The surgical techniques used during a mommy makeover vary based on the condition of each of the body parts the patient wishes to improve. For the breasts, common issues include sagging, loose skin, and a loss of breast volume. Some women will have breasts that remain enlarged. Surgeries that may be considered include breast reduction, breast augmentation, and/or a breast lift. For many, a combination of these techniques creates a youthful, beautiful post-pregnancy breast appearance. The most common example is breast augmentation with a lift. For the lower body, it is normal to see loose skin, surface irregularities such as stretch marks, and persistent pockets of fat. These are normally addressed with liposuction, as well as by trimming away excess skin and ‘lifting’ the remaining skin to a new position.
A mommy makeover covers a sizable area of the body. It is considered an invasive surgery and, in many cases, will require an overnight stay at the hospital. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility and can take 3 hours or longer to complete. Most women find the recovery to be a slow process. Walking upright is difficult within the first several weeks, and it is recommended that patients take it slow during the initial recovery phase. Depending on what was addressed during surgery, it could take between 6 months to a full year for the final results to appear. With that being said, most patients can go back to a normal routine in an average of 3 weeks; however, exercise is discouraged until at least 6-8 weeks after surgery.