Mommy Makeover: Abdominoplasty & Breast Lift
Key Takeaways
A Mommy Makeover often combines abdominoplasty and a breast lift to address loose abdominal skin, separated muscles, and breast sagging that persist after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Abdominoplasty focuses on removing excess skin and fat while repairing stretched abdominal muscles, and a breast lift repositions sagging breast tissue and nipples for a more balanced shape.
Ideal candidates are healthy, at or near their goal weight, finished with childbearing, and have realistic expectations about recovery time and scarring.
Recovery usually involves at least two weeks of reduced activity, with a gradual return to normal routines over several months as swelling and bruising resolve.
Personalized planning with Dr. Akash at Mirror Plastic Surgery in St. Petersburg/Tampa helps align treatment options with your goals; schedule a consultation to discuss your Mommy Makeover.
Understanding the Mommy Makeover: Abdominoplasty and Breast Lift
Mommy Makeover Overview
A Mommy Makeover is a tailored set of cosmetic procedures that address common body changes after pregnancy. It often includes abdominoplasty to address stretched abdominal muscles, skin, and tissues and a breast lift to improve sagging and volume loss.
How a Mommy Makeover Helps After Pregnancy
This combined approach targets loose abdominal skin, excess fat, stretched muscles, and breast volume loss that may not respond to diet or exercise. Benefits can include a flatter abdomen, a more lifted breast position, improved core support, and relief from symptoms related to muscle separation or heavy, sagging breasts.
You can explore whether this procedure aligns with your goals during a one-on-one visit with Dr. Akash. Schedule a consultation to review options that fit your anatomy and lifestyle.
The Mirror Plastic Surgery Approach to Mommy Makeovers
Mirror Plastic Surgery emphasizes individualized care throughout the Mommy Makeover process. Consultations are unhurried and detailed, with careful attention to your medical history, anatomy, and priorities. Safety, function, and aesthetics guide the surgical plan so that your abdominoplasty and breast lift work together to support both form and physical comfort.
The practice limits the number of surgeries performed each day. This structure allows focused time for planning, performing your surgery, and overseeing your recovery.
Meet Dr. Akash: Mommy Makeover Surgeon in Tampa Bay
Dr. Akash, a Harvard-educated physician and Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon, specializes in aesthetic surgery of the breast and body. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been listed in Newsweek’s America's Best Plastic Surgeons 2025 for two consecutive years.
His fellowship training in aesthetic surgery at MEETH and ongoing advisory work with companies such as Motiva and Tiger Aesthetics support a technique-driven, research-informed approach to abdominoplasty and breast lift procedures.
Key Mommy Makeover Procedures: Abdominoplasty and Breast Lift
Abdominoplasty to Address Muscle Separation and Loose Skin
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, removes excess skin and fat and repairs separated abdominal muscles, or diastasis recti. Pregnancy can stretch or tear abdominal muscles, leading to a protruding abdomen, back strain, and posture changes.
Mirror Plastic Surgery focuses on restoring the full length of the abdominal wall from the chest to the pubic area. This comprehensive repair aims to improve core support and create a natural, athletic contour rather than only tightening the lower abdomen.
Breast Lift to Improve Sagging and Shape
A breast lift, or mastopexy, raises and reshapes the breasts by removing excess skin and repositioning breast tissue and the nipple-areola complex. Breasts often enlarge during pregnancy and breastfeeding, then deflate and sag afterward. A lift can address this change and improve symmetry.
Some patients also choose implants for added volume, while others prefer a lift alone. Dr. Akash reviews these options and how each affects scarring, shape, and long-term maintenance.
Ideal Candidates for a Mommy Makeover
Good candidates are healthy, near their goal weight, done with childbearing and breastfeeding, and willing to follow recovery instructions. Skin and fascia elasticity also influence how the body responds after pregnancy and surgery.
During your consultation, Dr. Akash evaluates your abdomen, breasts, skin quality, and overall health to determine whether combined surgery is appropriate or if a staged plan would be safer.
What Happens During Surgery
For abdominoplasty, the incision usually runs low on the abdomen from hip to hip. Excess skin and fat are removed, the abdominal muscles are tightened, and the belly button is brought through a new opening in a flatter abdominal wall.
For a breast lift, incisions vary by the degree of sagging. The procedure removes extra skin, reshapes the breast tissue, and moves the nipple and areola to a higher, more central position. Implants can be added when more upper pole fullness or overall size is desired.
Typical outcomes include a flatter, firmer abdomen and breasts that sit higher on the chest with improved shape and proportion. Scars are placed to be as discreet as possible and usually fade over time.
Preparing for Your Mommy Makeover
What to Expect at Consultation
The initial consultation often lasts up to an hour. Dr. Akash reviews your medical history, examines the abdomen and breasts, and discusses your symptoms and goals. You receive clear explanations of the anatomy involved, the procedures recommended, and realistic expectations for recovery and scarring.
Pre-operative Planning and Instructions
You receive specific instructions on medications, supplements, and medical clearances. You should maintain a stable weight before surgery because future pregnancies or significant weight changes can alter results. You must stop smoking and nicotine use several weeks in advance to reduce risks and support healing.
The preparation phase may include an anesthesiology review, lab work, and time to arrange help at home. A final pre-operative visit confirms the surgical plan and answers last questions so you know what to expect on the day of surgery.
You can discuss timing, downtime, and procedure options directly with Dr. Akash during a dedicated visit. Schedule your consultation to begin planning.
Mommy Makeover Recovery and Healing
Immediate Post-Operative Care
After surgery, you receive instructions for incision care, showering, and dressings. Most patients wear an abdominal compression garment and a supportive surgical bra. Activity is limited to walking short distances and gentle movements that do not strain the abdomen or breasts.
Typical Recovery Timeline
Initial recovery: Plan for about two weeks off work and help with childcare, lifting, and household tasks. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort are most noticeable during this time.
Gradual activity increase: Light daily activities resume after the first couple of weeks, with walking encouraged and lifting still restricted.
Return to full activity: Many patients return to light exercise by six weeks, with more vigorous activity often approved around three months. Complete recovery from a full Mommy Makeover can take two to three months, depending on the extent of surgery.
Final results: Scars, swelling, and tissue position continue to mature over six to twelve months, and residual bruising and swelling may take weeks or months to resolve.
Common Recovery Sensations
Numbness, tingling, itching, and temporary mood changes are common as tissues and nerves heal. The team at Mirror Plastic Surgery reviews which symptoms are expected and when to call with concerns.
Key Considerations and Misconceptions
Mommy Makeover as Body Contouring, Not Weight Loss
A Mommy Makeover does not instantly restore a pre-pregnancy body. Early swelling can make the abdomen and breasts look larger for several weeks. These procedures contour the body for patients already near their target weight rather than serving as a primary weight-loss method.
Why Board Certification Matters
Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Akash supports a thorough evaluation, clear explanation of risks and benefits, and ongoing follow-up. Caution is important with “mini” or “express” procedures that do not match your anatomy or combine multiple surgeries without proper assessment.
Cost of a Mommy Makeover in St. Petersburg/Tampa
Pricing varies based on the specific procedures, surgical time, facility and anesthesia fees, and whether additional treatments such as liposuction are included. An in-person consultation with Dr. Akash provides a detailed quote that reflects your individualized plan and priorities.
You can review options, timelines, and a personalized cost estimate during a dedicated visit. Schedule a consultation to receive a tailored treatment and pricing plan.
Common Questions About Mommy Makeover in Tampa Bay
Timeline for Final Mommy Makeover Results
Most patients see early improvements soon after surgery, with final results for abdominoplasty and breast lift developing over six to twelve months as swelling settles and scars mature.
Additional Procedures Within a Mommy Makeover
A Mommy Makeover can include other body contouring options, such as liposuction, when appropriate. The plan is customized based on your anatomy, goals, and what can be done safely in a single operation.
Effect on Stretch Marks
Abdominoplasty usually removes many stretch marks located on the lower abdomen where skin is excised. Stretch marks above the navel or on the breasts may improve in appearance but are less likely to be fully removed.
Ideal Timing After Pregnancy
Many patients wait at least six months to a year after childbirth, complete breastfeeding, and reach a stable weight before surgery. This timing helps tissues settle and creates a more predictable foundation for long-term results.
Safety of Combining Abdominoplasty and Breast Lift
Combined surgery is common when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited setting. Dr. Akash evaluates your overall health, procedure length, and recovery needs to decide whether combining procedures is appropriate.
Book Your Personalized Mommy Makeover Consultation in Tampa Bay
A consultation at Mirror Plastic Surgery offers a detailed review of your post-pregnancy concerns, including abdominal muscle separation, loose skin, and breast changes. You can expect a clear explanation of surgical options, recovery timelines, and likely outcomes tailored to your goals.
Contact Mirror Plastic Surgery to schedule a comprehensive Mommy Makeover consultation with Dr. Akash in St. Petersburg/Tampa.
Phone: 727-361-6515
Email: hello@mirrorplasticsurgery.com
Address: 780 4th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person. Editorial content, before and after images, and patient testimonials do not constitute a guarantee of specific results.