Over Twenty-Seven Years Experience as a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Specializing in the Natural Look
Breast Augmentation Model

Mommy Makeover

Perhaps no experience is more life-changing than the birth of a child. Although moms may be overwhelmed with love for their newborns, they face many new responsibilities – all with little to no sleep. With all of the feedings and diaper changings, it’s easy for new moms to put off taking care of their own needs.

Pregnancy and childbirth take a predictable toll on a mother’s figure. The stomach muscles, breasts, hips, thighs, and other areas stretch and lose their shape. A Mommy Makeover procedure can remove excess skin and soft tissue, tighten loose muscles, restore breast fullness, and remove unwanted fatty tissue to help your body regain its pre-pregnancy appearance.

You work hard providing your child with the love, care, and attention that he or she needs. You deserve some pampering, yourself. After all, it’s important for moms to feel good about themselves so that they can be the best moms they can be. At our practice in Santa Barbara, Dr. Wesley Schooler, our board-certified plastic surgeon, tailors the Mommy Makeover procedure to meet each patient’s specific needs. Some of the more popular procedures performed as part of the Mommy Makeover include liposuction, abdominoplasty, breast augmentation or breast lift, arm lift, and thigh lift surgery.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

A Mommy Makeover can benefit a wide range of women who want to reshape their breast and body contours. While this combination treatment plan generally targets patients who want to reverse the changes caused by having children, a Mommy Makeover can also address the effects of weight loss, aging, breastfeeding, and other factors. Good candidates for a Mommy Makeover are usually: 

  • Healthy and have no uncontrolled medical conditions
  • At or near their ideal weight
  • Non-smokers, or willing to quit smoking before and after surgery
  • Interested in undergoing more than one cosmetic procedure
  • Not planning to get pregnant or breastfeed in the future

Dr. Schooler can determine an ideal treatment plan for your needs and hopes for the outcome after discussing your concerns in a consultation. In addition to reviewing your goals, Dr. Schooler will also go over your medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover. If you’re interested in these procedure(s), it’s important to review before-and-after photos to help you decide whether the outcomes depicted match your expectations. 

What are My Mommy Makeover Treatment Options?

Liposuction

Liposuction is performed to remove fatty excess from the stomach, hips, thighs, and other areas that are difficult to tone even with regular exercise and proper nutrition. A small surgical cannula is inserted into the targeted regions to fragment the fatty areas and remove them from the body. Liposuction helps new moms regain thinner, smoother, and shapelier body contours.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is performed to tighten the stomach muscles that become lax as a result of pregnancy, and to remove excess skin and soft tissue from the abdomen. The tummy becomes tighter and regains tone.

Breast Augmentation or Lift

Many new moms notice that after pregnancy their breasts have begun to droop and look deflated. Breast implants can fill out the droopy areas, and—when necessary—skin can be removed to lift up and tighten the breasts for a more youthful appearance.

Arm Lift and Thigh Lift

Patients with loose, flabby skin on the arms or thighs can undergo arm and thigh lift surgery as part of their Mommy Makeover. Dr. Schooler will carefully remove the excess skin and shape the remaining skin in these areas to achieve trimmer and smoother body contours.

Several friends gave great referrals and loved the office and staff so I felt very good about everything from the beginning.

What is Mommy Makeover Recovery Like?

Recovery from a Mommy Makeover generally depends on which procedures were included in your treatment plan and the extent of surgical work required to achieve the results you desire. In general, you can expect some degree of normal swelling, bruising, and tenderness during your recovery process. You will likely be given a compression garment or a surgical bra (if you’ve had breast enhancement) to minimize swelling and facilitate proper healing of your new contours. Your role in recovery is pivotal to optimizing the overall final outcome and Dr. Schooler will provide thorough after-care instructions in writing.

During the first few days after your Mommy Makeover, it can be very valuable to have a friend or loved one help you out around the house, as your mobility may be limited. Additionally, arranging for assistance in child care duties—such as chaperoning, pick-ups and drop-offs, as well as any tasks that involve heavy lifting or strenuous activity—can allow you to have a smoother recovery period.

Mommy Makeover Recovery Tips

Since a Mommy Makeover typically involves multiple procedures, recovery can be more extensive when compared to the downtime required by a single procedure. Dr. Schooler will provide detailed recovery instructions in person, but our team has also compiled a few tips to help you facilitate a seamless recovery period.

  • Prior to surgery, prepare a quiet room to spend your recovery. Depending on the procedures chosen, it can be helpful to equip your recovery area with a reclining chair or an adjustable bed to maximize healing.
  • Enlist childcare for the first week of your recovery so you can focus on getting plenty of rest after surgery.
  • Prepare food and meals in advance to minimize responsibilities during your recovery period.
  • Arrange for a friend or loved one to help you with household tasks involving heavy lifting, cleaning, etc.
  • Go on light walks as soon as you feel up to it in order to promote blood flow.
  • Eat healthy foods rich in antioxidants, zinc, protein, and other nutrients to help reduce inflammation.

How Long Do Mommy Makeover Results Last?

Mommy Makeover results often provide a noticeable transformation that should remain stable as long as patients maintain their weight. Fluctuations in weight over time have a tendency to reduce skin elasticity and cause excess fat buildup, potentially reversing your results and recreating the same issues you treated in the first place. While nothing will stop the natural aging process, there are certain measures patients can take to maximize their Mommy Makeover, such as:

  • Undergoing surgery only after you have no future plans for pregnancy and nursing
  • Living an active lifestyle to keep a stable weight
  • Following Dr. Schooler’s post-operative instructions regarding activity restrictions, wound care, etc.
  • Seeking periodic med spa treatments whenever necessary

It can take six months to one year for the final results of a Mommy Makeover to come to fruition. Swelling and bruising after your procedure(s) should decrease gradually, revealing your new breast and body contours as inflammation subsides.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the national average price of a Mommy Makeover ranges from $9,000 to $20,000, with the cost varying according to geographic location and the expertise of your plastic surgeon. As a personalized series of procedures, your cost estimate will depend on your custom-tailored treatment plan. Factors that can affect your ultimate expense include:

  • Which procedures make up your Mommy Makeover
  • The cost of breast implants (if applicable)
  • The overall complexity of your Mommy Makeover
  • Fees for anesthesia, the surgical facility, post-operative care, and other related expenses

Our practice accepts all major credit cards, Care Credit, and a number of other payment methods, such as cashier’s checks, personal checks, and money orders. In addition, a member of our team can talk to you about our breast surgery financing options if you prefer to pay for your treatment over time rather than in a lump sum. Please reach out to our practice for any other questions about the cost of a Mommy Makeover.

Will My Mommy Makeover Scars Be Visible?

In most cases, Mommy Makeover scars can be easily hidden under a bikini swimsuit or normal clothing. Ultimately, the location and visibility of your scars will depend on which areas were treated. For example, the scar for a tummy tuck generally exists low on the pubis and extends from hip to hip. It can usually be concealed by underwear or a bikini bottom. For breast surgery, the surgical scar can appear around the areola or within the natural crease of the breast fold. Furthermore, liposuction incision marks are generally very small and exist near the regions of fat removal. You and Dr. Schooler will discuss where your post-operative scars will likely appear during your consultation. In any case, Dr. Schooler takes great care to make visible scarring as discreet as possible and many patients find their Mommy Makeover scars fade over time with proper incision care.

For more information on the mommy makeover, or to talk to Dr. Wesley Schooler about your specific needs and goals, please contact the Santa Barbara Plastic Surgery Center.