Mommy Makeover
Restore Your Pre-Baby Body
Mommy Makeover with Cho Plastic Surgery Quick Facts:
- Typical recovery time: Varies based on procedures performed
- Price range: $17k+
- Dr. Cho specializes in natural looking results and rapid recovery protocols using long acting exparel injections for better pain control
- Procedures performed at Spring Ridge SurgiCenter, Reading Surgery Center, and Surgical Institute of Reading
Overview
A mommy makeover is typically a collection of different surgical procedures designed to help you get your body back after you are finished with pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
Because pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight fluctuations affect every woman differently, there is no single "standard" Mommy Makeover. Dr. Cho customizes your surgical plan to restore your pre-pregnancy silhouette in a single, safe surgical session.
Popular Mommy Makeover Procedure Combinations
Abdominal Wall Restoration
(Tummy Tuck & Liposuction)
The cornerstone of most Mommy Makeovers. This phase addresses stretched abdominal skin, stubborn localized fat pockets along the waistline, and diastasis recti (the separation of vertical abdominal muscles common after pregnancy).
Breast Rejuvenation
(Augmentation, Lift, or Reduction)
Pregnancy and nursing alter breast tissue volume and skin elasticity. Depending on your goals, Dr. Cho can perform:
- Breast Lift: To reposition sagging breast tissue and lift the nipples to a higher, more youthful position
- Breast Augmentation: To restore lost volume and upper-pole fullness
- Breast Lift with Implants: To simultaneously restore lost volume and correct significant skin sagging
- Breast Reduction: To alleviate back pain and resize disproportionately large breasts after childbearing
Body Contouring
& Complementary Facial Refreshing
To achieve total harmony, additional non-surgical or surgical procedures can be integrated, such as:
- Liposuction of the Flanks/Thighs: To refine love handles and sculpt a tapered waistline
- Labiaplasty: To correct discomfort or cosmetic changes to the intimate areas following vaginal delivery
- Skincare & Injectables: Quick facial refreshes (Botox or Dermal Fillers) to complement your body rejuvenation
The Art of Combination Surgery
Combining procedures into a single operation offers major benefits, including a single anesthesia event, one consolidated recovery period, and lower total facility fees. However, patient safety is Dr. Cho's absolute priority.
How Dr. Cho ensures safety during combination surgery:
- Strict Operating Time Benchmarks: To minimize risks associated with prolonged anesthesia, combined procedures are carefully planned to stay within strict, safe time limits (typically under 5–6 hours)
- Staged Procedures when Necessary: If a patient requires extensive surgical work across multiple zones, Dr. Cho may recommend staging the surgeries into two separate, safe sessions rather than attempting everything at once
- Comprehensive Health Screening: Every patient undergoes rigorous pre-operative medical evaluations, including baseline blood work and cardiovascular checks, to ensure they are ideal candidates for combined surgery
Benefits
- Can surgically address the skin laxity that does not “bounce back” after the effects of pregnancy and childbirth
- Can address and tighten the muscle separation in the rectus abdominis muscles (diastasis) that happens during pregnancy
- Can surgically address/remove sagging skin
- Can surgically correct sagging or ptotic breasts
- Can add volume to otherwise deflated breasts
- Can combine both a lift and a volume procedure for the breasts
- Can use liposuction to target excess body fat that wouldn’t be addressed with the tummy tuck
Risks
- Scarring
- Temporary fatigue and swelling
- Asymmetry or contour irregularities
- Seroma (fluid accumulation)
- Hematoma
- Delayed wound healing
- Infection
- Anesthesia
All surgery involves some level of risk, and a mommy makeover is no exception. During your consultation, Dr. Cho will review potential risks, answer your questions and explain the steps taken to help reduce complications based on your anatomy, health history, and surgical plan.
Ideal Candidate
- Adults fully recovered from delivery and nursing
- Adults with significant lower abdominal skin and/or muscle laxity
- Adults with breast laxity or sagging skin
- Adults of any age whose weight is relatively stable and who are not significantly overweight
- Healthy individuals without medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery
- Nonsmokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations
- No plans for future pregnancies
Mommy Makeover Consultation
- During your mommy makeover consultation, Dr. Cho will assess your current medical history, including medications, vitamins and herbal supplements you take, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
- Review prior surgeries you’ve had
- Discuss your surgical goals
- A full physical examination including assessing your lower abdominal skin laxity, looking for separation of the rectus muscles (diastasis recti), and assess for any abdominal wall or groin hernia
- She will assess any excess subcutaneous fat around your sides, flanks, or back that could be targeted with liposuction
- Finally, she will examine your breasts, including taking standardized measurements that will help in a discussion regarding your postoperative goals
- Your safety with all procedures will always be the first priority
- Photographs may be taken
- Discuss risks, benefits, and alternatives of all your options
- Discuss potential complications
- Have time to review and sign a surgical consent form
Procedure Preparation
- Do not take any blood thinning medications for 1 week before surgery, including aspirin, NSAIDs, ibuprofen/Motrin, naproxen (also, avoid any herbal supplements or vitamins which can prolong bleeding)
- Do not smoke, vape, or take nicotine-containing products before or after your surgery as they can impair the healing process
What to Expect During Surgery
- Pre-Op & Surgical Marking: Arrival at our surgical facility, vital checks, and meticulous standing skin markings by Dr. Cho to map incision placements
- General Anesthesia: Administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist to ensure you are comfortably asleep and completely pain-free throughout
- Surgical Execution: Dr. Cho performs the planned sequence (typically starting with breast surgery and concluding with abdominal muscle repair and skin tightening)
- Layered Closure & Dressing: Incisions are closed with deep structural sutures to minimize tension, followed by protective dressings and a fitted surgical compression garment
- Recovery Room & Discharge: Monitored wake-up in our private recovery suite before being cleared to go home under the care of your designated adult driver
Recovery
- After surgery, there will be specific dressings and bandages to be left in place
- You may have one or two small clear silicone tubes (“drains”) which may help drain excess fluid - you will be taught how to maintain and empty these and keep an accurate record of the drainage
- You may have an abdominal binder and/or additional compression garments that are designed to help minimize swelling following surgery
- You will be given specific instructions for medications to take to both control your pain and aid in healing or reduce the risk of infection
- You will typically be allowed to sponge bathe, but do not shower until the drains come out or until cleared by Dr. Cho
- Wear your binder/compression garments at all times if possible
- Take medications as directed
- Avoid heavy lifting as directed by your surgeon
- Come to all postoperative visits as scheduled
Because most Mommy Makeover patients have active families, proper planning is essential for a smooth recovery:
- You must arrange for full-time help from a partner, family member, or caregiver for the first 1 to 2 weeks post-surgery (you will strictly be unable to lift anything over 5–10 pounds, including babies and toddlers, for at least 4 to 6 weeks)
- Set up a "recovery station" on the main floor of your home equipped with extra pillows, prescription medications, healthy snacks, and entertainment to avoid navigating stairs during early recovery days
FAQs
Yes, combining procedures into a single operation is very common and safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. It offers the benefit of a single anesthesia cycle and one consolidated recovery period. To ensure maximum safety, Dr. Cho carefully plans each surgery to keep total operating room time within strict, safe limits.
There is no specific age limit, but timing relative to your family planning is key. You should be at least 6 months post-childbirth, at least 3 to 6 months fully past breastfeeding (to allow breast tissue to stabilize), and completely finished having children to protect your long-term results.
Because every Mommy Makeover is a custom combination of surgeries (such as a breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction), total costs vary based on your specific surgical plan, operating room time, and anesthesia. During your consultation, you will receive a transparent, itemized quote. We also offer flexible financing options through CareCredit and Cherry to help fit your treatment plan into your family's budget.
Yes, all surgical incisions leave permanent scars, but Dr. Cho places them strategically where they can easily be concealed by standard underwear, bra straps, or swimwear. Abdominal scars sit low along the bikini line, and breast scars are hidden within the natural breast crease or around the areola. Scars will fade and soften significantly over the first 12 to 18 months.
Most patients take 2-3 weeks off work, depending on the physical demands of their job. If you have a sedentary desk job, you may feel ready to return around the 2-week mark. Jobs requiring heavy lifting or physical exertion will require a full 6 weeks of modified duties.
You must strictly avoid lifting anything over 5 to 10 pounds (including babies, toddlers, and heavy car seats) for at least 4-6 weeks post-surgery to prevent internal bleeding or opening your muscle repair sutures. Light walking is encouraged immediately, but high-impact cardio and core workouts should wait until cleared by Dr. Cho at 6 weeks.
Yes, a Mommy Makeover does not affect your fertility or your ability to carry a child safely. However, a future pregnancy will re-stretch repaired abdominal muscles and breast tissue, which can compromise your surgical results and may require a secondary touch-up procedure later.
Patient Review
Dr. Cho is the best in my experience. She has done amazing work and [I'm] ecstatic with the results! Re-construction of my partial mastectomy resulted back close to my original symmetry. At the same time [as a] mommy makeover! I love it and... See full review
O. O. / Mommy Makeover Patient
Surgery is a Big Decision
We are here to answer any questions you have and help you determine the right choice for you. If you are considering surgery, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Cho today. She would be honored to discuss your goals and help you achieve the look you desire.
Financing Available
We believe your aesthetic goals should always be within reach. To make your journey more accessible, we offer payment options through Care Credit and Cherry by Alle, with financing available for same-day treatment. We will be happy to assist you in the application process at the time of your consultation. For more information, contact our office.
References
This page written/reviewed on 8/15/26 by: Dr. Cho, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon