It is a surgical procedure recommended for women who, due to genetics, pregnancies, weight loss, hormonal changes, or the natural aging process, have several problem areas on their body and are looking for a complete image transformation and to rejuvenate their figure.

The ideal candidate for a Mommy Makeover is someone with a normal weight for their height and age, or with slight overweight, who has localized fat in certain body areas, is physically and emotionally healthy, has a positive but realistic outlook on the results, has decided not to have more children, and either does not smoke or is willing to quit for the surgeon’s recommended period before and after surgery.

The best way to assess if you are a candidate for a Mommy Makeover is to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to define your expectations and goals for the procedure.

As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to seek cosmetic changes to please yourself, not to fit someone else’s idea of a perfect body.

After the consultation, Dr. Alejandro Leal will create a personalized surgical plan tailored to the patient’s needs. The exact details of your mommy makeover will be reviewed with you once the procedure plan is completed, so you can ask any questions you may have before scheduling your surgery.

This type of surgery generally takes four to five hours, depending on the number and types of procedures being performed. You will be under light sedation during the procedure, meaning general anesthesia is not used. Sedation is administered via an IV along with an epidural block so that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. With this type of sedation, your anxiety is calmed, and you will be asleep, but if the doctors ask you something, you will be able to respond.

Dr. Alejandro will first perform high-definition liposuction using advanced technologies, sculpting your body contour by tightening and firming the skin while slimming your figure, allowing for optimal skin removal and body shaping in a single procedure. If fat transfer to other body areas is needed to harmonize the figure, the extracted fat is processed, and the plastic surgeon makes small incisions in the areas where volume is desired. The harvested fat cells are injected into the superficial fat layer. The surgeon will then close the incisions and may insert surgical drains. These drains may need to stay in place for a few days after the surgery.

The abdominoplasty or mini abdominoplasty is then performed, making a transverse incision in the lower abdomen (just above the pubic area) of variable length, placing it as low as possible so that the patient can wear a two-piece swimsuit and keep the scar hidden. For patients who had cesarean sections, the same incision can often be used. The skin is separated from the muscle, and the lax abdominal wall muscles are reconstructed. Excess skin and fat are removed, usually taking out all the tissue below the navel. The hanging skin is tightened and pulled down towards the pubic area. The navel is repositioned through a new opening, and the incisions are sutured. Technologies for skin tightening and muscle definition are then used, allowing you to achieve a fit body in the degree you desire.

This technique is known as advanced lipo-abdominoplasty.

Finally, a liquid facial rejuvenation is performed, which consists of applying stem cells from your own fat to the face, neck, and/or décolletage to improve and rejuvenate your skin structure without adding volume.

As with any surgical procedure, there are associated risks, which, when weighed, are smaller compared to the benefits. However, these risks can be minimized by taking appropriate precautions and following guidelines and recommendations to reduce any potential risks. It is very important to follow all medical advice to ensure a successful postoperative recovery and achieve the desired results.

The recovery time is usually 7 to 14 days with relative rest, depending on the patient, as each person responds differently. After this period, the surgeon will provide instructions on which activities can gradually be incorporated into your daily routine.

During the first few days after advanced lipo-abdominoplasty, there may be mild pain, but it is completely manageable with painkillers. It is common to have bruising that disappears after a few days. Drains are left in place for approximately 5 days to prevent the accumulation of inflammatory fluids and to avoid seromas and hematomas post-surgery. Stitches are typically removed starting on the tenth day, depending on the healing of the scar, and you may begin doing some daily activities that do not require significant effort, as advised by your doctor.

It is important to wear a compression garment for 4 to 8 weeks to reduce swelling, as well as to follow all the care instructions provided by the plastic surgeon at each follow-up consultation, such as undergoing lymphatic drainage and maintaining a proper diet.