Mommy Makeover
The Mommy Makeover has become an exceedingly popular procedure which consists of integrated cosmetic procedures created to restore the patient back to her pre-pregnancy appearance. The most common procedures I perform in mommy makeovers combine breast and abdominal procedures, For example:
Depending on what your particular needs are, I will customize a treatment plan to best fit your individual needs and desires. For example, a patient who is looking to increase the shape and size of their breasts will typically need a breast augmentation. Commonly, a breast lift is also necessary for restoring a patient’s breasts to their original state by removing excess sagging skin, and reconstructing stretched areolas and drooping nipples.
Additionally, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), will help correct a flabby abdomen due to poor elasticity, excess skin, stretching, and fat. The procedure involves removing excess skin and fat, tightening the fascia (connective tissue over the muscle), and removing stretch marks. In some cases, I will perform VASER-assisted liposuction (lipoplasty) to complement the tummy tuck procedure. Areas commonly addressed include the hips, medial thighs, and flanks.
Mommy Makeover Benefits
The beauty of a mommy makeover lies in its ability to dramatically improve multiple post-pregnancy concerns in one holistic approach, providing major advantages over treating each area separately.
Address Multiple Concerns at Once
Pregnancy affects your body in complex and often unpredictable ways. Your breasts may lose volume and sag, your abdomen might have excess skin and separated muscles, and stubborn fat deposits tend to settle in areas like the flanks and thighs. A mommy makeover tackles these interconnected concerns in one effort, which allows for a much more unified result that looks and feels natural. When Dr. Vallecillos performs your breast lift alongside your tummy tuck and liposuction, he can sculpt your entire silhouette with an eye on overall balance and proportion.
Long-Lasting, Stable Results
Once you’re finished having children and your weight has stabilized, mommy makeover results can last for many years. While your body will continue to age naturally, the improvements you gain from surgery remain stable when well-maintained. The excess skin removed won’t return, the muscle repair will hold barring any future injuries, and the fat cells removed through liposuction won’t regenerate. All of this success depends on your ability to maintain a stable weight and follow sound skincare and general wellness practices.
Customized to Your Specific Needs
No two pregnancies affect the body in exactly the same way, which is why a mommy makeover at the office of Dr. Vallecillos is anything but a one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Vallecillos evaluates your specific concerns, your aesthetic goals, and your overall health to create a personalized surgical plan that makes sense for you. Some patients need minimal breast work but extensive body contouring, while others require the opposite. This customized approach means you’re never paying for procedures you don’t need or missing out on treatments that would benefit you.
How Your Custom Treatment Plan Is Created at GVMD
The beauty of a mommy makeover lies in its ability to dramatically improve multiple post-pregnancy concerns in one holistic approach, providing major advantages over treating each area separately.
Comprehensive Initial Consultation
Your consultation begins with an in-depth conversation about your questions, concerns and expectations of treatment. Dr. Vallecillos wants to understand what bothers you most about your post-pregnancy body, what you hope to achieve, and what your lifestyle looks like. Are you self-conscious about deflated breasts, loose abdominal skin, or stubborn fat deposits? Do you want subtle refinement or more dramatic changes? These discussions help shape your treatment approach.
Detailed Physical Assessment
During the examination portion of the planning process, Dr. Vallecillos carefully assesses multiple factors that influence your surgical plan. He assesses your breast volume, position, and degree of ptosis (sagging). He examines your abdominal wall for muscle separation, skin elasticity, and the extent of loose tissue. He identifies areas where stubborn fat accumulation creates unwanted contours and evaluates your overall body proportions.
Your skin quality plays a major role in determining which procedures will benefit you most. Patients with good skin elasticity may achieve excellent results with less invasive approaches, while those with significant laxity might need more comprehensive tissue removal and tightening.
Building an Informed Approach
Based on the assessment, Dr. Vallecillos recommends specific procedures that address your concerns. If your breasts have lost significant volume, he might suggest augmentation with implants or fat transfer. If they've developed pronounced sagging, a breast lift may be the best course of action. Often, combining both procedures delivers the most satisfying results.
The same goes for your lower abdomen. Dr. Vallecillos will recommend a full tummy tuck, mini tummy tuck or liposuction as indicated by the skin laxity in the area and other factors.
Balancing Safety with Aesthetic Goals
While you might want to address every concern at once, safety is always the top priority. Dr. Vallecillos considers the total surgical time, your overall health status, and the complexity of combining multiple procedures. In some cases, he may recommend staging your surgeries to maintain the highest safety standards while still achieving dramatic results.
Procedure Walk-Through
Preparation
Begin preparing for your procedure at least two weeks ahead of time, especially if you take blood thinning medications or smoke. Blood thinning medications include NSAIDs like aspirin and Ibuprofen as well as certain vitamins and supplements like Gingko biloba. Before surgery, achieve your target weight and maintain it for at least two months. Exercise at least 30 minutes each day, and follow a healthy diet with reduced alcohol intake (two or three drinks per week). Prepare for your recovery time. This includes someone to take you to and from surgery, someone to stay with you the first night or two, and childcare for at least two weeks following surgery if you have children under the age of five. Housework and driving are also strictly forbidden during this time, so make appropriate arrangements well before your surgery, including backup care in the event you require it.
Anesthesia
This varies depending on which procedures you choose. Discuss your anesthesia options with me during your preoperative consultation, including general, local, and sedation.
Preoperative Consult
I use this time to discuss the procedures you chose, and your desired outcomes, and ensure that your goals are realistic. I also ask a variety of medical questions; honest answers are vital to ensure a successful outcome. This includes information on your medical history, allergies, previous surgeries, and recreational drug and alcohol use.
Additionally, my staff will provide detailed pre-and post-operative instructions. Follow these exactly to ensure optimum results.
Recovery and Downtime
Acute Recovery
As you might expect, the first week after surgery requires the most intensive care and rest. This initial phase of the recovery process is associated with the most discomfort, which will peak within two to three days. Taking pain medications as advised will make a major difference in your comfort. Make sure to arrange transportation ahead of time, and if you have surgical drains in place, care for them exactly as instructed to avoid any complications.
Steady Improvement
By week two, most patients note a significant improvement in comfort. You will likely feel ready to return to light activities during this second phase, and patients with physically non-demanding jobs may be able to return to work. Lifting heavy objects (including children) and more demanding chores are still heavily limited or restricted during this time. Make sure to continue wearing compression garments as advised.
Returning to Normal Activity
Around the six-week mark, most restrictions are lifted. You can gradually resume exercise, starting with low-impact activities and slowly progressing to more intense workouts. Dr. Vallecillos will provide specific guidance on when you can safely return to activities like running, weight training, or high-intensity interval training. Swelling continues to decrease during this time, revealing more of your final results.
Long-Term Recovery and Final Results
While you’ll look and feel significantly better after eight weeks, subtle improvements continue for several months. Residual swelling gradually resolves, incision lines fade, and your tissues fully settle into their new position. Most patients see their final results around the six-month mark.
Why Choose Dr. Vallecillos for Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover typically combines breast, abdominal and body contouring procedures, so it calls for a surgeon with expertise in each. Dr. Vallecillos has served as a clinical investigator for breast implant manufacturer Mentor Corporation. He also pioneered a high-definition contouring technique that pairs VASER lipoplasty with BodyTite skin tightening.
He plans your procedures as a single, cohesive result and times each element around your recovery, your family and your schedule. Book a consultation to receive a clear, personalized plan built around your life after pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
Who is a candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
If pregnancy negatively affected your appearance, and diet and exercise have not worked to restore it, you may consider undergoing this procedure. Common complaints are sagging, uneven breasts; loose skin and stretch marks in the abdomen; and an undefined waistline.
How long does it take to heal after a Mommy Makeover?
How long does it take to heal after a Mommy Makeover?
Recovery time for multiple procedures occurs simultaneously, one of the benefits of the Mommy Makeover. I will discuss the details of your particular recovery time thoroughly during the consultation.
Pain is most significant during the first few days, especially after a tummy tuck. You will receive a prescription to manage pain. In five to seven days, pain lessens considerably. You should also have a follow-up visit around this time, at which time your drainage tubes are removed. By the end of the week, you should be able to walk around the house frequently, but you may not drive.
Within two weeks, you feel much better and may resume some of your normal activities, including childcare. However, you may not lift heavy weights (including your children), or engage in strenuous exercise for the full six-week recovery time.
Remember, you require a great deal of help during the first two weeks, both with caring for your child or children, and in performing housework.
Are there risks or side effects associated with a Mommy Makeover?
Are there risks or side effects associated with a Mommy Makeover?
Follow postoperative instructions exactly to reduce risks and aid healing, such as safe activity levels and wearing of compression garments. Risks and complications are minimal with these procedures, but all surgeries pose certain risks. These include bruising, swelling, allergic reactions, and scarring.
How long do mommy makeover results last?
How long do mommy makeover results last?
As long as you do not undergo further pregnancies, mommy makeover results should be permanent. However, normal aging and its signs occur. Breast implants, though, are not permanent, and need to be replaced every ten years.
How much weight do you lose with a mommy makeover?
How much weight do you lose with a mommy makeover?
The typical amount of weight lost with a mommy makeover depends on several factors, including your starting weight and what specific procedures you are undergoing. If you are having a tummy tuck without liposuction as a part of your mommy makeover, you can anticipate losing anywhere in the range from 1 to 5 pounds. Patients who also undergo liposuction with a mommy makeover may lose anywhere from 1 to 11 pounds, on average.