What Is a Mommy Makeover? Breaking Down the Procedure Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery

Pregnancy changes you in ways that are miraculous and, sometimes, frustrating. Today, many women are not afraid to admit that they love their children, but they wish their bodies looked like they did before their pregnancies. Many also recognize that they may need help beyond a healthy diet and exercise.

A mommy makeover is a personalized combination of surgical procedures designed to restore your pre-baby body. Although each person's treatment plan is unique, mommy makeovers typically focus on the breasts and abdomen, as these are the areas most impacted by pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

This guide will help you understand what goes into a mommy makeover and which procedures you may consider including in yours.

Breast Procedures

Pregnancy and nursing affect women's breasts in different ways. Some women lose volume and find their breasts look deflated or empty. Others have the opposite problem — their breasts grow during pregnancy and never shrink back to their original size. Many women are left with sagging breast tissue due to lost elasticity.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation uses implants or fat transfer to restore volume and shape. The Bengtson Center offers VECTRA® 3D imaging so you can see a simulation of your results before surgery. You'll be able to visualize different implant sizes and profiles on your own body, so you're not left guessing about how your results might look.

A breast augmentation may be right for you if:

• Your breasts are noticeably smaller than they were before motherhood
• Your breasts are asymmetrical
• You don't fill out bras, swimsuits or clothing the way you used to
• You want to restore fullness without necessarily changing their position on your chest

BCAPS is also one of the first practices in the region to offer Motiva® implants. Our board-certified plastic surgeons — Dr. Brad Bengtson, Dr. David Alfonso, and Dr. Narges Horriat — stay informed of the latest developments in the industry to ensure their patients have access to the safest, most innovative technologies and techniques.

Breast Lift

A breast lift (mastopexy) restores the breasts to a more youthful position on the chest. This is accomplished through a combination of removing stretched skin, reshaping the underlying tissue and adjusting the nipple-areola complex to a more aesthetically pleasing position.

A breast lift may be right for you if:

• You have loose, excess skin on your breasts
• Your breasts have descended and lost firmness
• Your nipples point downward or sit below your breast crease
• You're generally happy with your breast size but not their position

Many women experience sagging and volume loss after pregnancy. Our surgeons frequently combine a breast lift with augmentation to address these issues at the same time.

Breast Reduction

Breasts don't always return to their pre-pregnancy size. For some women, they stay larger, and that extra volume creates physical and emotional discomfort. Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to create lighter, more proportionate breasts.

A breast reduction may be right for you if:

• You experience chronic back, shoulder or neck pain
• Physical activity feels limited by your breast size
• You struggle to find clothing that fits and flatters your shape
• You are mentally, emotionally or socially impacted by the size of your breasts

Some reduction techniques offer a lifting effect. Others may require a separate breast lift procedure if there is significant sagging present.

Body Procedures

All of us know the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, but some post-pregnancy changes simply don't respond to clean eating and consistent workouts. This isn't a failure of willpower. It's biology. The body procedures offered with a mommy makeover can address these concerns effectively, with long-lasting results.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A tummy tuck improves three common post-pregnancy issues: separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), loose or hanging skin, and stubborn fat in the midsection. This rejuvenates the abdominal area both aesthetically and functionally, leaving you with a firmer, flatter and more toned midsection.

A tummy tuck may be right for you if:

• Your abdominal muscles separated during pregnancy (diastasis recti)
• Your belly protrudes despite being at a healthy weight
• You have loose, hanging skin on your abdomen
• You have stubborn fat around your abdomen and waist
• You have stretch marks below your belly button

Dr. David Alfonso has developed specialized expertise in body contouring. He offers the drainless tummy tuck and extended tummy tuck techniques to patients who qualify. The drainless approach means there are no surgical drains to manage at home during recovery, which many patients find more convenient and comfortable. The extended tummy tuck addresses a larger area and is ideal for patients who need more comprehensive correction.

Liposuction

Liposuction removes localized fat deposits using a cannula and suction. It's not intended to help you lose weight, but rather to help people who have stubborn pockets of fat contour the specific areas that don't respond to their healthy habits. We offer traditional liposuction as well as laser-assisted liposuction.

Liposuction may be right for you if:

• Your abdomen, flanks, hips or thighs carry pregnancy weight that refuses to leave
• You have reached or gotten close to your ideal weight with diet and exercise
• You want enhanced body contouring alongside a tummy tuck
• Your skin has good elasticity, but excess fat is affecting your shape

Liposuction is frequently combined with a tummy tuck for complete abdominal rejuvenation. However, patients with good skin tone and no muscle separation, who are primarily concerned with excess fat, may achieve their goals with liposuction alone.

Additional Procedures Some Patients Choose to Include

Labiaplasty and Vaginal Rejuvenation

Vaginal delivery can change the appearance and function of the labia or the vaginal canal. Some women experience stretched or elongated labia, while others notice weakened pelvic floor muscles that lead to issues like bladder leakage.

Consider these procedures if:

• Your labia were stretched, torn or otherwise changed by childbirth
• You experience discomfort during physical activities or in certain clothing
• You feel self-conscious about changes to your vaginal area
• You experience urine leakage during exercise, sneezing or laughing

Labiaplasty surgically reshapes the labia for improved comfort and appearance. For pelvic floor concerns, nonsurgical options like THERMIva use heat energy to tighten the tissue within the vagina, improve lubrication and sensation, and address mild to moderate incontinence. Learn more about our vaginal rejuvenation options.

Design Your Custom Mommy Makeover Surgery in Grand Rapids

Bringing new life into the world is very rewarding, but it can also have a very significant impact on your body.

Dr. Bengtson, Dr. Alfonso and Dr. Horriat are passionate about helping moms regain their pre-pregnancy figure and rediscover what it means to feel confident in their skin. Explore our mommy makeover before and after gallery to see real patient results.

If you're ready to move forward, call 616-202-5640 or contact us online to schedule your consultation at the Bengtson Center for Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery.