Mommy Makeover in New Jersey

For more information or to answer any questions, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

Many women who have children experiences changes in their abdomen and breasts during pregnancy and after childbirth.

A mommy makeover is a combination of an abdominoplasty and breast procedure (breast lift, breast reduction, or breast augmentation) with the goal of restoring a functional abdominal core and recreating a feminine silhouette.

What is an Abdominoplasty?

An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a powerful surgery that removes loose abdominal tissue and realigns the rectus abdominus “six-pack” muscles. This procedure is both functional and cosmetic.

Many women undergo fluctuations in weight as they age and frequently complain of excessively loose abdominal skin and fat deposits above and/or underneath the belly button.

Additionally, after pregnancy, many women are unable to restore their core abdominal strength because the fascia between the muscle’s separates, causing a diastasis recti. This cannot be corrected with diet and exercise alone.

My approach to treating these issues focuses on:

  • restoring abdominal core strength by surgically realigning the rectus abdominus muscles

  • excising excess skin, fat, and stretch marks to create or restore a feminine waistline. 

When done together, the result can be life changing.

Common Questions:

1.    WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A MOMMY MAKEOVER?

This operation is great for women who are finished having children and are frustrated that their abdomen and waist is not improving with exercise and weight loss.

During pregnancy, the rectus abdominus muscles separate to accommodate a growing uterus. In some women, these abdominal muscles never realign and this results in a rectus diastasis. 

This procedure is also great in for women who are frustrated that despite their best efforts at diet and exercise, they have not achieved a firm, flat midline.

A good candidate for a tummy tuck is someone who:

  • Has loose excess abdominal skin and poor skin tone or elasticity

  • Has undergone large fluctuations in weight gain / loss and has residual pockets of fat that are not improving with exercise

  • Not currently pregnant and finished having children

  • Currently at their optimal body weight

  • In good general health and is invested in her postoperative recovery.

2.    What are the breast procedures that can be combined with an abdominoplasty?

 A breast augmentation is when a silicone or saline breast implant is placed to enhance a woman’s natural size and shape.

A breast lift or mastopexy, is a cosmetic surgery that can restore sagging breasts into a natural breast shape and youthful position.

A breast lift often requires removal of excess breast skin and redundant breast tissue. Additionally, a breast lift may be combined with an augmentation (breast implant surgery) for additional volume and to create a perkier appearance.

Lastly, for women whose breasts continue to grow after they complete their families, a breast reduction procedure is great for women with large breasts that cause neck, back, and shoulder pain and discomfort. Women who benefit from this surgery often complain of difficulty with regular activities and exercise as well as issues finding clothing that fits properly and bra strap grooving.

3.    HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY TAKE? WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME?

When a breast procedure and abdominoplasty are combined together, a mommy makeover takes on average 6-8 hours and requires general anesthesia.

I recommend overnight hospital observation for pain control and to monitor for signs of blood clots, which is an uncommon but serious complication that can arise from an abdominoplasty.

The day after surgery, you are placed in an abdominal compression garment and surgical bra that help with swelling and comfort. I recommend you wear the garment 6-12 week postoperatively.

The first week home, most patients are walking a small amount daily and moving slowly around their house in a slightly bent position. No cooking, cleaning, or chores for the first 1-2 weeks of recovery.

Most patients are back to their usual daily activities by 2 weeks and may resume physical activity starting around 4 weeks. Plan to return to work by 2 weeks.

4.    WHERE IS THE SCAR?

An abdominoplasty scar (usually from hip to hip) is hidden under your underwear or bathing suit line. It may incorporate into a c-section scar as well.

Breast scars vary based on the type of surgical procedure performed.

5.    WHAT’S DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TUMMY TUCK AND LIPOSUCTION?

Liposuction is a noninvasive (no skin incision and no long scars) procedure that focuses on removal of fat but does not address excess skin. Liposuction does not address muscle separation or diastasis recti.

In some patients, it is safe to combine liposuction with an abdominoplasty, depending on where excess fat resides. In others, it is best to stage the surgeries separately.

6. HOW MUCH DOES A MOMMY MAKEOVER COST IN NEW JERSEY?

Each patient is different, and your needs are unique. The cost of this procedure will depend on the conversation between you and Dr. Parcells during your one-on-one consultation.

After reviewing your medical history and discussing your desired goals, Dr. Parcells will perform a physical exam to evaluate your skin tone, laxity, and assess for hernias or a rectus diastasis as well as your breasts.

She will then provide her expert advice and discuss your options to achieve your desired outcome.  She will also address all risks and benefits of the procedures you are interested in.

At the end of your consultation with Dr. Parcells, you will meet with our surgical coordinator who will address the logistics and finances of the procedure you are best suited for.

Dr. Parcells is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.