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Mommy Makeover

Key Takeaways

  • Treatment Overview: A Mommy Makeover is a fully customized combination of procedures designed to reverse the physical changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding, targeting areas of the body that diet and exercise alone cannot adequately restore. The most common procedures included are breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, and labiaplasty, though the specific treatment plan is tailored entirely to each patient’s unique concerns and goals.
  • Benefits: A Mommy Makeover addresses a wide range of post-pregnancy concerns in a single, comprehensive surgical plan, including sagging or deflated breasts, separated abdominal muscles, excess skin laxity, and stubborn fat deposits in the hips, flanks, abdomen, and thighs.
  • Candidates: The best candidates are women who want to address more than one aesthetic concern in the breasts or body and wish to restore their pre-pregnancy figure after childbirth and breastfeeding. Ideal candidates should be in good overall health, maintain a stable weight, and have realistic expectations for the final results.
  • Procedure Details: Each Mommy Makeover is uniquely designed and may be performed in a single outpatient surgery or completed in stages depending on the number and complexity of procedures involved. Surgery lasts anywhere from one to five hours under general anesthesia. Dr. Garlick employs advanced techniques such as 360 Lipo for circumferential waist and hip resculpting, high-definition waistline contouring, and cutting-edge Quantum RF skin tightening technology, which is available to only a select few Total Definer-trained plastic surgeons.
  • Recovery: Patients can generally expect to return to work within two to three weeks, with swelling, mild bruising, and general discomfort in the early weeks manageable through over-the-counter pain medications and a special long-acting pain medication Dr. Garlick administers during surgery to reduce post-operative discomfort. Arranging help with childcare, household responsibilities, and meal preparation ahead of time is strongly recommended, and patients are advised to avoid smoking, alcohol, and tobacco throughout the healing period to minimize complications.
  • Surgeon Expertise: Dr. Garlick’s exceptional level of training in high-definition body contouring and his signature tummy tuck achieve meticulously refined Mommy Makeover results. Not only is he a Total Definer-trained plastic surgeon with unmatched expertise in Quantum RF non-surgical skin tightening, but his advanced approach to abdominoplasty prioritizes drainless techniques, “bikini-ready” belly button reconstruction, and 360 degree circumferential body sculpting.

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.

Key Concerns After Pregnancy

After having children, women often experience a range of physical changes that may not fully resolve over time. It is not uncommon for these concerns to be resistant to dieting and exercise, often creating frustration for patients and new mothers who cannot bring their desired figure to fruition. The most prominent aesthetic concerns after pregnancy include:

  • Separated and/or weakened abdominal muscles: Pregnancy and having children tend to weaken the underlying abdominal musculature, causing separation of these muscles — a condition known as diastasis recti. As the abdominal wall stretches to accommodate a growing baby, the muscles often remain separated. This may weaken the core or lead to a persistent bulging of the midsection.
  • Loss of breast shape and volume: Changes in the breasts are frequent after pregnancy and breastfeeding. The natural stretching of breast tissue combined with shifts in volume can result in a noticeable loss of shape, fullness, and projection, often leaving “deflated” or sagging contours.
  • Increased skin laxity: The development of loose, inelastic skin can be another challenge after having children, as skin in the abdomen and breasts may lose elasticity after being stretched. Unfortunately, sagging skin or excess tissue does not tighten or contract on its own.
  • Stubborn fat buildup: Many women also notice areas of localized fat buildup in the hips, flanks, abdomen, thighs, and upper arms. These pockets of fat can be resistant to regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle, contributing to an overall imbalance in body contour.

These post-pregnancy changes can significantly affect confidence, as well as satisfaction in a patient’s self-image. This leads many to consider advanced surgical solutions like a Mommy Makeover to restore a more youthful and balanced figure.

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.

Skin Tightening with Quantum RF by InMode®

Under the care of Dr. Garlick, your Mommy Makeover results can be more transformative than ever by complementing your treatment plan with Quantum RF — a minimally invasive and cutting-edge body sculpting tool designed to resculpt the areas of treatment. Whether performed alone or in conjunction with a Mommy Makeover, Quantum can give you a sleeker, smoother, and more defined contour in regions of the face or body affected by skin laxity. Best of all, this powerful skin tightening technology is designed to avoid excessive downtime and can be performed with minimal interruption to your daily routine.

As a state-of-the-art Internal Bipolar Radiofrequency Probe, Quantum is exclusively available to only a select few aesthetic plastic surgeons trained in Total Definer, an elite aesthetic body sculpting program. Dr. Garlick is among only a handful of Total Definer-trained plastic surgeons, making him uniquely qualified to achieve the highest caliber of Mommy Makeover results.

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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.

 

How Long Do Mommy Makeover Results Last?

The results of a Mommy Makeover are designed to be long-lasting, but several factors influence the longevity of a patient’s renewed contours. In general, the improvements achieved through surgery can be considered permanent in the sense that tightened abdominal muscles and excised skin will not return. Similarly, fat cells removed through liposuction will not regenerate in treated areas. However, the natural aging process continues and the body will still undergo gradual changes over time.

Those who maintain a stable weight and adhere to a healthy lifestyle — marked by balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and proper hydration — tend to enjoy their results for many years. Avoiding significant weight fluctuations is especially important, as weight gain and future pregnancies can stretch out the abdominal muscles and skin once again, compromising the surgical outcome. Improvements in the breasts can also remain long-lasting, but they may evolve over time due to aging, hormonal shifts, menopause, and gravity.

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.

Is a Non-Surgical Mommy Makeover Possible?

The components of a Mommy Makeover are typically surgical procedures. Since a Mommy Makeover is designed to restore your pre-baby body with long-term results, non-surgical treatments cannot achieve the same results as a surgical Mommy Makeover plan. Only cosmetic procedures have the ability to address stretched tissue and loose, excess skin.

If you’re interested in facial rejuvenation but prefer to avoid surgery, Dr. Garlick and our team can speak with you about what you wish to improve and put together a non-surgical treatment plan to achieve your goals. Our Salt Lake City-area practice offers treatment with fillers and cosmetic injectables to replenish facial volume, reduce wrinkles, and improve an aged or exhausted look. With the many stressors of parenthood, non-surgical treatments can help restore a more energetic and youthful glow after having children.

Are There Any Mommy Makeover Alternatives?

A Mommy Makeover is typically performed for women who want to reverse the changes caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding, but it’s not the only combination treatment plan available for Utah patients.

Remove Excess Skin with a Body Lift

If you’ve lost weight and you’re now left with excess skin around the face and body, a body lift can help. Customized for each patient, a body lift is designed to recontour areas of the body affected by loose, stretched skin. Each body lift is tailored for each patient, giving individuals a truly personalized experience. This can not only give you a smoother, more defined contour after weight loss, but skin tightening procedures like an arm lift, thigh lift, tummy tuck, or breast lift can also alleviate chafing and irritation caused by hanging tissue rubbing together. By incorporating these procedures into the same treatment plan, patients can often achieve their goals with less expenses and recovery time than pursuing each surgery separately.

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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