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What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy makeover consists of multiple procedures to enhance several areas at one time. The most popular areas to work on are the breasts and abdomen. These procedures can work to restore the body back to its pre-pregnancy state. The doctor chooses procedures that meet the goals of the patient and those that can be performed at the same time. Some of the procedures you can expect in a Mommy makeover in Texas include:
The patient may also choose to have cosmetic surgery at the same time as these procedures. The end result is a new look that makes the patient feel good about herself after all the changes from pregnancy and childbirth.
Mommy Makeover Procedures
When you decide you want to have the Mommy Makeover surgery in Houston, you’ll schedule a consultation with Dr. Lapuerta. He’ll discuss your goals and what changes you want to make. At this stage, you’ll decide which procedures you want to have to work on specific areas. He’ll also discuss recovery and what happens if you have a pregnancy after a tummy tuck or breast augmentation.
The Mommy Makeover will take several hours (between four and ten), depending on which procedures you are having done. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient setting. For the breast augmentation, the surgeon will insert breast implants in the size the patient requested. They may also perform a breast lift to help prevent sagging. If the stomach is still stretched out after pregnancy, a tummy tuck may be another procedure performed as part of the Mommy makeover.
During the procedure, the surgeon will remove excess skin and tighten the muscles of the abdominal wall to give you a flatter stomach and a more toned appearance. If there are areas of stubborn fat that won’t go away with exercise and diet, the surgeon may perform liposuction. Recovery time will depend on the surgeries performed, but it can take six to eight weeks. During that time, you may go back to work, but you’ll be limited on how much you can lift or any strenuous exercise.
Good Candidates for a Mommy Makeover in Houston
The best candidates for this surgery are women who cannot achieve their pre-pregnancy physique with diet and exercise alone. Simply put, they are not able to “fix” certain body parts. It is also recommended that patients undergoing mommy makeover surgery have completed their families and do not desire to add to their family in the future. While the surgery will not in any way limit a woman’s ability to become pregnant, have children, or their ability to breastfeed, the benefits of a mommy makeover will likely be lost if the patient becomes pregnant again.
If a candidate recently gave birth, she will be required to wait at least six months after the child is born or six months after she finishes breastfeeding before undergoing the procedure. A good candidate is one who meets the following requirements:
- She should be in good overall health
- She should not smoke – if she does, she should stop smoking for at least six weeks prior to the surgery to minimize complications from the surgery
- She should have realistic expectations of the surgery and the final results
- She should have a strong support system to assist her until she is able to take care of her daily routines
- She should be able to take off from work for at least two to three weeks
Breast Surgery in Mommy Makeovers
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly impact the breasts, leading to aesthetic concerns such as loss of volume, sagging, excess skin, and overly large breasts. Dr. Lapuerta offers several surgical options to address these issues:
- Breast Augmentation: Increases breast size using implants.
- Breast Lift: Lifts and reshapes sagging breasts.
- Combination Augmentation and Lift: Enhances size and lifts breasts.
- Breast Reduction: Reduces the size of large breasts.
For additional support, some patients may benefit from an internal bra, a soft tissue scaffold placed during surgery to support implants.
Abdomen Procedures in a Mommy Makeover
Pregnancy often alters the abdomen, causing excess fat, loose skin, stretch marks, and muscle separation. Dr. Lapuerta addresses these issues with:
- Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): Removes loose skin, tightens muscles, and addresses stretch marks.
- Liposuction: Removes stubborn fat deposits.
Dr. Lapuerta frequently combines these procedures for optimal results, often including liposuction of the flanks to enhance the feminine curvature. Additional liposuction may target common post-pregnancy problem areas like the thighs and hips.
During/After Mommy Makeover Surgery
All mommy makeovers are performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. Depending on the specific procedures recommended to achieve your cosmetic goals, surgery time will typically vary between four and ten hours. A typical mommy makeover surgery is approximately seven hours. The majority of these surgeries are same-day surgery done on an outpatient basis.
Dr. Lapuerta uses a form of local anesthesia that is injected into the patient’s abdominal surgery site that provides time-released numbing for three days after surgery. This technique greatly enhances the ability for a patient’s pain to be well controlled on oral pain medication and for them to enjoy the comfort of home for their recovery. Patients with complex medical problems or those having a significant amount of liposuction are recommended to have surgery in the hospital and stay overnight for observation.
Mommy Makeover Recovery
The full recovery time is typically six weeks, and returning to work depends on the nature of the patient’s work. Most women can expect to be able to return to work within two to three weeks. The results of the mommy makeover will be immediately appreciated. However, patients will notice a significant improvement in healing, scars, and swelling within six weeks and continue to improve with time with the final results generally being recognized within eight to 12 weeks.
Recovery time will vary based on which procedures are part of the Mommy makeover surgery. For instance, a breast augmentation will take up to two weeks of recovery time. During that time, you will be limited on which activities you can enjoy and how much weight you can lift. You won’t be able to sleep on your stomach for the first few weeks. The doctor will also recommend that you wear compression garments to aid with recovery.
You can expect swelling and bruising in the areas being treated during surgery. As such, you may have some discomfort that can be alleviated with pain medication. You should plan to take off from work for at least two to three weeks while you recover.
While a Mommy makeover recovery can be lengthier than that of a singular procedure, it still cuts down the total time compared to having each procedure done separately. Instead of separate surgeries with separate recovery times, everything is scheduled at once. You will need to follow up with your doctor to ensure the incision sites are healing and the swelling is subsiding correctly. While you will notice some results right away, it can take several months before you see the full results – once swelling and bruising have healed, your new body will be fully apparent.
Cost of Mommy Makeovers in Houston, TX
Mommy makeover procedures will vary in cost depending on how many procedures are combined. The price can range from $7,000 to $28,000. A typical mommy makeover including breast surgery, tummy tuck, and liposuction averages $15,000.
In order to get an accurate quote for the cost of a mommy makeover in Houston, it is essential to meet with Dr. Lapuerta for a consultation. He will collaborate with the patient to determine which surgical procedures are needed to recapture her pre-pregnancy body, and then provide an accurate quote for the total cost.
Mommy Makeover by Triple Board Certified Houston Surgeon
If you’re ready to get a new body or regain the one you had previously, you only want to trust your surgery to a reputable, experienced Houston plastic surgeon. Dr. Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed thousands of these procedures on women. As a skilled surgeon, he takes the time to find out your unique goals for a Mommy Makeover to help you achieve the results you want.
Dr. Lapuerta has skillfully performed countless procedures to help women look and feel their best. He will answer your questions and put your mind at ease about what to expect both during recovery and with the final results.
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let Dr. Lapuerta and the team help you look and feel your best with our Mommy makeover that is customized just for you.