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Restoring Your Pre-Pregnancy Body with Mommy Makeovers

Childbearing and care create special moments and excitement in a woman’s life. However, this process can lead to negative physical changes as the tummy becomes stretched, breasts deflate and sag, and excess fat accumulates around the abdomen and hips. Dr. Arroyo uses mommy makeovers to help reverse these changes.

What is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is a plastic surgery treatment that incorporates several surgical procedures designed to reverse the negative physical outcome of pregnancy, childbirth, aging, and motherhood. During a mommy makeover, plastic surgeons perform customized surgical procedures like breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction to restore the body to the pre-baby state for the mom. Many women who undergo a mommy makeover enjoy a rejuvenated, youthful appearance and increased self-confidence. If you're looking for similar results from a mommy makeover in Houston, Dr. Arroyo can help.

What Does a Mommy Makeover Entail?

What is a Mommy Makeover? And What's Included?

Who is a Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

You may be an excellent candidate for a mommy makeover in Houston if:

  • You are in great physical and emotional health
  • You have deflated and sagging breasts due to breastfeeding
  • You have overly stretched skin or excess fat in various areas of your body
  • You are near your ideal weight goal

During your consultation at Dr. Arroyo’s Houston cosmetic surgery center, he will listen closely to your wishes and concerns, examine your body, and let you know the best course of action. During your consultation, Dr. Arroyo uses a state-of-the-art virtual tool in which he will be able to show you what you can expect using your pictorial anatomy. Using this he can show you exactly what your body will look like before he even gets started.

Procedures Included in a Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a comprehensive treatment regimen that aims to improve a woman’s body contours and sense of confidence after childbearing. During a mommy makeover procedure, Dr. Arroyo may perform any of the following procedures to suit the patient’s requirements and the goals of the surgery.

Breast Lift & Augmentation

During pregnancy, breasts enlarge and become fuller as they begin the milk production process. After delivery, however, nursing moms will experience a dramatic swelling and shrinking of their breasts. This expansion and contraction weakens the skin and supporting muscles, leading to smaller, deflated, and sagging breasts. This can be corrected with a breast lift or breast augmentation that aims to improve the shape, size, or projection of the female breasts. In some cases, the surgeon may perform both procedures to achieve the desired cosmetic improvements.

Liposuction

A woman’s body stores fat around the hips, thighs, and love handles during pregnancy. After childbirth, she is left with stubborn fat pockets throughout the body that can negatively impact her attractiveness and sense of self-confidence. Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that permanently removes excess fat to restore a slimmer and smoother body contour. During the liposuction procedure, Dr. Arroyo will make tiny incisions in the target area and use a special device known as a cannula to suck out fat cells.

Breast Reduction

Also referred to as reduction mammoplasty, breast reduction is a cosmetic surgery treatment that aims to reduce the size of overly large and heavy breasts. Pregnancy and nursing often lead to a noticeable increase in breast volume. In some cases, this increase in size may lead to physical symptoms such as back pain and shoulder grooves caused by bra straps. Breast reduction surgery may be included in your mommy makeover to alleviate very large breasts’ physical and emotional consequences.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

A woman’s uterus enlarges during pregnancy to accommodate the developing fetus. This causes the belly skin to stretch and lose elasticity. Similarly, the abdominal muscles become weakened. A tummy tuck addresses excess loose skin, stretch marks, and weakened abdominal muscles. Many women who receive this procedure as part of their mommy makeover enjoy a tight, toned, and more attractive midsection. During the surgery, Dr. Arroyo will make an incision on the lower abdomen and remove excess skin, fat, and tissue. He will then tighten weakened abdominal muscles and close incisions using appropriate sutures.

Benefits of a mommy makeover

The main benefit of a mommy makeover is that it reduces the overall cost and recovery time for the patient when undergoing multiple body sculpting procedures. The risk of complications is also reduced by undergoing one rather than multiple sessions under anesthesia. The cosmetic advantages of a mommy makeover include a more sculpted, streamlined torso, enhanced cleavage, the excision of sagging skin, removal of stretch marks, and increased wardrobe options. Overall, a mommy makeover can beautifully restore your self-confidence and self-image.

Why Choose Dr. Arroyo for a Mommy Makeover?

Dr. Christian Arroyo combines years of training with a deep understanding of the physical and emotional journey behind each mommy makeover. Having studied at the University of Puerto Rico and completed general surgery residencies at the University of Connecticut and the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Arroyo pursued his plastic surgery residency at Houston Methodist Hospital, refining his aesthetic and reconstructive surgery skills. Honored as Houston’s Best Plastic Surgeon in 2022, he is a leader in his field. He prioritizes patient safety by often using TIVA (total intravenous sedation), which is gentler than general anesthesia. His multicultural background and bilingual skills enable him to connect personally with patients from diverse backgrounds, delivering results that honor their unique needs. Dr. Arroyo’s approach is centered on trust, experience, and outstanding care—qualities that make him an ideal choice for a mommy makeover.

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Dr. Arroyo's Sedation Method for Mommy Makeovers

Dr. Christian Arroyo’s anesthesia team uses a unique sedation method called Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) Sedation. This technique is considered to be generally safer and allows the patient to breathe without intubation during surgery. 

TIVA is also free from many of the common side effects of general anesthesia, including nausea, vomiting, and pain. The TIVA method starts with oral medication, rather than the typical intravenous, to ease the nerves and assist with pain control. It helps to utilize fewer intravenous medications during the procedure and lowers anesthesia side effects such as respiratory depression. Next, the patient is brought to the operating room, where intravenous medications are administered, and sedation begins. Safety is always the number one priority, and the doctor and his team will closely monitor the patient. Just one more way Dr. Arroyo ensures that you'll receive some of the best results with your mommy makeover in Houston.

Mommy Makeover Review

"It was a tremendously fabulous experience! My physician and his staff were so attentive and kind, I always felt heard and supported. Moreover, I am so thrilled with my results, I would recommend to anyone considering."

Realself Patient

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Mommy makeover consultation

Your mommy makeover consultation is an excellent time to discuss your goals and wishes for improvement and to ask Dr. Arroyo questions about his approach and techniques. He will perform a physical examination and a thorough review of your medical history and will inquire about any medications, supplements, and herbs you are currently taking. Dr. Arroyo will go over both the risks and benefits of your procedure in detail and will show you before and after photos of patients with similar concerns. It is often a good idea to write down your questions for Dr. Arroyo ahead of time, so you don’t forget anything in the moment.

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Mommy Makeover Recovery and results 

Recovery time for each patient will vary, based on the individual procedures that they underwent and their own healing abilities. Most patients take several weeks to rest and recuperate at home. You’ll need a friend or family member to drive you home after your surgery and assist you with basic chores and childcare for the first few days. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks, or as advised by your doctor. Gentle walks after surgery are encouraged, however, as this will help minimize the risk of blood clots, boost your circulation, and enhance your mood. 

Bruising, swelling, and tenderness after surgery are all normal side effects. Dr. Arroyo will provide you with the appropriate pain medications and personalized recovery instructions. As your healing progresses, you’ll begin enjoying a wider selection of wardrobe choices and experience a more positive body image.

Mommy Makeover FAQs

What procedures are included in a mommy makeover?

How soon after childbirth can I have a mommy makeover?

Will all procedures be performed at once?

How long is the recovery period?

Will my scars be visible?

How much does a mommy makeover cost?

What procedures are included in a mommy makeover?

Mommy makeovers typically integrate a set of individual procedures that are customized to the patient’s individual needs. Some of these procedures include liposuction, breast lift or augmentation, tummy tuck, arm lift, and thigh lift. During your mommy makeover consultation with Dr. Arroyo, he will listen to your wishes and concerns, examine your body, and let you know what combination of procedures will work best for you.

How soon after childbirth can I have a mommy makeover?

Dr. Arroyo recommends that you wait at least six months after childbearing before receiving this cosmetic treatment. If you are breastfeeding, you may have to wait before you have your mommy makeover. Keep in mind that this procedure is best suited for women who do not wish to have more children. This does not mean you cannot have one if you may want more children in the future, but subsequent pregnancy will negatively impact your procedure’s long-term outcome.

Will all procedures be performed at once?

Dr. Arroyo may prefer to perform your mommy makeover procedures simultaneously so you can have a combined recovery period. In some cases, it may be necessary to pursue a staged approach where different combinations of procedures are performed at other times. During your Houston consultation with Dr. Arroyo, the surgeon will create a treatment timetable that suits your needs and schedule.

How long is the recovery period?

The recovery timeline after a mommy makeover may vary from one patient to the other depending on the number of surgical procedures performed, as well as each patient’s unique healing ability. However, the majority of Dr. Arroyo’s patients can expect to resume routine activities within four weeks. You will be asked to desist from strenuous activities until after getting the green light from the surgeon.

Will my scars be visible?

Many patients who plan to undergo a mommy makeover or other cosmetic surgery procedures are concerned about scarring. Dr. Arroyo is a highly qualified plastic surgeon who utilizes advanced surgical methods to achieve the goals of the procedure with minimal risk of scarring and other complications. The surgeon will discuss the incision approach during one of your pre-op consultation visits. Following the surgery, Dr. Arroyo will also provide instructions on how to properly take care of your scars so they can fade over time.

How much does a mommy makeover cost?

The cost of a Mommy Makeover will vary significantly from one patient to another, depending on the number of procedures included. Many of Dr. Arroyo’s patients can expect to pay between $10,000 and more than $20,000 for treatment. Health insurance companies typically do not cover Mommy Makeover because it is considered an elective cosmetic procedure (and not a medical necessity). During your consultation with Dr. Arroyo, his office team will provide a price estimate so you can arrange for financing.

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