Let’s say you’re a woman who is finished having children, and you’ve dieted and exercised away all the weight you put on through pregnancy, breastfeeding and all those years you picked food off your children’s plates. You’ve logged countless hours on the treadmill and sweated through hours of Spin classes. You’ve lifted weights and done so many crunches that your belly hurt when you sneezed or laughed too hard. Yet you can’t get rid of stubborn pockets of fat, your breasts are droopy, you’ve got loose skin and stretch marks, and your clothes just don’t fit right.
Some women turn to cosmetic surgery and a procedure called “mommy makeover.” Mommy makeover plastic surgery actually refers to a “package” of cosmetic procedures that reverse the effects of pregnancy and childbirth.
Mommy Makeover Procedures
Each mommy makeover surgery is as unique as each mother. It consists of any combination of breast augmentation, reduction or lift; abdominoplasty (tummy tuck); liposuction; and thigh and/or buttocks lift. The idea is to have the procedures performed in one or two surgical settings, which minimizes the woman’s risks, downtime and expenses.
Most plastic surgery sites will advise that women should wait until they are finished having children and breastfeeding. After surgery, lifting is usually restricted to nothing heavier than a pencil in the first few weeks post mommy makeover, so mothers of small children should take that into consideration.
Mommy Makeover Costs
The costs depend greatly on how many procedures are done at one time, the experience level of the surgeon and on the geography (plastic surgeons in large urban areas tend to charge more than their suburban peers). We found estimates that ranged from $18,000 to $30,000. You should also figure in costs for anesthesiology, medications, bandages and supplies. Most women don’t have this large chunk of money to plunk down on a procedure; however, many cosmetic surgeons offer financing options.
Mommy Makeover Surgeons
If you are considering a mommy makeover, find a licensed and board-certified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedures. Ask friends for recommendations, and never let yourself be talked into doing something you don’t feel comfortable with. Do a Google search for the procedure and look at mommy makeover before and after photos. It’s OK to consult with more than one cosmetic surgeon; most physicians do not charge for the initial consultation.