Mommy Makeover in Chicago and Northbrook, IL

If you long for your pre-pregnancy body shape, your breasts are sagging or seemingly non-existent, your stomach has pooching skin and loose muscles, and stubborn fat and stretch marks prevent you from feeling comfortable with your body, you could be an excellent candidate for a Mommy Makeover. Candidates may have a C-section scar they’d rather not see and stubborn pregnancy fat they can’t get rid of with diet and exercise. Mothers who do so much for their children and often little for themselves can choose to undergo this procedure to help themselves feel better about the way they look. All candidates should have realistic expectations, a full understanding of the procedure and recovery, and no smoking habits (or a willingness to quit smoking). Newer mothers must finish breastfeeding and have childcare assistance during the surgical recovery. Finally, if you are considering having more babies, it is best to postpone your Mommy Makeover so that another pregnancy does not take its toll on your newly improved body contours.

Not everyone seeking a Mommy Makeover will need all of the procedures discussed above, and some will need all of the above procedures and more. Dr. Schlechter will help you determine which procedures are necessary to accomplish your goals. Due to the complexities of individual cases, it may not be possible to perform all of the required procedures at once. We will work with you to make sure you have the best Mommy Makeover experience possible.

A Mommy Makeover is completely customizable, meaning you can include virtually any procedure for which you are a qualifying candidate. Besides breast augmentation, breast lift surgery, abdominoplasty, and liposuction, other popular Mommy Makeover procedures are breast reduction surgery, facelift surgery, labiaplasty, and fat transfer.

The Mommy Makeover is performed under IV sedation. During the tummy tuck portion, most patients elect to have a time-released pain medication called EXPAREL® injected into the abdominal tissues. EXPAREL® administers a local anesthetic that reduces discomfort for up to 72 hours and helps patients be far more comfortable after their procedure than they would have been otherwise.

The Mommy Makeover is performed in our accredited in-office surgical suite to allow for maximum privacy.

While the length of a Mommy Makeover can vary significantly from patient to patient, a typical Mommy Makeover surgery will last approximately three to four hours.

Any scarring will depend on the selected procedures, techniques, and individual healing responses. Dr. Schlechter uses strategic techniques and incision locations to minimize scarring as much as possible. In many cases, he can reduce scarring by incorporating or removing an existing C-section scar. With proper scar management and some time, most scars heal well and fade to become barely noticeable. If scars do spread, we have options for scar revision to help minimize their appearance as much as possible.

A tummy tuck will remove many stretch marks in the lower abdomen, but the upper abdomen may still have visible stretch marks. Every woman is different, but the doctor’s goal is to remove as many of the stretch marks and loose skin as possible. The result of the tummy tuck portion of the Mommy Makeover is a flatter, smoother stomach with a marked reduction in the amount of stretch marks.

The recovery after your Mommy Makeover will depend on the procedures performed. Drainage tubes may be placed under your skin, and compression garments will be given to you to support your body as it heals. Your post-operative instructions along with our cosmetic coordinators and frequent visits with the surgeon will guide you through the days and weeks ahead. EXPAREL® and oral pain medications significantly reduce the level of discomfort for patients during recovery. A friend or family member should stay with you for the first few days of recovery. It is essential that you do not overexert yourself after your surgery, but at the same time, be sure to get up and walk around frequently during those first few days to encourage circulation. Most Mommy Makeover patients return to normal activities after two weeks and can return to physical exercise within six weeks (pending approval from Dr. Schlechter).

You will be able to have children after your Mommy Makeover, but it is not recommended. Going through Mommy Makeover surgery only to have another pregnancy take its toll on your restored body is likely to lead to discouragement and regret. It is best to be sure that you are finished having children before you undergo your Mommy Makeover.