What Is a Mommy Makeover?
A mommy makeover is a personalized combination of plastic surgery procedures that restores the body after pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, usually in one surgery and one recovery. For most women it combines a tummy tuck to remove loose skin and repair separated abdominal muscles, a breast procedure (a breast lift with implants, a lift alone or an augmentation) to restore shape and volume, and liposuction of the flanks to define the waist. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Moises Salama has performed more than 4,000 mommy makeovers and more than 10,000 aesthetic surgeries in all, and builds every mommy makeover plan around one patient at Elite Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, serving Miami.
Mommy makeover at a glance
- Usually includes
- Tummy tuck + breast procedure + flank liposuction
- Breast options
- Lift with implants, lift alone or augmentation (Natrelle® or Motiva® implants)
- Anesthesia
- General, by a board-certified anesthesia provider
- Overnight stay
- None: home the same day
- Drains
- Small drains for the tummy tuck while you heal
- Back to daily life
- 85–90% of normal function and light desk work in about 10–15 days
- When to have it
- 6–9 months after delivery and after breastfeeding ends, at a stable weight
- Cost in Miami
- $12,000–$30,000 in total, depending on the plan
Procedures Included in a Mommy Makeover
Pregnancy changes three areas most: the abdomen, the breasts and the waist. A mommy makeover treats each with the procedure that actually fixes it, because diet and exercise can’t remove stretched skin, close separated muscles or restore breast volume.
| Area | What pregnancy changed | Procedure | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdomen | Loose skin, stretch marks below the belly button, separated muscles (diastasis recti) | Tummy tuck | Repairs the muscles, removes excess skin and reshapes the belly button |
| Breasts | Lost volume, sagging, nipples pointing down, uneven size | Lift with implants, lift or augmentation | Raises and reshapes the breasts and restores upper fullness |
| Waist and flanks | Stubborn fat on the flanks, back or thighs | Liposuction (PAL and VASER) | Defines the waistline next to the flatter abdomen |
| Buttocks (optional) | Flattened shape | Brazilian butt lift | Uses your own fat to shape the buttocks; added in the same surgery only when a small amount of fat is needed, otherwise done as a second stage |
Medical illustrations, simplified and not to scale.
Separated muscles are the most common reason a belly stays rounded after pregnancy even at a healthy weight; see diastasis recti and the tummy tuck.
Video: mommy makeovers and combination procedures, and which surgeries to do first.
Which Breast Procedure Is Right for My Mommy Makeover?
The breast part of the plan depends on two things: whether your breasts have dropped, and whether they have lost volume.
- Breast augmentation if the breasts have lost volume but the nipples still sit above the breast fold. Implants restore fullness; see breast augmentation.
- Breast lift if the breasts have dropped but you like their size. The lift raises the nipple and reshapes the tissue; see breast lift.
- Breast lift with implants, the most common choice after breastfeeding, if the breasts have dropped and emptied. The lift raises them and the implant restores upper fullness; see breast lift with implants.
Dr. Salama offers Natrelle® and Motiva® implants, including the Preservé™ technique; see Motiva® and Natrelle®. He does not perform fat transfer to the breast.
Video: saline vs. silicone breast implants, the options explained.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?
- You are done having children, or plan to be, because a later pregnancy can stretch the repaired muscles and skin again.
- You have finished breastfeeding and your breasts have settled.
- Your weight has been stable for several months and you are close to your goal weight.
- You are in good overall health and do not smoke, or will stop nicotine well before and after surgery.
- You have loose abdominal skin, separated muscles, breast changes or stubborn fat that diet and exercise haven’t improved.
- You have realistic expectations and someone to help at home while you recover, especially with small children.
Patients who lost weight with GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy often have the same loose skin and breast changes; once the weight is stable, the same combination applies.
How Long After Pregnancy Can I Have a Mommy Makeover?
Dr. Salama advises waiting 6 to 9 months after delivery, and until you have finished breastfeeding, before a mommy makeover. That gives the body time to recover, the uterus and abdominal wall to return to their resting size, your weight to stabilize and the breasts to settle after milk production stops, so the surgery is planned around your real starting point.
Video: our patient coordinator on how long to wait after giving birth.
Mommy Makeover Before and After Pictures
Dr. Salama’s gallery includes 33 mommy makeover cases, all his own patients, each listing the procedures and implant sizes used. Here are three; open any case for every angle.
See all 33 mommy makeover cases →
How a Mommy Makeover Is Performed
- Consultation. In person or starting from home with photos. Dr. Salama examines the abdomen, breasts and waist, listens to your goals and builds one plan, including implant type and size if your plan uses them.
- Before surgery. Labs and, when needed, medical clearance and a mammogram; no nicotine for at least a month before and after; stop blood-thinning supplements two weeks before. See pre-surgical instructions.
- Anesthesia. General anesthesia by a board-certified anesthesia provider in the practice’s state-certified surgical facility.
- Breasts. The planned breast procedure: a lift, implants or both.
- Liposuction. The flanks and any other planned areas are treated with power-assisted (PAL) or VASER liposuction to define the waist.
- Tummy tuck. A low incision above the pubic area, muscle repair from the ribs to the pubic bone, removal of excess skin and a new opening for the belly button.
- Closing. Incisions are closed in layers, small drains are placed for the abdomen, and you wake in a surgical bra and compression garment. You go home the same day; no overnight stay is needed.
The order of the procedures is planned for your safety, and no planned surgery exceeds 8 hours of surgical time.
Video: a tummy tuck with muscle tightening, the repair at the center of most mommy makeovers.
One Surgery or Two Stages?
Most mommy makeovers are done in one surgery: one anesthesia, one recovery and one time off work. No planned surgery exceeds 8 hours of surgical time, so larger plans are split into two surgeries. When Dr. Salama stages a mommy makeover, the front of the body comes first: the breasts and tummy tuck. Once you have recovered and are ready, a BBL is the second stage. He decides what is safe to combine based on your health, the procedures involved and the total surgical time.
Medical illustrations, simplified and not to scale.
Mommy Makeover Recovery Week by Week
When a tummy tuck is part of the plan, the abdomen sets the pace of recovery; the breasts heal within the same window.
| Time after surgery | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–7 | Rest at home with help; walk a little every hour or two while awake. Sleep on your back, upper body raised and knees bent. Surgical bra and compression garment on; small drains in place and our team shows you how to care for them. No lifting your children. You go home the same day of surgery. |
| Days 10–15 | Most patients are back to about 85–90% of their normal daily function and to light desk work. Drains removed at a follow-up visit; standing more upright each day. Still no heavy lifting. |
| Weeks 4–6 | Longer walks and light activity; standing fully straight. Still no lifting small children; that usually waits until about 3–4 months. |
| Weeks 6–8 | Cleared for exercise and most lifting for most patients; soft, supportive bras; no underwire bras until Dr. Salama clears you. Small children still wait until about 3–4 months. |
| Months 3–6 | Most moms are cleared to lift small children at about 3–4 months. Swelling settles; the breasts and abdomen reach their final shape. |
| Up to 12–18 months | Scars keep flattening and fading. |
Plan for an adult to stay with you for the first days and for help with children for the first few weeks. The detailed plans are in the tummy tuck recovery guide, the breast lift recovery guide and the breast augmentation recovery guide. Out-of-town patients: see traveling patients.
Where Are the Mommy Makeover Scars?
The tummy tuck scar runs low across the abdomen, just above the pubic area, and Dr. Salama marks it with you standing so it sits under underwear and most swimwear; there is also a small scar around the belly button. Breast scars depend on the procedure: a fold incision for implants alone, or a scar around the areola, around the areola plus a vertical line (lollipop), or those two plus a line in the fold (anchor) for a lift. Liposuction leaves a few tiny entry points. Scars are permanent but usually fade to thin, pale lines over 12 to 18 months with silicone scar care and sun protection.
How Long Do Mommy Makeover Results Last?
The repaired muscles, removed skin and treated fat cells don’t come back, so results are long-lasting if your weight stays stable. Normal aging continues, and a future pregnancy or large weight change can stretch the abdomen and breasts again. Implants are not lifetime devices; most patients replace them at some point. If you are considering another pregnancy, tell Dr. Salama at the consultation.
Risks of a Mommy Makeover and How They’re Managed
Combining procedures adds operating time, so safety planning matters more than in any single procedure. The main risks are bleeding or a blood collection (hematoma), fluid collection (seroma), infection, slow healing where incisions meet, changes in nipple or skin sensation, scarring, asymmetry, implant-related issues such as capsular contracture, blood clots and anesthesia risks.
At Elite they are reduced in specific ways: a full review of your health, medications and smoking status before surgery; board-certified anesthesia in a state-certified surgical facility; a plan that never exceeds 8 hours of surgical time, staging larger plans; drains to lower the chance of a seroma; compression, early walking and clot prevention; and close follow-up with Dr. Salama himself.
How Much Does a Mommy Makeover Cost in Miami?
A mommy makeover in Miami typically costs between $12,000 and $30,000 in total. The range is wide because every mommy makeover is a custom combination, most often a tummy tuck with breast surgery and liposuction. Combining them in one surgery usually costs less than having each procedure separately.
What your mommy makeover quote includes
Your written quote from Elite Plastic Surgery lists the surgeon’s fee, the anesthesia fee, breast implants if your plan uses them, and your post-operative care. Each procedure in your plan is listed, so you can see how the total is built.
What changes the price of a mommy makeover
- Which procedures are combined. A tummy tuck with breast augmentation costs less than a tummy tuck with a breast lift and implants plus liposuction.
- Breast procedure. Augmentation, lift, lift with implants and reduction differ in time and cost.
- Implant choice. Implant type and brand change the cost.
- Liposuction areas. Adding the flanks, back or thighs extends the surgery.
- One stage or two. Larger plans are split into two surgeries for safety (breasts and tummy tuck first, a BBL later), which changes the total.
Is a mommy makeover cheaper than separate surgeries?
Usually, yes. One surgery means one anesthesia, one operating room session and one recovery period, instead of paying for each procedure on its own.
When is the best time to plan a mommy makeover?
Most surgeons recommend waiting until you are done having children, your weight has been stable for several months, and you have finished breastfeeding. Your consultation confirms timing and which procedures fit your goals.
Financing through CareCredit, United Medical Credit and Alphaeon Credit is available; see financing.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Salama for a Mommy Makeover in Miami
- Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery; member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The Aesthetic Society.
- In practice since 2009, with more than 4,000 mommy makeovers and more than 4,000 tummy tucks performed. He performs your surgery himself, and the same team follows your recovery.
- Surgery in the practice’s own state-certified facility in Hollywood, Florida, minutes from Miami, with board-certified anesthesia providers.
- Rated 4.9★ from 748 Google reviews and 4.7★ from 2,561 RealSelf reviews (October 2026). Bilingual team: hablamos español.
“I just had a mommy makeover with Dr. Salama. His team is the best — I felt completely at ease from the beginning… it has been a wonderful experience!”Jackeline · Mommy makeover · Verified Google review
“I had a breast lift and a tummy tuck with liposuction. It has been the best experience… I would definitely recommend Dr. Salama and Elite Plastic Surgery.”Elba · Breast lift and tummy tuck · Verified Google review
Video: a patient describes her mommy makeover with a breast lift with implants and tummy tuck.
Ready to Plan Your Mommy Makeover?
Start with a virtual consultation: share a few photos from home, and Dr. Salama reviews them himself. Or call or text (305) 933-4033. Hablamos español.
Mommy Makeover Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a mommy makeover cost in Miami?
A mommy makeover in Miami typically costs between $12,000 and $30,000 in total, depending on which procedures are combined. Your written quote from Elite Plastic Surgery lists the surgeon’s fee, the anesthesia fee, breast implants if your plan uses them, and your post-operative care. Financing through CareCredit, United Medical Credit and Alphaeon Credit is available.
What is included in a mommy makeover?
Most mommy makeovers combine a tummy tuck, a breast procedure (a lift with implants, a lift alone or an augmentation) and liposuction of the flanks. The exact combination is built around your body and goals at the consultation.
Am I a good candidate for a mommy makeover?
Good candidates are done having children, have finished breastfeeding, are at a stable weight close to their goal, are in good health and don’t smoke, and have loose skin, separated muscles, breast changes or stubborn fat that diet and exercise haven’t improved.
How long after having a baby can I have a mommy makeover?
Dr. Salama advises waiting 6 to 9 months after delivery, and until you have finished breastfeeding, so your body, weight and breasts have settled before surgery.
How long is mommy makeover recovery?
Most patients are back to about 85–90% of their normal daily function, including light desk work, within 10 to 15 days. No underwire bras until Dr. Salama clears you. Plan on six to eight weeks before exercise, about three to four months before lifting small children, and three to six months for the final shape. When a tummy tuck is part of the plan, the abdomen sets the pace of recovery.
When can I pick up my children after a mommy makeover?
Usually at about three to four months after surgery, once Dr. Salama clears you. Lifting strains the repaired abdominal muscles and the breast incisions, so until then have children climb up to you while you sit, and plan for help at home.
Will I have drains after a mommy makeover?
Yes, for the tummy tuck. Small drains remove fluid while you heal and lower the chance of a seroma; they are removed at a follow-up visit, and our team shows you how to care for them at home.
Is a mommy makeover done in one surgery?
Usually, yes: one anesthesia and one recovery. No planned surgery exceeds 8 hours of surgical time, so larger plans are split into two: the breasts and tummy tuck first, then a BBL once you have recovered.
Can I breastfeed after a mommy makeover?
Many women can, because implants and most lift techniques leave the nipple attached to the underlying gland and ducts. A lift that removes a lot of tissue or a periareolar incision can reduce milk flow, so tell Dr. Salama if you plan to breastfeed in the future.
Will breast implants affect my mammograms?
You can still have mammograms with implants. Tell the imaging center you have implants so they use additional views to see the breast tissue clearly.
What happens if I get pregnant after a mommy makeover?
Pregnancy is safe after a mommy makeover, but it can stretch the repaired muscles and skin and change the breasts again, which may affect your result. That is why most women wait until they are done having children.
Will a mommy makeover remove stretch marks?
Stretch marks on the skin removed in the tummy tuck, usually below the belly button, are removed with it. Stretch marks elsewhere remain, though they may look less noticeable as the skin tightens.
Will a mommy makeover help with cellulite?
No. Cellulite is caused by the connective tissue under the skin, and a mommy makeover does not treat it, although a smoother contour can make it less noticeable.
Can I add a BBL to my mommy makeover?
Sometimes. Dr. Salama may add a Brazilian butt lift in the same surgery when only a small amount of fat is needed in the buttocks. He is very particular about it because the surgical sites are on opposite sides of the body. Otherwise the BBL is a second stage, once you have recovered from the breast and tummy tuck surgery.
Where are the scars after a mommy makeover?
A low tummy tuck scar above the pubic area and around the belly button, breast scars that depend on the lift or implant incision, and tiny liposuction entry points. They fade over 12 to 18 months with scar care and sun protection.
How long do mommy makeover results last?
Results are long-lasting if your weight stays stable. Aging continues, and a future pregnancy or large weight change can affect the result. Implants are not lifetime devices and may be replaced at some point.
Is a mommy makeover safe?
Performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility, with the total operating time kept within safe limits, a mommy makeover has a good safety record. The risks include bleeding, seroma, infection, slow healing, blood clots and anesthesia risks, and Dr. Salama reviews your personal risk profile before any decision.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Tummy tuck and Breast lift.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Breast implants.
- Elite Plastic Surgery mommy makeover gallery and Google reviews.
