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While pregnancy can leave excess skin in the abdomen, weakened muscles from childbirth, and deflated breasts from breastfeeding, this combination may also be found in women as they age, especially those with a history of weight fluctuations. A “mommy makeover” surgery is an individualized combination of surgical procedures to give back the breast size and shape and abdominal flatness you had at a younger, pre-pregnancy age.

How is a Mommy Makeover Performed?

Mommy makeovers are performed in our Raleigh plastic surgery center as outpatient procedures. Depending on your particular case, you will likely need some form of breast surgery and reshaping of your tummy with an abdominoplasty, with or without liposuction. However, mommy makeover surgeries are customizable, so other procedures can be considered. These are the most common procedures used:

Breast Surgery

After pregnancy and breastfeeding, you might be left with sagging breasts. A breast lift removes excess skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and lifts downturned nipples to restore a youthful contour. Breast augmentation or breast implants can be added to your lift if you also desire added volume. Women whose breasts have grown significantly can restore their smaller breasts and relieve back pain with breast reduction.

Tummy Tuck and Liposuction

An abdominoplasty, with or without liposuction, removes loose skin from the abdomen and tightens abdominal muscles that may have been loosened during pregnancy. Removal of sagging skin can also remove stretch marks to restore smoother skin and enhance your contours. The addition of liposuction for fat removal can help women get rid of stubborn baby weight on the stomach and other areas affected by pregnancy, like the thighs, back, or arms.

Labiaplasty:

Labiaplasty is a vaginal rejuvenation procedure that reduces the size of enlarged labia. After pregnancy, the labial flaps and genital region might be stretched. Women feel self-conscious in intimate settings and may experience discomfort during physical activity.

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Optimal Candidates for Mommy Makeover

The best candidates for a mommy makeover are women who are done having children and wish to restore their pre-baby bodies. Future pregnancies could cause loose, sagging skin and baby weight to return, which would reverse the effects of your mommy makeover procedures. Candidates should also be in overall good health with realistic expectations for their surgery.

Dr. Coan, located in Cary, NC, is an expert in breast and body surgery and can examine you and discuss what procedures would work best for you.

Mommy Makeover Recovery

Recovery time and post-operational instructions will vary, depending on your chosen combination of procedures. In general, you should expect to take 1-2 weeks off work and avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks. Make sure you have someone available to help you during the first few weeks since bending and heavy lifting (including picking up your child) should be avoided. Give your body time to rest and heal so that you can recover safely and achieve optimal results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to recover from a mommy makeover?

Recovery is quite manageable for the majority of our patients. After a mommy makeover, our patients are able to walk on their own after waking from anesthesia. We typically recommend about 10-14 days off from work, depending on your job description and responsibilities. Many patients begin to feel like themselves within weeks after surgery. Our standard post-operative instructions include exercise restrictions for 6 weeks after surgery. This is to allow your body sufficient time to heal and prevent any possible complications.

What is included in the mommy makeover?

Typically, a mommy makeover procedure can include some combination of breast and abdominal procedures. Common breast procedures include breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction. Common abdominal procedures include abdominoplasty, liposuction, or BodyTite. Additionally, some patients may choose to add other procedures, such as nipple reduction or labiaplasty.

Can I have a Mommy Makeover if I plan to have more children?

The best candidates for a mommy makeover are women who are done having children and wish to rejuvenate their postpartum bodies. Future pregnancies could possibly cause a recurrence of diastasis recti or loose skin, negating the effects of cosmetic surgery. However, it is important to note this is only a possibility, not a certainty. Because this is an investment for many patients, we encourage women to wait until they are done having children.

Can a tummy tuck be considered medically necessary?

As a general rule, an abdominoplasty is considered to be a cosmetic procedure.

Do you lose weight after a mommy makeover?

As a general rule, cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction or mommy makeovers, are not considered to be weight-loss surgeries. While some patients could have a few pounds of excess skin and tissue removed with an abdominoplasty, a patient's overall weight will not fluctuate to a significant degree.

How do you prepare for a mommy makeover?

In preparation for a mommy makeover or any cosmetic surgery, we strongly recommend choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon. Other forms of preparation include finding a good support system and taking adequate time off work. Most of our patients find that approximately two weeks off is a sufficient amount of time off work. This recommendation may vary on your job description and if your job requires more or less manual labor.

How many plastic surgeries can be done at once?

Ultimately, this will depend on what procedures are recommended. It is not uncommon for three or even four procedures to be combined into one surgery. For example, a patient may receive a breast lift, breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, and liposuction at one time. The benefit of this approach is having just one time under anesthesia and one recovery period.

How much fat can be removed during liposuction?

The total amount of fat removed during liposuction will depend on a multitude of factors, including treatment areas and a patient's baseline amount of excess adipose tissue, or fat. Many patients have anywhere between 1-5 liters of fat removed during a liposuction procedure.

Is it possible to breastfeed after having a Mommy Makeover?

Yes! It is possible to breastfeed after having a mommy makeover. While there is no guarantee of a patient's specific ability to breastfeed before or after surgery, Dr. Coan does everything possible during surgery to preserve nerve and blood supply to the nipple.

Are Mommy Makeovers dangerous?

Mommy makeover procedures are considered very safe procedures. Dr. Coan is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who takes every measure to prioritize patient safety above all. When following his recommendations, your recovery can be relatively predictable.

What does a mommy makeover cost?

Total costs of surgical procedures depend on the type of procedure being performed. Ultimately, Dr. Coan and our team want to provide you with the best possible result. Here at CARE Plastic Surgery, our patient care coordinators will work with you to accomplish your aesthetic goals. We offer a variety of financing options, including CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and PatientFi. Additionally, we accept several methods of payment, including cash, check, cashier's check, and most major credit cards.

What are the benefits of a Mommy Makeover?

One benefit of a mommy makeover is the ability to have multiple surgical procedures at one time that address various areas of the body. Many of our patients are busy moms on the go and like the idea of having only one recovery period of downtime.

Are Mommy Makeovers customizable to fit my bodys needs?

Yes! Mommy makeovers are customizable to fit specific body contouring goals. A mommy makeover is flexible and will provide you with a specific plan to achieve your desired body after children, major weight loss, or any other lifestyle change.

What procedures are typically included in a Mommy Makeover?

Typically, a mommy makeover procedure can include some combination of breast and abdominal procedures. Common breast procedures include breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction. Common abdominal procedures include abdominoplasty, liposuction, or BodyTite. Additionally, some patients may choose to add other procedures, such as nipple reduction or labiaplasty.

How soon after childbirth can I undergo a Mommy Makeover?

It is recommended patients wait 6 months to 1-year postpartum before undergoing cosmetic surgery. This allows patients to return to their baseline weight. Additionally, patients must stop lactating prior to any breast surgery. We recommend patients be completely done breastfeeding for about 3 months prior to surgery.

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Real Testimonials

Everyone here at Care plastic surgery are completely amazing people. They all made me feel very comfortable and safe in their hands. Dr. Coan is an amazing surgeon and does his absolute best to make sure you leave here looking and feeling amazing. -Mary John

- Verified Care Plastic Surgery Patient

I am so happy with my results! This entire experience could not have been better! Dr. Coan and his staff are amazing and so caring! They answered all of my questions and made the process very pleasant! I am so happy with the way my body looks. Thank you Dr. Coan & Staff!

- Verified Care Plastic Surgery Patient

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Additional Treatments to Consider

Procedures can be combined to maximize your benefits and target multiple concerns in one treatment. Customize your procedure at CARE with the following treatment options.

New Patient Resources

Need to know more about our process? Check out a few of our blog posts below.

10 Things To Know About A Mommy Makeover

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Can I Pick and Choose What’s Part of My Mommy Makeover?

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What to Add to Your Mommy Makeover Procedure

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The CARE Plastic Surgery Process

1. Submit Inquiry

Call us at (919) 484-4884

Or fill out our online form:

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2. Tell Us About Your Goals

A surgical coordinator will contact you within 24 hours of submitting an inquiry.

3. Upload Photos to TouchMD

Share photos on our secure portal for Dr. Coan’s review.

4. Receive Recommendations

Your surgical coordinator will contact you to share Dr. Coan’s recommendations and schedule your in-person consultation.

5. Consultation Day

Meet with Dr. Coan at our conveniently located Cary, NC, facility to discuss surgery desires and concerns and develop a tailored treatment plan.

Meet the Doctor

6. Book Your Surgery

Confirm your surgery date, and get excited about your transformation!

By completing this form, you will be entered into an automated system to receive an occasional reminder / promotional emails and / or text messages. You may unsubscribe at any time. Messages and data rates may apply.