Motherhood is at once a gift and a sacrifice. Your bond with your children is unparalleled, and the joy that children can bring into your life is often indescribable. But becoming a mother also requires you to make changes in your life — changes to your identity, your priorities and your routine. This is not to mention the physical aspects of childbirth: while it is certainly a natural wonder, it is not always wonderful for your body. The combined effects of pregnancy and having less time for yourself may leave you feeling self-conscious about your body and your appearance.

At  Dr. Clayman’s Plastic Surgery Center and Miracle Spa, we believe that every woman deserves to feel beautiful inside and out — perhaps mothers most of all. To combat the drop in physical confidence that so often accompanies a woman’s body after pregnancy, plastic surgeons like  Drs. Loren  and  Mark Clayman offer surgery packages dubbed the “mommy makeover.” This combination of surgeries is designed to make you proud of your body and help you love your appearance again by restoring the changes caused by pregnancy.

Is a Mommy Makeover Right for You?

If becoming a mother has changed your body in ways that impact your day-to-day life and happiness, you may be a good candidate for a mommy makeover. A mommy makeover can improve many of the concerns caused by pregnancy and childbirth, including:

 • Loss of breast volume or symmetry
 • Sagging skin of the breast and abdomen
 • Loosened abdominal muscles
 • Localized fat deposits
 • Stretch marks

Typically, we recommend waiting until you are finished having children to complete the tummy tuck portion of your mommy makeover, as future pregnancies can interfere with your long-term results. If you have specific concerns or would like some of the included procedures but not all of them, the mommy makeover is a highly customizable package that can be tailored to meet your needs. Your particular process will be determined during your initial in-person consultation.

Mommy Makeovers with Dr. Clayman

At Dr. Clayman’s Plastic Surgery Center and Miracle Spa, you have several procedures that you can mix and match to create your ideal mommy makeover. A mommy makeover often includes liposuction, a tummy tuck and a breast enhancement (augmentation and/or a lift).

Liposuction

If bulges of fat on your hips, thighs or abdomen have been stubbornly sticking in place since having kids,  adding liposuction to your mommy makeover  can do wonders for you. Your body tends to store extra fat during pregnancy because you need the energy for yourself and your baby, but this extra fat is much less welcome when you are no longer pregnant or nursing. It also tends to be located in stubborn areas that refuse to respond to diet and exercise. During liposuction, Dr. Clayman makes a small incision in the area you want to reduce. An instrument called a cannula is used to funnel fat tissue out of your body, leaving you with more contoured curves instead of unsightly bulges.

Tummy Tuck

A  tummy tuck, also called an abdominoplasty , is more effective when the effects of pregnancy cause loose skin or a bulging tummy from loosened abdominal muscles. Tummy tucks are excellent options for clients who have recently lost a significant amount of weight and have stubborn abdominal fat or noticeable excess skin — women who have been pregnant tend to fit this description. Using an incision along the pubic hairline and around the belly button, Dr. Clayman can get rid of leftover, stretched out skin and reposition your muscles to give you a more toned belly. The incision also allows Dr. Clayman to access and remove unwanted fat tissue, which can help your tightened skin lay flatter after you heal.

Breast Augmentation

Pregnancy and breastfeeding often cause breast volume to fluctuate, often leaving women with sagging or asymmetrical breasts when they are finished having children and nursing.  An augmentation can restore lost fullness and shape, particularly if the breast has become bottom-heavy. You can choose silicone or saline implants to meet your needs, and Dr. Clayman will discuss the pros and cons of each type of implant, depending on your breast anatomy and desired look.

Breast Lift

A breast lift is a great option for women who are happy with the volume of their breasts but find that they have lost perkiness or have begun to sag noticeably. There are different techniques for breast lifts, and Dr. Clayman will choose one based on your needs and breast shape. If your breasts sag and have little top (or upper pole) volume to balance out their lowered position, a combination of a lift and breast implants can bring your breasts up and restore a fuller shape.

In addition to these common choices, we offer a variety of non-surgical procedures like CoolSculpting and hair removal treatments that may also help you beautify your new body. We also are experienced providers of labiaplasty surgery, which some women choose to add if childbirth or natural asymmetries have left them with enlarged or uneven labia.

What to Expect from a Mommy Makeover

Your mommy makeover with Drs. Loren and Mark Clayman will begin with a consultation. During this face-to-face session, you will discuss your concerns and Dr. Clayman will make recommendations based on your needs, anatomy, lifestyle, and desired changes. Dr. Clayman will counsel you on what is and isn’t possible for your body, realistic expectations, and will help you understand how your results will look. When you have thoroughly discussed your goals and reached a decision about which procedures to include, you can schedule your surgery at our center in Jacksonville, Florida.

The specifics of your surgery will depend on what you choose to have done. Typically, everything can be accomplished in a single surgical session that takes several hours depending on the complexity of your surgery. Sedation will be used for longer and more intensive procedures, though local anesthesia is also an option in some minor cases. You will be released after a brief monitoring period to make sure you do not have an adverse reaction to your procedures or anesthesia, and you will need a trusted friend or loved one to bring you and take you home from your surgery. Dr. Clayman will inform you of best aftercare practices and provide you with materials to help you care for yourself as you recover. It is recommended that these instructions are reviewed with your spouse or a family member who will be present while you heal, in case your anesthesia or medications make remembering everything difficult for you.

After Your Mommy Makeover

Your recovery will also be different based on the procedures you choose, but you will be expected to rest for at least a few days following your procedure and you will need to wear compression garments for a few weeks, depending on the procedures you have. Prior to surgery, you should arrange for childcare and help around the house for a few days following your procedure, especially the first night after surgery. Pain medications will mean that you will not be able to drive or run errands for a few days, and you may have limited mobility. You will also be advised against strenuous activities like heavy lifting or exercise for some time following your surgery, though this period will depend on your procedures. Dr. Clayman will schedule follow-up appointments with you to make sure that you are healing properly, and will be available during your recovery to answer any questions that may come up.

If you think a mommy makeover might be right for you,   contact Dr. Clayman’s Plastic Surgery Center and Miracle Spa to learn more. Call our Jacksonville, Florida center today at (904) 388-6110. Our expert staff can answer your questions, help you schedule a consultation or inform you about the many other services that we offer.