# Mommy Makeover

> **Mommy Makeover** refers to an individualized combination of procedures that may address post-pregnancy changes, commonly including tummy tuck, breast surgery, and liposuction.

- Canonical page: https://doctormaresky.co.za/procedure/mommy-makeover
- Category: [Body Contouring](https://doctormaresky.co.za/procedure-category/body-contouring)
- Procedure directory: https://doctormaresky.co.za/procedures.md
- Medical disclaimer: https://doctormaresky.co.za/medical-disclaimer


## Overview

**Mommy Makeover** is an individualized combination of cosmetic procedures that may address post-pregnancy changes after childbearing and breastfeeding. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can affect abdominal skin, abdominal muscles, breast volume, breast position, and localized fat distribution.

**Common body changes after pregnancy**:
- **Abdominal**: Stretched skin, separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti), stubborn fat deposits
- **Breasts**: Loss of volume, sagging (ptosis), asymmetry, stretched skin
- **Body contours**: Fat deposits in hips, thighs, flanks resistant to diet and exercise
- **Skin**: Stretch marks, loose skin in multiple areas

**Typical Mommy Makeover Procedures**:

**Core Procedures** (most common):
- **Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)**: Removes excess abdominal skin and fat, tightens muscles
- **Breast Surgery**: Breast lift (mastopexy), breast augmentation, or breast reduction
- **Liposuction**: Removes stubborn fat from abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms

**Additional Procedures** (as needed):
- **Arm Lift (Brachioplasty)**: Removes excess arm skin
- **Thigh Lift**: Removes excess thigh skin
- **Labiaplasty**: Reshapes vaginal area if desired
- **Brazilian Butt Lift**: Fat transfer to buttocks for enhanced shape

**Dr Maresky** customizes each Mommy Makeover to address your specific concerns and goals. Combining procedures in one surgery reduces overall recovery time, cost, and anesthesia exposure compared to staging procedures separately.

**Important**: You should be **finished having children** and at a **stable weight** for at least **6 months** before considering a Mommy Makeover.

## The procedure

- **Duration:** **4-7 hours** depending on procedures included (longer than individual procedures due to combination)

- **Anaesthesia:** **General anesthesia** (required for combined procedures)

- **Location:** **Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital** - private hospital facility with overnight stay capability

### Procedure steps

- **Anesthesia**: You're given general anesthesia for comfort and safety
- **Positioning**: You're positioned appropriately for each procedure
- **Tummy Tuck**: Incision across lower abdomen, excess skin and fat removed, abdominal muscles tightened, belly button repositioned, incision closed
- **Breast Surgery**: Incisions made according to technique (lift, augmentation, or reduction), breast tissue reshaped, implants placed if desired, nipples repositioned if needed, incisions closed
- **Liposuction**: Small incisions made, tumescent solution injected, fat removed from targeted areas, incisions closed
- **Final assessment**: **Dr Maresky** evaluates symmetry and contours
- **Dressings**: Surgical dressings, drains (if needed), compression garments, and surgical bra applied
- **Recovery**: You're monitored in recovery room, typically overnight hospital stay

- **Technique:** **Dr Maresky** selects surgical techniques according to the procedures included, anatomy, and recovery plan:
- **Low transverse incision** for tummy tuck (hidden under underwear/bikini)
- **Minimal scarring techniques** for breast surgery
- **Tumescent and VASER liposuction** for precise fat removal
- **Layered closure** to support wound healing
- **Strategic drain placement** to minimize fluid accumulation

## Candidate information

- Women who have **completed childbearing** (not planning more pregnancies)
- At least **6 months post-delivery** (longer if breastfeeding)
- **Finished breastfeeding** for at least 3-6 months
- At or near **ideal body weight** (within 20 pounds)
- **Non-smokers** or willing to quit **6 weeks** before and after surgery
- In **good overall health** without serious medical conditions
- Have **realistic expectations** about results and recovery
- Able to arrange **childcare** and help during recovery
- Emotionally ready for significant surgery and recovery period
- Committed to **maintaining results** through healthy lifestyle

## Preparation

- **Timeline:** **4-6 weeks** before surgery (longer preparation due to multiple procedures)

### Medical tests

- **Complete blood count (CBC)**
- **Comprehensive metabolic panel**
- **ECG** (required for combined procedures)
- **Chest X-ray if indicated**
- **Mammogram** if breast surgery included and over 40 years old
- **COVID-19 test if required**
- **Pregnancy test** (must not be pregnant)

### Medications

#### Medications to discuss stopping

- **Stop** aspirin and blood thinners **2 weeks** prior
- **Stop** NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) **1 week** prior
- **Stop** herbal supplements (ginkgo, garlic, ginseng) **2 weeks** prior
- **Stop** vitamin E supplements **1 week** prior
- **Discontinue** oral contraceptives if advised by **Dr Maresky**
- **Stop** smoking at least **6 weeks** before (critical for healing)

#### Medications to continue

- **Continue** essential medications as advised by **Dr Maresky**
- **Inform Dr Maresky** of all current medications during consultation

### Lifestyle

- **Smoking:** **Quit** smoking at least **6 weeks** before surgery - smoking significantly increases complications with combined procedures

- **Alcohol:** **Avoid** alcohol **1 week** before surgery

- **Fasting:** No food or drink after midnight the night before surgery (**NPO after midnight**)

- **Exercise:** Maintain healthy weight and fitness - aids recovery

### Arrangements

- **Arrange** transportation home after surgery - you cannot drive
- **Arrange** for a responsible adult to stay with you for the first **1 week**
- **Arrange childcare** - you will not be able to lift children for **6 weeks**
- **Prepare** recovery area at home with pillows, medications, entertainment
- **Purchase** compression garments, surgical bras, and supplies as recommended
- **Stock** easy-to-prepare meals and plenty of fluids
- **Plan** time off work (**3-4 weeks minimum**)
- **Prepare** for limited mobility - place items within easy reach

## Recovery and aftercare

### Timeline

- **Immediate:** Hospital stay **1-2 nights**; drains in place; compression garments worn; moderate pain managed with medication

- **1week:** Drains removed; sutures may be removed; significant swelling and bruising; very limited mobility; need help with daily activities

- **2weeks:** Significant improvement; most sutures removed; reduced pain; can perform light activities; still need help with childcare

- **4weeks:** Most swelling improved; return to light work (desk job); can drive if off pain medication; still no heavy lifting

- **6weeks:** Cleared for light exercise; can lift children carefully; most restrictions lifted; still some residual swelling

- **3months:** **Significant improvement** in appearance; most swelling resolved; scars fading; can resume all normal activities

- **6months:** **Near-final results**; continued scar improvement; body adjusting to new contours

- **1year:** **Final results** visible; scars mature and fade; full recovery complete

### Restrictions

#### First 2 weeks

- **Bed rest** with assistance for first few days
- **No** lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds (including children)
- **No** driving while on pain medication
- **Wear** compression garments and surgical bra **24/7**
- **Sleep** elevated (45-degree angle) to reduce swelling
- **No** bending, twisting, or reaching overhead
- **Walk** regularly (short distances) to prevent blood clots
- **No** showering until approved by **Dr Maresky** (sponge baths only)

#### 2 6weeks

- **Gradually** increase activity as tolerated
- **Continue** compression garments during day
- **No** heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or sexual activity
- **Avoid** sun exposure to incision sites
- **No** swimming or soaking in water
- **Attend** all follow-up appointments with **Dr Maresky**

#### 6weeks 3months

- **Gradually** resume exercise as approved by **Dr Maresky**
- **Can** lift children and resume normal activities
- **Protect** scars from sun with SPF 50+ sunscreen
- **Massage** scars as instructed to improve appearance

#### Long term

- **Maintain** stable weight through healthy diet and exercise
- **Avoid** future pregnancies (can reverse results)
- **Protect** skin from sun damage
- **Stay** hydrated and maintain healthy lifestyle
- **Wear** supportive bras long-term

- **Pain management:** **Moderate to significant discomfort** for first 1-2 weeks, managed with prescribed pain medication. Pain from tummy tuck is typically most significant. Most patients describe it as intense muscle soreness. Pain significantly improves after first week.

- **Scarring:** **Visible but strategically placed scars**:
- **Tummy tuck**: Horizontal scar across lower abdomen (hidden under underwear/bikini), scar around belly button
- **Breast surgery**: Scars vary by technique (around areola, vertical, anchor-shaped)
- **Liposuction**: Tiny scars (3-5mm) in inconspicuous locations

Scars usually mature over 12-18 months. **Dr Maresky** provides scar management instructions to support healing.

## Expected results

- **Timeline:** **Initial improvement**: 4-6 weeks
**Significant improvement**: 3-6 months
**Final results**: 12-18 months (after all swelling resolves and scars mature)
**Permanence**: Results are long-lasting with stable weight and no future pregnancies

- **Expectations:** **What Mommy Makeover CAN do**:
- Address post-pregnancy abdominal skin, tissue, and muscle changes
- Remove excess abdominal skin and tighten muscles when appropriate
- Address breast volume, shape, and position concerns
- Address localized fat deposits
- Address several post-pregnancy contour concerns in one surgical plan
- Plan combined procedures in one surgical setting when appropriate
- Plan proportionate body contouring goals

**What Mommy Makeover CANNOT do**:
- Guarantee perfect symmetry (bodies are naturally asymmetric)
- Remove all stretch marks (some may remain)
- Prevent future aging or body changes
- Replace healthy lifestyle habits
- Guarantee specific clothing size
- Eliminate need for supportive undergarments
- Prevent effects of future pregnancies (can reverse results)

- **Satisfaction:** Patient experience varies. A consultation includes discussion of realistic goals, procedure combinations, recovery demands, scars, limitations, and whether staging procedures may be more appropriate.

## Risks and considerations

### Common

- **Significant bruising and swelling** (expected, resolves over weeks to months)
- **Pain and discomfort** (managed with medication)
- **Temporary numbness** in treated areas (may last months)
- **Fluid drainage** from incisions (drains help manage this)
- **Fatigue** (major surgery requires significant recovery)
- **Emotional ups and downs** (hormonal changes, body adjustment)

### Rare

- **Seroma** (fluid accumulation) - may need drainage
- **Hematoma** (blood accumulation) - may need surgical drainage
- **Infection** (rare with proper antibiotic use and wound care)
- **Wound healing problems** (delayed healing, wound separation)
- **Asymmetry** (bodies are naturally asymmetric; may need revision)
- **Scarring issues** (hypertrophic, keloid, or wide scars)
- **Breast implant complications** (if augmentation included)
- **Loss of nipple sensation** (usually temporary, rarely permanent)

### Serious

- **Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)** or pulmonary embolism (prevented with early mobilization, compression devices)
- **Excessive bleeding** requiring transfusion (rare)
- **Anesthesia complications** (minimized by experienced anesthesiologist)
- **Skin or tissue necrosis** (death of tissue) - higher risk in smokers
- **Fat embolism** (extremely rare)
- **Cardiac or respiratory complications** (rare, monitored carefully)

- **Prevention:** Appropriate specialist assessment, careful patient selection, surgical technique, and post-operative care are essential for managing risk. **Quitting smoking** is critical - smoking dramatically increases complications with combined procedures.

## Frequently asked questions

### When is the best time to have a Mommy Makeover?

The best time is when you're **finished having children**, at least **6 months post-delivery** (longer if breastfeeding), at a **stable weight** for 6+ months, and have arranged **childcare and help** for recovery. Most women wait until their youngest child is at least 1-2 years old.

### Can I have a Mommy Makeover if I plan to have more children?

It is usually better to wait until you're **finished having children**. Future pregnancies can affect the outcome, especially after tummy tuck surgery.

### How long do I need to stop breastfeeding before surgery?

**At least 3-6 months** after stopping breastfeeding to allow breast tissue to stabilize. This ensures accurate assessment and better surgical planning.

### Can I breastfeed after a Mommy Makeover?

**Breast lift** usually preserves breastfeeding ability, but **breast reduction** may affect it. However, since you should be finished having children, future breastfeeding is typically not a concern. Discuss with **Dr Maresky** if this is important to you.

### How long until I can care for my children?

You'll need **full-time help for 1-2 weeks**. You can perform light childcare at **2 weeks** but **cannot lift children for 6 weeks**. Plan accordingly - this is major surgery requiring significant recovery.

### Can I stage the procedures instead of doing them all at once?

**Yes**, but combining procedures is more cost-effective and reduces total recovery time. Staging may be recommended if you have medical conditions or prefer a less extensive surgery. **Dr Maresky** will discuss the best approach for you.

### Will I have visible scars?

**Yes**, but scars are strategically placed. Tummy tuck scar is hidden under underwear/bikini. Breast scars vary by technique but are typically around the areola and/or vertical. Liposuction scars are tiny. Scars fade significantly over 12-18 months with proper care.

### How much weight will I lose?

Mommy Makeover is **not a weight loss procedure**. You'll lose the weight of removed tissue (typically 5-10 pounds), but the main benefit is **body contouring and reshaping**, not weight loss. You should be at your goal weight before surgery.

### When can I exercise after Mommy Makeover?

**Light walking** immediately (encouraged). **Light exercise** at **6 weeks**. **Full exercise** at **3 months** as approved by **Dr Maresky**. Gradual return is essential for proper healing.

### Will insurance cover any part of a Mommy Makeover?

Usually **no**, as it's cosmetic. However, **breast reduction** for documented back/neck pain may be partially covered. Check with your insurance provider and discuss with **Dr Maresky**.

### How long do Mommy Makeover results last?

Results are **long-lasting** with stable weight and no future pregnancies. The tummy tuck and breast surgery provide permanent structural changes. However, aging, gravity, and lifestyle affect long-term appearance. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle preserves results.

### Is a Mommy Makeover worth the recovery?

Recovery is significant, often requiring **3-4 weeks off work** and **6 weeks of limited activity**. Dr Maresky will discuss whether a combined surgical plan is suitable, or whether staged procedures would be safer or more practical.

## Indicative pricing

- Estimate: R220,000 to R260,000 ZAR
- Cost factor: Combination of procedures (tummy tuck + breast + lipo)
- Cost factor: Hospital stay length
- Detailed cost page: https://doctormaresky.co.za/cost/mommy-makeover
- Final pricing is confirmed after an individual consultation.

## Consultation and contact

- Consultation: https://doctormaresky.co.za/procedure/general-consultation
- Contact: https://doctormaresky.co.za/contact