Mommy Makeover

Pregnancy, age, gravity, and heredity can take a toll on a woman’s body, especially in her midsection and breasts. After multiple pregnancies or extreme weight loss, women often find that achieving the ideal body is nearly impossible and regardless of diet or hours spent in the gym. When nothing seems to work, mommy makeover could be the solution.

Mommy makeover is a combination surgery using techniques to combat the areas “mommies” often find problematic. This combination can consist of the following:

• Full tummy tuck
• Mini tummy tuck
• Breast lift
• Breast augmentation with implants
• Liposuction
• Excess skin removal

Mommy makeover affords women the opportunity to undergo multiple procedures in one surgery, expediting the process and eliminating the need for multiple recovery periods.

Why Would I Need Mommy Makeover?

Pregnancy and weight loss are the two main reasons women seek mommy makeover combination surgery. Pregnancy, especially multiple pregnancies, can cause a loss in breast volume creating breast sag. Additionally, pregnancy can cause diastasis, when the abdominal muscles become weakened and separated. Unfortunately, the body has no way of naturally repairing diastasis or eliminating excess skin, making the mommy makeover the only way to achieve a more contoured and youthful form.

Mommy Makeover Procedure

Mommy makeover is a multi-step, combination surgery involving a full or mini-tummy tuck, breast lift and sometimes breast augmentation, and occasionally liposuction. Typically performed as an outpatient procedure, mommy makeover requires the use of general anesthesia and typically takes between two to four hours, depending on how many procedures are being performed.

One potential component of the procedure is the breast lift. This is done by making an incision around the areola and then from the bottom edge of the areola, making a vertical incision to the fold of the breast. Along the fold of the breast a third incision is horizontally made. From here, excess skin is removed and underlying tissue is contoured. The areola is then lifted to a perkier, more youthful position. In certain cases where there has been a loss in volume, an implant is used.

For tummy tuck, an incision is made right below the bikini line and also around the navel. From here the abdominal muscles are tightened with sutures and excess skin and fat is removed. The stomach is contoured and the skin is pulled down. Occasionally, liposuction is used to remove any additional pockets of fat and aid in contouring the abdomen.

Recovery After Mommy Makeover

Following the procedure, dressings and bandages will be applied and a compression garment or elastic binder is worn to help minimize swelling. Occasionally, the use of small tubes or drains may be needed to help remove excess fluid from the breasts or stomach regions. You will likely be encouraged to walk around to increase blood flow and help promote heeling. It is very important that you avoid any straining, stress, or lifting during the initial stages of recovery because these can put undo pressure on the sutures and incisions. Stitches are mostly the dissolving type and you will have tapes on the incisions. While it only takes a few weeks to resume normal activity, final results make take longer to achieve, so you should be cautious when attempting more strenuous activity for a few months.

Results After Mommy Makeover

The results from mommy makeover can be dramatic. You will immediately notice the absence of the excess skin and a much more contoured figure; however, it will take several months for the final results to fully appear. The results of a mommy makeover are long-term but are subject to aging or additional pregnancies. Maintaining a healthy weight and diet and performing proper exercise will help achieve longer lasting results. Overall, mommy makeover is a way of achieving lifted, more youthful breasts and a much more contoured body shape.

Cost of Mommy Makeover Surgery

On average, mommy makeover in the La Jolla/San Diego area costs around $9,000 -$25,000. This figure varies depending on the extent of the procedures you plan on getting done.

Look through Dr. Sardo’s photo gallery to see mommy makeover photos from actual patients.