon completion. The patient will remain in recovery for one to two hours before departing from the surgery center with a responsible companion.
Recovery from the Mommy Makeover
Many patients want to know about the recovery after their mommy makeover procedures. Recovery varies per individual, but here’s a general timeline:
- First week – Expect swelling and discomfort; rest is vital.
- Two weeks – Many patients resume light activities; swelling begins to subside.
- One month – Most return to regular daily activities, avoiding strenuous exercise.
- Six months – Full recovery with final results visible.
In most cases, patients can return to work in two weeks or less. Patients should not perform exercise or lift anything greater than 5 to10 lbs for about six weeks. They should wear the compression garment for the first six weeks and avoid getting water or sweat into any of the incisions until the incisions are completely healed.
The main limitations and sleeping positions depend on the particular procedures that the patient has undergone. Patients can have procedures done on the abdomen and the buttocks at the same time and still recover. Dr. Hughes can assure you that recovery is possible, and he has performed these combinations hundreds of times in his surgery center in Los Angeles (serving Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Playa Vista, Culver City, and Marina del Rey).
Kenneth Hughes, MD, will go over all of the recovery issues based on the procedures performed. You must follow the expert recommendations to ensure the best possible recovery and post-pregnancy body transformation result.
Results of Mommy Makeover
The final results of the mommy makeover depend upon how quickly the swelling resolves and the scars heal. The swelling may take six 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 the best appearance. Scars tend to get better with even more time.
Dr. Kenneth Hughes Performs Mommy Makeover
Mommy Makeover Surgery
Mommy Makeover Cost
The cost of a mommy makeover in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, CA as your post-preg depends on the specific procedures, surgical complexity, and additional fees such as anesthesia and facility costs. Mommy makeover (breast augmentation and tummy tuck) usually costs between $10,500 and $30,000, depending on the level of complexity. You can learn more about the cost of the different plastic surgery procedures provided by Hughes Plastic Surgery.
Additional procedures such as breast lift, liposuction, and Brazilian butt lift would add additional cost to the surgeries. Dr. Hughes operates in both Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, and costs may differ slightly based on location. Other factors that may affect the cost of your plastic surgery include the anesthesia and facility fees.
- Dr. Hughes offers financing through:
- CareCredit
- Prosper Healthcare Lending
- MedicalFinancing
These options allow for manageable monthly payments. During your mommy makeover consultation, Dr. Hughes will provide a detailed cost estimate and help you explore financing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to recover from a mommy makeover?
Initial recovery from a post-pregnancy body restoration typically takes about two weeks, but full healing can take several months. Most patients can resume light activities after a few weeks, with final results becoming visible over time.
Can I combine a mommy makeover with other procedures?
Yes, a mommy makeover is a mommy aesthetic surgery that often includes multiple procedures, such as tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast surgery. Dr. Hughes will help determine the safest and most effective combination based on your needs.
What are the risks involved?
As with any surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, and complications related to anesthesia. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Hughes helps minimize these risks and ensures a safe procedure.
How do I choose the right surgeon for a mommy makeover?
Consult with a reputable mommy makeover surgeon, such as Dr. Hughes, who has extensive experience in mommy makeover plastic surgery. Reviewing before-and-after photos and patient testimonials can also help you make an informed decision.
Schedule Your Consultation for Mommy Makeover
Choosing a mommy makeover in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills is an important step toward restoring your body after pregnancy. At Hughes Plastic Surgery, Dr. Kenneth Hughes provides personalized consultations to discuss your goals and develop a treatment plan suited to your needs. Our team is here to guide you through every step. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.