A mommy makeover provides post-pregnancy mothers with an enhanced, contoured ‘makeover’, or simply restores their body to pre-pregnancy shape. It is not a single procedure, but combined cosmetic procedures that target the breasts and abdomen; these are the areas that are generally most affected by pregnancy. (1)
So much time is devoted to our children, that we may let our cosmetic wishes fall to the side. Childbirth and breastfeeding can create aesthetic changes to a mother’s body that time at the gym just cannot counter. Even so, we also know that each case is unique, so no two mommy makeovers are alike. Patients can choose to undergo a tummy tuck, SmartLipo, VASER Hi Def Lipo, breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, and/or VASER Hi Def Breast Sculpting, and the procedure will be tailored to address your specific needs. It is our goal to make you look and feel beautiful.
The experienced plastic surgeons of Millard Plastic Surgery Englewood, Colorado have performed countless mommy makeovers, beautifully contouring a mother’s body and re-instilling confidence. To book your personal consultation at Millard Plastic Surgery, call us directly at (303) 792-5665or complete an online inquiry form.
The female body is beautifully designed to bring new life to the world. The abdomen stretches to allow a baby to grow, and breasts become larger to accommodate milk for the baby. When the child is born, the skin attempts to contract to its original tautness, but it doesn’t always reach pre-childbirth contour. Mothers can be left with sagging abdominal skin and drooping breasts, and working out can create definition but it cannot tighten skin, so definition is often left unseen, hidden behind lax skin. Mommy makeovers were designed specifically to counter this problem.
How Many Procedures are in a Mommy Makeover?
There is no limit to how many procedures you can undergo; it simply depends on the level of “makeover” you wish to pursue. procedures can usually be performed in a single surgery session, which means you’ll have a quicker recovery and enjoy your results sooner.
For a full list of our services, please visit our procedures menu.
Ideal Candidates
It’s never too early to start thinking about a mommy makeover, but those interested in undergoing the surgery should be done having kids and breastfeeding, and hold off until their breasts return to their natural state before scheduling a consultation. Your surgeon will need to examine your breasts in their original anatomical shape and size to accurately determine what procedures could benefit you.
Mothers should be close to their ideal weight since the purpose of this surgery is to contour and sculpt the body, not major weight loss; some weight can be lost during the surgery though. Another important requirement is being able to take days off from working and watching the children for rest and recovery.
Personal Consultation
During your private consultation, you can share concerns about your problem areas, body contour, and your desired outcome. Your surgeon will perform a physical examination, and with your concerns and desires in mind, will offer their opinion as to which procedures can offer the greatest benefit. You can then work together to create the perfect custom surgery plan to reach your aesthetic goals. Please mention your medical history and routine medications at this time.
We will show you before and after photos of moms who have previously undergone similar surgery, but please remember that results vary for all patients. This is meant to provide you with a general idea of potential results. Bringing a picture of yourself from before you had children can help us provide more natural-looking results. If you have any questions about the procedures or surgical process, please do not hesitate to ask. We want to make this a straightforward and comfortable experience for you!
Body
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a fantastic solution for moms who are experiencing stretched, protruding abdominal muscles and loose skin that will not repair through diet and exercise alone, and in most cases, this will never repair on its own; it requires a surgical procedure. A tummy tuck is specially designed to remove stubborn lax abdominal skin and surgically tighten separated muscles in women and men but is extremely popular among post-pregnancy mothers. Small pockets of localized fat can be removed during the process, but not a lot, so a tummy tuck is often paired with fat removal procedures such as SmartLipo and Vaser Hi Def Lipo.
SmartLipo
Women who have given birth may find that localized fat deposits on various parts of their body seem to stick around despite gym time. SmartLipo is an easy and effective way to reduce fat deposits just about anywhere on your body. It uses state-of-the-art laser energy to first melt the fat before it is suctioned. Depending on the case, the fat may not even need to be suctioned as the body can naturally eliminate the destroyed cells.
VASER Hi Def Lipo
VASER Hi Def Lipo is similar to SmartLipo in that they both break down fat deposits before suction, but VASER uses ultrasound waves to accomplish this. VASER’s advanced technology, which Dr. Millard helped pioneer, allows it to accurately differentiate fat from surrounding connective tissue to ensure only fat cells are destroyed. This revolutionary precision is often equated to combining art with science; patients experience truly sculpted and defined, natural-looking results.
Breast
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the country and is very commonly performed as part of a mommy makeover. Breast augmentation increases the projection and size of a woman’s bust with the use of breast implants or fat transfer. Mothers’ breasts become large and full from breastfeeding, and many want to regain this. This is possible with the fully customizable implant options that allow you to choose the exact look you desire. Patients are able to pick their implant size, profile, and location, with the help and guidance of our experienced surgeons.
Breast Lift
Breastfeeding can cause breasts that were once at an elevated, perky position to sag and droop. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a cosmetic procedure that removes the excess lax skin responsible for the sagging, and restores a woman’s bust to a youthful position. It cannot restore the volume that’s been lost, but if you desire both elevation and fullness, a breast lift can easily be performed at the same time as breast augmentation or VASER Hi Def Breast Sculpting.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction statistics show that over 90% of women who undergo breast reduction surgery are very happy with their results. (2) This fantastic procedure reduces breast volume to the patient’s desire. Breast tissue is removed and skin is tightened to create a smaller bust. Patients can also opt to reduce the size of their areolas during this process, as breast reduction usually involves the same incision. Breast reduction will not only create a proportionate bust size, but it also often reduces or fully gets rid of back and shoulder pain caused by the strain of heavy breasts, a large factor in this procedure’s popularity.
VASER Hi Def Breast Sculpting
VASER Hi Def Breast Sculpting is a specialty of Dr. Millard, as he was the first to perform this revolutionary technique. VASER Hi Def Breast Sculpting enhances the profile, shape, and size of the breasts by addressing the surrounding areas. Sculpting the inferior and lateral parts of the breasts creates the illusion of enlarged, lifted breasts without needing implants. The fat that was removed during the process can actually be reused by injecting it into the breasts for a slight increase in projection and cleavage.
The Procedure
The length of your surgery will vary based on the number of procedures but generally takes between 4 and 6 hours.
The process begins with your surgeon marking the incision locations, and once you are comfortably anesthetized, he will begin the surgery. Breast procedures will either enlarge, raise, and/or reduce the size of your breasts. Body procedures will tighten lax skin and abdominal muscles and/or remove fat deposits. Once completed, drains will be placed appropriately and incision sites are sutured.
Recovery
After your surgery, you will be brought to the recovery room where you will comfortably wake up from the anesthesia with the support of friendly staff. Any breast procedures will require the chest to be wrapped with surgical dressing or a support bra, and. In some cases, drains may be placed in the breast and/or body incision to capture excess fluids. You will be provided individualized recovery instructions during your pre-operative appointment.
Mommy makeover recovery time is completely dependent on the procedures chosen and how quickly your body recovers after surgery. Typically, mothers can expect to be out from work for about 2 weeks. Please have someone help watch your children during this time.
Cost of a Mommy Makeover in Denver
The cost of mommy makeover surgery varies based on the procedures chosen and the extent of the procedures required. After speaking with your surgeon about your aesthetic concerns and a consultation examination, we will be able to provide you with a quote for your estimated costs. For more information, and to book your personal consultation at our Englewood office, call (303) 792-5665 or complete a simple inquiry form on our website to get started.
To find out more about the Mommy Makeover, and to read more about our surgical services, please visit the Millard Plastic Surgery blog.
References
Matarasso A, Smith DM. Strategies for Aesthetic Reshaping of the Postpartum Patient. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015;136(2):245-257. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000001410
Lonie S, Sachs R, Shen A, Hunter-Smith DJ, Rozen WM, Seifman M. A systematic review of patient reported outcome measures for women with macromastia who have undergone breast reduction surgery. Gland Surgery. 2019;8(4):431-440. doi:https://doi.org/10.21037/gs.2019.03.08
