Mommy Makeover

Haute Beauty interviewed Dr. Paul F. Fortes to discuss Mommy Makeovers, a combination of aesthetic cosmetic procedures aimed at helping mothers return to their ideal physiques.

Haute Beauty: What is a Mommy Makeover

Dr. Paul Fortes: A Mommy Makeover is a group of aesthetic surgical procedures geared towards women who have had one or more pregnancies leading to physical changes in the body. Changes could include drooping or volume loss in the breasts, muscle and skin laxity in the abdominal wall, or new areas of fat accumulation around the hips or waist. 

HB: How does the Mommy Makeover procedure work?

Dr. Fortes: Each Mommy Makeover is different, as they are customized for the individual’s needs. Each patient that wants a Mommy Makeover is asked about the specific areas of aesthetic concerns that they have, and is then examined to determine the best options of treatment to meet their aesthetic goals.

We will then have a thorough review of a patient’s medical history to ensure that surgical treatment is a viable option. While every Mommy Makeover is different, procedures may include some combination of abdominoplasty, liposuction, fat grafting, breast augmentation, or breast lift.

HB: Who is the best candidate for this type of aesthetic transformation?

Dr. Fortes: An ideal candidate for a Mommy Makeover is a woman at least 3-6 months postpartum, is no longer breastfeeding, and is not planning on any more future pregnancies. She should be healthy, with no underlying medical issues, and have returned to a pre-pregnancy, healthy weight.

HB: How does this treatment compare to others of the same nature?

Dr. Fortes: A Mommy Makeover is not a “one size fits all” procedure, but an individualized plan to improve the aesthetic appearance of the breasts, stomach, and/or other parts of the body to meet the goals of the patient. Options can include any combination of a variety of aesthetic surgical procedures.

HB: What does recovery for a Mommy Makeover look like?

Dr. Fortes: The recovery will vary depending on the scope of the procedures. If the makeover involves only minor areas of liposuction and mini-abdominoplasty, recovery could be as short as one or two weeks. If a patient’s Mommy Makeover involves full abdominoplasty, liposuction, and a breast lift and augmentation, total recovery can take between two and three months. 

A recovery process will likely have many steps. First, a patient will be on 24 hours of bed rest at the location of the surgery. For the first week after, the patient will be able to walk, but at a slightly bent position. By the third week, the patient will be off all pain medications and will be able to drive and return to light work activities. After 6 weeks, she will be able to start a light exercise program. An unrestricted exercise program and a return to all normal activity generally occurs between 3-6 months.