pacifica Plastic surgery

CAMARILLO

STUDIO CITY

Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover

Many women love being pregnant and experiencing the physical changes their bodies go through to form new life. For some women, however, the joys of motherhood do not roll over to their post-baby bodies.

Not every mother’s body snaps back to its pre-pregnancy shape and tone after childbirth, even with diligent exercise and healthy eating habits. The changes experienced before, during and after pregnancy can leave some mothers feeling less confident about their appearance.

Southern California Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Daniel Kolder has helped hundreds of moms look and feel their best after pregnancy and breastfeeding through a customized mommy makeover procedure.

To learn more about our mommy makeover procedures or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kolder, please contact us online.

Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover

Many women love being pregnant and experiencing the physical changes their bodies go through to form new life. For some women, however, the joys of motherhood do not roll over to their post-baby bodies.

Not every mother’s body snaps back to its pre-pregnancy shape and tone after childbirth, even with diligent exercise and healthy eating habits. The changes experienced before, during and after pregnancy can leave some mothers feeling less confident about their appearance.

Our Southern California board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Kolder has helped hundreds of moms address the after-effects of pregnancy and breastfeeding through our customized mommy makeover procedures.
To learn more about our mommy makeover procedures or to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Kolder, please contact us online or call us today at 805-491-9535.

Best Candidates for a Mommy Makeover

Moms of virtually any age could be a good candidate for a mommy makeover, whether they have young children or an empty nest. During your consultation, Dr. Kolder will listen to your goals, review your medical history and perform a physical examination to determine if a mommy makeover could be right for you. 

Generally speaking, good candidates for a mommy makeover are women who:

  • Are finished having children.
  • Are within 10 to 20 pounds of their target weight.
  • Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Do not smoke or are willing to quit smoking for several weeks before and after surgery.
  • Have a dependable support system to help during post-surgery recovery.
  • Have realistic expectations for their results.
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Benefits of a Mommy Makeover

Mommy makeovers are unique in that they are a customized set of cosmetic procedures designed to target several areas of the body at once. This multi-purpose approach makes mommy makeovers appealing for a variety of reasons:

  • Convenience. Many women, especially those with young children, find that combining multiple procedures into one surgery is the most convenient way to take some time for themselves. A single mommy makeover surgery requires only one recovery period, rather than multiple recoveries following multiple singular surgeries.
  • Cost-effectiveness. Combining several procedures into one surgery also helps to keep total costs lower than if you were to schedule each surgery individually. 
  • Comprehensiveness. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect several areas of the body, which is why many of our Camarillo and Studio City patients choose a mommy makeover – it is able to address trouble spots simultaneously.
  • Customizable nature. Because mommy makeovers can include virtually any procedures of your choosing, they are highly customizable and can work well for women with specific aesthetic goals in mind.

What’s Included in a Mommy Makeover?

Mommy makeovers can essentially include any set of cosmetic procedures that you would like. During your consultation, Dr. Kolder will work with you to create a customized mommy makeover surgical plan that best meets your unique needs and goals. 

Keep in mind that for extensive mommy makeovers that include a large number of procedures, Dr. Kolder may recommend splitting the procedure up into multiple surgeries. That said, most mommy makeovers are able to be performed in a single procedure. 

Some of the cosmetic procedures that are most commonly included in a mommy makeover are a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lift and arm lift. 

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is one of the most common procedures to be included in a mommy makeover, since the abdominal area is often most affected by pregnancy. Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while also tightening the underlying abdominal muscles.

Liposuction

Liposuction removes stubborn exercise-resistant fat from common trouble spots like the hips, waist, thighs and back to create a smoother, curvier body contour. It is important to note that while liposuction can address stubborn subcutaneous fat, it doesn’t stand in for traditional weight loss. Dr. Kolder recommends getting as close as possible to your target weight first to see the best mommy makeover results.

Breast Augmentation

Many moms struggle with a loss of breast volume or breast asymmetry following pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breast augmentation can help by increasing the volume of your breasts and/or addressing any asymmetry that may have developed with the use of breast implants.

Breast Lift

A breast lift can be performed on its own or in conjunction with breast augmentation. You could be a good candidate for a breast lift if you’re experiencing significant breast sagging, drooping or excess skin. 

Arm Lift

Brachioplasty, also known as an arm lift, is a surgical procedure that reduces excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper arms. This area can be particularly challenging to address through diet and exercise alone, making it a popular addition to many mommy makeovers.

How to Prepare for Your Mommy Makeover

As your mommy makeover day approaches, there are some steps you can take to make your recovery a little easier. These include:

  • Quitting smoking at least 4 weeks before your mommy makeover. Do not start again until you are completely healed. Smoking can adversely impact healing after surgical procedures, so it would be best to quit smoking altogether.
  • Avoiding blood thinners such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications and certain herbal supplements, as these can contribute to increased bleeding complications. Dr. Kolder will review your complete list of medications and supplements with you prior to your procedure.
  • Readying your recovery space. Gather groceries, make meals ahead so you have food to easily heat up, pick up necessary prescriptions before your big day and don’t forget to have some relaxing entertainment on hand, such as a book or a list of Netflix shows you have been wanting to catch up on.
  • Arranging for transportation to and from your procedure and extra help around the house for the first week or two after your mommy makeover.

The Mommy Makeover Procedure

The specifics of your mommy makeover procedure will be determined by the type and number of individual procedures that you and Dr. Kolder had discussed including. Typically, most mommy makeovers take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to complete. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and is an outpatient procedure, so you can expect to return home the same day. 

You will need a responsible adult to drive you home from your mommy makeover and stay with you for at least 24 hours. However, you should also plan on having some extra help with childcare and/or petcare, as well as daily household duties while you recover.

Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover Recovery

After your mommy makeover surgery, you will have bandages in place over your incisions, as well as post-surgical support garments to keep swelling down and support healing during your recovery. Dr. Kolder will give you post-surgery instructions that will be specific to your customized set of procedures. Plan on avoiding strenuous activity for at least 4 to 6 weeks after your mommy makeover. Many women are able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks after a mommy makeover, depending on the physical demands of the job.

The exact recovery period for a mommy makeover again depends on the procedures you’ve had. With a tummy tuck, for example, you can expect to be off work for at least two weeks, but you will also be restricted from lifting more than 25 pounds for as long as 3 months. 

Healing will continue for several weeks as swelling decreases and the shape of the treated areas of your body improve. Continue to follow Dr. Kolder’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled to make sure your mommy makeover recovery is on track and without complications.

Mommy Makeover Results

Recovery and results vary for each woman, but most people are able to see the beginnings of their results soon after a mommy makeover. Swelling and bruising, however, can temporarily camouflage these initial results, so don’t be worried if you do not see the results you’d expected right away. As you continue to heal and your swelling diminishes over the next several weeks, you will see continued improvements to your body’s contours. 

Final mommy makeover results can take several months to develop, as residual swelling subsides and implants settle. It is important to follow Dr. Kolder’s aftercare guidelines and go to your follow-up appointments to ensure you are healing properly and ready to partake in certain activities. 

Women who undergo a mommy makeover with Dr. Kolder are thrilled with their results. Getting back the body they had before having children often can have a significantly positive impact on women’s lives moving forward. This surgery allows women to be both a mother and to have a body they can feel confident about.

Mommy Makeover

Next Steps

If you are unhappy with changes to your body following pregnancy and breastfeeding and would like to learn more about beginning your own mommy makeover, please contact us online to schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Kolder.

Mommy Makeover FAQs

The cost of a mommy makeover in California greatly depends on which and how many procedures are included. For example, a mommy makeover that combines a tummy tuck with lower-body liposuction will cost less than a mommy makeover that combines a tummy tuck, liposuction and a breast lift with implants. Dr. Kolder will be able to provide you with a more accurate mommy makeover cost estimate at your consultation, based on your specific goals and the details of your procedure. We also offer several financing options for our patients’ convenience.

During your mommy makeover, you will have general anesthesia so you should not feel any pain. Afterwards, you will likely have some discomfort, but most pain can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medications given to you after the procedures.

Medical advancements have made all procedures involved in mommy makeovers relatively safe, but any surgical procedure comes with certain risks. With mommy makeovers, the most common complications include adverse reactions, infections or excessive bleeding. Dr. Kolder will go over your medical history during your initial consultation and address any possible complications. After your procedure, you will receive post-op instructions to help minimize any risks during your healing process.

Getting word-of-mouth referrals from friends and family in your area is one of the best ways to start your search for the best mommy makeover plastic surgeon near you. You will also want to verify medical credentials, such as certification with the American Board of Plastic Surgery, of the plastic surgeon and staff members online. You can also look at mommy makeover before and after photos, read online reviews and, finally, schedule a consultation or two with your top picks to find the best fit for you.

There is no single best age to get a mommy makeover. In fact, this procedure is popular with women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and even 60s (the increasingly popular “granny makeover”). More important than age is the stage of life you are in when determining the best timing for your mommy makeover. If you are still considering having more children, you will likely want to hold off on getting a mommy makeover until you are more certain you have completed your family. Otherwise, you may need a revision procedure to obtain your same results after a subsequent pregnancy.

There is no set weight limit for getting a mommy makeover. Generally speaking, however, Dr. Kolder prefers mommy makeover candidates to have a BMI of 30 or lower to minimize the risk of complications and to ensure optimal results. This typically equates to being within 10 to 20 pounds of your target weight, although the closer you can get to your ideal weight prior to your mommy makeover, the better your results may be.

At your mommy makeover consultation, Dr. Kolder will perform a physical examination and listen to your ultimate goals to determine if you could be a good candidate for the procedures you would like to include in your mommy makeover.

A mommy makeover is a body contouring procedure and is not meant to stand in for traditional weight loss. While you will likely lose some inches off your waist and will notice that your clothes fit better, the goal of a mommy makeover is not to significantly reduce the number on the scale.

Mommy makeover scars vary depending on the procedures performed. However, Dr. Kolder takes great care to place all incisions in discreet locations, such as along the bikini line for a tummy tuck or under the breast crease for augmentation. With proper care, scars will fade over time and become less noticeable.

Mommy makeover results can be very long-lasting, or even permanent in some cases. The longevity of your results will largely depend on which procedures you’ve included in your mommy makeover. Breast implants, for instance, may need to be replaced after 10 or more years, while tummy tuck results may be nearly permanent, provided you maintain healthy lifestyle habits and avoid significant weight fluctuations.

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Dr. Daniel G. Kolder

Written By: Dr. Daniel G. Kolder

Dr. Daniel G. Kolder is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. As a highly trained plastic surgeon serving Ventura County, he is best-known for his warm, easy manner, compassionate care, and beautiful, natural results.

More about Dr. Daniel G. Kolder | Dr. Daniel G. Kolder Reviews

Last Reviewed: September 8th, 2026

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