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Mommy Makeover

Having children can be one of life’s greatest blessings, but the unwanted body changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding can be difficult to reverse with even the most rigorous dieting and exercise regimens. A Mommy Makeover is a combination of surgical procedures designed to reshape the areas commonly affected by pregnancy, ultimately helping women reclaim their pre-baby body. Dr. Garlick is an aesthetic fellowship-trained plastic surgeon who specializes in modernized Mommy Makeovers to help restore your confidence as much as your pre-pregnancy contours.

What Can I Improve With a Mommy Makeover?

A Mommy Makeover is designed to achieve comprehensive, whole-body enhancements rather than focusing solely on one area of concern. In turn, Mommy Makeovers tend to be very transformative. These procedures can meticulously correct unfavorable changes in the breasts and body that cannot be addressed with exercise and non-surgical treatments, such as hanging skin and separated musculature. As a result, a Mommy Makeover can help you look (and feel) like a younger version of yourself.

When you’re under the care of a well-qualified plastic surgeon, a Mommy Makeover can generally improve:

  • Stretched, flat, or elongated breasts that have lost shape due to aging, menopause, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight fluctuations
  • Separated or weakened internal muscles, which often result from pregnancy and can cause the stomach to bulge outward
  • A buildup of excess fat around the upper arms, hips, abs, thighs, or other regions of the body
  • Elongated or stretched labial tissue causing discomfort

Your Mommy Makeover can also include treatment options like an arm lift or thigh lift, as well as other cosmetic procedures depending on the nature of your individual concerns. The entire surgical plan is customized to achieve your goals, and Dr. Garlick will be there to help you develop the most optimal series of procedures based on your needs.

Is a Mommy Makeover Right for Me?

In general, a Mommy Makeover can benefit patients who: 

  • Want to address more than one aesthetic concern in the breasts and/or body
  • Wish to restore their pre-pregnancy figure
  • Want to undo the physical changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding

During a personal consultation, Dr. Garlick will ask you about your goals and evaluate your area(s) of concern. If he determines that a Mommy Makeover is the best choice to attain your desired results, you will work together to develop a Mommy Makeover surgical plan according to your needs.

“I had the best experience with Dr. Garlick, He is an amazing doctor! I couldn’t be more happier or more confident with my body thanks to dr. Garlick. His bedside manners are top notch! ”

Alicia N.

What are My Mommy Makeover Treatment Options?

The procedures which are commonly incorporated into a Mommy Makeover are usually a combination of breast procedures, tummy tuck, liposuction, and labiaplasty. The specific procedures making up your Mommy Makeover surgery are chosen based on your concerns and the results you hope to achieve. Based on your health, preferences, and the overall complexity of the desired procedures, your Mommy Makeover may be performed in one surgery or completed in stages. While the procedures listed below include the most popular treatments in a Mommy Makeover, patients are not limited to these options and may incorporate alternative or non-surgical procedures as well. 

Breast Augmentation and/or Breast Lift

Most women are aware of the ways in which the breasts change shape after pregnancy, nursing, or the natural effects of aging. Lost volume and sagging are commonly experienced, sometimes leaving the breasts looking flat, stretched, or elongated with the nipples pointing downward. Breast augmentation and mastopexy are extremely popular options to rejuvenate the bust and restore filler, lifted, and younger-looking breast contours. These procedures can be performed separately, or implants can be placed at the same time as your breast lift to maximize results.

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Breast Reduction

While most women may lose volume in their breasts following childbirth and breastfeeding, some women may maintain large breasts. This can lead to further sagging, which may also contribute to back pain associated with the weight of the breasts. Breast reduction surgery is a popular surgery for these women to help reduce the size of the breasts, along with lifting the breasts and nipples to a more rejuvenated appearance.

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Tummy Tuck

The abdomen often undergoes the most dramatic changes after having children. Concerns experienced after giving birth commonly include stretched, separated abdominal musculature, a loss of skin elasticity resulting in excess hanging tissue, and pockets of localized fat buildup. A tummy tuck can correct all of these issues and help you reclaim a flatter, smoother, and shaped abdomen.

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Liposuction

Liposuction is often among the least invasive procedures included in a Mommy Makeover. Accumulation of excess fat in the abdomen and flanks, thighs, or submental area (neck) is very common during pregnancy. Using advanced technology designed to minimize discomfort and recovery time, liposuction can remove stubborn fat from virtually any region of the body.
 

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Labiaplasty

If stretched labial tissue is causing you pain, or if you simply feel self-conscious about the appearance of your intimate areas, labiaplasty can be an effective treatment to trim and recontour the labia. This vaginal rejuvenation option can help alleviate pain during intercourse, reduce discomfort caused by twisting, pinching, and tugging, or provide a more symmetrical and youthful look.

How is the Mommy Makeover Procedure Performed?

Each Mommy Makeover is unique, and no two patients have the exact same treatment plan. With that in mind, the nature of the Mommy Makeover procedure often varies from person to person. It’s not uncommon to undergo a Mommy Makeover in multiple stages depending on how many procedures are chosen.

While this combination surgical plan can be performed on an outpatient basis, an overnight stay may be required if more invasive or extensive cosmetic surgeries are incorporated into your Mommy Makeover. Dr. Garlick will listen to your goals and hopes for the outcome to tailor your Mommy Makeover accordingly. In many cases, a Mommy Makeover includes some combination of breast surgery, a tummy tuck, and liposuction. For patients who opt to improve their torso with liposuction, Dr. Garlick employs cutting-edge techniques such as 360 Lipo to circumferentially resculpt the waist, hips, abdomen, and back. He also performs high-definition construction of the waistline, front, back, and hips to achieve the highest caliber of results. All incisions are placed in inconspicuous locations whenever possible, allowing the possibility of minimized post-operative scarring.

What Can I Expect During the Recovery Period After a Mommy Makeover?

Since a Mommy Makeover is custom-designed for each person, the exact details of the recovery period differ from patient to patient. In most cases, you can expect to return to work two to three weeks after surgery depending on the procedures that make up your treatment plan. It’s often recommended to enlist help with childcare, household responsibilities, errands, pick-ups and drop-offs, etc. to allow yourself plenty of time to heal from your Mommy Makeover in those early weeks. Swelling, mild bruising, and general discomfort are expected, but usually managed well with over-the-counter pain medications. Dr. Garlick uses a special long acting pain medication during the tummy tuck surgery which he injects along your muscle repair. This helps greatly in reducing the amount of pain medication you need post operatively, therefore making you more comfortable in that early post-operative period. Additional information about activity restrictions, incision care, your anticipated recovery timeline, and other post-operative instructions will be provided and discussed at length before your procedure so you can prepare adequately for everything.

 

Mommy Makeover Recovery Tips

  • Dedicate a specific room in your home to your recovery, where you can rest and heal without disruption.
  • Since you may be prohibited from lifting your arms during the initial healing period, arrange for help around the house to assist with cleaning, cooking, groceries, and general home maintenance.
  • Prepare your meals ahead of time by meal planning. Focus on high-protein and low-fat foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, zinc, and other nutrients.
  • Arrange for child supervision, pick-ups and drop-offs, and other forms of childcare assistance so you can focus on resting after your procedures.
  • Once you feel strong enough, start to move around and lightly ambulate to promote blood flow. This can include walking around the house, going on short walks, standing, etc.
  • Do not smoke, drink, or consume tobacco products during the recovery period, as these factors can disrupt healing and increase the risk of complications.

 

What Should I Expect From My Mommy Makeover Scars?

The shape and size of your scars will depend on which procedures were performed as part of your Mommy Makeover plan. A full tummy tuck typically requires the most scarring when compared to other body contouring procedures, often appearing very low on the pubis from hipbone to hipbone. This scar can be concealed beneath underwear or a swimsuit, allowing relatively inconspicuous results.
In contrast, scars from liposuction are known to be fairly imperceptible, as incisions are usually less than an inch long and placed in the natural folds of the body whenever possible. These scars can fade very well with good incision care during the healing process, especially if high-quality skin brightening products and scar fading creams are consistently applied over time.

Regarding breast surgery scars, the location of your incision will depend on the breast procedure(s) you opt to undergo and the extent of work necessary to achieve your goals. For example, patients receiving a breast lift to improve severe ptosis (sag) may require an anchor-shaped incision starting vertically from the areolas to the breast fold, and extending along the natural breast crease. On the other hand, patients with less sagging in their breasts may only require a single incision encircling the borders of the areolas. In either case, rest assured that Dr. Garlick will show you exactly where and how your post-surgical scars are likely to appear after evaluating your needs in a consultation.

How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?

The cost estimate for a Mommy Makeover will include the standard expenses associated with cosmetic surgery, such as the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia fee, lab fees,  and surgical facility fee, among other costs. While we cannot provide you with an accurate quote without assessing your individual needs in person, the price of a Mommy Makeover is also dependent on:

  • The types of procedures chosen
  • The surgical techniques utilized
  • Whether breast implants were utilized
  • The complexity of your Mommy Makeover

Dr. Garlick accepts plastic surgery financing through Mountain America Credit Union and PatientFi® for qualified patients. These reputable healthcare lenders can offer low- to no-interest financing for those seeking a more affordable way to pay for their cosmetic procedures. Don’t hesitate to call Dr. Garlick’s office for more information about the cost of a Mommy Makeover or our financing options. 

A Mommy Makeover is completely personalized to improve your unique concerns and tailored to make your desired curves a reality. Contact his office today to schedule your consultation or to speak with a friendly member of our team about a customized Mommy Makeover with Dr. Garlick.

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