What Is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover includes a variety of plastic surgery procedures that reshape a woman's body after giving birth. Women who want to remove fat deposits and excess abdominal skin may choose to have liposuction or an abdominoplasty. Since it is also common to lose volume in the breasts after pregnancy, augmentations can restore them. The main goal of a mommy makeover is to help a woman return to her pre-pregnancy appearance.

Liposuction, or lipoplasty, is recommended for women who have stubborn fat deposit pockets in the waist or thighs. This procedure should never be viewed as a treatment for obesity or replacement for physical activity, and it is also not recommended for people with cellulite as the body can develop skin irregularities after the procedure. Liposuction can, however, dramatically improve the proportions of the body.

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck procedure, can restore abdominal muscles that have been separated by tightening them. The outcome of an abdominoplasty can last for several years but fades away due to fluctuating weight gains, so tummy tucks are best for women who do not plan to become pregnant again. An abdominoplasty addresses problems with stretch marks and loose skin above the pubic region, and it is possible for surgeons to remove small bulges of skin by creating an incision inside an existing C section scar.

One of the most common mommy makeover procedures is breast augmentation. During pregnancy, the breasts become enlarged in a process called physiologic engorgement. When the volume in the breasts decreases, women are left with sagging breasts. It can be severe in those women who breast feed their babies. Breast augmentation can help to reshape the breasts and provide a more youthful appearance.

Women who choose to receive breast implants as part of their mommy makeover can successfully nurse future babies, and studies reveal that mothers are able to tolerate silicone implants during pregnancy. The implants can be inserted underneath or above the pectoral muscles. Four main incision points exist for breast implants to be inserted: the navel, the armpits, the crease of the breasts and the nipples.

Many women report having increased self-esteem after a mommy makeover. Pregnancies can take a toll on the body, and experts recommend these procedures for those who have made attempts at dieting and exercising properly. Those who cannot make any progress in losing the excess skin can benefit from plastic surgery.