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Mommy Makeover

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Pregnancy, childbirth, and aging can cause significant changes in the appearance of a woman’s body—changes which are not always reversible with dieting and exercise. Stubborn fat, excess skin, loose abdominal musculature, and drooping breasts are just some of the reasons many women seek the expertise of our plastic surgeon. With a customized mommy makeover, Carrie Houssock, MD, FACS can help you regain the smoother, leaner, more lifted contours of your pre-baby body, as well as a more youthful-looking face. By combining multiple surgical procedures and/or cosmetic treatments into a mommy makeover plan, it is possible to rejuvenate the body, breasts, and face for enhanced confidence and a younger look.

For more information about the mommy makeover process, we welcome you to explore the sections below or contact our office today to schedule a consultation with our experienced plastic surgeon.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

mommy makeover infographicA mommy makeover is a cosmetic treatment plan designed to address specific aesthetic concerns caused by a combination of pregnancy, childbirth, and aging. Typically, a mommy makeover is custom-tailored to enhance the breasts, abdomen, and body contours for a youthful look that more closely resembles one’s pre-baby appearance. If desired, it can also include treatments for the face and sensitive feminine areas for even more comprehensive rejuvenation.

Dr. Houssock personalizes mommy makeovers to suit the specific needs and goals of each individual. For some patients, the mommy makeover can be performed within the span of a single operation, while others may receive treatment in phases.

Who is a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

Potential candidates for the mommy makeover procedure are women in good health who are interested in plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments that can target the apparent effects of pregnancy and childbearing. Weight fluctuations, breastfeeding, the birthing process, hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and aging that occurs during motherhood can be responsible for:

  • Areas of stubborn fat and cellulite that are resistant to dieting and exercise
  • Loose, excess skin
  • Sagging breasts with depleted volume
  • Enlarged and/or drooping nipples
  • Stretched and/or torn abdominal muscles
  • Protruding lower abdomen
  • Changes in the structure and appearance of the labia majora and labia minora
  • Facial wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and other visible signs of facial/skin aging

Though it is possible to become pregnant and have children safely after plastic surgery (see more on pregnancy and plastic surgery), a mommy makeover is ideally performed once you have finished having children due to the fact that an additional pregnancy may undermine the results achieved. That said, the dramatic improvements gained with the initial procedure(s) are not always reversed by another pregnancy, and many women are still very pleased with their outcome.

If you are experiencing any of the issues listed above and would like to discover how Dr. Houssock can help by developing a customized mommy makeover treatment plan, we encourage you to contact our practice to schedule a consultation. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to share your cosmetic concerns, discuss the goals you would like to achieve, and learn about the procedures that are available. Your surgeon will perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and assess which surgical and non-surgical options can best meet your mommy makeover expectations. Some procedures can be performed during a single operation, which can save you money and consolidate your recovery time. In other instances, surgeries and/or treatments may be performed in phases or in a series, both for your safety and the achievement of optimal results.

What Are My Options for a Mommy Makeover?

At our practice, Dr. Houssock offers the full spectrum of mommy makeover options for the body, breasts, and face. Below, we have detailed the most popular treatments our patients choose to rejuvenate their appearance.

Tummy Tuck

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The tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) procedure can tighten loose abdominal skin, remove excess fat, repair stretched/torn abdominal muscles, and resculpt the midsection for a smoother, leaner waist and a tighter tummy. An abdominoplasty is often ideal for women who have had multiple children and want to get their youthful waistline back; however, even a single pregnancy can have a dramatic and permanent effect on the appearance of the abdomen. Dr. Houssock performs several versions of tummy tuck surgery (full, mini, extended, and reverse) and can choose the abdominoplasty technique that best suits your needs.

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Liposuction

body iconPregnancies and aging can change the composition of your body, and many women find they accumulate stubborn fat in areas that were once lean. Our plastic surgeon often uses liposuction techniques to remove this diet- and exercise-resistant fat and sculpt nearly any area of the body for smoother, slimmer contours. Common areas targeted with liposuction during a mommy makeover include—but are not limited to—the abdomen, flanks, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, and chin. For women who are interested in an effective non-surgical fat reduction method, we also offer CoolSculpting®.

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Breast Lift & Breast Lift with Implants

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Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and motherhood can take a toll on the appearance of the breasts. Many women experience breast stretching and volume changes—as well as skin aging—which can cause the breasts to droop and take on a deflated appearance. Even the size and shape of the nipples/areolas can be affected. For women with these issues, a customized breast lift or breast lift with implants can reposition and recontour the breasts for a more youthful, firm, elevated, symmetrical, and shapely appearance.

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Labiaplasty

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Natural childbirth, hormonal fluctuations, and aging can change the structure and appearance of the labia minora and labia majora. These changes can bring about self consciousness in intimate moments and may even cause physical discomfort during intercourse or exercise. The labiaplasty procedure can be customized to suit your specific needs—including the repair, reduction, and rejuvenation of the labia—with the end goal of helping you feel more confident and comfortable with your sensitive feminine areas.

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Facial Plastic Surgery

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For many women, a mommy makeover includes facial plastic surgery options such as an eyelid lift, brow lift, facelift, and/or neck contouring to restore a refreshed, youthful appearance. Sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, sun exposure, loss of facial fat volume, and the stresses of motherhood can hasten the aging process and make women appear more tired or older than they feel. Dr. Houssock offers a complete span of facial procedures and may even recommend combining fat grafting, non-surgical injectables, or skin rejuvenation treatments to bring about comprehensive improvements in your facial appearance.

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Non-Surgical Treatments

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Non-surgical cosmetic treatments are more popular than ever, offering a variety of ways to rejuvenate the face, contour the body, enhance skin quality, and even reduce the appearance of cellulite with little to no downtime. At our practice, we have a full range of non-surgical treatments available that can be included in a mommy makeover treatment plan, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal fillers, Vivace™ radiofrequency microneedling, KYBELLA®, and more.

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Ultimately, the right procedures and treatments for you will depend on a variety of factors that are considered during your consultation. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Houssock to get started on your custom mommy makeover treatment plan!

How is a Mommy Makeover Performed?

Each mommy makeover is as unique as the patient it is developed for, so there is no single approach for the way these treatments and procedures are performed. The plan for your mommy makeover is devised during your consultation with Dr. Houssock. Once your procedures have been selected, your doctor will create a surgical plan and/or treatment schedule that optimizes your time and resources, while maximizing your safety and the quality of your final outcome. During this process, you will be educated about what to expect at every stage of treatment, the timeline of your procedure(s), how to prepare, and what recovery may be like. Whenever you have questions throughout the process, you are encouraged to call our practice to speak with our knowledgeable team or your plastic surgeon. You will receive the utmost support throughout your mommy makeover experience and can always expect the finest in patient care.

What is Recovery Like After a Mommy Makeover?

The length of time it takes you to recover after your mommy makeover procedure(s) is unique to the details of your surgical plan. Total recovery time is often dictated by which body contouring procedure(s) is(are) performed and whether they are executed simultaneously or in phases. While patients who undergo liposuction may be able to return to work and their normal routine after a few days; women whose mommy makeover includes a tummy tuck can expect to need up to two weeks of rest and healing before low-impact activity (that limits abdominal strain) can be resumed. For all body and breast procedures, Dr. Houssock usually recommends avoiding strenuous activity and heavy lifting for at least four to six weeks to prevent complications and support proper healing.

Based on the type of procedures you undergo, Dr. Houssock can provide you with a time estimate and a description of what the recovery process may be like. You are encouraged to closely follow all post-operative care instructions and attend all follow-up appointments to help keep your healing on track and minimize the potential for complications. Your plastic surgeon will oversee your progress, inform you when you are cleared to return to work, and can tell you when you are healed enough to engage in rigorous activities.

Will I Have Scars After My Mommy Makeover?

The degree of visible scarring you have after a mommy makeover depends on the specific procedures that were performed. In all cases, Dr. Houssock does her best to ensure incisions are placed in areas that are hidden within natural borders and creases, or can be concealed with clothing or a bathing suit. To minimize the prominence of scar tissue, it is important to:

  • Care for your incisions properly and make sure dressings are kept clean and changed frequently.
  • Eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, and ensure proper circulation to support your body’s healing processes.
  • Take your antibiotics as prescribed to reduce the possibility of developing an infection.
  • Keep your incisions and scars out of the sunlight, as UV rays can darken their appearance.
  • Be patient—incisions take time to heal and scar tissue takes time to mature. Incision lines and scars may appear reddish and raised at first; however, as the tissue matures, scarring should flatten and fade in color.

In addition to these tips, laser treatments and microneedling can also be effective for diminishing the appearance of surgical scars, if desired.

Even though you may be left with some scars, the majority of our patients agree that a little bit of scar tissue is a small price to pay for the incredible physical and emotional improvements they have achieved through their mommy makeover. If you are curious about what our patients’ scars look like, we invite you to browse through our plastic surgery before-and-after photos to see the results of specific procedures.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?

There is no typical average cost for a mommy makeover. Mommy makeover pricing can vary widely between patients based on the types of procedures that are performed, how many procedures can be combined into a single operation, and the specific details of each treatment plan.

If you want to learn more about general pricing for procedures at our practice, we have listed many estimated price ranges on our plastic surgery costs page, and we also include cost sections on most of our dedicated procedure and treatment pages. For an accurate price quote based on your customized mommy makeover treatment plan, it is necessary to follow through with a consultation. When your consultation is complete, you will be presented with a detailed estimate that includes all fees and pricing associated with your treatment. At this time, you can discuss payment options, scheduling, and plastic surgery financing options with one of our knowledgeable office team members. In an effort to make plastic surgery accessible to a broader range of patients, we offer financing through several third-party lenders. Qualified applicants can take advantage of payment plans and affordable loans designed to make paying for treatment as budget friendly as possible.

Book Your Mommy Makeover Consultation

If you are considering a mommy makeover and want to learn more about how you can transform your post-baby body with plastic surgery, we invite you to contact our practice to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Houssock.