Is it Too Late for a Mommy Makeover?

Would you love to have something along the lines of a “mommy makeover” to help you get a more youthful, toned breast and body shape—but worry that now that you’re an empty-nester, you may not have the same options?

It’s a common misconception that only younger women or new mothers are interested in enhancing their breasts or toning their tummies—as though once a woman reaches a certain age, looking good in a little black dress is no longer a priority. Nothing could be further from the truth! Many women would gladly fix the unwanted effects of childbearing if they had the chance, and we’re here to tell you that mommy makeovers are actually quite common at any age—even once your kids have “flown the coop.”

Whether you want to refresh your facial features, wear waisted clothing comfortably again, look great in a little black dress, or all of the above, a mommy makeover can help you rejuvenate your look from “eyes to thighs.”

The beauty of a mommy makeover is that it is personalized to your needs and goals and can include any combination of breast, body, and facial procedures. Depending on a patient’s main concerns, it can even include procedures that address more severe sagging or that focus on rejuvenating features of the face as well as the body—as we say, from “eyes to thighs.”

You might consider a mommy makeover if…

Childbearing can be hard on the body, leaving breasts sagging and deflated and abdominal skin and muscles loose and stretched. The aging process can make things worse; skin continues to lose elasticity, tissues sag throughout the face and body, and a slowing metabolism makes fat deposits even more difficult to address through diet and exercise.

If you’re bothered by the way you look or feel due to these changes, the right combo of cosmetic procedures can help you restore confidence in your appearance.

Your plan may include one or more of these procedures:

• Breast lift surgery to lift and restore a firmer, more youthful shape to sagging breasts
• Breast augmentation with lift for fuller, perkier breasts
• A tummy tuck to restore a smoother, firmer, and flatter midsection
• An arm, thigh, or buttock lift to tighten sagging tissues and restore smoother, more slender contours to the upper arms and lower body
• A facelift to correct jowling, tighten sagging face and neck tissues, and take years off your appearance
• Eyelid lift or brow lift surgery to correct a tired or grumpy appearance and look more refreshed
• Non-surgical treatments including BOTOX®, fillers, Ultherapy® skin tightening, and laser resurfacing to reduce wrinkles and signs of aging on the skin with little to no downtime

Depending on your procedure plan, your entire makeover may be performed in a single operation or completed in phases. An experienced cosmetic surgeon will help you choose the best plan given your needs and lifestyle.

The benefits of waiting for your mommy makeover

One challenge our younger Little Rock mommy makeover patients often face is finding someone else to look after their family for several weeks after surgery, as lifting and carrying little ones is off-limits for up to six weeks while incision sites heal. With older children, you won’t have to take childcare into account when planning for your surgery and recovery—instead, you can have someone baby you!

Having a mommy makeover a bit later has other perks. You’re more likely to have time to prepare for and recover from cosmetic surgery, and with expenses like daycare or college tuition out of the way, it may now be easier to invest in yourself. And cosmetic surgery is more accessible and affordable than ever before—so if you’ve put off surgery in the past, it’s worth reconsidering now that you have more time and financial freedom.

But, am I too old for plastic surgery?

If you or a loved one worry that cosmetic surgery may not be “safe for someone your age,” take a look at this: recent studies show that the rate of complication after cosmetic surgery is not significantly different for patients in their 30s vs. those 65 and up. Overall health matters more than age when it comes to determining if it is safe for you to undergo surgery. If you are a non-smoker and do not suffer from any condition that places you at higher risk from surgery or anesthesia, there’s no reason to believe you are at any higher safety risk than you were 20 years ago.

The most important thing you can do to protect your safety and ensure great results is to choose a qualified cosmetic surgeon with appropriate training, board certification, and experience working with older patients.

Regardless of age, it’s always a good idea to get your doctor’s clearance before undergoing surgery. Also, be honest and thorough about your medical history with your cosmetic surgeon and disclose any medications you are taking. Many cosmetic surgeons require older patients to undergo routine tests such as EKG, mammogram, or bloodwork prior to surgery, just to be on the safe side.

Go for it, gal—you deserve it!

Everyone deserves to feel happy and confident in the way they look—if something bothers you about your appearance, there’s no shame in getting a little help. Whether you’ve been wanting to have a mommy makeover for years, or you’ve recently decided it’s time to enjoy the benefits of a more youthful, confident you, there’s no time like the present to get started.

If you’re in Arkansas and ready to discuss your mommy makeover options at any age, give us a call. Little Rock cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rhys Branman has helped women like you from their early 20s through age 70+ improve their appearance throughout his nearly 20 years in practice. He’ll be glad to go over your options during a personal consultation.