Mommy Makeover Surgery: The Ultimate Guide

Medically reviewed by George Marosan, MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonReviewed on March 8, 2022
Written byLesley RotchfordUpdated on April 18, 2023
RealSelf ensures that an experienced doctor who is trained and certified to safely perform this procedure has reviewed this information for medical accuracy.You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.
Medically reviewed by George Marosan, MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonReviewed on March 8, 2022
Written byLesley RotchfordUpdated on April 18, 2023
RealSelf ensures that an experienced doctor who is trained and certified to safely perform this procedure has reviewed this information for medical accuracy.You can trust RealSelf content to be unbiased and medically accurate. Learn more about our content standards.

Fast facts


A total mommy makeover is a combination of plastic surgery procedures, custom-designed to restore your pre-baby body after the dramatic physical changes brought on by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. 

It can also benefit patients who have undergone massive weight loss, or anyone looking to address multiple concerns at once, according to Dr. George Marosan, a plastic surgeon in Bellevue, Washington. 

After pregnancy, a woman’s body is often left with “deflated, sagging breasts and loose, stretched abdominal skin, not to mention separated abdominal muscles and fascia that no amount of exercise can repair,” says Dr. Richard Tholen, a plastic surgeon in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. 

“Some new moms tell us that months after their baby is born, they’re asked when their baby is due,” says Dr. Brent Moelleken, a plastic surgeon with practices in Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara, California. A stretched and weakened abdominal wall, coupled with stubborn fat, can create bulging that can’t be addressed through exercise alone.

“Realizing your body has lost its original shape can be devastating. No amount of exercise can tighten ripped fascia, join separated muscles, or remove loose skin,” says Dr. Moelleken. “Mommy makeover surgery can help reverse the effects of childbirth, along with feelings of helplessness and frustration about how your body looks.”

For many moms, it can feel like a major step toward reclaiming their body and practicing self-care, after months or years of focusing on caring for kids.

Interested in a mommy makeover?

Find a Doctor Near You

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

Your treatment plan may also include:

Given all the available procedures and differences in surgical technique, this is one operation where it can really be worth the time (and fees) to schedule a total mommy makeover consultation with more than one board-certified plastic surgeon. 

Each plastic surgeon you consider should take the time to discuss your concerns, make a customized treatment plan recommendation, and provide a detailed cost estimate. See our guide to choosing the right doctor.

Tummy Tuck (Page Image)Tummy Tuck

surgical

Liposuction (Page Image)Liposuction

surgical

Vaginoplasty (Page Image)Vaginoplasty

surgical

Worth It Rating95%95%87%96%95%
Average Cost$8200$6675$6825$4150$6100
Downtime2–4 weeks of downtime1 week of downtime1–2 weeks of downtime1–2 weeks of downtime3–5 days of downtime
AnesthesiaGeneral anesthesiaGeneral anesthesiaLocal or general anesthesiaLocal or general anesthesiaLocal or general anesthesia

Pros 

  • A total mommy makeover addresses a range of post-pregnancy concerns in one operation, with a single recovery period.
  • The results can be transformative, restoring your body to how you looked before pregnancy—and often even better. 
  • RealSelf members give mommy makeover a 95% Worth It Rating, with many reviewers saying that they feel more like themselves and got a boost in self-confidence. 
  • Stretch marks and C-section scars may be removed or improved via a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).  
  • It can also 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 or issues like 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, since multiple procedures are involved. This can be challenging if you have young kids or have difficulty taking time off work. 
  • You'll need help with daily activities and will need to avoid lifting anything heavy (including small children) for at least the first week 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 keep up your results. 
  • The operation does leave scars, including a low, 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 plastic surgeon’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

This is considered elective cosmetic surgery, so it won't be covered by insurance. However, if your operation includes hernia repair or a breast reduction, insurance may cover a portion of those costs.

Most plastic surgeons accept third-party financing options, such as CareCredit.

See our complete guide to mommy makeover costs

Interested in a mommy makeover?

Find a Doctor Near You

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.

As we mentioned above, mommy makeover surgery has an exceptionally high Worth It Rating on RealSelf: a clear majority of patients who’ve reviewed their experience and results say they were worth the hefty price tag and lengthy recovery time.

An artfully done mommy makeover can be life-changing, with results that last well over a decade. Many reviewers who say it was “Worth It” say their body was transformed in a way that brought them a new sense of self-confidence. 

That said, not everyone has a good experience. Those who say it’s “Not Worth It” cited a long, painful recovery process and issues like scarring, asymmetry, and complications. It’s important to choose an experienced, skilled plastic surgeon who understands your goals and can ensure you're a good candidate. It's also wise to have realistic expectations about the recovery process, so you know what you're in for and can prepare as much as possible.

Ideal mommy makeover patients are:

  • In good general health. 
  • Within 25 pounds of their ideal body weight. Surgeons’ BMI rules and restrictions tend to vary, so it’s best to schedule a consultation to discuss specific weight concerns.
  • At a stable weight. It’s also best not to schedule this surgery too soon after you’ve had a baby, as tempting as that may be. Wait until you’re done having kids and at least six months after you stop breastfeeding, so you won’t undo your surgical results. This also helps your surgeon accurately gauge what your body looks like at its baseline.
  • Nonsmokers. Smoking or vaping can inhibit healing, so if you smoke, your surgeon will likely ask you to stop at least two weeks prior to your surgery and three weeks afterward. 

During your initial consultation, be honest about your health, to reduce your risk of complications.

This is a major operation, so lining up a few things in advance will give you peace of mind and help your recovery go more smoothly. 

Your surgeon’s office will probably give you a checklist, which may include these items.

1. Buy recovery supplies

They should also give you a suggested list of recovery supplies, so you can buy them in advance. 

Essentials include compression garments, stool softeners (pain medication causes serious constipation), and any supplements your doctor recommends, such as arnica to reduce bruising. 

If they won't be providing bandages, supplies to keep your incisions clean, and antibiotic ointments (like mupirocin), ask for a list so you can have them ready at home.

Loose clothing and button-down shirts that you don't have to pull over your head will make it easier for you to dress yourself—particularly when it hurts to raise your arms—and prevent uncomfortable rubbing against incisions. 

You'll also be grateful for having some healthy meals in the freezer, so you can rest and heal.

2. Line up childcare 

You'll need to avoid heavy lifting and too much activity during at least the first week after surgery, so it's important to have childcare and pet care lined up, especially if your kids are small or your pets are very active.

3. Start avoiding 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 serious complications and slow your recovery. 

“This includes exposure to second-hand smoke,” adds Dr. Tholen, which you’ll need to avoid during recovery as well. Nicotine can reduce blood flow to the skin, causing skin necrosis (tissue death).

4. Review your medications and supplements

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

People with chronic pain who are on opioid regimens need to speak to their surgeon, general practitioner, and the anesthesiologist to make adequate adjustments for the surgery and recovery. 

For example, if you take Tramadol daily, you may need to tweak your dose. “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 plastic surgeon in Omaha, Nebraska. “Being on an opioid pain medication like Tramadol regularly can desensitize you somewhat to its effects, and it may take more of the medicine or a change to different pain medicine in order to control the surgical pain.” 

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

There is a limit to how many procedures most surgeons will perform at one time, for your safety. It’s generally recommended that elective procedures not take more than 6 hours, and a full tummy tuck alone can take up to 4 hours.

You’ll also need to plan to arrive about two hours in advance, so they can get you prepped and administer the anesthesia, and expect to spend a few hours in a recovery room, so they can monitor you and clear you to safely 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 is performed in a hospital or your surgeon’s private surgery center. If it’s not done in a hospital, 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 quickly in the rare event that something goes wrong.

Most operations of this length are performed under general anesthesia, to ensure that you're completely asleep and intubated until it’s all over. However, some surgeons use deep IV sedation for this type of surgery, according to Dr. Marosan. Your anesthesia provider will monitor you throughout the procedure to ensure your safety.

Once you’re prepared for surgery, 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 often repositioning the nipple and areola so they sit higher on the breast.
  • Breast augmentation is usually done by inserting silicone or saline implants over the breast muscle. If you’re looking for a relatively small increase in breast volume and don’t need a lift, your surgeon could do a fat transfer instead, taking fat from other areas of the body (such as the belly or thighs) 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.  
  • To perform a tummy tuck, your surgeon makes a low, hip-to-hip incision, pulls back the skin and underlying abdominal fatty tissue to expose the abdominal wall, repairs and tightens your ab muscles, and removes excess skin and tissue. They may also repair a hernia or diastasis recti. In most cases, they’ll reposition your belly button in a more natural location before closing the incision. 
  • For liposuction, the surgeon inserts a thin, hollow tube called a cannula through small incisions to suction out excess fat. Some types of energy-assisted liposuction also tighten skin, which helps prevent laxity and sagging 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. 
  • Some women also opt for a Brazilian butt lift, in which excess fat is removed via liposuction and transferred to the butt, to add volume and create new contours. 

Afterward, gauze or other surgical dressings may be applied to the incisions and covered with tape or an elastic bandage, 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 possible that you’ll be able to go home a few hours after surgery, but don’t be surprised if your surgeon requests that you stay overnight for additional monitoring. This is a major procedure requiring several hours of surgery, so it may be safer for you to go home the following day, once they feel certain that you’re stable. An overnight stay will increase your cost, but your safety is worth it.

Mommy makeovers are considered to be safe in the hands of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, each procedure that’s included carries some risk—and those risks increase when procedures are combined and surgery runs long. 

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 published in the journal Plastic and ReconstructiveSurgery. The most common major complication was hematoma (blood collecting under the skin).

Your surgeon should discuss all of these potential risks and complications, as well as how they mitigate and handle them in their practice.

  • Infection is a possibility with any surgery. Signs of infection include “pain, redness, and/or purulent drainage,” says Dr. Camille Cash, a plastic surgeon in Houston, Texas.
  • Thrombosis (blood clots) and, in rare cases, pulmonary thromboembolism (blood clots reaching the lungs) are also possible and can be very serious. The risk of blood clots is especially high for tummy tuck patients, though researchers aren’t sure why. 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% (240) occurred among tummy tuck patients. 
  • Especially during the first three to five days of your recovery, be alert to pain, swelling, or discoloration of the skin on your leg, which may be a sign of a blood clot. You may notice shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood, all signs to seek immediate medical attention. 
  • Your odds for a blood clot may be higher than normal for up to three months, so if you've traveled for your surgery, try to wait at least a week 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 also shows that the risk of complications from liposuction—blood clots, pulmonary complications, and infection—increases significantly when it’s combined with other procedures—especially among older or obese patients. 
  • If you plan on getting a BBL, too, just be aware that this can be one of the riskiest types of plastic surgery in the wrong hands. It’s essential to find a highly experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who follows the latest safety guidelines

Again, the best way you can help ensure your safety is to take your time finding a well-reviewed, board-certified plastic surgeon who regularly performs this operation. During your consultations, ask about their complication rates, how they mitigate risks, and how they handle patient complications when they do arise.

You can expect to need to take at least 2 weeks off work after a mommy makeover—possibly up to 6 weeks, if your job is highly physical 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 3 weeks, you can resume moderate exercise. The worst of your swelling and bruising should have subsided by this point, too.
  • After 6 weeks, you’ll be able to return to vigorous exercise. It should also be safe at this point to resume heavy lifting.
  • You'll see your final results within 6 months, after all the swelling has resolved.
  • Scars will continue to fade for 6-12 months after surgery. Read more below about when to start scar treatments.

All surgical procedures leave scars at the 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 also fade over time.

Scar treatments, including topical scar creams, can help make them less noticeable. Medical-grade silicone scar therapy in the form of bandage-like sheets or gels can prevent abnormal scars, hypertrophic scars, and keloids. Applied to the incision site after the area has crusted and healed, they work by acting much like your skin’s moisture barrier, keeping the scar hydrated and helping prevent permanent scarring.

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 itself, so you shouldn’t feel any pain (or any sensations at all). 

Immediately after surgery, you’ll be given pain medication through your IV to alleviate any discomfort. 

Before you head home, your surgeon will prescribe pain medication for your recovery. Dr. Armando Soto, a plastic surgeon in Orlando, Florida, says that if you’ve had a tummy tuck with your mommy makeover, “You’ll experience some pain and soreness and, usually, need prescription pain meds for the first four to seven days.”

Related: The Future of Opioid Use in Plastic Surgery Recovery

After the first week, the pain and soreness should subside to the point that it’s manageable with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Ask your doctor which OTC drugs they recommend, and avoid blood thinners like ibuprofen, which can affect normal blood clotting.

If you experience significant pain during your recovery, don’t hesitate to 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 while you recover.

Mommy makeover results should last 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.

Updated April 18, 2023

0

0

Related stories from RealSelf News

I Hate My Postpartum Body—and That’s Okay
10 Questions to Ask During Your Mommy Makeover Consultation
6 Nonsurgical Mommy Makeover Procedures for the Abdomen, Breasts, Skin, and Pelvic Floor
How I Convinced My Husband to Support My Mommy Makeover