What Is A Mommy Makeover?

Most often, a mommy makeover includes a breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction with a tummy tuck or abdominal liposuction. Because the breasts and abdominal area change so much during and after pregnancy, surgery is often the best option for returning to that pre-pregnancy body; hence the name “Mommy Makeover.” However, the breast and tummy area can also be affected by weight fluctuations and aging. So rest assured, you don’t have to be a mom to have a mommy makeover!

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Why Choose Dr. Zenn?

  • Dr. Michael Zenn has performed thousands of abdominal surgeries and breast surgeries over his 25-year career
  • He has taught his abdominoplasty and breast techniques to hundreds of residents and plastic surgeons worldwide
  • He has published several textbook chapters and articles on breast surgery
  • Honored as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for Cosmetic Surgery
  • Unmatched training in Plastic Surgery (Harvard – Mass General Hospital) and Breast Surgery (Memorial Sloan-Kettering, NYC)

Dr. Zenn Brings Decades Of Experience

Dr. Zenn loves to do mommy makeovers. His first mommy makeovers were performed during his training in Boston. In the late 1990’s he brought his talents to the University of North Carolina where he continued to perform these surgeries as well as teach the residents training in plastic surgery.  He was recruited to Duke University in 2000 where his techniques in breast and body contouring surgery continued to evolve. 

He has been on the “cutting edge” ever since and teaches his approach to both surgery residents and practicing plastic surgeons. His knowledge of anatomy is extraordinary (in fact he taught anatomy to medical students at Duke!). His many years of plastic surgery experience allow him to know the techniques which provide the safest and best cosmetic results.

Dr. Zenn’s Approach

While combining breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, and tummy tuck is common, Dr. Zenn is often asked to include facial surgeries as part of a mommy makeover. He frequently adds blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), a neck lift, or liposuction of other areas to create a custom plan for his patients.

The advantage of having breast and tummy tuck surgery (or any combination) at the same time is that combining multiple procedures will take less time than doing the procedures separately.

And that is good for a number of reasons:

  • You will undergo anesthesia only once
  • Only one recovery period
  • Less expensive than having each procedure separately
  • Very safe and routine to perform more than one procedure at the same surgery
  • And most importantly, the change in your figure is more dramatic with the flattening of the tummy and enhancement of the breasts all at once
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What Is the Mommy Makeover Procedure?

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Mommy Makeover Before & After

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Your Mommy Makeover Consultation

Your consultation is the perfect time to “ask the expert” anything and everything you want to know about the procedures you are considering. Dr. Zenn takes the time to answer your questions; he wants you to understand all the considerations for surgery. No question is too small or insignificant. You should be comfortable with your decision to have surgery and confident in your choice of a plastic surgeon. During your initial consultation for our mommy makeover in Raleigh, we encourage you to openly share your aesthetic concerns with Dr. Zenn. This is an opportunity to talk about what you like and dislike about your body. It also gives you a chance to get to know Dr. Zenn. Once he has learned about your health background and has a clear understanding of your goals and expectations, he will examine you to determine which procedures will best address your concerns.

The Breast Exam Portion Of Your Mommy Makeover Consult:

This exam will focus on your current breast anatomy, including the quality of your skin. Stretch marks and excessive inelastic skin require different approaches than breasts with no stretch marks and elastic skin. Dr. Zenn will also examine your breasts to determine how much breast gland there is versus fat tissue.

Dr. Zenn considers different procedures depending on the ratio of breast gland to fat. In addition, he will examine you for any breast lumps that may require further investigation prior to surgery. All women 40 years of age or older will need routine mammography within 6 months of their surgery.

Examination Of The Abdomen Or Tummy:

During the tummy exam, Dr. Zenn will first determine the amount of excess skin and fat. If the issue is mainly fatty excess, he will review your options for liposuction or discuss non-surgical alternatives. Tummy tucks are not offered to everyone as many patients can benefit from minimally invasive procedures instead. If there is extra skin, it will need to be removed surgically with a tummy tuck. All tummy tucks will include liposuction as part of the procedure. Dr. Zenn will show you where the scars would need to be in your particular case. These scar locations are based on how much skin he anticipates removing, and the desired location of the final scar.

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Mommy Makeovers With Tummy Tucks May Require Abdominal Muscle Tightening:

Finally, Dr. Zenn will evaluate your core abdominal muscles to determine if they are already in a good position and strong. If not, you will need muscle tightening. Dr. Zenn does not tighten muscles in all patients; muscle tightening is only performed if he deems it necessary. As Dr. Zenn was board-certified in general surgery, he is equipped to repair any hernias or bulges he encounters during your surgery as well.

Following your physical exam, Dr. Zenn will share his extensive gallery of before and after photos with you. He will show you past patients who had similar concerns to yours — and explain what he did to correct those problem areas. He will then recommend a mommy makeover treatment plan specifically for you. When you are ready to move forward, you will schedule your pre-operative appointment and surgery.

I feel like he listened to my desires and gave me something I wanted-my results really match my body, and my husband absolutely loves it! I chose him because I felt completely comfortable with his experience and level of skill and knew I was in great hands. Thanks to Dr. Zenn I’ve never felt sexier or more confident.

- Happy patient

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Recovery After A Mommy Makeover

You will see Dr. Zenn in the office the day following your mommy makeover in Raleigh. Plan to stay home and not be active for the first week or two after surgery depending on your treatment plan. You must avoid heavy lifting of any kind. Once Dr. Zenn gives you the okay, you may slowly ease back into your normal routine.

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Schedule A Consultation With Dr. Zenn

Dr. Zenn is one of the most accomplished breast and abdominal plastic surgeons in the country. He had been named one of Newsweek’s top ten plastic surgeons for breast augmentation and in three other categories, been selected by his peers for the prestigious Castle Connelly award, and has been named one of Raleigh’s best plastic surgeons for three consecutive years. For more information on individual procedures commonly performed during Dr. Zenn’s Mommy Makeover surgery, contact Zenn Plastic Surgery in Raleigh, North Carolina today. For additional information in the meantime, see the breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, liposuction, and tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) pages of the Zenn Plastic Surgery website.

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