Mommy Makeover in the Toronto Area

Women come to our Toronto practice considering mommy makeover procedures because they want to regain their pre-baby bodies after they’re finished having children. The physical toll taken by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding often results in sagging, deflated breasts and excess abdominal skin. Dr. Derek T. Ford and Dr. Steven Hanna’s track record of creating beautiful, natural-looking results attract patients from throughout the Ontario region.

Introduction & Indications

A mommy makeover can help restore both your body’s pre-pregnancy shape and your confidence. The combination of procedures typically performed as part of a mommy makeover address the areas of the body affected by having children, such as the breasts, abdomen, and vagina. A mommy makeover may include:

• Tummy tuck: Removes excess skin and, if necessary, tightens loose abdominal muscles
• Liposuction: Removes pockets of stubborn fat and sculpts attractive, even contours
• Breast lift: Restores the breasts’ youthful shape
• Breast augmentation: Restores lost volume to the breasts
• Breast reduction: Removes excess breast tissue and reshapes breasts
• Labiaplasty: Tightens the vagina and creates a more aesthetically pleasing appearance

Your surgeon creates a customized surgical plan for each mommy makeover patient, depending on her specific concerns and physical condition. A tummy tuck is often the primary focus of a mommy makeover, because the stretched skin and fascia (fibrous tissue) surrounding the abdominal muscles. Cosmetic breast surgery—usually breast augmentation or lift, or a combination of both procedures—can correct concerns caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Assessment

Some patients arrive for their initial consultations with their surgeon with general concerns about the appearance of their bodies after having children. During the consultation, your surgeon completes a thorough physical examination to help determine the best surgical path going forward. He evaluates the quality of the breasts’ skin, the breasts’ firmness, and the degree of sagging. Patients often ask if getting breast implants can create a lifted appearance. The answer in most cases is no, because implants only add volume, which may cause the breasts to sag even more. Augmentation alone may be appropriate for patients whose breasts have a minor degree of sagging.

Your surgeon also assesses the abdominal area, recording your skin quality and the presence of stretch marks (which can be reduced during surgery if they’re below the navel.) He can also evaluate if your abdominal muscles require repair. You’ll also discuss your medical and weight history.

(Dr. Ford) was very approachable at my consultation and I was comfortable with him. I had size concerns and received 2 calls at home in the evening which I never expected and a follow up appointment right after so he could address my concerns.

pblover, 5-star RealSelf review

Procedure

Your surgeon performs mommy makeovers using general anesthesia. The length of the surgery varies depending on the combination of procedures performed and the extent of correction needed. Most mommy makeover operations last between 4 and 6 hours. The techniques used by our surgeons for each of the procedures involved are explained in detail elsewhere on this website.

During a tummy tuck, your surgeon makes a horizontal incision that stretches from hip to hip, just above the pubic area. A bathing suit or underwear conceals the resulting scar. He removes unwanted fat and tightens abdominal muscles, and then removes excess skin before closing the incision.

Breast augmentation patients choose their implants during their consultations–deciding between silicone gel or saline implants and the size. If you’re combining a breast lift with augmentation, your surgeon makes an incision from the nipple to the crease where the breast connects to the chest. For severe sagging, he also makes a horizontal incision along the bottom of the breast, and then removes excess skin and reshapes the breast to elevate the nipple and create a youthful perkiness.

Recuperating After Surgery

One of the benefits of combining procedures into a single operation is having to plan for only one recovery. This is especially helpful if you need to arrange for child care during your recuperation. You’ll need to take adequate time to rest and avoid lifting anything, including children. The tummy tuck will likely cause more discomfort and soreness than the other procedure sites, but your surgeon prescribes pain medication that can help manage your discomfort.

Expect to take at least 2 to 3 weeks off from work and you’ll need to avoid strenuous activities for more than a month. Patients wear a special compression garment during the recovery to help reduce swelling and maintain the body’s new contours. your surgeon provides detailed post-op instructions that when closely followed can help you recover more quickly and with much less chance of complications.

Mommy Makeover Considerations & Cost

Choosing a highly trained and experienced plastic surgeon is important for any procedure. It’s especially true, however, when you’re combining several procedures into a single operation. Knowing that a surgeon has performed multiple mommy makeovers provides the peace of mind patients want prior to surgery. The cost of a mommy makeover varies depending on the procedures involved. Another advantage of a mommy makeover is that you only have to pay certain fees a single time, as opposed to if you scheduled separate operations.

Common Complements

Besides the procedures that are typically included in a mommy makeover, you can discuss adding nonsurgical facial rejuvenation, such as injectables, as part of the package of treatments involved in your mommy makeover. Patients may also want to use some of the skin care products we offer, including Kelo‐cote®, an odorless silicone gel that softens and flattens raised scars following surgery.