Five mommy makeover myths it's time to stop believing

In the age of social media, chatbots and AI, misinformation is flying around. Sometimes it can be challenging to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to plastic surgery trends. One of the plastic surgery procedures that continues to dominate feeds and search inquiries year over year is the mommy makeover.

Pregnancy and childbirth can reshape a woman's mind and body in unexpected ways. With the intense pressure many women feel to "bounce back" to their pre-baby body, it's easy to get sucked into believing the myths and misconceptions surrounding the mommy makeover.

ASPS Member Surgeons Umbareen Mahmood, MD, Kelly Killeen, MD, and Karen Horton, MD, MSc, FACS, share some of the biggest misconceptions about mommy makeovers and help bust the myths surrounding these procedures.

What is a mommy makeover?

When people hear mommy makeover, the first thing they think about is restoring breasts after pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. However, the mommy makeover is about more than the breasts. It is a customized combination of surgical procedures designed to help a woman feel comfortable and confident in her body after pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

Plastic surgery options often seek to address areas most affected by these life changes, such as the breasts and abdomen. They may include procedures like a breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck and liposuction. Since every patient's anatomy and goals are unique, a mommy makeover should be tailored to meet each patient's needs to help improve body contours, enhance confidence and achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance.

Myth: Mommy makeovers are just for mommies

According to Dr. Mahmood, one of the most common misconceptions about mommy makeovers is that they are just for mothers.

"'Mommy makeover' should really be relabeled as 'comprehensive body transformation' or something along those lines, because in the age of GLP-1 medications, young women who have not had children – and men – are requesting these procedures as much as individuals who have had children," said Dr. Mahmood.

Since mommy makeovers are customized procedures that typically address issues related to pregnancy weight gain followed by post-pregnancy weight loss, patients who experience similar fluctuations and body changes with GLP-1 medications may also benefit from procedures such as tummy tucks and breast lifts.

Mommy makeovers aren't just for mothers. In fact, they aren't just for women. Anyone who has experienced weight loss due to GLP-1 use, aging or changes in metabolism may benefit from a comprehensive plastic surgery approach that addresses changes in appearance and aesthetic goals.

Myth: Mommy makeovers only tackle the breasts and tummy

Women who have given birth can tell you that pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding can change the body in surprising ways. While the mommy makeover typically addresses the breasts and abdomen, those aren't the only areas of a woman's body that undergo fundamental changes.

"A mommy makeover is really whatever you want it to be," said Dr. Killeen. "It's just a term for any combination of procedures that help a woman restore her post-baby body from changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding."

Far from being a one-size-fits-all procedure, a mommy makeover is increasingly tailored to a patient's individual goals and concerns.

"Some mommy makeovers don't include breast or body surgery at all," shared Dr. Horton. "This procedure can be whatever you want it to be, such as a labiaplasty and microneedling, blepharoplasty and liposuction or a complete nonsurgical glow-up, such as injectables and laser treatments. It's no one's business to comment on whether a mother should consider surgery for herself. It's a very personal decision and should be made as a family."

Vaginal deliveries can potentially stretch or change the appearance of labial tissue, leading to painful or uncomfortable sex, chafing and aesthetic concerns. A labiaplasty can help relieve discomfort while giving a patient newfound self-assurance.

A mommy makeover should be any procedure or set of procedures that helps a woman feel better about herself, whether that adheres to the "traditional" definition of a mommy makeover or reframes it to include injectables, skin treatments or other procedures.

Myth: Mommy makeovers take a long time to recover from

In truth, the recovery process is different for every patient, so pinpointing a date for getting back into the swing of things is challenging. However, some women hear that recovery from a mommy makeover can take a while, and who has the time to recover when you have work, chores, school and children to raise?

"I commonly see women avoiding coming to be seen because there will be extensive downtime," said Dr. Killeen. "With today's ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocols and modern techniques, recovery is much easier than it was 10 years ago."

New surgical techniques and protocols mean a patient may be ready to gently return to their normal routine sooner than they think, especially depending on the procedures they choose. A skilled board-certified plastic surgeon can help set realistic recovery expectations based on your customized surgical approach, personal situation, medical history and level of outside support. 

Myth: Mommy makeovers are for getting your pre-baby body back

There is a belief that a mommy makeover restores a woman's pre-baby body. However, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding can cause significant physical and mental changes, some of which are permanent.

"In general, the biggest misconceptions are a few things," said Dr. Killeen. "First, women do this because they don't want to try to lose weight or get back to their pre-baby fitness. In reality, there are many permanent changes following pregnancy and breastfeeding, and they have nothing to do with your current weight or being unwilling to lose weight. Some things require surgery to repair, and that's okay!"

Not all changes to the body are temporary, and that's normal. Some patients experience issues with their vagina, the pelvic floor and abdominal separation, which can impact women long after having a child.

Myth: You are vain if you want a mommy makeover

For a lot of women, mom guilt is really. It is that nagging feeling that every ounce of your attention should be devoted to caregiving and that it is selfish to focus on your own concerns. This feeling of guilt prevents some moms from taking meaningful steps to care for themselves or focus on their wants and desires.

"The term 'mommy makeover' was coined to make mothers who plan aesthetic breast and body surgery after finishing childbearing more acceptable to themselves and others," said Dr. Horton. "However, it isn't vain or selfish for a mom to want to look and feel her best."

Sometimes, a little self-care actually makes you a better, more confident – or at least better-rested – parent, giving you more bandwidth to focus on being the best mom you can be. However, taking a little time to focus on yourself doesn't mean you are a bad parent or that you are taking anything away from your child.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.