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Mommy Makeover

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Actual Patient

5 Reasons Women Want a Mommy Makeover

Pregnancy, child birth, and breast feeding all play a role in changing the mother’s body from the shape she was once happy with, to the current one with drooping breasts, and a loose and bulging abdomen. It’s a common problem, and one that is being addressed and resolved by expert plastic surgeons such as Dr. Brian Klink and Dr. William McClure. Mommy makeovers were created to help women reverse the physical changes associated with childbirth:

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Breast position

Sagging breasts, uneven breasts, decreased breast volume, drooping nipples and stretched areolas.

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Excess fat

Stubborn fat in the love-handle area as well as on the hips and thighs.
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C-section aftermath

Areas of fat hanging over a surgical scar after a Caesarean section.
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Breast size

Breasts so much larger after childbirth that they are out of proportion with the rest of the body and cause back pain.
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"Mommy" Tuck

A mid-section with loose skin and stretch marks, and a waistline that has become thick and undefined.

The Basics of a Mommy Makeover

As joyful as motherhood may be, pregnancy wreaks havoc on a woman’s body. It affects the body’s hormones, metabolism and fat-to-muscle ratio. Regardless of how many pre-natal yoga classes you attend or how much shea butter balm you smooth over your skin, when pregnancy kicks in, your body begins to change and expand in ways you may have never expected.

The three major complaints that bring mothers to Solano Plastic Surgery for body contouring are:

  1. Stretched skin and muscles in the lower abdomen, the result of a woman’s body making room to accommodate her baby.
  2. Sagging and deflated breasts, the result of pregnancy and nursing.
  3. Stubborn pockets of fat that don’t respond to diet or exercise, due to hormonal changes.

In light of these concerns, it’s a good time to be a mother, as least as far as body contouring is concerned. Due, in part, to advancements in techniques and treatments, 62% of mothers say they would like plastic surgery to help them regain their pre-baby figure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), more and more of those women are turning their desire into action.

  • 296,000 breast augmentations
  • 112,000 tummy tucks
  • 90,000 breast lifts

Many factors have contributed to the increase, including a relaxed attitude in general towards mommy makeovers.

 “In the last decade we’ve seen women’s attitudes about cosmetic surgery change. Today women are not afraid to admit that they love their children, but they wish their bodies looked the way they did before their first pregnancies. And they’re not afraid to acknowledge that they may need a little help beyond a healthy diet and exercise”

President Phillip Haeck, Former President of ASPS

Click to enlarge

In other words, women have embraced the idea that being a mother does not have to come at the expense of their ideal body. Dr. McClure and Dr. Klink perform mommy makeovers at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery to correct problematic areas and reverse physical changes brought on by pregnancy and childbirth with a variety of surgical procedures:

  • Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
  • Breast Enhancement (including lift and/or augmentation or breast reduction)
  • Fat Removal with Liposuction

A mommy makeover at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery is tailored to the needs of each specific patient. We believe that “less is more” and help our patients choose procedures that will have the greatest impact on their appearance and the least impact on their bodies.

Common Mommy Makeover Procedures:

Breast Enhancement

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, breast lift procedures have increased by a dramatic 75% in the last 10 years. Any woman who has been through a pregnancy understands why breast enhancement procedures are in-demand. As reported in Vogue Magazine, women describe their post-pregnancy breasts like this:

  • “Tube socks filled with a stack of quarters”
  • “Egg yolks dripping down a wall”
  • “Deflated water balloons”
  • “…so saggy, I actually don’t like to have sex with my husband unless I’m wearing a bra”

Based on a patient’s anatomy and her breast enhancement goals, Dr Klink will create a treatment plan that includes one or both of the following surgeries:

  • Breast Implants – Some women are happy with the position of their breasts, but would like to achieve the same breast size (or a little bigger) than they had before they lost volume after pregnancy.Implants help to replace lost breast tissue to add fullness and projection to the bust, as well as restore post-pregnancy firmness. In women whose skin is healthy and elastic and whose breasts are not too droopy, a breast augmentation can eliminate the need for a breast lift.
  • Breast Lift – This procedure is best for women who are generally satisfied with the size of their breasts, but not the position. After pregnancy, stretched-out skin and underlying supportive tissue makes breasts sag. A breast lift provides a long-lasting solution to sagging breasts.During a breast lift, Dr Klink reduces excess breast skin and remodels the breast tissue so that it rests higher on the chest. He is an expert at new and innovative incision techniques that allow him to create smaller and sometimes fewer incisions, which result in less scarring. Some women suffer embarrassment after pregnancy and feel that their breasts are too large in proportion to their figure. For these women, The Doctors recommend
  • Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty) – Women’s breasts typically swell to a fuller size and shape while they are pregnant. After pregnancy, most women experience a natural reduction in breast size that can lead them to breast implants and breast lifts. Others, however, find that their breasts remain larger than desired. For these women, breast reduction surgery may be the solution.

The Doctors performs breast reduction surgery to

  • Return the breasts to the smaller size they were before pregnancy.
  • Relieve common symptoms of large breasts, including discomfort, poor posture, rashes, breathing problems, and low self-esteem.

Breast reduction surgery helps women look and feel better by removing fat and glandular tissue. The procedure also tightens skin to produce smaller, lighter breasts that are in a healthier proportion to the rest of the body.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A woman’s mid-section literally carries the brunt of the weight during pregnancy, and it often stubbornly remains even after baby is born. The only way to correct the problem is with surgery. Dr Klink performs abdominoplasty on patients with loose abdominal skin who wish to restore firmness to the stomach area.

A tummy tuck takes care of all the abdominal issues experienced by post-pregnancy women

  • Stretch marks
  • Excess skin
  • Stretched abdominal wall

A tummy tuck offers an additional benefit to women who have undergone C-sections. Abdominoplasty can be performed through the existing scar or used to remove the existing scar so that only one scar remains after surgery.

  • Depending on a patient’s anatomy and goals, Dr Klink may recommend:
  • Extended Tummy Tuck – also known as a belt lipectomy.
  • Mini Tummy Tuck – also known as short-scar or small-incision abdominoplasty.
  • Non-Surgical Body Contouring – the use of traditional liposuction, laser-lipo or cosmetic injectables to firm and tone.
  • Reverse Tummy Tuck – a procedure in which the incision is made from the breastbone to the stomach.
  • Traditional Tummy Tuck (full abdominoplasty).

 

Liposuction

Stubborn body fat that won’t budge is a common complaint for women who have gone through pregnancy. Liposuction is a surgical body-contouring technique that removes localized fat deposits that are often resistant to diet or exercise.

Medically, liposuction is referred to as Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (SAL), a procedure that removes fat with the assistance of some form of suction. In the case of liposuction in a Mommy Makeover, the fat is removed through a thin hollow tube called a cannula. Improvements in SAL make it possible for patients to have smaller incisions and more precisely sculpted curves.

Another important advancement in fat removal is laser liposuction. Laser liposuction uses targeted laser energy to remove fat from problem areas, giving patients more pleasing contours and a newfound confidence in their appearance.


Depending on a patient’s needs, we often use SlimLipo, the next generation of liposuction. SlimLipo is an FDA-approved device with a patented laser wavelength expressly engineered to target fat cells. It uses a secondary wavelength specifically for skin tightening. The addition of the SlimLipo to liposuction makes it a treatment that

  • More efficiently liquefies fat (up to seven times more than the earlier Smartlipo).
  • Tightens skin effectively.

Liposuction performed in conjunction with abdominoplasty can accentuate a more narrow mid-section and add definition to the abdomen. Additionally, liposuction at the waist can enhance a woman’s hourglass figure and complement the proportions created by breast enhancement surgery.

Are You A Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

You are a good candidate for a mommy makeover if

  • Pregnancy has negatively affected the size and shape of your breasts.
  • You have a sagging tummy and stretch marks.
  • Pockets of fat on your waist, abdomen, arms or thighs do not improve with diet and exercise.

You are an ideal candidates for this or any other procedure at Napa Solano Plastic Surgery if you are

  • In overall good health.
  • Not suffering from any medical conditions that make surgery a health risk.
  • Have realistic expectations regarding the outcome and benefits, both physical and emotional.


Generally speaking, a mommy makeover is performed after a woman has had all the children she intends to have. This will prevent the need for additional surgical treatments down the road.

Mommy Makeover

Frequently Asked Questions

Mommy makeovers are now discussed frankly and openly, but you may still have questions. We hope these will answer them:

What is a Mommy Makeover?

“Mommy Makeover” is an affectionate term used to describe cosmetic surgery procedures aimed at correcting changes to a woman’s breasts and abdomen following childbirth. The most common procedures performed alone or together as part of a mommy makeover are abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), breast enhancement (breast lift and/or augmentation) and fat removal with liposuction.

Who is a good candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

A woman in overall good health who wants to correct physical changes related to pregnancy is a good candidate for the procedure. It is also important to have realistic expectations about the benefits of the surgery.

What can I expect in my initial consultation?

In order to develop a customized treatment plan, the Doctors will ask about your general medical history and discuss your areas of concern. Based on your anatomy and your goals, you will work together to determine the best way to proceed.

Is a Mommy Makeover done all at one time?

A mommy makeover at Solano Plastic Surgery may involve several procedures including tummy tuck, breast enhancement, and liposuction. The procedures can be performed in one or two stages, depending on how many areas need to be addressed and a patient’s preferences.

What are the different options for a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is unique to each woman, but will generally involve one or more of the following:

  • Breast lift, with or without augmentation
  • Abdominoplasty (also known as a tummy tuck)
  • Liposuction for fat removal

Can I have more kids after my Mommy Makeover?

Patients who are planning to have more children in the near future are advised to wait for their mommy makeover, especially with abdominoplasty. The final, long- term results of mommy makeover surgeries may not be as good if the tissues are stretched again with another pregnancy.

Is a Mommy Makeover appropriate for people who have had a C-section?

Yes. Some women have bothersome extra skin that hangs over their caesarean section scar. Abdominoplasty can remove the scar and extra skin in order to smooth the contour.

When should I have my Mommy Makeover?

Ideally, women will seek a mommy makeover when they have finished growing a family and are at a stable weight. Significant weight gain or loss after surgery may diminish the final result.

What are the risks of a Mommy Makeover?

The procedures included in a Mommy Makeover are similar to most major operations. They include poor wound healing, bleeding, infection, and seroma (fluid collection) formation.

How do I prepare for my Mommy Makeover?

A baseline of good health is useful for any cosmetic enhancement procedure. During your preliminary consultation, you will be asked about your health and lifestyle. Dr Klink will make recommendations regarding medical issues (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) and medications that may affect surgery.

Smokers need to stop smoking in order to improve circulation and reduce the risk of complications related to wound healing. Dr Klink insists that all patients should be nicotine free for at least six weeks prior to and after surgery.

Will I have scars?

Yes. It is impossible to make an incision without leaving a scar. However, skilled aesthetic plastic surgeons like the Doctors have mastered a variety of techniques to minimize incisions and hide scars. Additionally, once the incisions are fully healed, you will receive instructions on what you can do to minimize the scars and help them fade over time.

When can I resume normal activities after a Mommy Makeover?

Your recovery will depend on the procedures you choose. In most cases, it is wiser to have friends and family on call to assist you during the first few weeks after surgery. In most cases, recovery time ranges from one to four weeks.

How much does a Mommy Makeover cost?

Mommy Makeovers are considered cosmetic procedures, and insurance companies do not cover the costs.

The one exception is breast reduction. If the breasts are very large, causing shoulder, back, and neck pain, the insurance company may cover breast reduction surgery to alleviate these symptoms.

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