Mommy Makeover

Is a Mommy Makeover for Me?

“Mommy Makeover” is a term used to characterize the possible combinations of popular procedures that women typically consider after having children. At your initial consultation with Dr. Terrasse, he will listen to your concerns and goals for your post-pregnancy body and examine you. 

With your help, he will create a customized plan for restoring a youthful contour to your body, giving you back the confidence and sense of self that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of everyday life. The optimal candidates for a mommy makeover are women who:

• Have completed their family and do not plan on becoming pregnant again
• Have recovered completely from their last childbirth experience
• Are no longer breastfeeding
• Are within 10-15 pounds of a healthy weight

Breast Augmentation

This procedure aims to improve the size and shape of your breasts. After they have finished nursing, many women find that their breasts may have shrunken down to a size that is smaller or appear ‘deflated’ compared to what they were before breastfeeding. If you prefer the aesthetic of fuller or larger breasts, a breast augmentation can help get you back to that look. 

Breast Lift

If you aren’t looking to increase the size of your bust but would like to reverse some of the sagging that is caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding, then a breast lift might be your best option. Rather than being focused only on the size, a breast lift aims to address skin laxity in the breast area by removing excess skin and improves the shape and position of the breasts. This restores a more healthy, lifted appearance.

Breast Reduction

In many cases, breastfeeding and nursing can cause substantial growth to the breast tissue. This is not only a cosmetic concern for many patients — it can also create significant problems for back health and comfort. If you are looking to reduce the size of your breasts after weight fluctuation or pregnancy, breast reduction is the right procedure for you. 

Nipple/Areolar Refinement

Many women find their nipples and/or areolas to be significantly enlarged after becoming pregnant or breastfeeding. While some women prefer this appearance, others might seek a more subtle look. If you would like to address the size (or shape) of your nipple area,  refinement and reduction procedures are nice options to add to your Mommy Makeover.  

Arm Lift

Weight fluctuation during pregnancy and breastfeeding is inevitable. Even if you take away the natural changes your body goes through, the stress and changes to your lifestyle are enough to cause healthy eating habits and workout routines to fall to the wayside. Many women notice that some of the excess fat is held in the arms — one of the most difficult places to hide. If you’d prefer to rid yourself of that excess skin and fat, an arm lift is a reliable method.

Body Lift

Your abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs are often the places hit the hardest by pregnancy and general weight fluctuation. This surgery is a combination of techniques in its own right, using multiple methods and approaches to address this broad area in a single surgical experience. When combined with a Mommy Makeover, a body lift provides a substantial baseline for general contour improvement. 

Liposuction

This extremely popular procedure is a staple in most Mommy Makeover procedures. Excess fat stubbornly stays in areas of our bodies that are difficult to work out. For many women, liposuction is the only way to remove stubborn pockets of fat that are harming our appearance.    

Tummy Tuck

The vast majority of moms experience some form of abdominal skin sagging after pregnancy since 

carrying a child stretches your skin to its limits. Even if your skin sagging is minor, you can still develop stretch marks — another unwanted condition that can harm your confidence. In many cases, moms also deal with diastasis recti, which is the separation of the vertical  abdominal muscles and make them difficult to use during workouts. During a tummy tuck, excess skin (and possibly even stretch marks) can be removed and the muscle layer tightened to achieve a more contoured abdominal appearance.

Am I a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

A Mommy Makeover is a surgical procedure, which means there are several essential factors that need to be carefully considered in order to be before one is judged to be a safe candidate. Generally, those who are strong candidates:

• Are free from problematic underlying conditions that can pose a risk during surgery
• Maintain an optimal weight range and active lifestyle
• Have finished nursing and childbearing
• Do not smoke, excessively drink, or use drugs

It is also important to have realistic expectations about what a Mommy Makeover can achieve. Dr. Terrasse will be honest in discussing what your goals are and devise a plan that is appropriate for your age, weight, health status and physical attributes. 

Preparing for a Mommy Makeover

We will make sure to provide you with a complete list of preoperative instructions to follow before your procedure. This can include alterations to medications and supplements, as well as lifestyle changes. Following these instructions will improve your chances for a safe, healthy and effective recovery. 

We also recommend setting up a “recovery station” with all the necessities. Remotes, electronics, books, snacks, drinks, chargers — keep all of this handy wherever you will be recovering so that you don’t have to expend much energy remaining comfortable as your body heals.  

Mommy Makeover Results & Recovery

One of the great advantages of undergoing a mommy makeover is that by combining procedures, you are reducing your total recovery time. Mommy makeovers are typically performed using general anesthesia, and once complete, you will spend some time in a recovery room while the anesthesia wears off. Depending on the extent of your surgery, an overnight stay in the hospital is sometimes recommended. 

Once you return home, you will need to rest and limit your activity during the first two to three weeks. You can usually begin to resume normal activities (though nothing strenuous) soon after, and more intense exercise after about six weeks. However, everyone is different, so Dr. Terrasse will provide you with a post-surgical plan that will outline your recovery needs, and schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.

You will wear fitted compression garments during recovery to support your abdomen and breasts as they heal, but once the swelling subsides, you will begin to see the results of your mommy makeover. Your stomach will be smoother and flatter, and your breasts will settle into their uplifted and enhanced position. Both abdominoplasty and breast lift results are stable for long periods of time as long as you maintain a healthy weight, though over time both areas will change a bit due to age, gravity and life events.