Trust. Experience. Results.
Trust. Experience. Results.
4/6/2017
Having the title of 'mom' is one of the hardest gigs out there, so it comes as no surprise that the Mommy Makeover is one of the most searched and performed procedures that we see... not to mention, one of the most well deserved and life-changing.
Pregnancy and motherhood for that matter can take a toll on a woman's body, and despite the exhausting efforts of exercise and dieting, sometimes it's still not enough to get you back to your pre-baby body.
So, wondering what the cost of such a deserving procedure is? We're here to break it down for you because we understand that the last thing a busy mom has time to be doing is searching the web for answers with no real end in sight.
When it comes to the critically acclaimed Mommy Makeover, there are a variety of factors that contribute to the total cost and can vary widely per patient – but we're here to give you as close to a cost estimate as we can, or at least what to look for when evaluating the cost of procedures.
Details regarding price, the length of the procedure and recovery time are courtesy of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASPS). The price of each surgery will vary considerably by geographic region and does not include facility fees, anesthesia, and other surgical costs.
Let's start with a simple overview of what a Mommy Makeover is, and what the procedure typically entails…
Even the healthiest moms who work hard to get their figures back find that the changes from pregnancy simply cannot be undone and exercised away. Excess skin is left behind as that occurs when the body is stretched and pulled, the swelling and subsequent shrinking of the breasts can leave them flat and sometimes sagging.
'Mommy Makeover' is not a new term for a series of procedures referring to the combination of procedures that surgically restores the pre-baby shape as close as possible. On a basic level, a mommy makeover is some any breast surgery accompanied by any abdominal surgery. By performing these operations at the same time, you're able to lessen recovery time and get back on your feet quickly.
These breast procedures may include one of the following:
A breast operation is paired with one of the following body surgeries to constitute a Mommy Makeover:
If your breasts have lost their volume or are just sagging more than you would like, breast augmentation may be the right choice. After a one- to two-hour surgery, you can walk away with either saline- or silicone-filled implants. It's a permanent procedure, but sometimes breast implants do need to be replaced years down the road.
While it is essential to have a basic understanding of the other factors that influence the cost of a breast augmentation, one of the most significant is your choice of a breast implant. The price for breast augmentations varies depending on an individual patient's goals and needs with surgery.
When considering cost as it relates to silicone versus saline breast implants, a key component to think about is the look and feel you are trying to achieve. Are you looking to go with a more natural look and feel, or would you prefer a substance that is a bit firmer but has a similar composition to the fluid that makes up most of the human body?
If the thought of implants makes you uncomfortable, a breast lift may be the way to go to Mommy Makeover recapture that coveted youthful look and shape. Perky doesn't have to be a thing of the past – this procedure offers an alternative method to re-inflate sagging, droopy and poorly shaped breasts. Excess skin is removed, breast tissue is lifted, and nipples and areolae are moved or even reduced in size.
Similar to a breast augmentation, side effects can include temporary discomfort, swelling, bruising and scars which will fade with time. It's a procedure that can take an hour and a half to over three hours to complete, but the good news is that the results are long-lasting. You can't stop gravity completely, but you can put it on pause for a little while. Most patients should be able to return to work in one to two weeks.
Many women who have had children are excellent candidates for a combination breast augmentation with simultaneous full lift since the breasts tend to stretch and lose shape and volume after pregnancy. However, this procedure can be beneficial for any woman who wants to enhance the size of her breasts as well as reduce breast sag.
A breast reduction may be helpful for women who experience soreness in the back, neck, and shoulders, or who suffer from pain due to bra strap indentations. Women who want a smaller breast size and improved breast shape can also benefit from a breast reduction.
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, is a procedure that can take two to five hours from start to finish. Your surgeon will remove excess skin, may reposition your navel and will give your weak abdominal muscles new life by tightening the abdominal wall.
A scar is inevitable in a tummy tuck and recovery is slow – you can be back to work and mommy duty in one to three weeks, but it could be longer depending upon an individual's physical condition. The results though can be a dramatically flatter stomach and narrower waist.
Body contouring is the friendly term for liposuction, but the procedure isn't glamorous by any means. Having fat sucked out of your body isn't any prettier than it sounds – but the results can be amazing and instantaneous. If you've ever seen a liposuction on television, it looks vicious, but there are newer methods that do reduce some of that violence by melting the fat first with ultrasound.
Keep in mind, liposuction is not an alternative to weight reduction. It can, however, be effective in removing stubborn fat that doesn't react to diet and exercise. What this means is – don't be surprised if your doctor recommends that you lose more weight before embarking on this procedure.
Depending on how much area you're looking to have liposuctioned, the process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours. Bruising, soreness and even some numbness may occur, but the final contour is usually evident at the three-month mark. You can be back to work in about one to two weeks but be prepared to wear a compression garment for up to six weeks to encourage your skin to contract and decrease the inevitable swelling.
It's important to note that the cost of a Mommy Makeover can vary dramatically from one patient to another and often does not include other surgery-related expenses. The major costs that factor into your total are the surgeon's fee, facility fee, anesthesia fee, post-surgery fees and cost of implants.
So, to provide a somewhat straightforward answer, the overall cost of Mommy Makeover surgery can range from $9,000 to $20,000.
But again, the final cost will depend on a variety of factors and variables of the following:
All surgeons have their approach to performing Mommy Makeovers as they have different amenities at their disposal and varying levels of experience and accreditations.
It's fair to assume that selecting a surgeon can singlehandedly be the most significant influence when it comes to the total cost of surgery.
For example, at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, our three plastic surgeons have accumulated a combined 75 years of experience, and with that have cultivated an excellent reputation in the Northern Virginia and DC Metro Area community.
We can only speak for ourselves when we say that each surgery is preceded by an extensive consultation involving computer analysis and imaging technology, as well as the master-eye of our surgeons to ensure that we deliver satisfying and life-changing results for our patients.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) website lists the national average of plastic surgery physician fees. However, the fly in the ointment is that total prices vary widely among regions, with plastic surgery hotspots like Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles at the higher end of the spectrum.
The reason plastic surgery costs vary based on geographic locations, such as major urban centers, is usually due to higher overhead costs for surgeons in these areas. So, the first step in considering what you'll pay is looking at fees where you live and how much the cost of living is in that area.
To find ballpark prices for procedures based on location by using the Healthcare Blue Book (it works the same way Kelley Blue Book lists the prices of cars).
The surgical facility is a major factor to consider not only because of overall cost but because it may put a price tag on the importance of your safety and satisfaction.
The importance of having your procedure performed in an accredited surgical facility by qualified staff is critical in the decision-making process. Do not try to cut costs by sacrificing safety and having your procedure performed at a non-accredited practice or by a surgeon not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
The Austin-Weston Center is a beautiful, free-standing surgery facility located in Reston, Virginia, fully-equipped with five surgical suites. Our state of the art facility features operating rooms fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), an association that accredits office-based surgical facilities.
Our surgeons are board certified in plastic surgery and fully insured, our Certified Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are nationally certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, and all personnel is licensed and certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
You should ask the surgeon directly if these are all the costs involved in your estimate. Since there is no set dollar amount for such expenditures, it is important to explore multiple options by meeting with several surgeons and getting estimates for not only their surgeon fees but also the additional surgical-related expenses.
When determining the cost for a Mommy Makeover, make sure to account for the following surgery-related expenses:
The cost of anesthesia for Mommy Makeover surgery can also vary. With a anesthesiologist, the price will be higher. With a CRNA (nurse anesthetist) the price will be lower. Another factor that can decrease cost is when a doctor uses a non-certified anesthetist nurse, or a medical assistant to push the anesthetic drugs (and yes, unfortunately, this does happen). Anesthesia fees are by the hour, and if the surgeon is taking his time to make the results as meticulous as possible, the anesthesia fee will be higher. Which can also vary depending on the technique used for the surgery, which can sometimes take longer or shorter to perform
After calculating the cost of surgeon's fees, breast implants, anesthesia, surgical facility fees and all other expenses are combined it often reaches a total between $5,000 and $10,000, if not more.
Some women looking to have a mommy makeover may not have this kind amount of money at their immediate disposal, but when the decision is made that it's the right time to undergo the procedure, it becomes necessary to consider financing options.
Practices almost always accept credit cards, but patients should carefully consider the associated interest rates of all available options. Also, several third-party financing companies deal exclusively with those who want or need treatments that are not covered by insurance.
While cost is obviously an important consideration when it comes to liposuction, it is not the most important one. Patients should remember that their health and cosmetic satisfaction are ultimately the top priorities. Choosing an inexperienced doctor to save some money could cost far more in the long run if they require a corrective procedure or if they develop serious health complications.
With a mommy makeover, women can give a little back to themselves after pouring so much into their kids. By looking great, they will have even more confidence in themselves as mommies and women.
If you are ready to reclaim your pre-baby shape but need a little help to do so. To learn more about your plastic surgery options, please call (703) 893-6168 to schedule a consultation.
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Our four, board-certified plastic surgeons have over 100 years of combined experience & work together in our dedicated, luxurious center providing combined knowledge on all procedures. Schedule your consultation today to learn how our surgeons can guide you on your journey to aesthetic harmony.
