Mommy Makeover in Fort Lauderdale, FL
What Is Mommy Makeover Surgery?
With the comprehensive body sculpting procedure known as the mommy makeover, women of all ages can reverse the effects of pregnancy and restore a slim, youthful figure. Dr. David J. Levens offers the mommy makeover surgery to residents of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County and the surrounding areas of Florida.
What is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is a comprehensive body sculpting procedure that combines multiple plastic surgery treatments into one surgical session. It has been dubbed the “mommy makeover”, because the unique combination of cosmetic surgery techniques effectively reverse many common effects of pregnancy, including stretch marks, excess or sagging skin in the abdomen, stubborn fat, sagging breasts and a loss of breast volume. Each mommy makeover surgery is personalized to a patient’s needs and can include a range of procedures.
What Does a Mommy Makeover Consist Of?
Each mommy makeover procedure is designed around the needs of the patient, and can include a variety of cosmetic surgery techniques. Here are some of the surgeries that are most commonly included in a mommy makeover:
Breast Augmentation
This procedure can enhance the shape, size, and position of the breasts, addressing issues such as volume loss or asymmetry. It is also suitable for women who have always wanted larger breasts, but did not want to interfere with their ability to breastfeed.
Breast Lift
A breast lift is ideal for correcting sagging or drooping in the breasts. The breasts may begin to stretch or sag with age, a process that can be accelerated due to pregnancy or breastfeeding. The breast lift can restore the breasts to a firmer, youthful position.
Breast Reduction
Some women may opt for a breast reduction if they experience excessive breast enlargement and discomfort after pregnancy and breastfeeding. While reducing the size of the breasts, it can also adjust nipple size and positioning.
Tummy Tuck
This procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, tightens the abdominal muscles, and addresses issues like stretched abdominal muscles, loose skin, and stretch marks. For patients who only need to address the lower abdomen (the area below the belly button), a mini tummy tuck can be a good alternative.
Liposuction
Liposuction can be performed to remove stubborn pockets of fat in various areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, or back, to improve body contours and achieve a more balanced appearance.
Body Lift
A body lift may be included to address excess skin and tissue in multiple areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. It provides comprehensive body contouring and skin tightening.
What are the Benefits of a Mommy Makeover?
The main benefit of a mommy makeover is the ability to address multiple areas of the body at once, condensing the recovery for multiple surgeries into a single recovery session. Beyond that, the mommy makeover has many potential cosmetic benefits that include:
- Eliminating of stretch marks
- Restoring fullness and youthfulness to the breasts
- Eliminating stubborn fat
- Removing and tightening excess skin
- Enhancing abdominal muscle definition
Are You A Candidate For a Mommy Makeover?
The best candidates for mommy makeover surgery are healthy women who are struggling with the effects of pregnancy, or who are seeking body sculpting benefits in multiple areas of the body. Additionally, you might be a good candidate if you’ve experienced pregnancy and are experiencing the following concerns:
- Stretch marks
- Loose, excess skin
- Stubborn fat
- Loss of breast volume
- Sagging or asymmetric breasts
The best way to determine your candidacy for a mommy makeover is to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Levens. During your consultation, you can discuss your cosmetic goals as Dr. Levens helps you identify whether a mommy makeover is an appropriate solution. If it is, he’ll develop a personalized treatment plan and explain what you can expect leading up to, during and after your surgery.
How Much Does Mommy Makeover Surgery Cost?
Is Mommy Makeover Surgery Covered by Insurance?
Most, if not all, plastic surgery procedures included in a mommy makeover are widely considered to be cosmetic procedures, which is a category of treatment that is not covered by health insurance. This means you can expect to be responsible for the full cost of your mommy makeover surgery.
How Much is a Mommy Makeover?
The cost of a mommy makeover can vary significantly depending on an individual’s treatment plan, as they often include different combinations of plastic surgery procedures. An individual treatment plan will be developed during your consultation with Dr. Levens. After the appointment, we will provide you with a total cost and explain your payment options, including cash, personal check, Visa®, MasterCard® and American Express®. If you are interested in financing your mommy makeover surgery, our patient coordinators will explain how to apply for CareCredit®, Alphaeon Credit, or Prosper® Healthcare Lending.
Why Choose Dr. David J. Levens?
Dr. David J. Levens, FACS, is an exceptional plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgeon practicing in Coral Springs since 1989. With a career spanning over three decades, he has established himself as a highly respected and experienced professional in the field. Dr. Levens is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and he is a member of prestigious organizations such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
When it comes to mommy makeover surgery, Dr. Levens is known for his surgical skill and expertise. He offers a comprehensive range of sophisticated plastic surgery procedures and treatments for the face and body. However, what sets him apart is his patient-centric approach. Dr. Levens takes the time to understand each patient's unique situation and helps them choose the most suitable procedure or treatment to achieve their desired outcome. His expertise, combined with his compassionate and meticulous approach, make him an excellent choice for those looking to undergo a mommy makeover. Learn more about Dr. Levens or read his reviews.
Call 954-752-1020 Today
To Schedule Your Consultation!
What is Mommy Makeover Surgery Like?
What Happens During Mommy Makeover Surgery?
The mommy makeover procedure will vary significantly based on the procedures involved. Mommy makeover surgery is performed with general anesthesia, and begins with making incisions in the appropriate treatment areas. After the necessary steps are taken, incisions will be carefully closed with sutures and we will place dressing or compression garments on the appropriate areas. The treatment process for commonly performed procedures is as follows:
Breast Surgeries
Incisions are typically made along the natural crease under the breast, known as the inframammary fold. Additional incisions might be placed around the circumference of the nipples/areolas. Through these incisions, excess skin or breast tissue can be removed, and implants can be placed.
Tummy Tucks
Incisions are typically made below the waistline, extending from one hip to the other. An additional incision might be placed in or around the belly button. Through these incisions, excess skin and fat can be removed, and the abdominal muscles can be tightened. A mini tummy tuck is similar, but requires smaller incisions and does not tighten the abdominal muscles.
Liposuction
Liposuction involves small incisions in the desired treatment areas. Through these incisions, a small tube called a cannula will be inserted into fat deposits. Vacuum technology will suction fat out of the body until the desired results are achieved.
What are the Risks of Mommy Makeover Surgery?
There are a few important risks to consider before pursuing a mommy makeover, depending on the surgeries involved.
Breast Surgery Risks
When breast surgery is performed, patients may experience temporary or permanent loss of sensation in the nipples. The ability to breastfeed may also be impacted. There are always slight differences in size, shape and/or nipple location between your two breasts. Breast surgery can reduce the differences in size, shape and/or nipple location between the two breasts, but may not entirely eliminate them.
Breast Implant Risks
Breast implants may make a mammogram somewhat more difficult to read. This does not mean that a mammogram can’t be adequately read, simply that the mammograms must be performed and interpreted by someone experienced in the proper techniques. Additionally, no one can guarantee or predict the life of a breast implant. Some patients have had the same implants in place for 25 years while others have needed to replace them sooner. When any implant is placed in your body, the body forms a lining or capsule around it. This capsule is similar in some ways to scar tissue and can shrink or contract. If it contracts markedly and squeezes on your implant, it can distort the implant or make the breast feel too firm. In severe cases, this is known as capsular contracture and may become severe enough to require re-operation. Very rarely, the shell of a breast implant can leak. If implant rupture can be confirmed, or is strongly suspected, the implant can be inspected, removed, if necessary, and replaced with a new implant.
Liposuction Considerations
Liposuction does not significantly reduce body weight. Its purpose is to create a smoother profile by reducing the appearance of localized bulges. Additionally, the amount of fat which can be removed depends on the amount present in each deposit. It is necessary to leave a thin layer of normal fat beneath the skin to prevent rippling or dimpling of the skin surface. The procedure will not eliminate cellulite or a “rippled” appearance of the skin present prior to surgery. In fact, it is possible for liposuction to create small areas of skin rippling, dimpling, or contour irregularity.
Tummy Tuck Considerations
If you are significantly overweight, you’ll get a much better correction if you achieve an ideal body weight before your abdominoplasty. There is a limit to the amount of fat and skin that can be safely removed during the procedure. Depending on your cosmetic goals, it may be better to pursue additional weight loss before receiving a tummy tuck. Additionally, how much your abdomen can be reshaped depends on several factors, including the condition of your tissues prior to surgery.
Surgical Risks
In a small percentage of cases, risks common to all surgical procedures can occur, such as bleeding, infection, and scar tissue formation. Bleeding or infection may occur in 1% to 3% of cases. Dr. Levens will give you detailed information about these and other rare risks during his discussion with you and in written information about your mommy makeover.
What is Mommy Makeover Recovery Like?
How Painful is Mommy Makeover Surgery?
Most patients have moderate discomfort the first 48 to 72 hours, decreasing rapidly thereafter. The breasts and chest area will feel tender and swollen, and you may have some moderate discomfort. The degree of discomfort depends largely on the extent of surgery involved in your mommy makeover. Bruising will develop within a few days and may persist for several weeks after surgery. Dr. Levens will prescribe medication to keep you as comfortable as possible.
How Long is Mommy Makeover Recovery?
Mommy makeovers are usually an outpatient procedure. It is important that you be up and moving early after surgery to help prevent blood clot formation, a rare but potentially serious complication of surgery. While each patient’s recovery can vary significantly based on the procedures involved, a typical schedule of recovery is:
- Showering/bathing permitted in 3 to 5 days
- Drain tubes removed after 7 days
- Elastic garment worn for 2+ weeks
- Bruising and swelling for 7 to 21 days
- Return to work and social activity within 10 to 14 days
- Partake in strenuous activities within 6 to 8 weeks
Dr. Levens will encourage you to return to normal activity as soon as you can, but it’s essential to follow our post-operative guidelines to ensure the healing process progresses as expected.
Post Surgery Frequently Asked Questions
How Long After a Mommy Makeover Can I Drive?
The initial recovery period following a mommy makeover requires that you rest as much as possible, so even casual activities such as driving will not be permitted. Once healing progresses and you have the strength to get around the house, you may begin easing back into normal activities such as driving. For most patients, this occurs approximately two weeks after surgery, but it’s important to follow the postoperative guidelines provided by Dr. Levens and get his approval before adjusting your activity levels.
How to Sleep After a Mommy Makeover?
After mommy makeover surgery, you will need to sleep on your back to promote healing and prevent any stress to the abdomen, chest and other treatment areas. It’s recommended to sleep in a slightly elevated position. You can achieve this by sleeping in a recliner or by using pillows to prop yourself up and support the upper body. These positions will support the healing process to ensure a quick and smooth recovery. After 4 to 6 weeks, patients can resume sleeping on their side with Dr. Levens’ approval. Stomach sleeping may be resumed a few weeks later.
How Long After a Mommy Makeover Can I Exercise?
The timeline for resuming exercise and other strenuous activities after a mommy makeover will vary by patient, especially considering the different surgical procedures that could be involved. While light activities can typically be resumed in 2-4 weeks, most patients will need to wait at least 6 weeks before resuming exercise. Some patients may need to take as long as 10 weeks off from exercise, depending on the extent of their surgery and their individual healing processes. Dr. Levens can provide further guidance during your follow-up appointments based on your recovery progress.
Is a Mommy Makeover Permanent?
The longevity of your results after a mommy makeover will vary depending on the procedures involved. Excess skin and fat that is removed during surgery is permanently removed, but this does not necessarily make the results permanent. This is because the body will continue to change over time based on fluctuations in weight, pregnancy and aging. For these reasons, patients are encouraged to postpone their mommy makeover surgery until they are done planning future pregnancies. Additionally, patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, to help prevent significant weight fluctuations that affect the results of their mommy makeover.
Dr. Levens has been providing mommy makeovers for patients in Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Broward County since 1989. To learn more about the mommy makeover procedure or to schedule your complimentary consultation, contact us today.
