Mommy Makeover Chicago
At our practice in Chicago, mommy makeover surgery is very common A mommy makeover is a broad term used to describe plastic surgery procedures designed to improve the aesthetics and appearance of a woman’s body after having children, while also boosting one’s confidence. After children, many mothers yearn for the bodies they had pre-pregnancy, and mommy makeover procedures are a great way to achieve those goals. The constellation of procedures referred to as a mommy makeover includes facial rejuvenation, a breast lift with or without breast implants, liposuction, tummy tuck, arm lift, thigh lift, and vaginal rejuvenation.
Based on your aesthetic goals and anatomy, a mommy makeover procedure will be tailored to your specific needs based on what was most affected by your pregnancy. After an evaluation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, a treatment plan will be determined. Depending upon which procedures are recommended, they can be performed together in one surgery or staged into several different surgeries. Your treatment options can include the following:
Breast Surgery
During and after pregnancy, breasts can become deflated and sag. A breast lift with implants is a great option to restore the size and shape of a woman’s breast to pre-pregnancy aesthetics. A saline or gel implant is placed underneath the breast during the breast augmentation procedure and a simultaneous mastopexy or breast lift is performed to lift the nipples and breast to a more youthful position on your chest. Alternatively, a woman’s breast can increase in size after pregnancy causing neck and back pain. In this situation, a breast reduction procedure may be your best option to relieve the neck and back pain associated with large breasts.
Tummy Tuck
During pregnancy, the abdominal skin and muscles can become stretched and loose, resulting in lax abdominal muscles and excess abdominal skin and fat. Stretch marks of the abdominal skin can also occur during pregnancy. A tummy tuck with liposuction is a procedure plastic surgeons perform to tighten the abdominal muscles and remove unwanted skin and fat. The goal of a tummy tuck is a smoother, flatter, well-defined abdomen and, in some cases, to restore weakened muscles in the abdomen.
Facial Rejuvenation
As we age, our skin of the face deflates and sags resulting in the signs of aging. Weight fluctuation during pregnancy can exacerbate the aging process. Most women in their 20’s and 30’s are good candidates for non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures such as dermal fillers, botox, laser treatments, and skincare regimens. Some women in their 40’s and 50’s can be good candidates for non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures but also surgical procedures such as a facelift, neck lift, facial fat grafting, brow lift, and eyelid lift. Refer to our individual procedure pages for more information on these surgical facial rejuvenation procedures.
Vaginal Rejuvenation
After pregnancy, the vagina can change drastically in appearance and function. Specific aesthetic considerations can be addressed by your plastic surgeon, such as the size of the vaginal canal and the size/shape of the labia majora and labia minora. Labiaplasty, for example, is a popular procedure that is performed in order to decrease the size and improve the shape of the labial minora. Be sure to speak with your plastic surgeon to determine if one or more of the procedures associated with a mommy makeover are right for you.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR A MOMMY MAKEOVER?
If you are planning on having more children in the future, then it is strongly recommended that you wait to start your mommy makeover transformation. Also, if you are planning on losing more weight in the future, it is best to postpone any body contouring procedures until you are at a stable and comfortable weight. The soonest we recommend starting on your mommy makeover journey is 6 months after you have stopped breast feeding.
If your breasts have deflated and have started sagging or you are bothered by excess fat and skin of the abdomen, you may be a candidate for a tummy tuck and breast lift. If you feel that your face and eyes look tired, you may be a candidate for non-surgical or surgical facial rejuvenation procedures. If you are interested in improving the aesthetics of your vagina after pregnancy, you may be a good candidate for a vaginal rejuvenation procedure. To be considered for any of these procedures, you should be physically healthy, a non-smoker, and not have any medical conditions that may affect the healing or recovery process.
If you are a woman considering a tummy tuck, you should be advised that future pregnancies can affect the results of the procedure and may require future corrective surgery. Patients should also reach their target weight before undergoing a tummy tuck, as major fluctuations in weight can have a negative impact on the results.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CONSULTATION
If you believe that a mommy makeover is the right course of treatment for you, schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago to speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body.
During your consultation, you and your plastic surgeon will review your medical history to ensure that you are a good candidate for a mommy makeover. Be prepared to discuss any previous surgeries you have undergone, any preexisting medical conditions you may have, and known allergies.
Your plastic surgeon will perform an evaluation and suggest treatment options that are right for you and your body type. They will discuss all aspects of the procedure with you, including recovery, potential risks, and cost, and answer any questions you may have.
HOW IS A MOMMY MAKEOVER PERFORMED?
The details of each procedure depend on which specific surgeries of a mommy makeover you are having. In some cases, a few procedures can be combined during one surgical session. In general though, on the day of surgery, a general anesthetic will be administered to ensure your comfort during the procedure. If undergoing a tummy tuck, liposuction is usually performed before the incisions are made to remove excess fat. The length and orientation of the incision will be based on the degree of complexity; the incision is usually made at the lower aspect of the abdomen, just above the pubic hairline.
Next, the abdominal skin is lifted. Excess fat is removed, and any weakened or separated muscles in the abdomen can be repaired. The underlying tissue is reshaped if necessary. Then the abdominal skin is contoured to the new shape of the abdomen and any excess skin is removed. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures. A drain may need to be placed to remove excess fluid.
If undergoing a breast lift with implants, breast implants are placed either underneath the pectoralis muscle and breast tissue or breast tissue alone and the nipple is lifted up higher on the chest. The goal is to elevate the breast and nipple to be centered behind the implant.
Other procedures such as facelift, neck lift, eyelid lift, facial fat grafting, brow lift, arm lift, thigh lift, and vaginal rejuvenation can also be performed at the same time or in stages. Refer to each individual procedure page to learn more.
RECOVERY AFTER A MOMMY MAKEOVER
Bruising and swelling in the surgical areas are normal after mommy makeover surgeries. Though results will be visible immediately following the procedure, the full results will be apparent once swelling and bruising have completely subsided, which may take six to eight weeks after the procedure.
Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication and specific instructions to care for the surgical site. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully to mitigate any potential risks associated with a mommy makeover.
You should avoid any strenuous physical activity until your plastic surgeon clears you to return to your normal level of activity.
POTENTIAL RISKS ASSOCIATION WITH A MOMMY MAKEOVER
Though complications from a mommy makeover are infrequent, there are potential risks with any surgical procedure. The risks generally associated with a mommy makeover include:
- Bleeding
- Fluid Accumulation
- Infection
- Scarring
- Hematoma (blood clot)
- Changes in skin sensation
- Skin discoloration
- Asymmetry
The Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago takes every possible measure to mitigate potential complications by using the safest and most innovative techniques available. You can further reduce risk by carefully following all instructions from your plastic surgeon.
WHAT DOES A MOMMY MAKEOVER COST?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the national average cost for a tummy tuck in the United States is approximately $5,800 and for a breast lift is approximately $4,816. However, this figure may fluctuate based on your location, the surgeon performing the procedure, and the extent of your aesthetic goals. When additional procedures associated with a mommy makeover are performed, the cost can also change. Be sure to speak with your plastic surgeon about all associated costs during your consultation. Most health insurance providers will not cover the costs related to a mommy makeover.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Dr. Patel is considered by his patients as a top mommy makeover surgeon in Chicago. If you believe you may be an ideal candidate for a mommy makeover, or if you have any questions about the procedure, please contact the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. We will review your medical history to ensure that you are a good candidate for a mommy makeover, and we will be happy to discuss any and all aspects of the process with you.
All surgical procedures by the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago are performed at top hospitals in Chicago and CMS or AAAASF-certified surgical centers for safety.
GOOGLE REVIEWS
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM
Happy for this patient and her 6 week post-operative result from a breast augmentation. We placed a 400 cc gel implant, in a sub-muscular plane, and through a periareolar incision. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gelimplants #mastopexy #gummybear #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this patient and her transformation. This patient is transfemale who underwent facial feminization. Can you tell what surgeries were performed? Still have to perform the tracheal shave. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #craniofacialsurgery #FFS #facialfeminization #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
6 month follow-up on a mastopexy augmentation case. The patient’s goals were to have her breasts lifted and the volume restored after pregnancy. No patient has perfectly symmetric breasts, which is normal. This case was challenging because of the asymmetries of the nipples; trying to lift, augment, and level the nipples all at the same time is difficult. Many variables to control but the post-operative photos demonstrate improved symmetry with all of the patient’s goals achieved. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #mastopexy #breastlift #gummybear #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
6 month follow-up on a challenging revision rhinoplasty case. The patient had 3 prior rhinoplasty surgeries by another surgeon and was not happy with the aesthetics of the dorsum or tip. In the pre-operative profile views, you can see a dorsal hump, under-projected tip, and abnormal alar-columellar relationship. On frontal view, there are asymmetries of the dorsal aesthetic lines and C-shape deviation of the nose. The goal of the surgery was to make the nose straighter, improve the dorsum and tip proportions, increase tip projection, and improve the alar-columellar relationship. Look closely at the post-operative profile views and how the tip, nostril and columella appear. Posted with permission.
#plasticsugery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #revisionrhinoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Many ways to do a breast augmentation but the periareolar incision is a great option because the scar becomes imperceptible as the scar matures. This patient is 6 months out from a breast augmentation and the access incision we made was at the bottom border of the nipple areolar complex. It’s hard to see the scar at this point and the scar gets even better at the 12-18 month mark. Also, nipple sensation is unaffected after surgery. The other incisions that plastic surgeons use include an incision underneath the breast, at the breast fold, or the armpit. Each incision has their pros and cons but the periareolar is my preferred approach.
#plasticsurgeon #plasticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gummybearimplants #breastimplants #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery #cosmeticsurgery
Challenging #gynecomastia case where the patient had grade 2/3 gynecomastia or male breasts with excess skin and significant asymmetries. The challenging part of this case relates to how to manage the excess skin and achieve a symmetric result. Do you remove the excess skin which will leave scars or try to contract the skin with minimally invasive techniques? In this case I performed liposuction, removed the breast tissue through a nipple incision, and performed #Renuvion to facilitate contraction of the skin. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #gynecomastia #liposuction #Renuvion #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Nasal reconstruction for a patient who had a full thickness defect or hole of the left nostril after Mohs surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma. The patient was missing all three layers of the nose and if you look closely, you can see into the nose and visualize the septum. We re-built the nose using tissue from his forehead or a #forehead flap. In the post-operative photos, you can see a nice reconstruction of the nostril with restored form and function. Additionally, the reconstructed side is symmetric with the unaffected side. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #nasalreconstruction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
3 month follow-up on this patient who wanted improvement in the projection of her chin and definition of the jawline. The patient has retrogenia or a small chin and underwent #chinaugmentation with a #genioplasty. In the pre-operative photos, you can see the chin is short and recessed and therefore I moved the chin forward and down. In the post-operative photos you can see improvement in the projection of the chin, a more defined jawline and neck, and a more balanced lower 1/3 of the face. This case highlights the advantages of a genioplasty versus a chin implant, a chin implant cannot lengthen and advance the chin to the same extent that a genioplasty can. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #genioplasty #chinaugmentation #craniofacialsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Gym or surgery? This patient underwent hi-def liposuction or abdominal etching to improve the contour of the abdomen and to define the abdominal muscles. In the post-operative photos, the patient has natural washboard abs. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #abdominaletching #hidefliposuction #liposculpture #liposuction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Long term follow-up on a revision mastopexy augmentation case. The patient had a previous augmentation with gel implants and wanted the implants removed, breasts lifted, and re-augmented with fat but downsized. The patient underwent explantation of the implants, a capsulectomy, a breast lift, and fat transfer to augment the breasts. In the post-operative photos, you can see the breast/nipples are lifted to a more aesthetic position and we were able to maintain volume, although smaller, with fat transfer alone. This patient has a very natural result using only fat from her abdomen to restore volume. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastlift #breastaugmentation #mommymakeover #fattransfer #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
1 year follow-up on a primary rhinoplasty. This patient’s goals were a straighter profile, smaller and more refined tip, and a nose that was not drastically different. In the post-operative photos you can see the dorsal hump was removed and the nasal bones narrowed, the tip was refined, rotated, and projected more. Overall, still her nose but more refined and aesthetic. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #nosejob #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Early follow-up on a #facialmasculinization surgery for a trans male who wanted to improve the contour of the lower 1/3 of the face and neck. The patient underwent a sliding #genioplasty, custom #mandibularimplants, and #neckliposuction to achieve his goals. We used computer software to design the cuts in the bone and #3Dprinting to make the custom mandibular implants. Can you see the improved contour of the chin, jawline, and neck in the post-operative photos? Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #craniofacialsurgery #genioplasty #chinimplants #facialimplants #facialmasculinization #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
1 year follow-up on a patient who wanted fuller and more symmetric breasts after having deflation with pregnancy. The patient is athletic and therefore it was very important to her to have a smaller augmentation that appeared natural. The patient underwent a breast augmentation with gel implants (250 cc) through a periareaolar incision and in a submuscular plane. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #breastaugmentation #gummybear #breastlift #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
This patient had a full thickness nasal defect of the left nostril after a skin cancer was removed by our Dermatology colleagues. Even though the wound is relatively small, this is a challenging reconstruction because all layers of the nose have to be rebuilt without making the reconstructed area bulky and noticeable. Also, you have to make the area strong enough so that the nostril doesn’t collapse as the area heals and scars. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #skincancer #nasalreconstruction #nosejob #rhinoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
A 1 year follow-up on a patient who wanted a rhinoplasty to remove the dorsal hump and improve the aesthetics of her tip. In this case the dorsal hump was removed, the nose made straighter, the tip refined, and the tip rotated and projected more. Her new nose fits her face without overtly changing the ethnic features of her face. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #rhinoplasty #ethnicrhinoplasty #nosejob #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Proud of our research team for getting this important manuscript published in the #1 plastic surgery journal in the world. In this study, we looked at the published literature to develop guidelines on how to treat visual impairments related to droopy eyelids and excess skin of the eyelids.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #blepharoplasty #eyelidlift #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this patient who underwent full facial rejuvenation surgery, which included a brow lift, upper/lower blepharoplasty, facelift, neck lift, and facial fat transfer. How much younger does he look now? Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #facelift #necklift #blepharoplasty #eyelidlift #browlift #fattransfer #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Amazing transformation for this lovely patient who wanted to have fuller, more symmetric, youthful, and natural breasts. The patient underwent a #breastaugmentation with gel implants. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gelimplants #gummybearimplants #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
One year follow-up on a #BBL or Brazilian butt lift. As you can see from the post-operative photos, the fat that is transferred stays and is permanent. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #BBL #360degreeliposcution #liposuction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Male patient in his late 60’s who was able to turn back the clock after undergoing a #facelift, #neck lift, #blepharoplasty, and #fattransfer. Pay close attention to the “bags” underneath the eyes, the jawline, and neck. The scars have healed nicely and are inconspicuous even with short hair. In the post-operative photos, the patient has maintained his natural facial features and anatomy, but just looks like a more youthful version of himself. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #facelift #necklift #blepharoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
