Mommy Makeover

As a mother, you put your family first every day — often giving up “you time” for your children’s needs and making sacrifices in so many ways. But too often, the biggest sacrifices of motherhood are the physical ones: pregnancy and childbirth can take a toll, and when you don’t have as much time as you want to take care of your appearance, you may begin to feel less confident and unhappy with your body. So many women simply accept these changes to their body as part of becoming a mother, but plastic surgeons like Dr. Andrews are now offering a specialized suite of procedures that will let you restore your pre-baby physique and live every day with confidence. 

Commonly branded as the “mommy makeover,” this customizable package includes several options that you can choose from to create a procedure that addresses your personal concerns. Typically, a mommy makeover consists of:

• Hip, flank, thigh and/or buttock liposuction
• Abdominoplasty
• Breast augmentation or breast lift

Combining procedures can save you surgical costs and recovery time, making this an accessible option for moms with a budget or busier schedules. When you choose a mommy makeover at Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, you will work closely with Dr. Kahlil Andrews to create a surgical plan that caters your body, your lifestyle and your goals.

Is a Mommy Makeover Right for You?

Since it is such a customizable procedure, there is a mommy makeover package that can be right for almost anyone. However, there are some things to consider before you commit to a series of surgeries.

First, we strongly recommend that you are finished having children before you seek a mommy makeover. While the surgery will not affect your ability to become pregnant or breastfeed, a future pregnancy could leave you with the same concerns you had before your procedure. The time and effort involved in undergoing surgery are considerable, and we want to make sure that you get to enjoy the benefits for years to come.

Second, you should be sure that the procedures offered with a mommy makeover make sense for you and that you have realistic expectations. Mommy makeovers can address concerns including:

• Sagging breasts
• Breast volume loss
• Loose skin on the abdomen
• Stubborn fat on the abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs and buttocks

It is perhaps most important to think of a mommy makeover as a body sculpting procedure rather than a weight loss solution. If you still have post-pregnancy weight to lose, we often recommend getting as close to your goal weight as possible before choosing surgery. Usually, surgery is not recommended for patients with a BMI over 30 because of potential complications, and procedures like liposuction or tummy tucks are designed for specific pockets of stubborn fat rather than overall body fat.

And third, you should think carefully about the timing of your surgery. You will need a few weeks of rest; we typically recommend at least two weeks away from work and daily activities, and it may be up to a month before you feel fully able to return to your normal schedule. Strenuous activities like working out, heavy lifting or a non-sedentary job should be avoided for about six weeks or until Dr. Andrews clears you to resume them. If you will be unable to arrange for the time away from day-to-day responsibilities or help around the house, you should not pursue a surgery like a mommy makeover at this time. Your recovery is incredibly important for your health and your long-term satisfaction, and if you are not able to take the necessary time to rest you will be putting yourself at risk.

If you have any concerns about whether you might be a good candidate for a mommy makeover, you can always schedule a consultation with Dr. Andrews to learn more about the procedure and your options. 

Your Mommy Makeover Procedure

The mommy makeover experience is different for every patient based on their particular surgical plan. You can learn more about each of the procedures you are interested in during your consultation with Dr. Andrews. In general, our mommy makeovers are outpatient procedures, which means that you will spend some time in surgery and then be able to return home to begin your recovery. The surgery can last from four to eight hours depending on the combination of procedures you choose. We will use general anesthesia and sedation to keep you comfortable during this time.

After your surgery concludes, you will spend an hour or two in our recovery room while the anesthesia wears off. Then, Dr. Andrews will send you home with individualized aftercare instructions, tips to keep you comfortable and medications for pain management. You will need a trusted friend or family member to pick you up and bring you home since you will not be able to drive yourself. It is best that this person is also someone who will be involved in your day-to-day recovery over the next few weeks because Dr. Andrews will be reviewing your aftercare instructions with them.

Life After A Mommy Makeover

When you return home from your mommy makeover, you will need to plan on resting as much as possible for a week or two. Dr. Andrews may give you a prescription for pain medications for the first few days, but you should be able to transition to over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or Tylenol within your first week post-op. You will need to spend a few weeks going easy on yourself before you will feel able to resume all of your normal activities. You should be careful with activities that involve bending or lifting, including childcare, pet care, household chores or errands. It is best to have someone to help around the house until Dr. Andrews clears you for a wider range of motion.

 After your initial recovery period, it can take several more weeks — up to six months after your surgery — for all residual swelling to subside and for your final results to settle into place. A breast lift, breast augmentation or tummy tuck will require the longest amount of time before you might feel ready to completely reveal your new body. After you have healed, though, you will once again have a body that you love with sculpted curves, lifted breasts and a flatter tummy — and as long as you treat your body with care, your results will last a lifetime. 

Contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery

If you are a mother who is struggling with the physical effects of pregnancy and you are interested in learning more about your options, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kahlil Andrews is a top board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience providing cosmetic procedures of all types, from breast augmentations to CoolSculpting to facelifts. Schedule a consultation at our location in Coralville, Iowa, to find out more about how we can make your aesthetic dreams become a reality. Call us today at 319-800-6877.

Dr. Andrews proudly serves the community of Cedar Rapids and the neighboring towns of Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Waterloo and the Quad Cities.