Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover is a combination of surgical procedures that restore a woman’s figure after childbirth. Because each woman’s body responds differently to pregnancy, no two Mommy Makeovers are the same. However, a Mommy Makeover generally combines breast enhancement, such as breast augmentation or a lift, along with body contouring, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction. A Mommy Makeover can include other rejuvenating procedures, such as facial plastic surgery or noninvasive spa services. It all depends on each patient’s goals.
How long after giving birth can I have a Mommy Makeover?
Usually anywhere from 3-6 months. Essentially you want your body to fully recover from the effects of pregnancy. This includes all tissues settling back into place, as well as hormone levels and weight loss. We want your body as stable as possible before undergoing surgery. In this way, the effects of surgery will be lasting and beautiful. Additionally, you want to make sure you have sufficient help with your newborn so you can take necessary time for herself.
Should I have a Mommy Makeover if I plan on having more children?
In short, no. But we should be clear about this. Undergoing a Mommy Makeover in no way prevents you from having children in the future. Just be aware of the fact that you may need to undergo revision surgery, depending upon how the pregnancy affects your body. For this reason, it is generally recommended that women wait until they are finished having children to undergo a Mommy Makeover.
How much weight should I lose before having a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover is best performed on patients who are within 10% of their ideal body weight. If your weight goal is 150 pounds, you should be at 165 pounds maximum before surgery. While there are health reasons associated with this, it also helps ensure a lasting result—if this patient loses more than 15 pounds after surgery, it may affect her results. Remember that your pre-pregnancy ideal weight is not the same as your post pregnancy ideal weight, as many women are frustrated at their inability to get back to their original weight. The right weight is the weight where you feel most comfortable.
Is it dangerous to combine more than one procedure?
Combination surgery is only safe if your health permits. Your surgeon and your facility are also crucial, but they do not take the place of your good health. It is not age-related. It is purely health related. A younger woman who has medical problems is more at risk than an older woman who is healthy.
If you undergo a Mommy Makeover from a qualified surgeon in a fully accredited facility, it is safe. These guidelines clearly apply to any form of surgery, but especially when undergoing multiple, concurrent procedures. As with any surgery, there are inherent risks. However, with due diligence and proper adherence to rigorous safety measures, these risks can be minimized.
Why is it better to have the procedures all done at once?
This answer is given under the assumption that you are healthy and are a good candidate for multiple procedures. By having multiple procedures concurrently, it means you don’t have to experience multiple recovery periods. There may be slightly increased discomfort, as more than one part of your body has undergone surgery, but this way you don’t need to pause your life more than once. Plus, you see the full cosmetic result much sooner.
Additionally, the cost tends to be lower. You’re only paying for operating room time and anesthesia for a single surgical period, as opposed to multiple periods.
What should I expect during my consultation?
During a Mommy Makeover consultation, Dr. Rahban covers several crucial points. Firstly, he gathers data regarding your specific cosmetic objectives. After all, the goal is your satisfaction and confidence.
Plastic surgery is all about what you are trying to accomplish. Just because a surgeon likes a result, it does not mean you will like it. In all plastic surgery, you are the unique element in the equation.
Second, after an examination, Dr. Rahban defines the exact problem, allowing you to better understand what your body has been through. Next, he lays out your options, including incisions, amount of skin to be excised, and other factors, including which procedure(s) will produce the best results. He will discuss what you can expect from your Mommy Makeover, both in terms of the cosmetic result, as well as the limitations.
As an extension of this, Dr. Rahban also reviews what patients should not expect from surgery. He is well known for telling his patients the truth and establishing a healthy level of expectation. Most patient dissatisfaction is related to inaccurate understanding and expectation of their surgery. Dr. Rahban deals in full disclosure to prevent this from occurring.
In the interest of helping his patients fully understand the procedure, Dr. Rahban will take this opportunity to review all potential risks. While some risks are quite unlikely, he still wants his patients to be aware of the potential downsides of surgery. All surgeries come with risks. Therefore, he believes the only time to engage in surgery is if the benefits far outweigh the risks. If you will only have a mild improvement, Dr. Rahban will most definitely recommend you do not undergo the procedure.
During a consultation, Dr. Rahban has one primary purpose—total patient education. He wants each patient to fully understand the nuances of a Mommy Makeover, as well as every risk and exactly how the procedure applies to them, allowing them to make the best decision for themselves. With his honest, candid approach, Dr. Rahban brings a new level of care to ensuring his patients know exactly how a Mommy Makeover works.
How do I prepare for surgery?
There are a number of physical preparatory actions before undergoing a Mommy Makeover. We’ve compiled a relatively thorough list on our Preparing for Surgery page. In addition to those, you should make sure you fully understand your upcoming procedure. Peace of mind is important in a patient, as it allows her to begin surgery in a relaxed, comfortable frame of mine.
What happens right after surgery?
A Mommy Makeover is often performed in an outpatient surgery center under general anesthesia. After surgery you will go to recovery, at which time you will spend an hour under observation. Depending on the length of your surgery, you will either go home or to an aftercare facility. While a Mommy Makeover is a very well-tolerated procedure, you will most likely experience some mild discomfort and some fatigue. Therefore you should have friends or family around to look after you. Once this initial period is over, you’ll be relatively self-sufficient.
How long is the recovery process after a Mommy Makeover?
The initial recovery period lasts about 1-2 weeks, depending on the number of procedures you’ve undergone. During this time, you will need day to day care from a friend or family member. Once this initial period is over, you can begin resuming some of your daily activities. You will be able to move more and can drive if you are no longer on pain meds. Once about 6 weeks have passed, you should be able to resume full activity, including exercise. Despite this, you should maintain due diligence with your body and take very good care of it. You will continue to have follow-up appointments with your surgeon to ensure everything is healing properly.
When can I return to work?
Most Mommy Makeover patients return to work within 2 weeks of surgery. Depending on your specific procedures, it may be as little as 1 week. Your surgeon will help you determine the best time.
I'm not a mother. Can I still have a Mommy Makeover?
Absolutely. The combination of procedures that applies to a Mommy Makeover can apply to other women as well. Through the aging process, congenital factors or massive weight loss, different parts of the body can sag. When this occurs, a breast lift, tummy tuck or liposuction are all applicable procedures. It’s simply a matter of your personal goals combined with your surgeon’s expert judgment.
