What is a mommy makeover? A mommy makeover is a blanket term used for a group of procedures that women may choose to undergo to restore their bodies after having children. As a mother of twins, Dr. Cara Downey has focused a large part of her practice on restoring the female figure after childbirth via breast enhancement surgeries, tummy tucks, and other rejuvenation procedures. Collectively, these procedures reverse any undesirable physical changes that may have occurred after childbirth. While these surgeries can be performed separately, effectively combining them into a single procedure takes a highly talented and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Cara Downey and Dr. Jamal Bullocks have delivered beautiful and consistent mommy makeover results to hundreds of women in Texas.
How much does a mommy makeover cost in Houston? The average cost of a mommy makeover in Houston typically ranges between $12,000 and $20,000. The total cost for your mommy makeover will depend on factors such as your surgeon’s fee, the type of procedures you choose to undergo, the location of your procedure, and other miscellaneous medical expenses. At Heights Plastic Surgery, we accept cash and all major credit cards. We are also happy to offer financing through CareCredit® for patients. Because a mommy makeover is typically more about cosmetic appearance and is less of a medical necessity, it is not covered by most insurance plans.
What procedures are included in a mommy makeover? A mommy makeover is a personalized combination of any of the following cosmetic procedures: Tummy Tuck. A tummy tuck is the primary element in a mommy makeover. This procedure covers everything from the repair of separated abdominal muscles, the ridding of excess skin and fat, and the removal of stretch marks. Additionally, a tummy tuck can alter the position of the belly button on the mid-section. Liposuction. Liposuction removes excess fat from the woman’s stomach, back, arms, or thighs. This procedure is often done in conjunction with a tummy tuck to help sculpt and shape the silhouette. Breast Enhancement. The breast enhancement portion of the makeover surgery usually combines a breast lift with breast augmentation or a breast reduction. When combined, these procedures can alter the shape, position, and size of the breasts. Brazilian Butt Lift. A Brazilian butt lift involves the use of harvested fat from the patient’s body to lift and sculpt your buttocks. Renuvion. Skin tightening also enhances the results of liposuction. We use a special plasma technology called Renuvion to achieve skin tightening for our Houston mommy makeover patients. Non-surgical procedures. Patients may also choose to undergo non-surgical cosmetic procedures as part of their mommy makeovers, such as dermal fillers.
Am I a good candidate for a mommy makeover? At Heights Plastic Surgery, ideal candidates for a mommy makeover agree with the following: Experiencing undesirable physical changes since giving birth Having been six months since you finished breastfeeding No longer having any plans to give birth to more children Being within the recommended Body Mass Index (BMI) Having realistic goals about your desired figure After Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks confirms that you are a candidate for a mommy makeover, they will discuss your personalized treatment plan with you. This involves helping you determine the correct procedures that best suit your expected results.
How does Heights Plastic Surgery perform mommy makeovers? A mommy makeover is an outpatient procedure that typically takes about three to six hours to complete. To begin, an anesthetic will be administered to ensure you are comfortable and pain-free throughout your entire surgical experience. Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will then carefully and strategically complete the combination of procedures discussed with your personalized treatment plan as a part of your one-on-one consultation. Following your surgery, you may be asked to wear a surgical compression garment around your midsection and a surgical bra to reduce swelling and promote healing.
What can I expect in recovery after a mommy makeover? The recovery period of a mommy makeover can be very challenging. It is important to schedule your regular follow-up visits to Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks’ office to ensure you are healing with no complications. For the first 24 hours, you may experience some pain and discomfort as your anesthesia wears off. Dr. Downey or Dr. Bullocks will provide you with prescription medication to help you manage this discomfort before your discharge. You may have surgical drains to help control fluid build-up in your body and be asked to wear surgical compression garments to promote healing. Within about two to three weeks following your mommy makeover, your surgical drains may be removed and you may return to work and low-impact daily activities. Most patients report getting used to their new bodies after about one month when most swelling and redness subsides. Swelling, bruising and the use of your surgical bra will typically last about six weeks. We may ask you to continue using your other compression garments for up to 90 days following your procedure to ensure the ultimate results.