Mommy Makeover Surgery: The Ultimate Guide

	Tummy Tuck surgical	Breast Augmentation surgical	Liposuction surgical	Perineoplasty surgical	Vaginoplasty surgical
Worth It Rating	95%	95%	87%	96%	95%
Average Cost	$8200	$6675	$6825	$4150	$6100
Downtime	2–4 weeks of downtime	1 week of downtime	1–2 weeks of downtime	1–2 weeks of downtime	3–5 days of downtime
Anesthesia	General anesthesia	General anesthesia	Local or general anesthesia	Local or general anesthesia	Local or general anesthesia

Mommy makeover plastic surgery is personalized to each patient's unique needs, but it typically involves these procedures:

• Breast enhancement—typically a breast augmentation to replace lost volume, with or without a breast lift. Some women choose to have breast reduction instead to downsize and lift large breasts by removing excess skin and tissue. Any breast surgery can include areola reduction or nipple surgery. 
• A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) sometimes paired with diastasis recti repair, to remove excess skin and fat, tighten the belly, and repair separated muscles. This may also involve a belly button lift. According to Dr. Lawton, the diastasis recti repair is often key. “This part of the procedure can even result in a silhouette that is better than it was before pregnancy.”

Dr. Lawton also notes that “performing a breast lift without addressing the abdomen with a tummy tuck can leave the patient with a sense of dissatisfaction because the surgeon hasn’t considered the person holistically. Missing the chance to transform the patient’s perception of themselves by addressing the contours of the breast and the body together is really a lost opportunity.”

Your treatment plan may also include:

• Liposuction for body contouring by selectively removing excess fat deposits, especially around the torso or thighs.
• A Brazilian butt lift, with or without hip augmentation.
• Vaginal rejuvenation procedures, such as a perineoplasty to tighten the vaginal entrance; a vaginoplasty to tighten the vagina; and/or a labiaplasty to tailor the labia minora. 
• Laser skin rejuvenation or injectables like Botox and dermal fillers, to refresh the face. 

The power in this kind of holistic approach, according to Dr. Lawton, is in allowing patients to start the next chapter of their lives, without being constrained by the past.

Every provider has their own approach to a total mommy makeover. This is a major investment of money and energy, so it’s well worth it to consult with more than one board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns, hear their recommendations for a customized treatment plan, explore all your options, and get detailed cost estimates. “As with any cosmetic surgery, consideration of the patient’s goals is essential to the success of any treatment plan,” says Dr. Lawton, and it’s important that you and your surgeon are on the same page about what’s desired and possible. See our guide to choosing the right doctor for you.

Pros 

• This personalized combination of procedures addresses a host of post-pregnancy concerns in one operation, with a single recovery period.
• The results can be transformative, both physically and mentally. For many patients, it can feel like reclaiming their body and spirit after pregnancy and practicing self-care, after months or years of focusing their energy on caring for others. 
• Reviewers on RealSelf give mommy makeover surgery a 95% Worth It Rating, with reviewers saying that they feel more like themselves and got a boost in self-confidence. 
• Stretch marks and C-section scars can be removed or improved.
• It can help treat medical issues by repairing diastasis recti (which occurs when the abdominal muscles separate at the midline) and hernias, as well as reducing back pain and urinary incontinence (common after child bearing), according to recent research.

Cons

• RealSelf members who say their mommy makeover procedure was Not Worth It had a painful recovery, significant scarring, uneven liposuction results, or asymmetrical breasts.
• Most people need two to four weeks of downtime and up to three months to fully recover. This long recovery period can be challenging for those who have small children, so planning and support are key.
• You'll need help with daily activities and will need to avoid lifting anything heavy for at least the first two weeks of recovery.
• Body contouring procedures, like an abdominoplasty and liposuction, don’t protect against future weight gain. You’ll still need to stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise to maintain results. 
• The operation does leave scars, including a hip-to-hip scar from the tummy tuck. 

Related: Considering a Mommy Makeover? Here's What 7 Plastic Surgeons Want You to Know

See real RealSelf community members decide whether or not they want to have mommy makeover surgery.

• Average Cost:
• $13,100

• Range:
• $7,000 - $29,000

The cost of a mommy makeover depends on the complexity of your procedure, your provider’s level of experience, their practice location, and a few other key factors.

Related: 6 Women Share What They Paid for Their Mommy Makeover, What It Involved, and Whether It Was Worth It

Since this is elective cosmetic surgery, it’s not covered by insurance. However, if your operation includes hernia repair or a breast reduction, insurance may cover a portion of those costs.

Most providers offer monthly payment plans or accept third-party financing options, such as CareCredit, to help make the cost more manageable for patients.

See our complete guide to mommy makeover costs

As you're choosing your surgeon, look for mommy makeover pictures that show balanced facial features and the kind of results you want.

The mommy makeover photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Mommy makeover surgery has an exceptionally high 95% Worth It Rating: a clear majority of patients who reviewed their results on RealSelf say they’re worth the price tag and recovery time.

That said, not everyone has a good experience. Those who say it’s “Not Worth It” cited a long, painful recovery and issues like scarring, asymmetry, and complications.

Choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast and body surgery, understands your goals, and prepares you for the recovery process.

Ideal candidates are:

• In good general health. Being honest about your health can curb your risk of complications. 
• At a stable weight. Surgeons’ BMI rules and restrictions tend to vary, but some patients are asked to lose weight prior to surgery.
• Done having kids. It’s also beneficial to wait until at least three months after you stop breastfeeding. This helps your surgeon accurately gauge what your body looks like at its baseline.
• Nonsmokers. Smoking or vaping can inhibit healing, so if you smoke, you’ll need to stop at least a month prior to your surgery and abstain for a month afterward.

Lining up a few things in advance will give you peace of mind and help your recovery go smoothly. 

1. Buy recovery supplies

Your surgeon will give you a suggested list of recovery supplies. Essentials include:

• compression garments and a surgical bra, which they may give you to wear home
• stool softeners (pain medication causes constipation)
• any supplements your doctor recommends, such as arnica to reduce bruising
• supplies to keep incisions clean (bandages and antibiotic ointments)
• loose clothing and button-down shirts that make it easier to dress yourself—particularly when it hurts to raise your arms—and prevent uncomfortable rubbing 
• healthy meals to stash in the freezer

2. Line up childcare 

You'll need to avoid heavy lifting and overdoing it during at least the first two weeks after surgery, so it's important to have childcare and pet care lined up.

3. Avoid nicotine

At least four weeks prior to surgery (ideally sooner), stop smoking cigarettes, vaping, or using nicotine replacement therapy, which can increase your risk of complications. All forms of nicotine can reduce blood flow to the skin, causing skin necrosis (tissue death).

You’ll also need to avoid exposure to second-hand smoke before and after surgery, adds Dr. Richard Tholen, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

Carbon monoxide poisoning from smoking, according to Dr. Lawton, is an even more significant problem because it prevents the delivery of oxygen to the healing wound

4. Review your medications and supplements

Talk with the nurses about your medications and supplements. Some decongestants, pain relievers, and prescribed medications are not suitable for use before surgery, while others are fine.

If you take opioids for chronic pain, speak to your surgeon and the anesthesiologist to ensure they make adequate adjustments for your medication during surgery and recovery. “It doesn’t mean that you can’t have surgery, but the post-operative pain may be a little more difficult to control,” says Dr. Marie Montag, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mommy makeover surgeries can take 3 to 6 hours, depending on the number of procedures you have done, their complexity, and your surgeon’s level of experience and technique. 

For safety’s sake, elective procedures shouldn’t take more than 6 hours. A tummy tuck alone can take 2 to 4 hours.

You’ll be expected to arrive about 2 hours in advance of surgery, to get prepped and ready for the anesthesia.

Afterward, you’ll spend an hour in the recovery room before being cleared to head home.

Make sure someone you trust can drop you off, get you home safely, and spend the first night after surgery in your home, in case you need any support.

This outpatient operation can be performed in a hospital or your surgeon’s private surgery center. (Make sure your board-certified plastic surgeon’s surgical facility is fully accredited, and that they have hospital privileges, so you can get emergency care if something goes wrong.)

Most operations of this length are performed under general anesthesia, to ensure safety. Your anesthesia provider will monitor you throughout the procedure to ensure your safety.

Once you’re prepped, your doctor and medical team will follow the surgical plan you agreed on.

• During a breast lift, your surgeon lifts and reshapes breast tissue, removing extra skin and repositioning the nipple and areola.
• Breast augmentation is performed by inserting silicone or saline implants over or under the breast muscle. If you’re looking for a small increase in breast volume and don’t need a lift, you could do a fat transfer instead, taking fat from other areas of the body (such as the belly) via liposuction and injecting it into your breasts. Some women will need a combination of augmentation and lift to get the enhancement they’re looking for.  
• During a tummy tuck, your surgeon makes a hip-to-hip incision, pulls back the abdominal skin and fat, repairs and tightens your ab muscles, and removes excess skin. They may also repair a hernia or diastasis recti, refine your belly button, and place it in a more natural position before closing the incision.
• For liposuction, the surgeon suctions out excess fat. Some types of energy-assisted liposuction also tighten skin, which helps prevent laxity once the fat is removed. 
• A surgeon who specializes in vaginal rejuvenation can tighten the entrance to the vagina with perineoplasty, or the vaginal canal and pelvic floor with vaginoplasty. They can also surgically repair prolapse, a condition where organs push into the vaginal canal. 
• In a Brazilian butt lift, excess fat is removed via liposuction and transferred to the butt. 

Afterward, gauze or other surgical dressings will be applied to the incisions and covered with tape or an elastic bandage, sometimes under a surgical binder or compression garment.

You’ll then be moved to a recovery area where your vitals will be monitored as you wake up. 

It’s common to be cleared to go home an hour after surgery, but in some circumstances, an overnight stay for monitoring may be required.

Mommy makeovers are considered safe in the hands of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

However, each procedure carries some risk—and those risks can increase when procedures are combined and surgical time increases. When you’re discussing your treatment plan during your consultation, ask for confirmation that your operation won’t run longer than six hours.

Tummy tuck surgery has the highest potential for complications, double the complication rate of other cosmetic surgeries—3% versus 1.5%—according to a 2015 study. The most common complication was hematoma (blood collecting under the skin).

Your surgeon should discuss all potential risks and complications.

• Infection: Signs include “pain, redness, and/or purulent drainage,” says Dr. Camille Cash, a plastic surgeon in Houston, Texas.
• Blood clots: The risk is especially high for tummy tuck patients, especially when the procedure is combined with liposuction of the flanks. In a 2018 study that looked at the incidence of blood clots among all cases of outpatient aesthetic surgery in a 10-year period, 58% occurred with tummy tucks. During the first five days of recovery, be very alert to pain, swelling, or discoloration of the skin on your leg, which may be a sign of a blood clot. If you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or are coughing up blood, seek immediate medical attention. 
• Your odds for a blood clot may be higher than normal for up to three months. If you've traveled for your surgery, try to wait at least two weeks before flying home. Book a first-class ticket so you can move your legs and walk often on the plane, and wear compression socks.
• Research shows that the risk of complications from liposuction—blood clots, pulmonary complications, and infection—increases significantly when it’s combined with other procedures, especially in older or obese patients. 
• If you plan on getting a BBL, it’s essential to find a highly experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who follows the latest safety guidelines. 

During your consultations, ask your surgeon about their complication rates, how they mitigate risks, and how they handle complications when they do arise.

Expect to take at least 2 weeks off work after a mommy makeover—possibly up to 6 weeks, if your job is physically demanding or involves heavy lifting. 

Your recovery time will depend on how many procedures you have done and the type of procedures, so your surgeon should provide you with a personalized recovery estimate when they present your treatment plan.

Here’s a general timetable:

• During the initial 2-week recovery period, you’ll be able to engage in light daily activity.
• After 8 weeks, you can resume moderate exercise. The worst of your swelling and bruising should have subsided by this point.
• After 12 weeks, you’ll be able to return to vigorous exercise and heavy lifting.
• You'll see final results within 6 to 12 months, after all the swelling has resolved.
• Scars will continue to fade for up to 4 years after surgery.

All surgical procedures leave scars at incision sites, but plastic surgeons make an effort to place the scars so they’re well hidden under clothing, even in a bikini. They will fade over several years.

Scar treatments, applied to the incision site after the area has crusted and healed, act like your skin’s moisture barrier, keeping the scar hydrated and helpingto improve their appearance. Medical-grade silicone scar therapy in the form of bandage-like sheets or gels can prevent abnormal scars, hypertrophic scars, and keloids.

You can usually start using a scar treatment about 1 month after surgery, but talk to your doctor. They may recommend that you start scar treatment even earlier.

You’ll be under general anesthesia during the mommy makeover procedure, so you shouldn’t feel anything.

Immediately afterward, you’ll be given pain medication through an IV. 

Before you head home, your surgeon will prescribe pain medication for your recovery. Dr. Armando Soto, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Orlando, Florida, says that if you’ve had a tummy tuck with your mommy makeover, “You’ll need prescription pain meds for the first four to seven days.” Dr. Lawton, who is very aggressive about providing a comfortable postoperative recovery for his patients, prescribes at least two weeks of narcotics for pain relief. 

Related: The Future of Opioid Use in Plastic Surgery Recovery

After the first two to four weeks, soreness should be manageable with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Avoid blood thinners like ibuprofen, which can affect normal blood clotting.

If you experience significant pain during recovery, reach out to your doctor. Pain can sap the energy you need to heal, so your surgeon will want you to be as comfortable as possible.

Mommy makeover results should last well over 10 years or more, as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle and stable weight. 

Breast implants aren’t considered lifetime devices, so they may need to be exchanged in the future, but they won’t automatically need replacement.