Your life will never be the same after motherhood, but that doesn’t mean your body can’t be, either. Having children is an incredibly rewarding experience that transforms your life, but you might not have bargained for the surprising and permanent changes that your body undergoes in the process. Stretch marks, loose skin, deflated breasts and stubborn fat deposits are common concerns many women have after pregnancy, and it can be incredibly discouraging to think you may never look like you did before you had kids.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Not only is it more challenging to establish healthy habits with a newborn, but many of these problems won’t respond to even the most rigorous diets or fitness routines. If you’re struggling to regain your pre-baby body, however, you can look and feel like yourself again with a mommy makeover at WiserMD. A customized procedure designed to rejuvenate your body after giving birth, a mommy makeover addresses the areas most commonly affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding.

To learn how a mommy makeover can reduce costs and downtime while transforming your life with outstanding aesthetic results, contact WiserMD in Manhattan, New York, to schedule your consultation today.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is a uniquely personalized combination of surgical procedures that lift, shape and tone the areas of the body most commonly affected by pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Having children is an incredibly personal and unique experience for each woman, but the natural process often results in permanent changes to the body that can make it difficult to bounce back after giving birth. While a healthy lifestyle is a good start toward getting back in shape, certain problems like loose skin, deflated breasts and damaged abdominal muscles can’t be reversed through diet and exercise alone. A mommy makeover seeks to address these concerns and restore your pre-pregnancy body with a customized surgical plan tailored to your unique needs, helping you achieve the look you want and improve your confidence as you embark on this exciting new stage of your life.

Is a Mommy Makeover Right for Me?

Since a mommy makeover is a highly customized procedure, it can be tailored to the needs of most women wanting shapelier breasts, a flatter stomach and firmer, more youthful contours. Timing is important, however, and a mommy makeover is recommended for those who are done breastfeeding or having children. Future pregnancies can compromise or reverse the results of your procedure, so it’s best to wait until you’re done growing your family to address your aesthetic concerns. Dr. Wiser can help you determine if the timing is right for your mommy makeover during an initial consultation, but most doctors suggest waiting for at least six months after your last pregnancy before proceeding with treatment.

You should also be in good overall health before undergoing a surgical procedure, but especially a mommy makeover. Although diet and exercise aren’t enough to counter the effects of pregnancy, a healthy lifestyle will complement your results and ensure that they last as long as possible. Being in good health will also improve your recovery time so you can get back to your busy life sooner. Your personalized mommy makeover will vary depending on your needs and goals, but this procedure often addresses the following concerns:

• Loose, excess skin
• Weight gain
• Stubborn fat deposits
• Separation of abdominal muscles
• Loss of breast volume
• Stretch marks

What Procedures are Part of a Mommy Makeover?
At WiserMD, your mommy makeover is not a “one-size-fits-all” procedure — it is a customized surgical plan designed to meet your specific needs. Although some procedures are more often included as part of a mommy makeover package than others, there is no set formula and you can choose the components that will help you reach your aesthetic goals. Dr. Wiser and his team of experts will guide the development of a treatment plan during your consultation and recommend the best approach for achieving your goals. We want you to feel informed, confident and knowledgeable about your treatment options going into your preliminary appointment, so we’ve outlined the procedures that are commonly included as part of a mommy makeover below.

• Breast Augmentation — A woman’s breasts undergo a lot of changes in response to pregnancy and breastfeeding. A breast augmentation is a surgical procedure that will restore lost volume, correct a flat or droopy appearance and reshape the bust with implants for a perkier look. This procedure can also fix breast asymmetry or be combined with a breast lift to improve the shape, size and firmness of your breasts.
• Breast Lift / Reduction — Hormonal changes make breast tissue swell during pregnancy, and the change in size or shape can lead to stretched skin, volume loss and sagging that won’t improve as they return to normal. A breast lift addresses these concerns and improves the contours of your bust by lifting and tightening your breasts for a more youthful appearance. This procedure also repositions the nipple-areolar complex and can be used to reduce the size of your areola.
• Tummy Tuck — During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles stretch and separate to accommodate the development of a growing baby. This is a natural occurrence but can leave you with weakened stomach muscles, loose skin and an unsightly bulge in your midsection that doesn’t respond to diet or exercise. A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that retightens the stomach muscles and removes excess skin to help you regain your pre-baby contours. This procedure can also minimize the appearance of stretch marks and be combined with liposuction to sculpt a leaner waistline.
• Liposuction — Many women struggle to lose the baby weight after giving birth, especially in areas like the hips, thighs or stomach. Liposuction is an effective way to remove excess fat that has accumulated during pregnancy and get a head start in achieving your weight loss goals. Liposuction can eliminate stubborn fat almost anywhere on the body and is often used to treat the abdomen, legs, buttocks, flanks, lower back and even the chin.
• Thigh Lift — A thigh lift may also be considered as part of your mommy makeover, removing excess fat and skin from the legs to sculpt leaner, more shapely contours. A thigh lift can also reduce the visibility of stretch marks or cellulite that may emerge after pregnancy for a smoother, more pleasing appearance.
• Arm Lift — Losing the baby weight can leave you with loose, excess skin beneath the arms. Depending on the extent of your mommy makeover, an arm lift can also be considered as part of your procedure to eliminate flabby underarm skin that creates an unflattering “batwing” appearance.

Depending on your desired outcome, your mommy makeover will consist of a customized combination of these procedures designed to accomplish your aesthetic goals. Since each woman experiences the effects of pregnancy differently, even just one of these procedures may help you achieve the body you want. To develop a personalized treatment plan that’s right for you, a consultation and thorough evaluation with Dr. Wiser is needed before proceeding with your mommy makeover.

What to Expect During Your Mommy Makeover

Before your scheduled surgery, Dr. Wiser and his team will provide instructions to help you prepare for your procedure. This may include guidelines on taking medications, supplements or over-the-counter drugs, tobacco use, alcohol intake, arranging transportation and prepping a recovery space at home. Organizing childcare and help with household chores is also recommended so you can focus on healing after your surgery.

Dr. Wiser will discuss the details of your procedure during your preliminary appointments and address any concerns you may have before proceeding. Your exact mommy makeover experience will vary depending on your unique surgical plan, but this procedure is done under general anesthesia and may take several hours to complete. Mommy makeovers are an outpatient procedure, so you will be able to return home after your surgery to begin your recovery. You’ll be given detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery and Dr. Wiser will be available should you have any questions or concerns once you’re at home.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect?

A mommy makeover doesn’t just transform your body, but your life as well. With a high patient satisfaction rate, a mommy makeover can make you feel like yourself again and restore the confidence and self-esteem you once had. Because the mommy makeover is a highly-customized procedure, however, your results will be tailored to your unique needs and depend on the combination of surgeries performed as part of your package.

Some results, like the slimming effects of liposuction or abdominoplasty, will become more apparent as postoperative swelling subsides. If you received a breast augmentation, it may also take time for your new implants to settle before revealing the final shape and size of your breasts. Dr. Wiser uses advanced techniques to minimize scarring, but you may notice some lines in discreet areas that will continue to fade with time.

Once your final results have emerged, you can expect to enjoy improved contours, shapelier breasts and a flatter stomach for years to come. You can increase the longevity of your results by maintaining a healthy diet, staying in shape and avoiding future pregnancies. Weight gain, smoking, excessive alcohol use or too much sun exposure can diminish your results and accelerate the aging process, but committing yourself to a healthy lifestyle and treating your body well can promote a longer-lasting outcome.

Mommy Makeover Recovery

By combining multiple treatments into one, a mommy makeover reduces the amount of time you’ll spend in surgery and recovery compared to performing each procedure individually. Your recovery will vary depending on your unique surgical plan, but you should expect to experience some discomfort along with bruising, swelling and tightness in treated areas. These side effects are completely normal and will subside as your body begins to heal, but you will need plenty of rest in the weeks following your procedure.

During the initial recovery period, you may require surgical drains or compression garments to reduce swelling and medication to alleviate any pain or discomfort. You will also need to take time off from work or childcare to avoid any strenuous or demanding activities. In the first weeks after your procedure, certain movements like stretching, bending or lifting can disrupt the healing process and aggravate treated areas, so it’s recommended that you arrange for a friend or family member to assist you with daily tasks, household chores and other responsibilities to avoid exerting yourself too soon.