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In an interview with CareCredit, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Armen Vartany discusses the mommy makeover surgery, including what it entails, how much it costs, and what to expect. Read edited excerpts from his interview and watch the video below.*
What is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover involves a combination of surgical procedures to address the visible changes left after pregnancy and breastfeeding. These focus primarily on the breasts and tummy to deal with issues such as sagging breasts and excess tummy skin and fat.
What Procedures Are Included in a Mommy Makeover?
You and your plastic surgeon will decide which procedures will provide you with the results you're after. A mommy makeover often includes:
Who is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
You may be a good candidate for a mommy makeover if you:
- Are at least one year out from your last pregnancy
- Are not planning on having any more pregnancies
- Are not breastfeeding
- Have returned to your pre-pregnancy weight
Preparing for Mommy Makeover Surgery
Consider the following as you prepare for a Mommy makeover:
- Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon. Along with being board certified, you'll also want to look for a plastic surgeon and clinic with good reviews from patients who've had the procedures you're interested in.
- The consultation. The consultation provides the opportunity to discuss your goals and expectations with your surgeon, and ask questions about things like scarring and what to expect.
- Risk reduction. Getting healthy is an important part of preparing for surgery. Quitting smoking, losing weight, and stopping birth control pills will reduce the risk of blood clots and can help with healing after surgery.
Mommy Makeover Risks
Like with any surgery, there's always some risk of bleeding and infection, though these are rare. Longer surgeries also carry the risk of forming a blood clot in the leg, but the risk is quite low at around just 1-2 percent.
People who smoke, take birth control pills, or are overweight are at higher risk of developing blood clots.
What to Expect After a Mommy Makeover
Here's what to expect after getting a mommy makeover:
- Recovery. Some pain after a Mommy makeover is to be expected, but this can be controlled with pain medication. Tummy tuck recovery is around two weeks while breast procedures take less time, usually five to seven days. You'll need to wait around six weeks before hitting the gym again if you have muscles repaired during your tummy tuck.
- Scarring. You will have permanent scars, but these will gradually fade. There are scar treatments available if your scars don't heal well or if you decide you want to minimize their appearance later once you've finished healing.
- Follow-up appointments. You'll have follow-up appointments with your surgeon to check on your healing and progress. Dr. Vartany likes to see his patients a week after surgery and again one, two, and three months after surgery.
How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost?
The cost of a mommy makeover depends on the procedures included. For example, just the tummy can cost $10,000 to $25,000.
CareCredit Financing for a Mommy Makeover
Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for Mommy Makeovers and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Armand Vartany
Dr. Armen Vartany is double board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. A member of the medical staff at St. Joseph's Medical Center, Dr. Vartany is also the founder and medical director of Vista Outpatient Surgery Center in Burbank, California.
Dr. Vartany earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Tufts University and completed 5 years of general surgery training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He trained exclusively in plastic and reconstructive plastic surgery before spending an additional year training in Hand and Microvascular Surgery.
Author Bio
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today, and more.
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