Mommy Makeover

A Mommy Makeover is a highly customized combination of breast and abdominal surgeries designed to restore your pre-pregnancy body. Because it combines multiple procedures into a single recovery, it requires meticulous planning. If you are considering this transformative surgery in the Lower Mainland, this comprehensive guide covers every clinical, financial, and logistical detail you need to know.

I. Surgeon & Facility Vetting (Vancouver Standards)

1. FRCSC Certification: Verify your surgeon is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. This is the non-negotiable gold standard for plastic surgery in BC.
2. NHMSFAP Accreditation: Your surgery must be performed in a private facility accredited by the Non-Hospital Medical and Surgical Facilities Accreditation Program (NHMSFAP) of BC.
3. Hospital Privileges: Ensure your surgeon has admitting privileges at a major hospital like Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) or St. Paul’s for emergency continuity of care.
4. Specialist Anesthesiologist: Confirm your general anesthesia will be administered by a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist (FRCPC), not a GP-anesthetist.
5. Mommy Makeover Volume: Ask specifically how many combined breast/body procedures the surgeon performs monthly.
6. Before & After Galleries: Look for patients with your specific “before” body type (e.g., skin laxity, stretch marks) to evaluate the surgeon’s consistency.
7. Consultation Depth: A thorough exam must physically assess for diastasis recti (muscle separation) and umbilical hernias.
8. Overnight Capability: Because this is a major surgery (often 4-6 hours), ask if the Vancouver surgical centre offers an overnight nursing stay.
9. Revision Policy: Understand the financial policies if a minor surgical touch-up is required a year later.
10. CPSBC Standing: Check the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC registry to ensure the surgeon has a spotless disciplinary record.

II. Financials & Logistics in BC

11. Average Cost: Expect the total investment in Vancouver to range from $20,000 to $35,000 CAD, depending on the exact procedures selected.
12. Quote Inclusions: Ensure your itemized quote includes the surgeon’s fee, OR time, anesthesia, implants, and post-op compression garments.
13. MSP Non-Coverage: Mommy Makeovers are considered elective cosmetic surgery and are not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP).
14. Exception (Breast Reduction): If you require a massive breast reduction for physical pain, that specific portion might qualify for MSP, though wait times and strict criteria apply.
15. GST Application: In Canada, purely cosmetic procedures are subject to 5% GST.
16. Medical Financing: Most Vancouver clinics partner with Beautifi or Medicard to offer flexible monthly payment plans.
17. Booking Deposits: Securing OR time typically requires a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 to $2,500.
18. Prescription Costs: Budget approximately $100-$150 for pain medications, antibiotics, and anti-nausea drugs at your local pharmacy.
19. Tax Deductibility: Cosmetic surgery is generally not a tax-deductible medical expense under CRA rules.
20. Time Off Work: Budget 2 to 3 weeks off for a desk job, and 4 to 6 weeks for physical labour or nursing jobs.

III. Breast Rejuvenation Options

21. Mastopexy (Breast Lift): If your nipples point downward or sit below the breast crease (inframammary fold), implants alone won’t fix the drooping; you need a lift.
22. Implants (Augmentation): Cohesive silicone gel (“Gummy Bear”) implants are the most popular choice in Vancouver for a natural feel and shape retention.
23. Implant Placement: Submuscular (under the pectoral muscle) is standard for natural results, especially if you have lost upper pole volume post-breastfeeding.
24. Auto-Augmentation: A lift that uses your own breast tissue to create upper fullness, avoiding implants entirely.
25. Fat Transfer: Using fat liposuctioned from your abdomen/flanks and grafting it to the breasts for a subtle, natural volume increase.
26. Incision Patterns: Lift incisions range from periareolar (donut) to vertical (lollipop) to inverted-T (anchor), depending on the degree of sagging.
27. Breast Reduction: An option for mothers whose breasts remained uncomfortably large or heavy after pregnancy.
28. Mammograms: You can still undergo routine breast screening in BC; technicians will use the Eklund displacement technique for implants.
29. Future Breastfeeding: While possible, a breast lift or reduction involves cutting milk ducts and nerves, which can significantly impair future milk production.
30. Nipple/Areola Reduction: Pregnancy often stretches the areolas; this is easily corrected during a mastopexy.

IV. Abdominal Contouring (Tummy Tuck)

31. Full Abdominoplasty: The gold standard. Removes skin from the belly button to the pubic bone and repairs the entire abdominal wall.
32. Mini Tummy Tuck: Only addresses loose skin below the belly button. It does not fix severe muscle separation above the navel.
33. Diastasis Recti Repair: The internal “corset” repair (muscle plication) that fixes the pooch caused by pregnancy stretching the rectus abdominis muscles.
34. Umbilical Hernia: Extremely common post-pregnancy. Plastic surgeons routinely repair this concurrently with the muscle tightening.
35. Umbilicoplasty: Creating a natural, hooded, “innie” belly button is a hallmark of an expert tummy tuck.
36. Scar Placement: The incision should be planned low enough to be completely hidden under modern swimwear or Lululemon leggings.
37. Monsplasty (Mons Pubis Lift): Pulling up and reducing the fatty pad above the pubic area to ensure a flat, smooth lower silhouette.
38. C-Section Scars: Your surgeon will excise your old, often tethered C-section scar, replacing it with the new abdominoplasty incision.
39. Drains: Most full tummy tucks require 1-2 surgical drains (Jackson-Pratt) for 5-10 days to prevent fluid buildup (seroma).
40. Numbness: The skin between your belly button and the incision will be numb for several months due to nerve severing; sensation returns slowly.

V. Liposuction & Additional Procedures

41. Lipo 360: Circumferential liposuction of the abdomen, flanks (love handles), and lower back to create a continuous, hourglass curve.
42. Safety Limits: To prevent fluid overload and lidocaine toxicity, surgeons limit fat removal to approximately 5 Liters during a combined surgery.
43. Vaginal Rejuvenation: Labiaplasty is frequently added to the Mommy Makeover to correct labial stretching from childbirth.
44. Energy-Assisted Lipo: Technologies like VASER (ultrasound) or BodyTite (radiofrequency) can be used to melt stubborn fat and induce mild skin tightening.
45. Staging: If your BMI is higher or you want extensive liposuction, safety protocols may require splitting the makeover into two separate surgeries.
46. Thighplasty: A thigh lift to remove chafing inner thigh skin.
47. Brachioplasty: An arm lift to remove “bat wings.”
48. Non-Surgical Add-ons: Post-op treatments like Morpheus8 microneedling can dramatically improve the texture of remaining stretch marks.
49. Cellulite Reality: Liposuction removes deep fat; it does not cure surface cellulite dimpling.
50. Lymphatic Drainage: Booking post-op Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) massages in Vancouver is highly recommended to accelerate swelling reduction and prevent fibrosis (lumps).

VI. Preparation (The Weeks Before)

51. Wait Time: You must wait at least 6 months after finishing breastfeeding to ensure your breast tissue has stabilized.
52. Family Planning: You should be completely finished having children. A subsequent pregnancy will destroy the internal muscle repair.
53. Weight Stability: Be within 10-15 lbs of your goal weight and maintain it for 3 months. This is body contouring, not weight loss surgery.
54. Nicotine Ban: You MUST stop all nicotine (vaping, smoking, patches) 4-6 weeks prior to prevent tissue necrosis (skin death) and wound separation.
55. Childcare: You cannot lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk (10 lbs) for 4-6 weeks. You need full-time help with toddlers and babies.
56. Bloodwork: You will need pre-op blood tests (CBC, clotting factors) at a LifeLabs location 2 weeks prior.
57. ECG Clearance: Patients over 50 typically require an electrocardiogram for anesthesia clearance.
58. Supplements: Stop taking Aspirin, Advil, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, and Ginseng 2 weeks prior to minimize bleeding risks.
59. Home Setup: Rent or buy a wedge pillow system or a mechanical recliner. You must sleep with your upper body elevated and knees bent to reduce tension on the abdomen.
60. Toilet Riser: A raised toilet seat makes early recovery infinitely easier when your core muscles are out of commission.

VII. The Surgical Experience

61. Duration: Expect to be in the operating room for 4 to 6 hours.
62. DVT Prevention: Your legs will be fitted with Sequential Compression Devices (SCD boots) during surgery to prevent blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis).
63. Exparel / Pain Pumps: Ask if your surgeon uses Exparel (a long-acting local anesthetic) injected directly into the abdominal muscles to block pain for the first 3 days.
64. Hypothermia Prevention: Bair Hugger warming blankets are used to maintain your core temperature, reducing bleeding and cardiac stress.
65. IV Fluids: Strict fluid management by the anesthesiologist is critical to prevent post-op swelling and protect your kidneys.
66. PONV Protocol: Pre-emptive anti-nausea medications (like Zofran or Gravol) are given to prevent Post-Operative Nausea and Vomiting, as retching puts dangerous stress on the muscle repair.
67. Garments: You will wake up in a surgical bra and an abdominal binder or compression faja.
68. The “Leak”: If liposuction is performed, expect pink tumescent fluid to leak from incisions for the first 24-48 hours.
69. Discharge: You must be discharged to the care of a responsible adult. You cannot take a taxi or BC Transit alone.
70. First Night: The first 24 hours are groggy. Your caretaker must manage your medication schedule and assist you to the bathroom.

VIII. Immediate Recovery (First 2 Weeks)

71. The “Walker” Posture: You must walk slightly hunched over at a 45-degree angle for the first 7-10 days to prevent tension on the abdominal incision.
72. Walking is Mandatory: Despite the pain, you must take short, slow walks around your house every 2 hours to prevent blood clots.
73. Drain Management: You and your caretaker will need to empty and record the output of your Jackson-Pratt drains twice a day.
74. Constipation: Opioid painkillers combined with muscle repair guarantee constipation. Start taking RestoraLAX and Colace immediately post-op.
75. Swelling Peak: Swelling and water retention are at their absolute worst on Days 3 to 5. Do not panic; it is normal.
76. Bruising: Gravity will pull bruising down from the abdomen into the groin and thighs.
77. Showering: You will rely on sponge baths until your drains are removed (usually Days 5-10).
78. Driving Ban: You cannot drive while taking narcotic pain medication, or until you have the core strength to slam on the brakes safely (usually 2-3 weeks).
79. Itching: As your sensory nerves wake up and heal, you will experience intense itching and “zingers” (quick electrical shocks).
80. Post-Op Blues: A temporary emotional dip around Day 4 is incredibly common, driven by anesthesia withdrawal, swelling, and temporary loss of independence.

IX. Long-Term Results & Scar Care

81. Return to Exercise: Light cardio (walking) is encouraged early. Heavy lifting and targeted core workouts (planks, crunches) are strictly banned for 6 to 8 weeks.
82. “Fluff and Drop”: Breast implants will sit high and tight initially. It takes 3 to 6 months for the muscle to relax and the implants to settle into their natural position.
83. Scar Maturation: Scars will appear red and raised for the first 3 months. It takes 12 to 18 months for them to fade to flat, thin, pale lines.
84. Silicone Therapy: Once incisions are fully closed, begin daily application of medical-grade silicone gel (e.g., Biocorneum, Stratamed) or silicone tape.
85. UV Protection: Vancouver sun, even on cloudy days, can permanently darken healing scars (hyperpigmentation). Keep incisions completely covered under swimsuits for the first year.
86. Keloid Scars: If you have darker skin or a history of thick, raised scars, discuss preventative steroid injections with your surgeon.
87. Dog Ears: Small puckers of skin at the outer edges of the tummy tuck incision. These often flatten over 6 months but can be revised in-office if they persist.
88. Wardrobe: Do not buy a new wardrobe immediately. Your final size and shape will not emerge until the 3-6 month mark when all deep swelling resolves.
89. Symmetry: The human body is naturally asymmetric. Surgery vastly improves balance, but perfection is mathematically impossible.
90. Longevity: A Mommy Makeover is long-lasting, provided you maintain a stable weight and adopt a healthy, active lifestyle.

X. Local Logistics & Safety (Vancouver specifics)

91. The Ride Home: Avoid bumpy routes or aggressive stop-and-go traffic over Vancouver bridges on your drive home from the surgical facility.
92. The Seawall: Once cleared for longer walks (Weeks 2-4), the flat, paved terrain of the Vancouver Seawall is perfect for low-impact recovery exercise.
93. Rainy Weather: Have oversized, zip-up rain jackets ready. You cannot pull tight clothing or heavy sweaters over your head or drains.
94. Emergency Protocols: Ensure you have your surgeon’s 24/7 direct contact number. Avoid general ERs (like VGH) unless instructed, as standard ER doctors are not specialized in plastic surgery complications.
95. Travel Restrictions: No flying for at least 2 to 4 weeks post-op to mitigate the elevated risk of DVT at altitude.
96. Second Opinions: Consult with at least two board-certified plastic surgeons in the Lower Mainland to compare surgical plans and bedside manner.
97. Compression Garments: The clinic will provide your first faja. Buy a second one online so you have a clean garment to wear while doing laundry.
98. Dietary Healing: Leverage Vancouver’s access to fresh seafood and produce; a diet high in lean protein and low in sodium is vital for wound healing and swelling reduction.
99. Trust Your Gut: If a clinic uses high-pressure sales tactics or offers prices that seem “too good to be true,” walk away. Medical safety has a baseline cost.
100. The Psychological Payoff: The recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. The ultimate goal is regaining physical comfort and confidence in your own skin.