We all know having children is one of life’s greatest blessings, but the aesthetic changes left behind after pregnancy and breastfeeding can also be a source of serious frustration for new mothers. Many of the concerns patients wish to improve after having kids — such as stretched skin, separated abdominal muscles, and a loss of elasticity — are not responsive to natural remedies like dieting and exercise. New York City aesthetic plastic surgeon Ira Savetsky, MD addresses these limitations by offering a comprehensive Mommy Makeover for patients who want to restore their pre-pregnancy figure. A Mommy Makeover is a treatment plan consisting of multiple procedures, each personalized to address the regions commonly affected by pregnancy and nursing. This gives patients the opportunity to treat several different areas at once in one all-encompassing surgical plan.
- What is a Mommy Makeover?
- Mommy Makeover Candidates
- Mommy Makeover Options
- Mommy Makeover Recovery
- Mommy Makeover Cost
What is a Mommy Makeover?
A typical Mommy Makeover often includes some combination of breast surgery and body contouring procedures, although your treatment plan is completely personalized to your desires. In general, a breast lift/augmentation and a tummy tuck are most frequently incorporated into a Mommy Makeover to both repair abdominal musculature weakened by pregnancy and to rejuvenate the breast contours. Your treatment plan can be completed in one procedure or throughout multiple stages depending on your wishes and the procedural options chosen. Dr. Savetsky will be able to walk you through the entire process during your consultation. Recovery times for a Mommy Makeover vary, but less invasive procedures like liposuction normally have faster healing periods than more extensive surgeries, such as abdominoplasty.
Is a Mommy Makeover Right for Me?
A Mommy Makeover is a more extensive treatment option designed to combine multiple procedures; therefore, patients who want to enhance several different areas of their body are typically the best candidates for surgery. Patients interested in a Mommy Makeover should also be:
- In good health, with no uncontrolled medical conditions that can impair the healing process
- A non-smoker or willing to quit smoking before their surgery
- At or near a healthy weight, without any plans for significant weight loss in the future
- Positive about their outlook on surgery and willing to maintain realistic expectations for the outcome
Despite the name of the procedure, a Mommy Makeover can benefit any patient who is interested in more than one breast and/or body contouring procedure — treatment is not exclusive to women who are mothers. As part of your consultation, Dr. Savetsky will listen to your goals and closely review your medical history before confirming whether a Mommy Makeover is the best treatment option for your needs.
What are My Mommy Makeover Options?
Breast Augmentation
Breast implants are among the most effective devices to restore the volume, shape, and contour of your breasts after having children. A loss of breast shape and volume are very common during and after pregnancy, sometimes leading to an elongated or stretched look in the breasts. With breast augmentation, patients can restore rounder, more youthful contours while improving their silhouette and their fit in clothing.
Breast Lift
Another common effect of having children is stretched skin and tissue in the breasts, often compromising a youthful aesthetic. Also known as “mastopexy,” a breast lift can improve the appearance of pendulous, hanging, or sagging breasts to reclaim more rejuvenated contours. During the procedure, the breasts are reshaped by removing excess skin and glandular tissue. The nipples are also resized and relocated to a more central position on the breasts if necessary.
Tummy Tuck
Abdominoplasty is often a key component of a Mommy Makeover and can help improve a bulging or hanging look in the abdomen. The nature of pregnancy causes the internal musculature to separate, often making the abdomen protrude over the waistline despite the most rigorous exercise regimen. A tummy tuck is highly effective in reshaping the abdomen and targets the skin, fat, and abdominal musculature, resulting in slimmer and smoother abdominal contours.
Liposuction
It’s no secret that pregnancy can lead to an accumulation of stubborn fat in the abdomen, upper arms, hips, and thighs, among other areas. Liposuction can be a simple, effective treatment to smooth bulges and remove excess fat from the body, giving patients slimmer and more sculpted contours. The procedure suctions out fat cells from selected areas of the body via a narrow cannula, offering the benefits of minimal scarring and lasting results.
What Can I Expect During Recovery From a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover is extensively personalized to a patient’s unique concerns, so there may be some variations in the recovery period for each individual. In general, complex procedures like a tummy tuck will require a longer period of downtime than liposuction and other less invasive treatment options. While the timeline of the Mommy Makeover process is different for each patient, most individuals appreciate the ability to undergo multiple procedures for only one recovery period. During recovery, patients can expect bruising, swelling, soreness, and a general feeling of weakness as their body heals from surgery. Most individuals return to work and their normal routines after one to two weeks. Dr. Savetsky will provide you with comprehensive aftercare instructions in person so you know what to expect after your procedures.
How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?
The cost of a Mommy Makeover depends on the exact details of your surgery, such as the types of procedures chosen, the surgical techniques utilized, whether implants were placed, and other factors unique to your treatment plan. Generally speaking, the price can range from $20,000 to $50,000 in New York City, although a cost estimate cannot be assessed until you receive a consultation. Our practice accepts CareCredit® for qualified patients interested in plastic surgery financing, and our office would be happy to speak with you about our payment options. Please contact our office if you have any questions about the cost of a Mommy Makeover.
Reversing pregnancy-related changes in the body can be difficult, but Dr. Ira Savetsky can treat the areas resistant to dieting and exercise and help you restore your pre-baby body. Contact Dr. Savetsky at our New York City office today for more information.