Everything You Need to Know About a Mommy Makeover

While parenthood is rewarding, many women wish they had their pre-pregnancy bodies back. This is why mommy makeovers are such a popular choice among plastic surgery patients. Before you choose to have a mommy makeover, it’s important to be informed. Here are some of the mommy makeover basics you need to know.

Which Procedures are Included in a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is a highly customizable procedure in that you can choose to address as many or as few areas of the body as you wish. Dr. Cruise’s mommy makeover procedure addresses common changes to the breast or abdominal areas by combining tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation, or breast lift, depending on your specific concerns and goals.

Abdominal procedures

Commonly, mommy makeover patients are troubled by loose, sagging skin in the abdominal area as a result of the rapid growth they experienced during pregnancy. A tummy tuck removes excess skin from the lower abdominal area, tightens damaged or loose muscles, and removes stubborn pockets of fat. The result is a toned, smooth tummy that you can feel confident showing off. If loose skin isn’t a particular concern, liposuction alone may be able to give you the appearance you want by permanently removing stubborn pockets of fat that won’t go away with exercise alone. Dr. Cruise can help determine which procedure best suits you during a consultation.

Breast procedures

The breasts can commonly become “deflated” in appearance or sag after pregnancy and breastfeeding. A breast lift may be chosen to return the breasts to their pre-pregnancy, youthful position. Breast lifts do not use implants, instead the procedure is performed by reshaping the existing breast tissue. If the breasts lack fullness after pregnancy and breastfeeding, using implants through a breast augmentation can help restore a firmer, more youthful appearance and increase the size of the breasts if you choose.

Who is a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

Like all plastic surgery procedures, candidates for a mommy makeover should be healthy overall and it is ideal if you are a nonsmoker so that you can properly and more quickly heal after the procedure. The best candidates for mommy makeovers do not plan to have more children in the future so that you can ensure your results will be long-lasting. Finally, Dr. Cruise will likely recommend that you wait at least six months after giving birth before you choose to have your mommy makeover surgery.

What Can You Expect from Mommy Makeover Recovery?

After your mommy makeover, you can expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Dr. Cruise will likely prescribe a pain medication to help alleviate your discomfort during the first few days of the recovery process. Make sure you arrange for someone to act as a caregiver for both you and your children as you heal. Most patients can return to normal, day-to-day activities after about two weeks, but you should still wait to start more physically demanding activities like exercises or heavy lifting for about a month.

Choosing Your Mommy Makeover Surgeon

Perhaps the most important decision you make regarding your mommy makeover is the surgeon who will perform the procedure. It’s important to choose a qualified and trusted plastic surgeon. Dr. Cruise is a fully trained and board-certified plastic surgeon with over 15 years of experience. You can rest assured that your mommy makeover with Dr. Cruise will be effective and safe by reading more about Dr. Cruise or taking a look at before-and-after photos.

Schedule A Consultation

To schedule a mommy makeover consultation or to learn more about the procedure and recovery time, call Dr. Cruise at (949) 446-1421 or request an appointment online. Dr. Cruise is located in Newport Beach, CA and would love to assist in helping achieve your body goals.