Many great-sounding procedures in Plastic Surgery are a slight twist on established procedures that come with fantastic-sounding marketing names.  Even catchy names that are not associated with a company gain traction.  As an example, when I first got into plastic surgery, I thought “tummy tuck” sounded completely hokey and couldn’t believe, serious, educated, capable doctors used that term instead of “abdominoplasty”.  (Now I am in that category–it seems totally normal!)

The term “mommy makeover” falls in the same category, in my opinion.  I see a lot of women who never thought they would be seeking the services of a plastic surgeon, but have had pregnancy wreak havoc on their bodies. 

What is a “mommy makeover”?  Well, it could mean a lot of things.  But typically it refers to rejuvenation of a woman’s breasts and abdomen after childbirth.  For breasts, this could include breast implants, breast lift (mastopexy), breast reduction, or a breast lift in conjuction with implants (an “aug/-pexy”). 

Usually the abdomen needs a tummy tuck, but occasionally we can do liposuction alone on the abdomen, or sometime a mini-abdominoplasty.  (Most women who have had kids do better with a full abdominoplasty, in my experience).

And a lot of women are happy to consider a little liposuction on the outer or inner thighs.

So usually a mommy makeover is some combination of breast surgery and body contouring.  These operations are not new, but the TERM “mommy makeover” seems to be pretty new.  As always, my job is to give women education and provide options.  The final choice is up to the patient!