A mommy makeover is a combination of surgeries, usually addressing the breasts and abdomen together, designed to restore a woman's shape after pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing have changed it. Dr. Steven Teitelbaum has practiced in Santa Monica since 1995, tailoring each mommy makeover plan to the patient's own anatomy rather than a fixed procedure list.
Here's what a mommy makeover typically includes, who tends to be a good candidate, and what recovery looks like.
The Procedures That Make Up a Mommy Makeover
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes the goal as restoring the body's shape after childbearing, most commonly through the breasts, abdomen, and waist. A typical package may include:
- Breast surgery: A lift, augmentation, or reduction, chosen based on how the breasts have changed in volume and position
- Tummy tuck: Tightens abdominal muscles that separate during pregnancy and removes loose skin and stretch marks
- Liposuction: Refines areas such as the flanks, hips, and thighs
- Vaginal rejuvenation or facial rejuvenation: Optional additions for patients who want to extend their results
Pregnancy affects breasts in one of two ways. Some collapse or deflate and need only an implant, while others drop and call for a lift, sometimes paired with an implant. The abdomen varies just as much. A few women keep good skin quality and need only liposuction, but most are left with loose skin, stretch marks, or diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles that only a tummy tuck can correct.
Who Qualifies for a Mommy Makeover?
Dr. Teitelbaum generally recommends a mommy makeover for women who:
- Are in good overall health
- Gave birth at least six months earlier
- Are finished having children
- Have reached a stable, near-goal weight
- Have realistic expectations about their results
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends waiting six months to a year after childbirth so weight and healing can stabilize first. Patients planning more children are usually advised to wait, since another pregnancy can undo the results.
What to Expect as You Heal
Recovery unfolds in stages, and most patients can expect a timeline like this:
- Week 1: The most demanding stretch, with swelling, bruising, and soreness. Lifting anything heavy, including a child, is off limits.
- Days 10 to 14: Many patients return to light social and professional activity.
- Weeks 3 to 4: Most are cleared for more normal movement.
- Months 3 to 12: Swelling continues to fade as final results emerge.
Dr. Teitelbaum provides specific aftercare instructions for each patient, which generally include a compression garment, activity restrictions during the initial healing period, and a schedule of follow-up visits to track progress. Some patients are also better served by staging their procedures across two surgeries rather than combining everything into one, a decision Dr. Teitelbaum weighs against each patient's overall health and how much downtime she can realistically take on.
Dr. Teitelbaum’s Background and Credentials
Dr. Teitelbaum earned his medical degree at UCLA School of Medicine and completed his surgical residency at Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He now serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at UCLA. He's a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a past president of both the California Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, the research and education arm of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He specializes exclusively in aesthetic plastic surgery and continues to teach final-year plastic surgery residents at UCLA.
Before and After Results
Mommy makeover results look different from one patient to the next, since no two women come in with the same starting point or the same goals. Dr. Teitelbaum's before-and-after gallery shows that range firsthand, offering a clearer sense of what's achievable than a description alone can give.
FAQs
Will insurance cover any of it?
Insurance doesn't typically cover mommy makeover surgery, though a hernia repair performed at the same time may qualify. Financing options are available.
What risks should I know about?
As with any major surgery, risks can include bleeding, infection, and changes in sensation. Dr. Teitelbaum walks patients through the risks tied to their specific combination of procedures before surgery.
What happens during a consultation?
Dr. Teitelbaum examines the areas a patient wants addressed, reviews her medical history, and discusses her goals before recommending a specific combination of procedures tailored to her.
How much does a mommy makeover cost?
Cost depends entirely on which procedures are combined, so an exact figure isn't available until after a consultation, when Dr. Teitelbaum can outline the recommended plan.
Start Your Mommy Makeover Journey
Dr. Teitelbaum has spent three decades focused on aesthetic plastic surgery, with a particular depth of experience in breast and body contouring for mothers. Contact the practice online to schedule a consultation and map out which procedures make sense for your body and your goals.
