Mommy Makeovers Restore Confidence

A tummy tuck and breast lift can help moms get their bodies back after a pregnancy

What’s a mommy makeover and when’s the best time to have one?

“A mommy makeover typically involves a tummy tuck and breast lift. As you might guess from its name, such makeovers are sought by women seeking to restore or improve their bodies after pregnancy,” says Yoav Kaufman, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.

Sometimes, the body simply cannot bounce back on its own after the pregnancy is over. This is where a mommy makeover may help.

“The goal of a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is to remove excess fat and skin, with the added possibility of restoring weakened muscles. Typically, the result of this procedure is a strengthened abdominal wall and a smoother abdomen. This procedure is not a substitute for diet and exercise, nor will it eradicate stretch marks,” Dr. Kaufman says.

“The breast lift procedure both lifts and firms the breasts by removing extra skin and tightening surrounding tissue. To increase fullness, restore volume and improve symmetry, breast augmentation may be required. This is accomplished by the addition of breast implants,” Dr. Kaufman explains.

He offers the following tips for anyone considering a makeover:

• Wait until you are done having children to avoid having to repeat the makeover.
• Get to an overall weight you are comfortable with and that is manageable before your procedure.
• Plan for at least two weeks of recovery time where the amount of moving around you can do and weight you can lift will be limited.
• Go in for a consultation to discuss reasonable outcomes and determine if the timing is right for you.

“The bottom line is that pregnancy can be rough on a mom, both mentally and physically. If you’re having trouble rejuvenating your body with diet and exercise alone, it might be a good idea to make an appointment to talk about whether a mommy makeover is right for you,” says Dr. Kaufman.