Pregnancy and childbirth can leave lasting changes — sagging or deflated breasts, a rounded tummy, and stubborn fat that won’t budge with diet and exercise. A mommy makeover combines a few procedures to restore the pre-baby body and confidence. Here’s what to know about the procedure, recovery, and cost.
The Procedure
A mommy makeover is customized to each patient, but most commonly combines a tummy tuck, liposuction, and a breast lift and/or augmentation.
- Tummy tuck: removes excess skin and fat and tightens the abdominal muscles. No amount of exercise can reposition separated rectus muscles (diastasis) — a plication that moves them back to the midline restores core function and stops the intra-abdominal contents from pushing forward.
- Breast lift (mastopexy): lifts and reshapes breasts that have lost volume and position after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Breast augmentation: restores lost volume with an implant or with your own fat transferred from a liposuction area.
- Liposuction: removes stubborn fat from areas like the hips, thighs, and flanks to sculpt a more balanced shape.
Recovery
Recovery takes several weeks, and it’s important to arrange time off and help — especially with young children. Expect pain, swelling, and bruising early on, managed with medication. You’ll wear compression garments and may have lymphatic massage to reduce swelling, and you should avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for several weeks. Following your surgeon’s post-op instructions closely gives you the best outcome.
Cost
Cost varies with the specific procedures and your surgeon, and breaks into surgeon, facility, and anesthesia fees plus supplies like garments, prescriptions, and massage. In Austin, a mommy makeover combining a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast lift is often in the $15,000–$20,000 range and takes 4–5 hours, depending on the procedures and your body mass index. See our financing options. Cost matters, but it shouldn’t be the only factor — a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, working with an excellent team, gives you the best chance of a great result.
The Bottom Line
A mommy makeover can be a rewarding way to restore your body and confidence after pregnancy, but the plan and timing should be personal. If you’re also weighing the emotional side of this decision, you may find our post on plastic surgery and mom guilt helpful. Schedule a consultation to build a plan that fits you.