Dr. Matthew Schulman specializes in Mommy Makeovers, which is a catch-all term for a collection of plastic surgery procedures often done at the same time that can help reverse the physical effects of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood.
Considering a Mommy Makeover in NYC? Motherhood can be a rewarding experience that brings joy and fulfillment to a woman’s life. But it can also bring some less-than-desirable effects to the body. Weight gain and hormonal fluctuations can turn a woman’s body into something she scarcely recognizes.
For many women, the physical reminders of their pregnancies and childbirth experiences are significant, including excess weight in areas like the abdomen, hips, and thighs, stretch marks, sagging breasts, loose skin, and more.
Even with the strictest diets and rigorous exercising, it is often difficult (if not impossible) to return their bodies to the pre-pregnancy appearance. This is because many of the changes simply cannot be reversed with diet and exercise.
At our New York City Plastic Surgeon practice, Dr. Schulman can meet with you to discuss your surgical needs and aesthetic desires to combine surgeries that can help you see what you achieve the appearance you want.
A Mommy Makeover Surgery is a cosmetic surgery that typically combines multiple procedures designed to help a woman restore her pre-pregnancy body. This procedure is tailored to the individual needs and concerns of each patient and may include a combination of breast surgery like breast augmentation or reduction, tummy tuck, liposuction, and other procedures.
Since every surgery is developed specifically for each woman, there is no single definition. Most commonly involve a combination of procedures like liposuction, tummy tuck, breast lift, and breast surgery like breast augmentation. Also, even though we use the term Mommy Makeover, it is not necessary that you are a mother to get combination surgeries like this. Normal aging and weight changes can result in similar needs.
Mommy makeovers are popular procedures because they allow for several different surgical procedures to be performed in a single, safe operation. Because this usually involves a total body makeover, the results can be dramatic.
Women find their bodies instantly transformed, and usually end up with a body even better than their pre-pregnancy one!
But because no two women are the same, no two surgeries are identical. It is customized for your specific needs. That said, several procedures are commonly combined, including:
While a combination of the above procedures is most common, basically any procedure may be part of your Mommy Makeover surgery, such as face lift, neck lift, arm lift, or thigh lift.
During your consultation with Dr. Schulman, you’ll discuss the areas of your body that you feel need the most attention. Dr. Schulman will examine your body and discuss your medical history, including specific aspects of your pregnancy (or pregnancies). For instance, women whose children were born through Cesarean section may have different issues with their abdominal muscles than women who gave birth vaginally.
The amount of weight gain during pregnancy, size of the baby and whether or not you breastfed (and for how long) all play a role. Dr. Schulman will then be able to come up with a plan to address your specific areas of concerns. Remember though, that safety is key, and it may not always be possible to correct every issue in one operation.
“I get it. You have a few procedures that you want done, and you want to do it all at the same time. It makes sense. One surgery, one recovery. The great news is that advanced surgical and anesthetic techniques have made it possible to combine multiple procedures into a single surgery. So now, you can get several things done at the same time.
It may be a tummy tuck, lipo, and a breast lift, or some other combination.
When we meet, you will let me know the procedures you are interested in, and I will let you know which procedures you can do together. We need to consider your safety and your results, since not every procedure is good to do together.
Even though we like to refer to this as a ‘Mommy Makeover’, you don’t have to be a ‘mommy’. Combined procedures are done on young and old, men and women. Start with your consult and let’s see what we can do.”
As previously stated, this collection of procedures aims to target the aesthetic impact of pregnancy on a woman’s body. However, since pregnancy affects each woman’s body differently, it’s essential to watch for specific indicators that suggest you are a good candidate for mommy makeover.
Prior to undergoing these procedures, it is crucial to attain a satisfactory body weight. Substantial weight loss following surgery can adversely affect your results, as these procedures are not intended for the removal of a significant amount of excess fat from your body.
For example, the tummy tuck portion of the procedure is intended to tighten loose excess skin in your abdomen. If you undergo the procedure and then lose more weight, this could result in additional loose excess skin in the treated area. If loose excesss skin returns, the only way to remove it would be to undergo another procedure.
If you have recently given birth to your first child and are uncertain about whether you plan to have more children, it is advisable to delay the surgery. Getting pregnant again after undergoing the procedure can undo its effects, leading to the development of additional loose skin, impacting breast size and placement, and potentially resulting in additional weight gain. Once you have made a firm decision that you have completed your family, you can begin considering the procedure.
During the procedure, it is possible to correct the scarring around your abdomen that often occurs as a result of a C-section. Additionally, if you have other scars on your lower abdomen from surgeries such as hernia repair, appendectomy, or stretch marks, those can also be addressed and treated.
Childbirth is a challenging and often traumatic experience for the body. Before considering cosmetic surgery, it is recommended to allow a minimum of six months after giving birth to give your body ample time to heal.
Another significant factor in waiting for at least six months is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can impact the shape of a woman’s breasts, and it is crucial to wait until they have settled into a permanent shape before considering any alterations.
The mommy makeover surgery is considered elective, which means it is not medically necessary. However, it is still a serious procedure. Your surgeon will prioritize your overall physical and mental well-being to ensure you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. If you have any existing medical conditions that might pose a risk during the procedure, it can not only impact the outcome but also your overall health.
When it comes to your psychological well-being, it is crucial to undergo the makeover for the right reasons and have a clear understanding of its potential benefits and limitations.
The full mommy makeover surgery typically involves a comprehensive approach that incorporates a full tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, breast surgery like breast lift, and/or breast augmentation.
However, it’s important to note that not every woman requires all of these procedures. That’s where the “mini” version of the mommy makeover procedures comes into play, utilizing smaller surgical interventions that target specific areas of concern.
Believe me, I searched a lot and read about all your work, reviews, related deaths (none), and almost a background check (kinda creepy, I know). Knowing the risk of the procedures, I had to learn a lot about the surgery itself and most importantly, who would be performing it! No regrets…Thanks for changing my life!
Once you and Dr. Schulman have decided on a combination of surgeries, it will be time to prepare your body for your procedures. Combining multiple surgical procedures into a single operation will increase your recovery process. Remember that any one of these procedures requires weeks to months of recovery, so preparing yourself and your family well ahead of time will help make sure that you can focus on recovery and maximize the cosmetic results.
You will need to take time off work, and you will need to have someone with you for at least one or two weeks. You will also need to make arrangements for childcare during your recovery period. Dr. Schulman will be able to tell you about your anticipated recovery period, based on the the procedures you will be having.
Dr. Schulman and our staff will provide you with specific guidance on supplements and medications that you should stop before your procedure. Several common over-the-counter supplements have been linked to bleeding, so be sure to clear anything you are taking with Dr. Schulman.
You should continue eating healthy and exercising regularly. A strong, healthy body is one with the best chance of reducing the risks of surgery and ensuring a good long-term outcome. Consider increasing your intake of protein before your surgery, as protein provides the building blocks of blood, muscle, skin, and other crucial components of your body. Increasing your protein intake before surgery can help boost your immune system. A multi-vitamin and iron supplement is also helpful in preparation for your surgery.
The specific procedures involved in your Mommy Makeover procedure will depend on exactly what you want and need for your recovery from Mommy Makeover. Most mommy makeovers can be done on an outpatient basis, but you will be under general anesthesia, so someone will need to drive you home after your surgery and take care of you during the recovery period.
Dr. Schulman and our staff will provide you with very detailed post-operative instructions and you should be sure to follow them closely, but here are a few surgical recovery tips that we’ve found helpful for many of our Mommy Makeover patients:
The cost of a mommy makeover procedure can vary widely depending on the specific procedures involved, the surgeon’s experience and expertise, the geographic location of the practice, and other factors. In general, the average cost of a mommy makeover ranges from $20,000 to $30,000.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is just an estimate and that the actual cost may be higher or lower depending on individual circumstances. It’s also important to discuss the cost and payment options with your surgeon during the consultation process.
A Mommy Makeover is a term that refers to an operation that helps to restore the body to a pre-pregnancy state. It commonly involves liposuction, a procedure on the abdomen (like a tummy tuck), and a procedure on the breasts (like a breast lift or breast implants). Every mommy makeover is different though.
No. It is just a cute term, but you don’t have to be a mommy to have a Mommy Makeover. Technically, any surgery that combines multiple procedures into a single operation can be called a mommy makeover.
The cost of a mommy makeover can vary widely depending on a variety of factors, such as the geographic location of the surgeon, the surgeon’s level of expertise and experience, the specific procedures involved, and the extent of those procedures.
In general, a mommy makeover can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 or more. However, this estimate can vary significantly depending on the specific procedures involved. For example, a tummy tuck alone can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000, while a breast augmentation can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000 in NYC.
The outcomes of a mommy makeover procedure are subject to individual variations and the specific procedures chosen by each person. While it is feasible to achieve a weight loss of up to fifteen pounds through a mommy makeover, it’s crucial to acknowledge that individual results can vary.
Dr. Matthew Schulman at Schulman Plastic Surgery
Of course the recovery process will depend on exactly what you are having done, but most patients will require about 2-3 weeks off work and recuperating. The more procedures you had done, the longer your recovery will be.
Choosing your surgeon is really important and more complicated than you may think. Combining multiple procedures in a single safe operation requires a skilled surgeon and skilled surgical team. This means that just because a surgeon is skilled at individual procedures does not mean that they are equally skilled at doing them together. Make sure you select a surgeon who is experienced at the combination you are asking for.
In order to keep you safe, it is important that your procedures do not involve significant blood loss, and that the length of surgery remains within a safe limit. In general, surgeries should not exceed 6 hours. The data shows that when a surgery exceeds this amount of time, the risk of complications increases.
A plus size mommy makeover is a set of cosmetic procedures that is specifically designed to help women who are considered plus size or overweight to regain their pre-pregnancy body shape or enhance their appearance. It typically involves a combination of procedures such as a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or lift, liposuction, and other body contouring procedures to address the physical changes that occur after pregnancy and childbirth.
The specific procedures included in a plus size mommy makeover will depend on the individual’s unique needs and goals, as well as the areas of the body that have been affected by pregnancy and childbirth. These procedures are tailored to address the specific concerns of plus size women, such as excess skin, sagging breasts, and stubborn fat deposits that are more difficult to address through diet and exercise alone.
Mommy makeover surgery carries potential risks that include, but are not limited to, bleeding, infection, suboptimal incision healing, hematoma, seroma, diminished nipple sensation, breastfeeding difficulties, implant leakage, capsular contracture, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
If you are interested in reversing the common effects of pregnancy and childbirth with plastic surgery like a mommy makeover process at our New York City practice, schedule your consultation with Dr. Matthew Schulman, M.D, today.
