Pregnancy is one of the most profound experiences a woman can have. It is also one of the most physically transformative. For many women, the changes that happen during and after pregnancy — to the breasts, the abdomen, and the overall silhouette — are permanent. No amount of exercise or dieting fully reverses them. That is not a personal failing. It is simply anatomy.
A mommy makeover is a personalized combination of cosmetic procedures designed to address exactly those changes. At The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeons have helped women throughout the Denver metro area reclaim their confidence and feel like themselves again after having children. We sat down with Dr. Teresa Cunningham, one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, to answer the most common questions women have about this procedure.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is not a single procedure. It is a customized combination of surgical procedures designed to restore and enhance your body after pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the weight changes that often accompany motherhood. The specific combination is tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and goals.
“A mommy makeover is either a procedure or combination of procedures to address the physical changes that happen with pregnancy,” says Dr. Cunningham. “Most moms can attest to the fact that the two most common areas to change are the breasts and the abdomen. So many times, it’s us doing something to address both of those areas at once.”
Because the makeover is personalized, no two are exactly alike. Some patients combine a tummy tuck with a breast lift. Others add breast augmentation, a breast reduction, liposuction, or multiple procedures together. Your surgeon will work with you during your consultation to design a plan that reflects your goals, your anatomy, and your lifestyle.
Why Do Women Seek a Mommy Makeover?
The body changes profoundly during pregnancy, and many of those changes do not resolve on their own once pregnancy and breastfeeding are complete.
“I think pregnancy changes women in so many different ways,” Dr. Cunningham explains. “One of the biggest things I hear from patients is that after the dust settles and kids are getting a little bit older, they look in the mirror and don’t necessarily recognize the person they see because of all the changes their body has been through.”
Some of the most common physical changes women seek to address include:
Breast changes: Pregnancy and breastfeeding do not simply enlarge and then shrink the breasts. They change the architecture of the breast tissue itself. Women are often surprised to find that once breastfeeding ends, they are left with stretch marks, volume depletion, sagging, or changes in nipple and areola size that did not exist before. “What people don’t always understand is that the actual architecture of the breast changes,” Dr. Cunningham notes. “Many women will be left with stretch marks, volume depletion, sagging — changes that are unfortunately permanent.”
Abdominal changes: The abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy to accommodate a growing baby — a condition called diastasis recti. While some women see improvement with physical therapy or targeted exercise, many do not. “Even with hard work in the gym, even with physical therapy, some of those changes are permanent,” says Dr. Cunningham. Loose skin, stretch marks, weakened abdominal muscles, and C-section scars are all changes that surgery can address when other approaches have fallen short.
Body contour changes: Stubborn fat deposits that accumulate during pregnancy often resist diet and exercise. Areas like the hips, flanks, back, and thighs can be refined through liposuction as part of a mommy makeover plan.
What Procedures Are Included in a Mommy Makeover?
Every mommy makeover at The Center for Cosmetic Surgery is customized. Most procedures include some combination of the following:
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
A tummy tuck addresses the muscles, skin, and fat of the abdominal wall. During the procedure, separated abdominal muscles are repaired and tightened, excess skin is removed, and the abdomen is contoured for a flatter, firmer appearance. The resulting scar runs hip-to-hip and is positioned low enough to be concealed beneath swimsuit bottoms or underwear.
Our surgeons specialize in the drainless tummy tuck technique, an advanced approach that eliminates the need for surgical drains during recovery. This method uses dissolvable internal sutures to minimize fluid accumulation, reduce tension on the incision, and support better healing with finer scars. Dr. Vath was the first surgeon in Colorado to adopt this technique after training with international leaders in the field in 2007. Patients who have experienced a traditional tummy tuck elsewhere frequently comment on how different the recovery feels with our approach.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation restores volume to breasts that have lost fullness after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss. Our surgeons typically recommend placing implants beneath the chest muscles for a natural-looking result with fewer long-term complications. Incisions are made in the breast crease, around the areola, or in the armpit, depending on your anatomy and preferences.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Implants restore volume, but they cannot correct sagging breast tissue. If your breasts have descended below the natural crease, a breast lift reshapes and elevates the breast to a more youthful position. Depending on the degree of sagging and your goals, your surgeon may recommend one of several lift techniques, including the anchor (Wise pattern) lift, the lollipop (vertical) lift, or the periareolar (Benelli) lift. Many patients benefit from combining augmentation and a lift in a single procedure.
Liposuction
Liposuction removes stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. As part of a mommy makeover, it refines the hips, flanks, back, inner thighs, and outer thighs to create a smoother, more sculpted overall result. When performed alongside a tummy tuck, liposuction can often be completed through the same incisions, minimizing additional scarring.
Choosing the Right Combination for You
“Everybody has different anatomy,” Dr. Cunningham explains. “With the breast, we could be doing augmentation, a lift, a reduction. The most important job I have as a surgeon is to listen — listening to patients’ goals — and then help manage expectations and figure out what’s going to be best for their anatomy and their lifestyle.”
During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your medical history, discuss your aesthetic goals in detail, and recommend a personalized surgical plan. We also offer Vectra 3D imaging, which allows you to visualize projected results before making any decisions. Learn more about Vectra 3D imaging here.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
Ideal candidates for a mommy makeover generally meet the following criteria:
- You have experienced significant body changes after pregnancy, including sagging breasts, excess abdominal skin, weakened abdominal muscles, or stubborn fat deposits
- You are in good overall health without conditions that would impair healing or increase surgical risk
- You are at a stable weight and close to your goal weight
- You do not smoke, as smoking significantly interferes with healing and increases complications
- You are finished having children, as future pregnancies can reverse the results of surgery
It is also worth noting that mommy makeover surgery is not exclusively for mothers who are recently postpartum. Many patients are years or even decades past their pregnancies. The right time for surgery is when your health is stable, your family is complete, and you feel ready. There is no expiration date on wanting to feel good in your own body.
Addressing the Guilt Factor
Dr. Cunningham speaks candidly about something she hears from patients regularly: guilt.
“Moms are used to putting everybody else first and making sure everybody’s taken care of before they take care of themselves,” she says. “That’s a really common thing I hear, and maybe a barrier to even getting patients in the door — just feeling guilty about the potential financial and time investment that it is to have a surgical procedure.”
Her message to those patients is clear: you are deserving of self-care. Choosing to invest in your confidence and your wellbeing is not selfish. It is part of taking care of yourself so you can continue showing up fully for the people who depend on you.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experienced pregnancy firsthand, Dr. Cunningham brings a personal dimension to this conversation that many patients find meaningful. “I think being a female plastic surgeon, I’ve always been able to relate really well to my patients because 90% of plastic surgery patients are female,” she shares. “After having a baby, I know the exact feeling of looking in the mirror and not recognizing yourself. And so — what can we do about it?”
What Does Mommy Makeover Surgery Involve?
Surgical Facility and Safety
All mommy makeover procedures at The Center for Cosmetic Surgery are performed at Apex Procedure Suites, our AAAHC-accredited, private, on-site surgical facility. Every procedure is supported by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Safety and comfort are built into every step of the process.
How Long Does Surgery Take?
Mommy makeover surgery typically takes between 3 and 6 hours, depending on the specific procedures you choose and their complexity. General time estimates for individual procedures include:
- Tummy tuck: 2 to 3 hours
- Breast augmentation: approximately 1 hour
- Breast lift or breast reduction: 2 to 3 hours
- Liposuction: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
Combining procedures into a single surgery allows you to limit your exposure to anesthesia to one event, consolidate your recovery time, and achieve comprehensive results more efficiently than staging multiple separate operations.
Pain Management
Our surgeons use Exparel, a long-acting, non-opioid analgesic injected at the surgical site during certain procedures. This provides approximately 72 hours of targeted pain relief following surgery. Many patients are able to manage their recovery with minimal or no prescription pain medication as a result.
What Is Mommy Makeover Recovery Like?
Recovery from a mommy makeover is a gradual process, and most patients follow a similar general timeline.
Week 1: Rest is the priority. You will be encouraged to get up and walk around the house regularly to promote circulation, but strenuous activity should be avoided entirely. Most patients are off pain medication within 3 to 7 days.
Week 2: Many patients whose jobs are not physically demanding are able to return to work during this period. Continue taking it easy and avoid any activity that significantly elevates your heart rate or blood pressure.
Week 3: Light activity can increase. Short walks can become longer, and very gentle, low-impact movement is generally appropriate.
Week 4: Most patients can begin to increase workout intensity as comfort allows. Listen to your body and ease off anything that causes discomfort rather than pushing through it.
Week 6: The majority of patients have returned to their regular exercise routine by this point.
Every patient’s recovery is unique, and your surgeon will provide specific guidance tailored to your procedures and your health history. Following post-operative instructions carefully is one of the most important factors in achieving the best possible outcome.
What Results Can You Expect?
A mommy makeover delivers comprehensive, long-lasting improvements to your post-pregnancy body. Patients typically experience:
- Restored breast shape, volume, and position
- A flatter, firmer abdomen with repaired muscle structure
- Smoother, more contoured body proportions
- Reduction in stretch marks affected by skin removal
- Renewed confidence and comfort in their own bodies
“That’s what we’re here for,” says Dr. Cunningham simply. And for the women who come to us having carried that disconnect between how they feel inside and what they see in the mirror — the results are genuinely life-changing.
How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost in Denver?
Because every mommy makeover is customized, cost varies based on the specific combination of procedures you choose. At The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, mommy makeovers generally range from $25,000 to $45,000. Your surgeon will provide a personalized estimate during your consultation.
We understand that financial considerations are an important part of the decision-making process. We offer flexible financing options through CareCredit and PatientFi to help make your transformation fit comfortably within your budget. Combining procedures also provides meaningful savings on facility fees, anesthesia, and recovery time compared to staging each procedure separately.
Why Choose The Center for Cosmetic Surgery?
The Center for Cosmetic Surgery has been elevating plastic surgery in Denver since 2000. Our board-certified surgeons have performed thousands of successful breast and body procedures and have trained with some of the world’s leading experts in their fields. We were the first practice in Colorado to adopt the drainless tummy tuck, and we continue to lead the region in advanced technique and exceptional outcomes.
Our surgeons include Dr. Andrew Wolfe, Dr. Steven Vath, Dr. Paul Steinwald, Dr. Matthew Freeman, and Dr. Teresa Cunningham — all of whom perform mommy makeover procedures at our locations in Golden and Denver.
We serve patients throughout the Denver metro area, including Golden, Cherry Creek, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Vail, as well as patients traveling from out of state.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Coming in for a consultation does not mean committing to surgery. It means getting informed. “Knowledge is power,” says Dr. Cunningham. “Just coming in the door and having a conversation — it doesn’t mean you’re signing up for surgery. Just learning about some of the options that are available to you.”
Our consultations are an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a board-certified plastic surgeon, discuss your goals, explore your options, and develop a personalized plan. You will also receive transparent pricing and information about financing.
Request your consultation online or call us at (303) 278-2600 to schedule at our Golden or Denver locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mommy Makeovers
Can I get pregnant after a mommy makeover? Yes, you can still become pregnant after a mommy makeover. However, future pregnancies can reverse many of the results of surgery. We recommend waiting until your family is complete before scheduling your procedure.
Is a mommy makeover painful? Soreness and fatigue in the early days of recovery are normal. Our surgeons use Exparel, a long-acting non-opioid analgesic, at the surgical site to provide approximately 72 hours of targeted pain relief. Many patients require little to no prescription pain medication during recovery.
How long will my results last? Mommy makeover results are long-lasting when maintained with a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. Future pregnancies or significant weight fluctuations can affect results.
How do I know which procedures are right for me? The best way to determine which combination of procedures is right for your anatomy and goals is to schedule a personal consultation. Your surgeon will listen carefully to what you want to achieve, evaluate your individual anatomy, and develop a customized surgical plan.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique, and your results may vary.
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