Mommy Makeover Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

Posted on August 20, 2020

Mommy makeover is the broad term for a suite of body contouring surgeries that target changes to a woman’s body that occur during pregnancy. Mommy makeover is highly customized, tailored to each woman’s needs and expectations and also greatly dependent on a plastic surgeon’s skill to achieve optimal results.

Because so many key decisions are made by the patient, it is important to collect as much information as you can before the surgery, and to ask your surgeon questions that will inform your decision-making process. Below, experienced South Florida plastic surgeons Dr. David Rankin and Dr. Dev Vibhakar provide answers to some of the questions most commonly asked by patients seeking mommy makeover.

What are my choices for mommy makeover surgery?

Available procedures include liposuction, to target specific areas of stubborn fat; abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, to repair the abdominal wall and pare away excess folds of skin; and breast lift to restore the natural profile and firmness to breasts.

How soon after childbirth can I undergo mommy makeover?

The first step in choosing a mommy makeover procedure is to allow your body time to bounce back after pregnancy. Dr. Rankin and Dr. Vibhakar recommend waiting at least six months after childbirth to see how much of the weight and shape of pregnancy was temporary, and how much might need a surgical solution. This also allows time for the skin, muscle and uterus to regain their typical size and shape. 

Can I have more children after mommy makeover?

With a few exceptions, it is recommended that women wait until after their final pregnancy before undergoing tummy tuck, a procedure that is central to mommy makeover. Pregnancy can undo the results of an earlier tummy tuck or other mommy makeover procedure. With a new pregnancy, the muscles that were repaired can separate once again, and the tightened skin can loosen.

Will mommy makeover erase stretch marks?

If your stretch marks are located in the lower abdomen, they will disappear when the skin is surgically removed during tummy tuck. Stretch marks on the mid-portion of the abdomen can be improved but not entirely eliminated. Stretch marks on the upper abdomen usually remain.

Will I have scarring?

Tummy tuck performed as part of mommy makeover requires a large incision in the lower abdomen, so scars are unavoidable. Dr. Rankin and Dr. Vibhakar are careful to make the incision in the least noticeable area, usually on the bikini line. If scarring is a concern, a mini tummy tuck or liposuction can be considered, if appropriate.

To find out more about mommy makeover options, please contact Aqua Plastic Surgery by calling our Jupiter office at (561) 776-2830 or our Ft. Lauderdale office at (954) 564-3832.