What is a Mommy Makeover Surgery and How Does it Work?

September 2, 2024

Medically reviewed by Dr. Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon (ABPS) | 20+ Years Experience | Last Updated: March 2026

Are you a new mom struggling to regain your pre-pregnancy body? If so, say hello to the mommy makeover and goodbye to stubborn stretch marks and excess body fat.

So, what is a mommy makeover surgery and what does it consist of? Dr. Heller explains, “A mommy makeover is one of our most popular procedures. It consists of techniques to improve overall appearance after pregnancy. This may include 360 liposuction, fat transfer to the hips and buttocks, a full tummy tuck to improve belly flatness and eliminate hanging skin, breast lifts, and shaping, sometimes with implants. Other aspects can include labia reshaping and vaginal tightening, and recently, skin tightening with our J-Plasma laser, including the neck and facial areas.”

Read this article to get all the crucial details about a mommy makeover!

What is a Mommy Makeover Surgery?

A mommy makeover is not a specific procedure. It is a collection of procedures that help define and enhance the contours of the bodies of women who have had multiple children or have experienced weight loss. 

These makeovers are specially designed to offset the physical effects of pregnancy. The procedures are customized according to the needs of the patients. For instance, patients can undergo breast implant surgery to uplift saggy breasts. 

Plus, they can remove excess fat from their stomach area to get a toned stomach or undergo BBL to enhance the shape and size of their posterior. All these procedures make patients look younger and in perfect shape after childbirth.

What Does a Mommy Makeover Consist of?

Previously, when the concept of mommy makeover was fairly new, it only included getting breast implants and abdominoplasty. 

Over the last decade, as the popularity of mommy makeover increased, so did the desires of patients who wanted different plastic surgeries in a single procedure. Now, mommy makeover includes the following procedures:

Breast Augmentation

As women age or after multiple years of breastfeeding, breasts tend to lose their elasticity and shape. As a result, the breasts look deflated and deformed. To address these issues and get more fuller and rounder breats, many women opt for breast augmentation surgery.

During the procedure, a small incision is made in the chest area. Then, the doctor carefully inserts saline-filled or silicone-filled implants beneath the patient’s pectoralis muscle.

Breast augmentation surgery is widely popular among women in developed countries. Typically, this surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and takes approximately 40-90 minutes. 

Mastopexy/ Breast Lift

In certain cases, individuals may experience a condition where their nipples descend below the inframammary fold. In addition to breast augmentation, these patients may require a procedure known as mastopexy.

During a breast lift, excess skin in the chest area is carefully removed by surgeons. The surrounding tissue is then tightened, and the nipple and areola are repositioned. 

It is important to note that a breast lift does not significantly change the size of the patient’s breasts. Instead, it just improves the shape and position of saggy breasts.

The process of mastopexy is not overly complex. According to researchers, only 3% of patients who undergo mastopexy, experience issues like scarring and a loss of sensation in the nipple area.

Abdominoplasty/ Tummy Tuck

The number of people undergoing abdominoplasty has tripled since 2016. During a mommy makeover, women opt for abdominoplasty to fix the following issues:

• Loose abdominal skin.
• Excess fat around the stomach and waistline.
• The formation of stretch marks in the abdomen.
• Weak abdominal muscles.

Based on individual needs, doctors recommend different types of tummy tucks. For example, the surgeon may suggest a mini tummy tuck if the patient desires to remove a small amount of excess skin from the abdominal area. 

On the other hand, if a patient has significant excess skin and fat, the doctor will perform an extended tummy tuck. During this process, the doctor will make a long cut near the patient’s hipbones to remove excess skin and fat from the abdominal area. 

Then, the doctor will tighten the abdominal skin and lift the upper abdomen to make the patient’s abdominal area look more toned and less saggy.

Liposuction

In 1921, a French doctor attempted to remove subcutaneous fat using a uterine curette on a ballerina’s knees and calves. Over time, this procedure has been refined, modernized, and named as liposuction.

Today, liposuction is a widely recognized and commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedure. It simply involves suctioning out the excess body fat from a person’s abdomen, thighs, and hips that he or she is unable to get rid of through exercise or a healthy diet.

After pregnancy, the number of fat cells in a woman’s body increases by around 40%. These fat deposits typically accumulate in areas such as the arms, thighs, buttocks, stomach, and hips. 

To get back in shape quickly, many women opt for liposuction as part of a mommy makeover. During the liposuction procedure, the following things occur:

• The doctor injects the patient with a solution that magnifies the treatment area.
• Epinephrine is given to the patient to minimize bleeding during surgery.
• Numbing medicine and anesthesia are provided to make the surgery less painful for the patient.
• Surgeons make small incisions in the targeted fatty areas and carefully insert a thin tube.
• The thin tube is connected to a vacuum device that suctions out the excess fat.

Rhytidectomy/ Face Lift

Aging significantly affects the facial features of both men and women. Some common facial changes include:

• Sagging skin around the cheeks and jowls.
• Wrinkles and smile lines form around the eyes and lips.
• The formation of stubborn acne scars.

To get a more chiseled, and younger look, women in their late thirties often opt for face lift surgeries. During a face lift, surgeons make small incisions near the hairline by the temples and in front of the ears. 

Then, they lift and reposition the skin, tighten the facial muscles, and remove excess skin to reduce the appearance of sagging skin and wrinkles on the face.

Gluteal Fat Grafting

Gluteal fat grafting is a procedure that lifts, and adds volume to the buttocks of women who have greatly lost weight or have a flat derrière.

Here, doctors use liposuction to remove excess fat from the mid-section, thighs, and lower back of the patient. The extracted fat is then processed and skillfully injected into the hips and buttocks using a needle-like device.

After the surgery, the patient gets a fuller behind, a slimmer stomach, and toned thighs.

What are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?

Below, we have listed the key benefits of getting a mommy makeover. Some of these benefits are:

• It is safe for women who have had multiple pregnancies.
• It helps the patient reduce excessive body weight.
• Since multiple cosmetic surgeries are done at once, the patient only needs to go through the pain and recovery process once.
• It boosts people’s confidence and gives their body a toned and rejuvenated appearance.
• When dieting and exercise fail to help women get back in shape, a mommy makeover helps them get their desired body in a short period.
• The procedure typically takes less than six hours, and most individuals can return to work within 2 to 4 weeks.
• It can improve an individual’s core strength and reduce back pain.
• According to doctors, patients experience improved urinary control after a mommy makeover.
• Patients can get rid of their C-section scars and stretch mark scars by getting a tummy tuck.
• The swelling, scarring, and pain vary from person to person, but all of these issues go away with proper recovery and aftercare.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a Mommy Makeover?

The cost of a mommy makeover depends on various factors such as:

• The number of surgeries chosen by the patient.
• The amount of excess skin and fat that needs to be removed.
• The quality of pre and post-operative care.
• The surgeon’s expertise and popularity.
• The clinic where the patient is getting the makeover.

Generally, a patient needs to pay around $12,675 to get a mommy makeover that includes breast augmentation and a tummy tuck. This amount can increase to $30,000-$50,000 if the patient adds more surgeries to their mommy makeover, such as:

• Face lift.
• Labia reshaping.
• Vaginal rejuvenation.
• Thigh lifts.

Final Words

Overall, mommy makeover has become a popular trend in the cosmetic surgery industry. Surgeons worldwide have performed 325,000 mommy makeovers in the last decade. 

These surgeries allow women to regain their well-proportioned and radiant bodies after pregnancy. Additionally, women in their late 40s or 50s now have the chance to transform their bodies through mommy makeovers.

Get Back in Shape After Pregnancy With Allure Plastic Surgery

At New York Plastic Surgery Allure, we specialize in transforming lives with our comprehensive range of plastic surgery and aesthetic services. Our clinic offers exceptional results tailored to each patient’s unique needs and desires, ensuring a personalized experience that enhances your natural beauty. 

Whether you’re considering a facelift, breast augmentation, or a non-surgical treatment like Botox or fillers, our state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated team provide a safe and comfortable environment. We are committed to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals with the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any medical concerns or before starting any treatment. Do not ignore professional medical advice due to the information read here. The authors are not responsible for any outcomes from the use of this information.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for personalized recommendations.

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