A mommy makeover isn’t one specific surgery; it’s a customized combination of procedures, most commonly a tummy tuck, breast surgery (augmentation, lift, or both), and liposuction, performed together to address the physical changes pregnancy and breastfeeding leave behind. The exact combination is tailored to each patient’s anatomy and goals.
“Mommy makeover” is a term that covers a range of procedure combinations rather than a single fixed surgery, and understanding what’s typically included can help you have a more informed conversation with your surgeon about what your own makeover might look like.
The Core Combination Most Patients Choose
The name refers to the goal, not a fixed list of procedures.
The most common mommy makeover pairs a tummy tuck with some form of breast surgery, either augmentation, a lift, or a combination of the two. This pairing addresses the two areas most commonly affected by pregnancy: abdominal skin and muscle laxity and changes in breast volume, shape, or position.
Addressing the Abdomen
A tummy tuck is included in the vast majority of mommy makeovers because pregnancy frequently causes abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti) and loose skin that diet and exercise alone can’t correct. The procedure tightens the muscles, removes excess skin, and can dramatically flatten the abdominal profile.
Choosing the Right Breast Procedure
Breast changes after pregnancy and breastfeeding vary widely; some women experience volume loss and want augmentation, others experience sagging and need a lift, and many need both performed together for a fuller, more lifted result. Combining a lift with augmentation is a popular choice because it addresses shape and volume in a single procedure.
Adding Liposuction for Overall Contouring
Liposuction is frequently added to a mommy makeover to refine areas like the flanks, back, or thighs that didn’t fully respond to diet and exercise after pregnancy, helping create smoother, more proportionate contouring alongside the tummy tuck and breast work.
Other Procedures Sometimes Included
Depending on individual goals, some patients also incorporate an arm lift, thigh lift, or other body contouring procedures into their makeover, though these additions increase overall surgery and recovery time and are decided on a case-by-case basis.
How Your Combination Gets Determined
Because “mommy makeover” describes a goal rather than a fixed procedure list, your specific combination is determined during a thorough consultation where your surgeon evaluates your anatomy, discusses your priorities, and considers what can be safely combined into a single operation.
If you’re exploring what a mommy makeover could look like for you, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Siamak Agha can build a customized plan during a consultation in Newport Beach.
Ready to design your mommy makeover? Schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Siamak Agha at The One Plastic Surgery Center in Newport Beach to discuss your goals and options.
Results and candidacy vary by patient. A consultation is required to determine your individual suitability for any procedure discussed in this article.
FAQ
What procedures are usually included in a mommy makeover? Most commonly a tummy tuck combined with breast surgery (augmentation, lift, or both), often with liposuction added for additional contouring.
Is a mommy makeover one single surgery? Yes, the combined procedures are typically performed in a single operation, though the exact combination varies by patient and what can be safely done together.
Do I need both a breast lift and augmentation? It depends on your specific changes. Volume loss alone may only need augmentation, while sagging may need a lift, and many women need both for a fuller, more lifted result.
Can other procedures like an arm lift be added to a mommy makeover? Yes, some patients add procedures like an arm lift or thigh lift, though the addition increases overall surgery and recovery time and is decided individually.
How is my specific mommy makeover combination decided? Your surgeon determines it during a consultation by evaluating your anatomy, discussing your goals, and considering what can be safely combined into one procedure.
