Mommy Makeover

Although the placement of the scar in breast augmentation surgery will depend in part on the size, placement, and type of breast implant you chose, in almost all cases the scar is hidden in one of three locations: the armpit, the base of your breast or around your areola.

Many times after pregnancy you will be a candidate for multiple types of procedures and treatments that make your belly look better. To figure out which option is best for you, you should first set up a consultation. This will help you understand if you’re a candidate for any of these surgeries. But, a simple way to know if you may be a candidate for one of these surgeries is to pinch the skin and fat below your belly button. If you can pinch more than an inch and you have loose skin, you will probably be a candidate for a Mini or a Full Tummy Tuck. Liposuction is often included with these surgeries. If you can only pinch less than an inch or if you don’t have much loose skin, you will probably be a candidate for liposuction. 

Although it is not a requirement to be at your goal weight before a mommy makeover, it is recommended. Losing or gaining a substantial amount of weight after having this surgery can drastically change your results. Therefore, it is recommended that you work toward a manageable and safe weight pre-surgery. You should feel confident that your current weight can be maintained after surgery to ensure that your results are long lasting.

Recovery times vary from person to person but in general, it takes up to 1 week to get back on your feet and return to non physical work duties, around 2 to 3 weeks to return to normal daily activities 6 to 8 weeks to return to your normal workout schedule. Discomfort after this surgery varies greatly depending on the type of procedures that are included. In general breast augmentation surgery will have the most immediate discomfort and then improve quickly. A tummy tuck will have longer lasting discomfort, especially if there is a split muscle repair (aka rectus diastasis repair). Surprisingly, liposuction has the longest lasting discomfort and it can be sore to the touch often the longest. Fortunately, we have many tricks to help you feel more comfortable during recovery. This includes the use of local anesthesia during surgery and pain medications, muscle relaxants and compression garments after surgery.

Mommy Makeover surgery can potentially affect the sensation in any of the areas that are addressed. Although it is a rare complication, injury to the superficial nerves can affect the sensation long term. Immediate numbness after surgery is very common along the lower tummy after a tummy tuck but sensation tends to return postoperatively in 6 to 12 months. As for the breast sensation after a breast augmentation or lift surgery, it is often diminished immediately after surgery but tends to return much more quickly than the tummy. Per our experience, the breast are actually more often hyper sensitive after surgery and this resolves within weeks to a few months. Injury to the larger and more critical nerves that run along your chest or belly would be extremely rare. Understanding the risk, albeit it small in this case, is important before proceeding with any surgery. This also reinforces the need for you to seek out an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified plastic surgeon with experience in these types of surgeries. 

Insurance plans can vary greatly, but in our experience, no plans will cover this surgery. It is best to do your own research before going to your appointment. Contact your insurance carrier and find out what your plan covers and what they require before you are approved for surgery. Our office will then help you navigate this process in hopes of meeting all the necessary criteria for approval.