What is a Mommy Makeover?
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao frequently works with women who wish to regain their pre-pregnancy silhouette. Although childbirth is a wonderful and miraculous moment for every mother, pregnancy never fails to leave behind its mark on the body, causing stretch marks and sagging skin. These physical effects can often leave one to feel frustrated, especially when diet and exercise can only help so much. The great news is that it's possible to reclaim a slimmer, smoother physique with a unique collection of procedures referred to as the mommy makeover.
This body contouring treatment uses a blend of skin tightening and fat reduction methods to target the stomach and breasts, as well as other areas affected by pregnancy — virtually any area affected by nursing, weight gain or loss, etc., can be addressed and improved. In addition, nonsurgical remedies can be employed to treat surface irregularities caused by the rapid fluctuation and stretching of the skin, tissue, and underlying muscles during pregnancy. If you're looking for a way to attain a tauter figure after experiencing the bodily changes that occur from pregnancy, contact Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ to schedule your one-on-one consultation.
What are the benefits of a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover at Rao Plastic Surgery is a collection of procedures that involve targeting and addressing areas that make you feel self-conscious. There are many reasons why women opt for this surgery, but the primary reason is that all treatments can be performed at the same time. For example, liposuction will remove stubborn fat tissue, while a breast lift can tighten and redefine the breasts. Benefits of a mommy makeover include:
- Because multiple procedures are performed at once, you can speed up time in recovery
- It's easier to schedule a time for surgery, as well as prepare for proper healing after the operation
- You can cut down on costs with a single anesthesia and facility fee, rather than paying separate fees for each operation
Mommy Makeover Reviews
Is A Mommy Makeover Right For You?
There's no way around it: pregnancy and breastfeeding often change the body in ways that are essentially irreversible through diet and exercise alone. The breasts can become stretched or deflated, the nipples may begin to point downward, and the abdomen often becomes lax and saggy. You could also have stubborn pockets of fat that remain even after you get back into your fitness routine. A mommy makeover surgical plan can improve the appearance of breasts that have begun to sag or lost their volume. It can also restore the breasts and nipples to a higher position. For the midsection, surgery can address three major causes of tummy pooch:
- Excess skin, which is addressed by removing it during an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck
- Excess fat, which is removed through liposuction
- Weakened abdominal muscles, which are improved by repairing the abdominal wall and suturing the muscles back together
Overall, a mommy makeover is designed to undo the adverse physical effects of motherhood in a single surgery. If you are at or near a weight you are comfortable maintaining and you are healthy enough to undergo surgery, the procedure is likely to be the best way to achieve the results you want. During your private consultation with Dr. Rao, he will be able to assess your candidacy and formulate a personalized treatment plan that meets your goals and addresses your unique concerns.
How does a Mommy Makeover work?
A mommy makeover is a body contouring treatment specially tailored for each patient by Dr. Rao based on your unique body, concerns, and surgical aims. Many procedures can be paired together for your surgical plan, the most common of which are liposuction of the flanks and lower back, breast lift surgery, breast implants, and tummy tuck. The mommy makeover surgeries are performed using general anesthesia, taking 3 – 7 hours, depending on the number of treatments. Your treatment plan might also include nonsurgical skin services, like injectables, to soften facial lines and reduce surface issues.
What Can I Expect after a Mommy Makeover?
After a recovery period, you will be discharged and sent home to heal. Dr. Rao will supply you with post-operative instructions to promote healthy, steady healing. Recovery is generally a gradual process. Moving around and walking straight will be hard the first week or so, and a step-by-step home healing protocol will be required to help the incisions and sutures mend properly. Most patients find the healing phase can take about six months.
Even though the primary recovery could take months, many women are able to return to a normal routine within a couple of weeks. You'll need to avoid any heavy lifting (including lifting your children) and any strenuous activity during that time so it's also wise to enlist the help of family and friends with things, such as prepping meals, doing chores around the house, and taking care of the kids. That said, while you will need to set aside any kind of physical activity that strains your body, you should keep moving as much as possible to prevent blood clots. Take short walks a few times a day, limiting yourself to short distances with readily available surfaces to lean on as you begin.
Mommy Makeover FAQ
What is the cost of a mommy makeover?
The average cost of mommy makeover surgery can vary, depending on what's included in your surgical plan. During your consultation, Dr. Rao will create your treatment plan before he can estimate your costs. A mommy makeover is an investment in reclaiming your body after pregnancy and childbirth so it's important to focus on getting amazing results rather than settling for cheaper care. Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery accepts many payment options, and we can help you find low-interest financing so your mommy makeover is easy to afford.
How do I decide what to include in my mommy makeover?
In your consultation with Dr. Rao, he will listen to your wants and needs before examining your body. After this, he can make recommendations on what should be a part of your treatment plan. Often, women desire breast surgery (augmentation and/or a lift) together with liposuction and a tummy tuck.
What about nonsurgical treatments?
Pregnancy and childbirth can take a toll on your body so nonsurgical treatments are usually not enough to provide significant improvements. During your consultation, Dr. Rao can go over both surgical and nonsurgical options. Based on your needs and goals, he will let you know if treatments, like CoolSculpting, are an option.
Will I have scars?
While a mommy makeover can provide women with a stunning new shape, it does come with some scarring. Dr. Rao will create clean, small incisions mostly in the natural folds of your body. Many scars that result from your procedure will be easily hidden with undergarments or swimsuits. As part of your recovery instructions, Dr. Rao will go over proper scar care so your sutures heal flat and eventually fade.
What if I get pregnant again?
Ideally, you should wait to have a mommy makeover until after all pregnancies have been completed so your surgical results are not compromised. Generally, any body part that has been lifted or tightened would be at risk for stretching out if a subsequent pregnancy were to occur. If you get pregnant after your mommy makeover, a second surgery can be performed to refresh your results.

Reshape Your Body
If you want to stop feeling aggravated with your body while trying to lose those remaining pounds, we invite you to contact Rao Plastic & Hand Surgery in Tucson, AZ to learn more about the mommy makeover procedure. Deflated breasts, excess skin, and other skin irregularities can be fixed with a customized surgical plan that meets your goals and exceeds your expectations. During the consultation process, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Arun Rao will address your concerns and aesthetic goals and create a tailored surgical plan to address each area of concern. Utilizing the latest medical breakthroughs and his immense technical talent, it's possible to achieve the figure you want even after pregnancy.