Mommy Makeover
Home/Body Procedures/Mommy Makeover
Home/Body Procedures/Mommy Makeover
On average, most women gain 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy. This weight is stored as fatty tissue in the breasts, abdomen, flanks (love handles), hips, lower back, buttocks, and thighs. The breasts also grow due to weight gain and to prepare for nursing.
Many new moms do lose the excess weight – eventually. Unfortunately, the weight loss is not proportional to the amount of fatty tissue in a given area. That means for some, more weight may be lost from the breasts or buttocks than the abdomen and waist. A Mommy Makeover can help you regain your pre-baby figure and help you look and feel your best again.
A Mommy Makeover is a series of plastic surgery procedures that can be combined into one treatment plan to address multiple aesthetic concerns at once. Dr. John Ayala, our board-certified plastic surgeon, understands that attempting to restore your pre-pregnancy figure in the midst of starting a family can be difficult. At our practice, he offers a Mommy Makeover to help patients restore their pre-baby contours and undo the physical changes caused by pregnancy.
Although this procedure is referred to as a “Mommy Makeover,” a combination treatment plan can be tailored towards any patient who wishes to address multiple aesthetic concerns simultaneously. In many cases, the options typically included in a Mommy Makeover can also benefit individuals who have just undergone massive weight loss or bariatric surgery. Those considering a Mommy Makeover should be:
After a consultation, Dr. Ayala will be able to confirm whether a Mommy Makeover is the best option to attain your desired look. In general, the most successful results are typically achieved when patients are at or near their ideal weight.
A Mommy Makeover can include any or all of the following breast and body contouring procedures, depending on your wishes and needs. Based on the most optimal treatment options to address your concerns, Dr. Ayala can determine whether your Mommy Makeover should take place in one surgery or over the course of multiple procedures.
After pregnancy and breastfeeding, the breasts often lose shape and appear flat or “deflated.” With breast augmentation, Dr. Ayala can place silicone or saline implants to improve the fullness, volume, and symmetry of the breasts.
Increased breast ptosis, or breast sag, is also a common effect of pregnancy—particularly if women also experience diminished volume and stretched breast skin. Breast lift surgery is designed to reshape the breasts, lift them to a more rejuvenated positioning, and restore younger-looking breast contours. Implants can also be placed at the same time as a breast lift if desired to achieve a firmer, fuller, and more youthful look overall.
Perhaps the most dramatic transformation caused by pregnancy is the development of a protruding or hanging abdomen due to stretched abdominal skin and musculature. This usually cannot be resolved with dieting and exercise alone, as no amount of weight loss can naturally repair the skin and muscles. A tummy tuck can be a highly effective procedure to tighten lax tissue and reshape the abdomen, resulting in a flatter, smoother, and slimmer body contour.
A more voluptuous and shapely buttock contour can be achieved with buttock augmentation—a procedure designed to combat a flat or sagging look caused by weight fluctuation during pregnancy. Dr. Ayala can create a plumper, rounder aesthetic through use of injectable fillers or fat transfer techniques, depending on your goals and preferences.
Liposuction is one of the most popular treatment options included in a Mommy Makeover. This suction-based fat removal technique can smooth bulges of excess fat in the upper arms, thighs, hips, waist, and abdomen, among virtually any other region of the body. Best of all, liposuction does not require extensive incisions or recovery time to reshape the body contours.
Each patient’s recovery period will vary depending on which procedures were included in their Mommy Makeover. Most individuals require one to two weeks of downtime, during which time additional childcare assistance can be very helpful in allowing patients ample time to rest and heal from surgery. Less invasive procedures, such as liposuction, usually require a shorter recovery period when compared to a tummy tuck or breast surgery.
After any surgery, reactions like swelling, bruising, tenderness, and/or soreness are to be expected. Fortunately, discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications. Exercise, lifting anything heavier than five pounds, and strenuous activity should be avoided for at least four to six weeks. Dr. Ayala will fully inform you of what you can expect during the healing process at the time of your consultation.
A Mommy Makeover usually involves extensive surgery and knowing what to expect during the recovery period can go a long way in making the healing process as smooth as possible. Dr. Ayala will give you detailed post-op instructions regarding incision care, activity restrictions, and your anticipated recovery timeline. A few recovery tips that can make the healing period easier include:
Ensuring you receive plenty of rest after your procedure(s) is key to promoting a healthy recovery period. We also advise light ambulation whenever you feel strong enough to take walks and perform non-strenuous daily activities.
A Mommy Makeover is designed to reshape your breast and body contours for a lifetime, as long as patients maintain a stable weight. There are certain factors that may alter your results, such as pregnancy after a Mommy Makeover, breastfeeding, bariatric surgery, and major weight fluctuations. In order to preserve the full integrity of the final outcome, we recommend postponing a Mommy Makeover until your family is complete and you’re near your ideal weight. It’s important to remember that nothing will stop the natural aging process. The effects of aging will continue, but those who undergo a Mommy Makeover are generally always able to look younger and more refreshed than individuals of the same age who did not receive surgery. Non-surgical med spa treatments are also available for patients who want to “touch up” the results of their procedures.
Mommy Makeover costs are personalized according to each person’s unique treatment plan. Since the procedures included in a Mommy Makeover vary from patient to patient, it’s impossible to provide an accurate cost estimate without a personal consultation. In general, the cost of a Mommy Makeover is influenced by:
A personalized quote will be provided during your consultation and Dr. Ayala will go over the specific details of your treatment plan. At Ayala Plastic Surgery, many patients find that plastic surgery financing can make the costs of a Mommy Makeover more affordable. Please don’t hesitate to contact our practice if you have any questions about the cost of a Mommy Makeover in San Antonio.
Dr. Ayala performs a Mommy Makeover according to your unique concerns and individual needs to help ensure your treatment plan is completely personalized to achieve your goals. Don’t hesitate to contact our San Antonio office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ayala, or to learn more about the procedure.