What Is a Mommy Makeover and What Procedures Does It Include?
QUICK ANSWER
A mommy makeover is a personalized combination of surgical procedures — most commonly a breast lift or augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction — performed in a single operative session to restore the body after pregnancy. At Evolve Your Life in Chicago, each plan is customized to the individual patient’s anatomy and goals.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is not a fixed package — it is a customized surgical plan that addresses multiple areas of the body changed by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. By combining procedures in one operation, patients experience a single anesthesia event and a single recovery period, rather than multiple surgeries spaced months apart.
Dr. Amir Dorafshar, a board-certified plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgeon at Evolve Your Life in Chicago, individualizes every mommy makeover based on the patient’s anatomy, goals, and overall health. No two plans are identical.
Which Procedures Are Typically Included in a Mommy Makeover?
Breast Augmentation or Breast Lift — or Both
Pregnancy and breastfeeding reduce breast volume and stretch the overlying skin. A breast augmentation restores fullness using silicone or saline implants or autologous fat transfer. A breast lift (mastopexy) removes excess skin and raises the nipple-areola complex to a more youthful position. Many patients benefit from a combined augmentation-mastopexy.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
Pregnancy commonly separates the rectus abdominis muscles — a condition called diastasis recti — and leaves loose, inelastic skin over the abdomen. A tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall, removes excess skin below the navel, and repositions the navel for a flat, smooth midsection. Exercise alone cannot correct diastasis recti; surgery is the only reliable solution.
Liposuction
Liposuction targets stubborn fat deposits that persist despite diet and exercise. In a mommy makeover context, it is most commonly applied to the flanks, hips, lower back, and outer thighs to complement and proportion the results of the tummy tuck and breast procedures.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
The ideal mommy makeover candidate is a woman who has completed her family, is in good overall health, is within approximately 15 to 20 pounds of her goal weight, is a non-smoker (or can stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery), and has realistic expectations about outcomes. Most surgeons recommend waiting at least six months after finishing breastfeeding before undergoing surgery.
What Does Mommy Makeover Recovery Look Like?
- Weeks 1–2: Rest is essential. Compression garments are worn. Light walking is encouraged to reduce clot risk.
- Weeks 3–4: Most patients return to desk work. No lifting, straining, or strenuous activity.
- Weeks 6–8: Full activity, including exercise, is typically resumed.
- Months 3–6: Swelling fully resolves and final results become visible.
Dr. Dorafshar checks in personally with patients throughout the recovery process. The Evolve Your Life team is available for any questions between appointments.
How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost in Chicago?
Mommy makeover pricing varies based on the combination of procedures, anesthesia, and facility fees. Evolve Your Life offers financing through Cherry, CareCredit and PatientFi, with plans from 3 to 60 months and interest-free options for qualifying patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a mommy makeover surgery take?
Depending on the number and complexity of procedures included, a mommy makeover typically takes three to six hours and is performed under general anesthesia.
Is a mommy makeover safe when combining multiple procedures?
When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility, combining procedures is considered safe. Dr. Dorafshar carefully evaluates each patient’s candidacy and limits operative time to a safe range.
Can I have a mommy makeover if I plan to have more children?
It is strongly recommended to complete your family before undergoing a mommy makeover, as future pregnancies can significantly alter surgical results. The procedure is not medically unsafe before more pregnancies, but the outcomes are best preserved when no future pregnancies are planned.
Will a tummy tuck remove my C-section scar?
In many cases, yes. The tummy tuck incision is typically placed low on the abdomen and may incorporate or remove a C-section scar, depending on its location.
Does a mommy makeover include a labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty can be added to a mommy makeover plan for patients who are also experiencing changes to the labia after childbirth. Dr. Dorafshar will discuss all areas of concern during the consultation.
NEXT STEP FOR PATIENTS
Schedule a tummy tuck consultation with Dr. Amir Dorafshar at any of the Evolve Your Life locations, Chicago, Oak Brook, and Peoria. Call (312) 278-9000, or book here https://www.evolveyourlife.com/contact/book-consultation/.
