Mommy Makeover

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest, Glenview and Grayslake, IL

Mommy Makeovers in the Greater Chicago Area

A mommy makeover is a combination of different surgical procedures performed to restore a woman’s figure after pregnancy. While many women consider having a child to be one of the greatest joys in life, pregnancy can cause the body to change significantly. These changes often include the development of loose or sagging skin, drooping breasts, and persistent fat deposits. A mommy makeover is designed to address each of these concerns, helping you revitalize both your curves and your confidence.

At Northwestern Medicine, our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Michael Howard and Dr. Chad Teven, perform exceptional mommy makeovers. They offer years of experience and have helped thousands of patients transform their appearance with comprehensive procedures like the mommy makeover.

To get started at our Glenview, Grayslake, or Lake Forest offices, please give us a call.

About Mommy Makeovers

This procedure is highly customized and designed to counter the physical changes associated with pregnancy, but they are not exclusive to mothers. Any patient who would benefit from a comprehensive transformation can benefit. Our surgeons can combine any of the following procedures and more when performing a mommy makeover:

Benefits

There are several benefits to undergoing a mommy makeover, including:

  • Full-Body Transformation: A mommy makeover helps address several areas of the body within a single procedure, leading to more comprehensive and cohesive results.
  • Refined Figure: By improving the appearance of the breasts and the midsection, you can enjoy a more balanced and proportionate figure overall.
  • Slimmer Torso: Certain procedures, such as abdominoplasty, can create a flatter, smoother stomach by eliminating excess skin and tightening separated muscles.
  • Rejuvenated Breasts: We offer several different breast procedures that can be included in your mommy makeover to enhance the size, shape, fullness, and symmetry of your breasts.
  • Personalized Treatment Plans: Each mommy makeover is fully designed around your unique anatomy, concerns, and goals to provide personalized results that meet your expectations.
  • Lasting Results: The results of a mommy makeover are designed to be long-lasting, allowing you to enjoy your renewed figure for years to come.
  • Streamlined Recovery: Because each procedure is performed within a single appointment, you will only need to undergo a single recovery period.

Candidates

Candidates for a mommy makeover typically include women who are interested in redefining and recontouring their figure after pregnancy. Those interested in addressing several areas of their body within one sitting are also invited to undergo this procedure, as candidacy is not exclusive to just mothers. Patients should have completed planning their family, and no longer be breastfeeding.

Anyone interested in this procedure should be in good overall health and hold realistic expectations about what this procedure can achieve. Patients should be nonsmokers or willing to quit using nicotine for a period of time. Our surgical team will determine each patient’s candidacy during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

During a personal consultation, you will meet with our surgical team to discuss what a mommy makeover entails and the different procedures that may be included. They will ask about your medical history, current prescriptions, areas of concern, and treatment goals, as well as evaluate your anatomy. This information will be used to develop your treatment plan.

To schedule this consultation at either our Glenview, Grayslake, or Lake Forest offices, please give us a call.

Preparation

During your personal consultation, you will receive a set of detailed pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your mommy makeover. These instructions will vary depending on the procedures being performed as part of your treatment plan, but each one will need to be closely followed to ensure a safe and successful procedure.

  • Refrain from taking medications or supplements that contain blood-thinning properties.
  • Avoid alcohol several days before and after the procedure.
  • Cease nicotine use several weeks before the procedure.
  • Arrange transportation home after the procedure.
  • Plan for time away from work and social commitments.
  • Fill any prescriptions ahead of time.
  • Arrange for at-home care during your initial recovery.

Procedures

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation uses implants to improve the size, shape, volume, and symmetry of the breasts. We offer several different types of implants, with choices between implant material, size, and shape to improve the definition and sculpt of your breasts.

Silicone implants are known to mimic the appearance and softness of natural breast tissue, and are less prone to rippling in thinner patients. Saline implants offer more customization with the option to be inserted into the breast pocket empty and filled afterwards. This also allows for a smaller incision. (1)

Breast Lift

A breast lift removes sagging tissue, as well as adjusts malpositioned or downward-pointed nipples. Also known as a mastopexy, this procedure elevates the position of the breasts on the chest wall to create a more uplifted and perky appearance without significantly altering the volume of the breasts. (2) This procedure is often combined with a breast augmentation to improve the position, shape, and fullness of the breast.

Breast Reduction

Breast reduction, also known as a reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to decrease the size and weight of the breasts. Overly large breasts can not only affect your proportions, but can also cause poor posture and chronic pain. (3) A breast reduction can improve your daily comfort and confidence.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that sculpts stubborn deposits of fat from around the body. This treatment can be performed on almost any part of the body where there is excess fat, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, buttocks, arms, back, and more, leaving you with more defined curves and contours.

Tummy Tuck

Tummy tucks are a main component of most mommy makeovers. Also known as an abdominoplasty, this procedure tightens separated muscles (diastasis recti) and removes excess skin and tissues from around the abdomen. This procedure can leave you with a flatter, more toned stomach and a more stable abdominal wall.

Recovery

After your procedure, you can expect to experience swelling or bruising in the treated areas, but these effects will gradually dissipate on their own. You may be asked to wear a compression garment to help protect your new curves and minimize swelling. You will also need to attend follow-up appointments so that your surgeon can ensure you are progressing as planned.

The length of your recovery will vary depending on the procedures being performed, but your surgeon will discuss a more specific timeframe with you during your consultation. You will also receive additional instructions at this time. If you have any questions or concerns as you heal, the Northwestern Medicine team will be here to guide and support you.

Results

You will be able to enjoy the results of your mommy makeover once you have fully recovered and any residual swelling has subsided. Patients often report a smoother stomach, enhanced curves, more youthful-looking breasts, as well as an overall more flattering and proportionate silhouette. Many women also experience improvements in their self-esteem, leading to a greater sense of confidence and body positivity. The results of a mommy makeover are designed to be long-lasting, but patients are advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle to preserve their results.

Cost of Mommy Makeovers in the Greater Chicago Area

The cost of your mommy makeover can vary depending on the procedures included, the surgical techniques performed, the extent of corrections, as well as a handful of other factors. After your treatment plan is outlined, your surgeon will provide a comprehensive cost estimate for your mommy makeover.

To schedule your consultation and learn more about the cost of your customized procedure, please give us a call.

FAQ

What is a mommy makeover?

A mommy makeover is a combination of different surgical procedures designed to restore the appearance of a pre-pregnancy figure. This procedure often involves a combination of tummy tucks, liposuction, and breast-enhancement procedures.

Will there be significant scarring after my mommy makeover?

Our surgical team takes great care in placing incisions in easily concealable and discreet areas. While there will be some scarring after your procedure, scars typically fade over time.

Can I undergo a mommy makeover if I have not had children?

Yes, anyone interested in addressing several concerns within one procedure may undergo a mommy makeover. However, if you are interested in having children in the future, it is recommended to delay your procedure, as pregnancy can alter your results.

Will I still be able to breastfeed if I receive a breast enhancement procedure as part of my mommy makeover?

Most women can breastfeed after altering the appearance of their breasts, although this ability may be affected depending on the exact procedure and surgical techniques performed. We ask that you discuss any concerns with your surgeon during your consultation so they may plan accordingly.

Can I include other unlisted procedures in my mommy makeover?

Yes, many women choose to include additional procedures, such as vaginal rejuvenation procedures, as part of their mommy makeover. If you have any concerns that may not be addressed using the included procedures, we recommend discussing them with your surgeon so they may suggest additional treatments and provide you with further information.

References

  1. Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482206/
  2. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. Nih.gov. Published February 14, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/#article-112503.s4
  3. Toomey AE, Cape JD. Mastopexy (Breast Lift). Nih.gov. Published December 11, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK610682/