Mommy Makeover
Becoming a mother is one of the most rewarding life experiences, but the changes your body goes through to create life can be significant and difficult to bounce back from.
What is Mommy Makeover?
Becoming a mother is one of the most rewarding life experiences, but the changes your body goes through to create life can be significant and difficult to bounce back from.
You may love the new addition to your life, but not recognizing the body you see in the mirror anymore can be frustrating and take a toll on your self-esteem. Often, diet and exercise cannot reverse the physical effects of childbirth.
Mommy makeovers are a comprehensive approach to self-care after your family planning is complete by combining multiple procedures to address the changes in your breasts, abdomen, and any other areas that have been affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding. The result is a new and improved figure that will help you look better and feel more confident in your motherhood journey.
The Makeover
The mommy makeover consists of two surgical procedures, primarily to reconstruct or augment the breasts and tighten the abdomen with a tummy tuck. It can also include liposuction to remove excess stubborn fat from various parts of the body and a labiaplasty, a procedure to reshape the labia minora and majora for comfort and aesthetic appearance.
Dr. Parcells' approach to treating these issues focuses on restoring abdominal core strength by surgically realigning the rectus abdominis muscle, excising excess skin, fat, and stretch marks to create or restore a feminine waistline. When done together, the result can be life-changing.
The Breast Surgeries
The breast surgery component of the mommy makeover is an equally important portion of getting your shape back.
Most women will need one or two of these to accomplish their aesthetic goals. The first is a breast lift, or mastopexy, which is a surgical procedure that lifts sagging breasts and restores them back to a more youthful position.
A mastopexy can be done alone, or in conjunction with a breast reduction, which removes excess breast tissue, for those women whose breasts continued to grow beyond pregnancy and breastfeeding. Large breasts can cause neck and back pain, limit physical activity, and cause bra straps to dig into the skin. A breast reduction can be a life-changing procedure for women who suffer from these issues.
Finally, a breast augmentation treats women at the opposite end of the spectrum, whose breasts have become smaller or have flattened after pregnancy. The use of silicone or saline breast implants, with or without a breast lift, can create curves and a more womanly figure.
The Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a powerful surgery that removes loose abdominal tissue and realigns the rectus abdominis, known as the "six-pack" muscles.
After pregnancy, many women are unable to restore their core abdominal strength because the fascia between these muscles separates, causing a gap, known as a diastasis recti.
This condition cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone. By realigning the muscles to tighten the core, and removing excess overhanging skin, fat, and stretch marks, Dr. Parcells can restore or create a more feminine waistline.
Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most common body contouring procedures performed to help eliminate stubborn pockets of fat that have developed after childbirth. Fat can be removed from your arms, thighs, buttocks, or hips. It is also typically added to the tummy tuck procedure for optimal results.
Labiaplasty
With vaginal childbirth, the skin in your labia can stretch and loosen, which can create discomfort, increase the occurrence of urinary tract infections, affect sexual function, or create an undesired look. A labiaplasty can reduce the size of the labia to help correct these concerns.
Fat Transfer
Fat can be transferred from one area of the body to help with volume loss. Liposuction removes the fat deposits from one specific area to be inserted in another, which could be done in your breasts as an alternative to implants. The Brazilian Butt Lift can also be performed using this method which can help give you a more desired, curvaceous look to your buttocks.
Mommy Makeover Candidates
- Have completed their family
- Are frustrated with their abdomen and waist not improving in appearance despite exercise and weight loss
- Have loose, excess abdominal skin, poor skin tone or elasticity
- Have had changes in their breasts including volume loss and skin sagging
- Have undergone large fluctuations in weight gain/loss, and have residual pockets of fat
- Are currently at their optimal body weight, and can maintain this weight without extreme dieting or exercise
- Are in good general health and are invested in their postoperative recovery
Love your Body again
A mommy makeover is a customized plan to meet your individual goals for improvement. The benefits include:
- Improved look to breasts with a perkier, fuller shape and increased size, if desired
- Nipples that are even and symmetrical
- Tighter and flatter abdomen
- Body contouring and skin tightening
- Reduction in the appearance of stretch marks
- Improved appearance of labia
- Improved body contouring and desired curve
Preparation for the Transformation
A mommy makeover is a significant investment in yourself, and you can help ease the stress of recovery by preparing before the surgery.
Completing tasks like stocking up on groceries, making sure you have comfortable clothing and extra pillows, and arranging for childcare and help around the house after your procedure will alleviate the anxiety post-surgery.
Mommy Makeover Procedure
The consultation will include a detailed exam and thorough conversation about your medical history, current medications, surgical goals, recommendations, and potential outcomes and risks.
Mommy Makeover Recovery
It is important to remember that we will discuss all aftercare instructions and provide them in writing.
The day after surgery, you are placed in an abdominal compression garment and a surgical bra that help with swelling and comfort. It is recommended you wear the garment for 6-12 weeks after surgery.
During the first 1 to 2 weeks of recovery, your mobility will be limited, and it’s important that you limit your physical activity to small amounts of walking and moving around in a slightly bent position. No cooking, cleaning, or chores for the first 1-2 weeks of recovery. Most women are back to their usual daily activities by 2 weeks, including working, and may resume more strenuous physical activity starting around 4 weeks. It is important not to overdo it and take the proper steps to recuperate during this time to minimize the chances of complications and a longer than necessary recovery.
Results You Love
There may be significant bruising and swelling after the surgery since more than one procedure is done at once.
However, the overall recovery time is typically fast than recovering from each individual surgery separately. As the healing process progresses, you will see a flatter stomach and firmer, perkier breasts. You will also see and feel changes to your labia and reduced stretch marks if those are included in your procedure. Maintaining a healthy weight afterward will ensure long-lasting results that you can show off for many years to come.
Mommy Makeover FAQs
Typically, women can return to work approximately 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, but it may take up to 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the extent of the procedures you have completed. We are happy to discuss more detailed recovery timelines at your consultation.
An abdominoplasty scar (usually from hip to hip) is hidden under your underwear or bathing suit line and may incorporate into or replace your C-section scar. Breast scars vary based on the type of surgical procedure performed.
Liposuction is a noninvasive (no skin incision and no long scars) procedure that focuses on the removal of fat but does not address excess skin.
Liposuction does not address muscle separation or diastasis recti. In some women, it is safe to combine liposuction with an abdominoplasty. In others, it is best to stage the surgeries separately.
While your breasts and nipples will physically change after surgery, and changes in sensation will depend on the incisions used and your individual body’s healing process.
A mommy makeover won’t affect any future pregnancies but may decrease the success of the results since your body will go through the pregnancy changes again.
New Jersey Mommy Makeover Cost
Every woman is different and has unique needs. After a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Parcells, a customized surgical plan will be proposed. During the initial consultation, Dr. Parcells will thoroughly review your medical history and discuss your concerns and desired outcome. She will then perform a detailed physical examination, including an evaluation of the area to be treated.
After the examination, Dr. Parcells will provide her expert advice, discuss your options, review the risks and benefits, and answer all of your questions. The final step of the consultation is to meet with our patient care coordinator who will guide you through the process of scheduling and arriving at your surgery. She will discuss an individualized quote for the cost of a mommy makeover, as well as address the logistics of your procedure. No matter your circumstances, our goal is always to help you get the best mommy makeover New Jersey has to offer.
As not all cosmetic procedures are covered by insurance, Dr. Parcells has partnered with CareCredit to help you achieve your aesthetic goals today.
Why Should I Choose Dr. Parcells for My Mommy Makeover?
If you are considering a Mommy Makeover, it is important to work with a qualified physician. Dr. Parcells is a Top Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon licensed in the state of New Jersey. She is Board-Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and is an expert in the field of aesthetics.
Here at Parcells Plastic Surgery New Jersey, we want you to feel confident and celebrate your natural beauty. Our goal is to educate and empower you to decide what’s best for your body. We look forward to meeting you and addressing your aesthetic concerns. Call or text us if you would like to know more, or schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Parcells. We hope to see you soon!
Schedule a consultation
Parcells Plastic Surgery offers the most advanced surgical and cosmetic medical spa treatments to women in New Jersey.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alexis Parcells is here to educate and empower you to celebrate your natural beauty.
4 Industrial Way West #101, Eatontown, New Jersey 07724