What do we mean by “mommy makeover”?
The term mommy makeover refers to the total rejuvenation of a woman’s body after pregnancy and childbirth. The phrase originated in the United States but has become increasingly popular among plastic surgeons in Europe as well. Most women (mothers) who have completed their childbearing years notice significant changes in their bodies after pregnancy. The areas most affected are the breasts, abdomen, waist, genital region, buttocks, and thighs. Women who turn to plastic surgery are essentially seeking to restore their bodies as closely as possible to their pre-pregnancy condition.
What are the most common procedures included in a mommy makeover?
The most common procedures are breast lift with or without silicone implants, breast reduction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), liposuction, liposculpture, buttock lift, labiaplasty, and thigh lift. These can be performed in combination during one surgical session or individually. Of course, it is not necessary to undergo all of these procedures to see a transformation—most women typically have one or two surgeries.
What is the most popular combination of procedures?
A tummy tuck to correct loose skin and abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) combined with a simultaneous breast lift—with or without implants—has become increasingly popular in recent years, both in Greece and abroad, with demand having nearly quintupled. Other popular combinations include abdominal liposuction and buttock lift with fat transfer, or breast lift combined with thigh lift.
Advances in surgical techniques, appropriate pain management, early postoperative mobilization, and effective thrombosis prevention have made such combined procedures significantly safer than in the past.
Are all women suitable candidates for these procedures?
Women considering these surgeries should have completed breastfeeding, be in good general health with no serious medical conditions, maintain a healthy body weight, and have realistic expectations about the outcome. Smokers must stop smoking at least four weeks before and four weeks after surgery.
Are there changes in a woman’s face after pregnancy?
Most of the changes after childbirth affect the body rather than the face. The more noticeable changes to the face generally begin with menopause, around the age of forty-eight. The skin of the face and neck loses its glow and firmness, becomes looser, and wrinkles deepen. At that stage, many women begin considering surgical options such as face and neck lifting or fat grafting. More conservative treatments—such as Botox or Dysport, hyaluronic acid fillers, threads, and mesotherapy—can be started at younger ages.
What is the difference between mommy makeover procedures and post–massive weight loss body reconstruction?
After massive weight loss, skin laxity appears in more body areas beyond the abdomen and breasts, including the arms, thighs, back, neck, and face. A greater number of surgical procedures are required to achieve full body rejuvenation compared to a woman who has undergone pregnancy. For example, in the abdominal area, a circumferential body lift (belt lipectomy) may be necessary, whereas a post-pregnancy patient usually needs only a standard tummy tuck.
A common factor in both groups—mommy makeover and body lift patients—is the significant boost in self-confidence and psychological well-being following complete recovery and rehabilitation.
