Revised April 2026
The success of your Mommy Makeover begins before your consultation. Arriving at this important first appointment with a clear plan helps you get better recommendations, set realistic expectations, and feel confident about your next steps. Review our helpful checklist to prepare. We’ve also provided a list of common mistakes and considerations to help to know if you’re ready for a consultation. The five board-certified plastic surgeons at The Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Denver and Golden, Colorado, look forward to meeting you.
Quick Checklist: What To Do Before Your Mommy Makeover Consultation
Use this checklist to walk into your consultation confident, informed, and ready to make the most of your time:
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Research Your Plastic Surgeon
Your choice of surgeon is the most important decision in preparing for a Mommy Makeover. Important considerations include:
Board certification
Start by making sure you choose a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Board certification means your surgeon has completed extensive accredited surgical training and passed rigorous examinations.
Focused experience
It is also important that your surgeon has years of experience performing Mommy Makeovers. Because it is a combination procedure, it can be more complicated than other cosmetic surgeries, so finding a surgeon who regularly performs Mommy Makeovers is important to achieving the outcome you desire.
Patient reviews
It’s also helpful to explore real patient reviews. Although these reviews don’t always accurately depict a surgeon’s skill, reading about another patient’s experience with a particular surgeon can be a great place to learn what you might expect from the same doctor.
Clarify Your Goals
Before your Mommy Makeover consultation, take a few minutes to clarify what you want to change and what a “successful result” looks like to you. Many patients find it helpful to identify their top priorities (for example, breast volume, breast position, abdominal contour, or stubborn pockets of fat) and note any concerns, such as scarring, downtime, or potential impact on future pregnancies.
If you can, bring a short list of goals to help your surgeon understand your preferences and recommend the right combination of procedures.
Understand Your Procedure Options
A Mommy Makeover is a custom combination of procedures (typically addressing the breasts and body) that you and your surgeon can discuss during your consultation. By combining surgeries in a single operation, you can transform more than one part of your body without having to undergo multiple recovery periods.
Mommy Makeover patients usually choose one or more of the following procedures:
Sometimes patients complement these surgical procedures with nonsurgical treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic or dermal fillers for more comprehensive rejuvenation. Because you have so many choices, it is essential to understand your options so you can have an informed discussion with the surgeon during the consultation.
Gather Inspiration Photos
Photos help communicate your general aesthetic goals more effectively than words alone. Reference photos can help you visualize the improvements that can and cannot be made. Before your consultation, collect a few photos of the results you envision on women whose proportions and natural body shape are similar to yours.
Summarize Your Medical History
Instead of relying on memory, create a list of important medical information to bring with you, such as:
- Dates and types of past surgeries
- Current medications and dosages
- Details about previous pregnancies
- Allergies to medications and other substances
- Information about current health conditions
Write Down Questions To Ask Your Plastic Surgeon
Bring your questions with you so you can compare recommendations and feel confident about your plan. These questions are a helpful starting point to guide the conversation, explore your options, and learn what is realistic for you.
About your surgeon and safety
- Are you board-certified in plastic surgery, and how often do you perform Mommy Makeovers?
- Where will my surgery be performed, and who will administer anesthesia?
- What are the most common risks for the procedures I’m considering, and how are complications handled?
About your surgical plan
- Which procedures do you recommend for my goals—and why?
- Can everything be safely combined in one surgery, or should it be staged?
- What kind of scarring should I expect, and where will incisions be placed?
About recovery and results
- How long should I plan to be off work and avoid lifting?
- When can I exercise again, and what does the first week typically feel like?
- When will I see the final results, and what can affect them?
About cost and long-term planning
- What is included in the price (surgeon fees, facility, anesthesia, garments, follow-ups)?
- What happens if I have significant weight changes or become pregnant again?
- If revision surgery is needed later, how is that handled?
Plan Your Recovery Timeline
A Mommy Makeover can provide you with dramatic results; however, the procedure is not a replacement for a good diet and exercise. Instead, it is meant to complement a healthy lifestyle. Good Mommy Makeover candidates should be committed to caring for themselves both before and after surgery. Read our related blog post about Mommy Makeover recovery. Helpful tips include:
- Make arrangements for childcare and household help.
- Prepare to avoid heavy lifting for a period of time (your surgeon will give you specific restrictions).
- Prepare a comfortable recovery space at home.
- Line up someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 24 hours after surgery.
Having realistic expectations is key to being satisfied with your final results. Visit your surgeon’s website to see mommy makeover before-and-after photos. This will give you a good idea of what you can expect.
Common Mistakes Before a Mommy Makeover Consultation
These common oversights can sidetrack the valuable time you have with your surgeon:
- Skipping research on your surgeon’s credentials
- Being unclear about your cosmetic goals
- Failing to document relevant medical information
- Not preparing questions in advance
- Being unsure about future pregnancies
- Needing to lose a significant amount of weight
- Underestimating recovery time
How To Know If You’re Ready
It’s likely you’re ready for a Mommy Makeover consultation if:
- You’re finished having children
- You’re at, or close to, a stable, healthy weight
- You’re prepared to take time out from your responsibilities for recovery
- You’re ready for an effective, long-lasting improvement not possible on your own
Request Your Mommy Makeover Consultation
To meet with one of the board-certified plastic surgeons at The Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Denver and Golden, Colorado, request a consultation online or call us at (303) 278-2600 to schedule your appointment.
This blog post was originally published in September 2018 and has been updated for 2026.
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