Motherhood changes everything—including your body. You can’t imagine your life without your kids, but you could do without the stretch marks, scars, and sagging breasts that came with them. Many women experience these and other problems after having children, but diet and exercise alone can’t undo the effects of pregnancy.
If you’re struggling to reclaim your firm, youthful contours even years after giving birth, then a mommy makeover at Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery in Charleston, SC, may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Our team of experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons can help you restore your pre-baby look—or better!
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
It’s no secret that pregnancy and childbirth transform a woman’s body. The breasts may grow larger and sag, the abdominal muscles can weaken and separate, and the vagina may tear during delivery. Unwanted fat can also settle on the hips, thighs, or belly and be difficult to get rid of. Even after giving birth, the body will continue to respond to hormonal changes and breastfeeding, further impacting the way you look. Although these changes are natural, they’re often permanent and aren’t affected by diet or exercise, making it difficult to reclaim your pre-pregnancy shape.
These changes can be addressed with a suite of procedures dubbed the mommy makeover. Because each woman’s body responds to pregnancy differently, a mommy makeover isn’t a standardized procedure for reversing the impact of carrying a child. It’s a highly customized experience tailored to your unique needs. The techniques address the specific issues that mothers deal with after pregnancy, but the exact surgical plan varies with each patient. You might be more concerned about the appearance of your breasts or a widening of the hips after giving birth, while another woman may want a flatter stomach. Our doctors will develop a unique approach based on your priorities to ensure your goals are met.
What Procedures Are Included in a Mommy Makeover?
Your mommy makeover package will be customized to deliver your desired outcome, but it typically combines multiple operations into one. Compared to having each procedure done separately, this reduces the amount of time you’ll spend in surgery and allows for a single recovery period so you can get back to your busy life more quickly.
During your consultation, your doctor will listen closely to your needs and concerns to determine the right approach for achieving the look you want. The following procedures are often included as part of a mommy makeover to address the problems many women face after pregnancy and childbirth, but even just one of these may help you reach your goals. The procedures that are right for you will depend on your priorities and unique body goals.
Breast Augmentation
The breasts can transform dramatically after pregnancy and breastfeeding. They often grow and swell as hormone levels rise but then lose volume as breast milk production declines. This can make them look flat or deflated and lead to sagging that won’t improve as your breast size returns to normal. Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that reshapes the bust and restores a full, perky appearance with breast implants. Breast augmentation can also be combined with a breast lift to further improve the contours of the breasts by raising them to a more youthful position.
Breast Lift
The breasts’ changes during pregnancy can cause the tissues to stretch and sag, leading to loose skin and a droopy appearance. As a result, the nipples may also begin to point downward. A breast lift addresses these concerns and restores perkier, youthful-looking contours by raising the breasts so they sit higher on the chest. This procedure also tightens the surrounding tissues and repositions the nipples and areolas. A breast lift is often combined with breast augmentation for comprehensive rejuvenation of the breasts.
Breast Reduction
Every woman’s body responds to pregnancy differently, and some may experience an increase in breast size that remains after giving birth. Since larger breasts can strain the neck and back, this may cause discomfort that’s difficult to manage, especially when caring for children. Breast reduction surgery alleviates the symptoms associated with larger breasts by making them smaller and lighter, removing excess fat, tissue, and skin for healthier proportions. A breast reduction can be combined with breast lift surgery for lighter, uplifted breasts.
Tummy Tuck
During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles often weaken and separate to accommodate a growing baby. Loose skin and stubborn fat can also become a problem, and some women may have a C-section scar that remains long after giving birth. These effects can drastically change the appearance of the stomach, creating an unsightly bulge that can’t be fixed with diet and exercise. A tummy tuck addresses these concerns by retightening the abdominal muscles, removing any loose skin, and minimizing the appearance of stretch marks or scars. If you’re also bothered by stubborn fat that’s settled in the midsection, a tummy tuck can be combined with liposuction to help restore your pre-baby body.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes unwanted fat in common problem areas like the hips, thighs, lower back, stomach and buttocks. Many women struggle to lose post-baby weight due to hormonal and lifestyle changes. Still, liposuction provides a permanent, effective solution that can jumpstart your weight loss goals and help you achieve a slimmer physique. Because liposuction can be used almost anywhere on the body, you’ll enjoy highly personalized results that address your specific areas of concern.
Other Procedures
Nonsurgical procedures like BOTOX® and dermal fillers can also be included as part of your mommy makeover, erasing wrinkles, worry lines, and other signs of aging that may appear on the face. Your surgeon will help you explore your options during an initial consultation and develop a personalized treatment plan based on your goals.
Picture Your Results in 3D
At Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery, we offer the state-of-the-art VECTRA® XT 3D imaging system to capture face, breast, and body images to help simulate your surgical outcomes during your consultation.
Is a Mommy Makeover Right for Me?
If having kids has changed your body, but diet and exercise aren’t enough to restore your former contours, then a mommy makeover may be right for you. Whether you’re bothered by the appearance of your breasts, you want a flatter stomach, or you’re struggling to get rid of unwanted fat, this procedure is customized to address your unique concerns.
When it comes to a mommy makeover, however, timing is important. Each new pregnancy will cause changes to the body, so we recommend waiting until you’re done breastfeeding or having children before considering the procedure. Most doctors will also suggest waiting until at least 6 months have passed since your last pregnancy before proceeding with surgery. During your consultation, our team can help determine if the time is right for you to address your aesthetic concerns with a mommy makeover.
What Happens During A Consultation
Because we want to create your ideal surgical results, the consultation is a critical part of the process. Your surgeon will walk you through your options and help you make choices that align with your anatomy and goals. This time will also be used to conduct a thorough medical history and address all your concerns and questions.
You will have another preoperative appointment closer to the date of your surgery. At this time, you will sign the consent forms, have photos and measurements taken, and receive detailed instructions for before and after surgery. Please adhere to these instructions closely as they are instrumental in ensuring your safety and comfort.
Before your scheduled appointment, your doctor will provide you with instructions on preparing for your mommy makeover. This might include guidelines on prescription medication use and taking time off from work or other activities for your recovery. He will also review the details of your procedure and address any questions or concerns you may have before proceeding.
The exact details of your mommy makeover will vary based on your unique surgical plan, but the procedure is done under general anesthesia to keep you comfortable and may last for several hours. Because a mommy makeover combines multiple aesthetic procedures into a single operation, you’ll only have one surgical experience and one recovery period. Mommy makeovers are typically an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to return home as the anesthesia wears off to begin the healing process. It’s crucial that you arrange transportation and someone to help you at home for at least the first night.
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Mommy makeover surgery has one of the highest satisfaction rates of any aesthetic procedure, and many women claim it has transformed their lives. By restoring your feminine curves and helping you get back into pre-baby shape, a mommy makeover can help you feel like yourself again and reclaim the confidence you once had. Because this procedure is tailored to your specific needs, your individual results will vary based on the surgeries included in your mommy makeover package.
While you may notice an improvement in your body contours immediately after surgery, most results will take some time to develop and become more apparent as swelling decreases. If you had breast augmentation, it will also take time for your new implants to settle into their final position before revealing the enhanced size and shape of your breasts. Your doctor will inform you of the kind of results you can expect from your mommy makeover, depending on which surgeries were used to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. They will provide you with post-operative care instructions to ensure the best possible outcome.
Once your body has healed, you’ll be able to enjoy your results for years to come. A flatter stomach, lifted breasts, and slimmer contours can be maintained with a healthy diet and lifestyle, but future pregnancies may reverse the outcome of your procedure. This can be avoided by scheduling your surgery after you’ve finished having children.
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Combining multiple surgeries into one procedure means you’ll only have one recovery period after your mommy makeover. The amount of time it takes for your body to heal will depend on your unique surgical plan, but you should expect to spend several weeks resting at home. You’ll also need to avoid strenuous activities like lifting, bending, or stretching and may be required to wear compression garments and manage a surgical drain as your incisions heal. Due to this, it’s highly recommended that you have a friend or family member help with child care, daily chores, and other tasks to avoid straining yourself too soon.
During the initial recovery period, you should expect to feel some pain and discomfort. You may also experience bruising, swelling, and tenderness in treated areas. This is normal and should subside as the body heals. Within the next few weeks, you’ll be able to return to work and gradually resume normal activities, but this will depend on how your recovery is going. Your doctor will provide detailed aftercare instructions and check on your progress during follow-up appointments, where you’ll be able to discuss any concerns you may have. If you have any questions in the interim, your doctor will also be available by phone to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery.
Mommy Makeover FAQs
Should I have a traditional or a mini tummy tuck?
Whether you have a traditional or mini tummy tuck depends on the results you’re looking for and the current condition of your abdominal area. For a traditional tummy tuck, a longer incision is made and it addresses the upper and lower abdomen. A mini tummy tuck only addresses the lower abdomen, has a shorter incision, and is perfect for those who don’t need as much correction.
When will I see the results of my tummy tuck?
You will start to see the full results of your tummy tuck in the first few weeks after surgery as the swelling and bruising diminish. Full results take anywhere from six months to a year to show up.
Can I have liposuction and a tummy tuck done at the same time?
Absolutely! A tummy tuck and liposuction are often combined together for an ultimate abdominal transformation.
Are the results of a tummy tuck permanent?
Yes, the results of a tummy tuck are considered permanent. That said, if you gain a significant amount of weight or become pregnant, the results can be affected. That’s why we recommend that you don’t have a tummy tuck until you are done having children.
When can I start working out after my tummy tuck?
You can start to do light exercise at about six weeks and can move to more strenuous activities around 7-10 weeks.
Can a tummy tuck treat diastasis recti?
Yes. A tummy tuck is the preferred solution for repairing diastasis recti, the partial or complete separation of the abdominal muscles that may occur during pregnancy.
How much weight do you lose with a tummy tuck?
While patients often look slimmer and fit into smaller clothes after tummy tuck surgery, it does not help them lose a significant amount of weight. Abdominoplasty is a body contouring procedure not for weight reduction.
Is tummy tuck surgery safe?
Tummy tucks, like all plastic surgery procedures, are generally safe operations. However, if you have preexisting medical conditions such as nicotine/tobacco addiction, obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing complications during surgery and recovery.
Is the surgery painful?
Moderate pain is common for the first few weeks after abdominoplasty; in most cases, it can be managed through medications prescribed by the plastic surgeon. Patients who have had muscle repair will not be able to stand completely upright for approximately a week or two. This tightness is normal and decreases as tissues gradually relax.
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If your body has changed after having children and you want to regain your firm, youthful contours, Crantford Costa Plastic Surgery in Charleston, SC, can help. Our doctors are board-certified plastic surgeons with extensive training and can craft a personalized surgical plan tailored to your unique needs. To learn more about the mommy makeover procedure, request a consultation online or call
(843) 722-5904.
