Mommy Makeover in New Orleans, LA
What Is a
Mommy Makeover?
Typical concerns include:
- Stretched abdominal skin and muscles (diastasis recti)
- Lost breast volume, shape, or position
- Localized fat that resists diet and exercise
Common Mommy Makeover Procedures in New Orleans
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
- Breast lift, breast augmentation, breast reduction, and breast fat grafting
- Liposuction
- Brazilian butt lift
- Arm lift, thigh lift, and body lift
Pregnancy and nursing can leave breasts smaller, stretched, uneven, or lower on the chest.
Breast lift (mastopexy): Repositions the nipple and areola, removes extra skin, and reshapes sagging breasts
Breast augmentation: Uses implants to restore lost volume or enhance size
Breast augmentation with lift: Combines volume and elevation in one plan
Breast fat grafting: Transfers your own fat to soften shape, add modest volume, or refine the upper pole after a lift
Breast reduction: Appropriate when breasts remain heavy, cause discomfort, or feel out of proportion after childbearing
Implant type, size, and placement – when implants are chosen – are selected to fit your frame, tissue, and goals so the breasts complement the abdomen and hips.
A tummy tuck removes excess skin and fat and can repair separated muscles (diastasis recti) that no amount of core work will fully close.
Full abdominoplasty: Addresses skin above and below the navel and repositions the belly button
Mini tummy tuck: A less extensive option when laxity is primarily below the navel
The incision is typically placed low so it can sit below most waistbands. Hernias discovered during exam or surgery can sometimes be addressed as part of the same abdominal work, when clinically appropriate.
Liposuction targets pockets that remain after pregnancy – hips, flanks, back, love handles, bra line, or inner thighs in some cases. It is a contouring tool, not a weight-loss method.
When appropriate, plans may also include:
- Brazilian butt lift: Purified fat is transferred to restore the hip and buttock shape that flattened after childbirth
- Arm lift, thigh lift, or body lift: Remove extra skin that liposuction alone cannot tighten
Your Mommy
Makeover Journey
During your visit with Dr. Metzinger, you will discuss your aesthetic goals, medical and obstetric history, and any concerns.
During this visit, he will:
Examine the breasts, abdomen, and other areas of concern
Review incision patterns, implant options if relevant, scars, and recovery
Be direct about what surgery can and cannot change
Recommend staging if combining everything at once would make the operation too long
Surgery takes place at an accredited surgical facility as a planned outpatient or facility-based procedure under general anesthesia. The length of the procedure depends on the number of areas treated.
What to expect:
Anesthesia and surgical preparation: Mommy makeover surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Before surgery begins, Dr. Metzinger marks the treatment areas and carefully plans incision placement based on your anatomy and surgical goals.
Incision placement: Incisions vary depending on the procedures included in your customized plan. Whenever possible, incisions are placed in natural creases or low on the body so they can be concealed beneath underwear or swimwear.
Surgical reshaping: Through the planned incisions, excess skin is removed, underlying tissues are reshaped or repaired, and the remaining tissue is repositioned to create smoother, more balanced contours.
Muscle repair: When abdominal muscle separation is present, the weakened or separated muscles may be tightened through the abdominal incision to restore a firmer abdominal wall.
Fat transfer, when appropriate: If fat is being used to enhance another area, it is carefully processed and transferred to the planned treatment area to refine its shape and proportions.
Closing the incisions: Once the surgical work is complete, the incisions are closed with carefully placed sutures. Dr. Metzinger takes care to create a smooth, secure closure while positioning scars as discreetly as possible.
Dressings and support: Surgical dressings, compression garments, or other supportive measures may be applied to protect the treated areas and help manage early swelling.
Mommy
Makeover Recovery Process
The first days are about rest, hydration, short walks to support circulation, and protecting incisions. Swelling, tightness, bruising, and fatigue are expected, especially when the abdomen and breasts are treated together.
You will need help lifting children, groceries, and anything overhead. Sleeping in a slightly upright or flexed position is often more comfortable after a tummy tuck. Rushing back to workouts or housework is the most common way patients set themselves back.
Follow written instructions on incisions, pain control, and activity limits.
Wear compression garments as instructed to reduce swelling and support new contours
Keep incisions clean and dry; take medications on schedule, including those meant to reduce infection or clot risk when prescribed
Limit strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and bending for several weeks
Attend every follow-up so the team can monitor healing, remove drains if they were placed, and adjust activity
Prioritize nutrition, protein intake, and nicotine avoidance
Report fever, sudden swelling, shortness of breath, or concerning drainage without waiting for the next appointment
Incisions are placed in discrete areas – where they can be hidden by bras and underwear – whenever possible, but scars are part of surgery. They typically look pink or firm before they fade and flatten over many months to a year, and often continue to lighten over 12–18 months.
Scar care typically includes:
Silicone gels or sheets, topical treatments, and massage as directed
Sun protection and avoiding tension on the wound
No unapproved creams until the incision is fully closed
Early weeks: Initial recovery usually lasts about two to three weeks. Many patients take one to two weeks away from desk work and longer for physical jobs. Driving resumes when you are off narcotics and can move comfortably. Light walking starts immediately.
Activity clearance: Core exercise, running, heavy lifting, and strenuous workouts usually wait six to eight weeks, based on your surgeon’s clearance.
Months ahead: Swelling in the abdomen and liposuction areas can linger for three to six months. Breast shape continues to settle over a similar window. Final contour is typically judged around six months to a year.
Long-Term
Results and Maintenance
Stable weight is the single most important habit after you heal.
Maintain a balanced diet and regular exercise you can keep
Avoid significant weight fluctuations, another pregnancy, and smoking, which can compromise results
Rebuild core strength once cleared to support posture and the abdominal repair
Stay hydrated and care for your skin so the surface matches the new contour
Once you are fully healed, non-surgical care at the practice can refine skin quality and facial balance so the overall look feels complete.
Options include:
Chemical peels
Microneedling, Hydrafacial, and dermaplane
Skin tightening treatments and injectables
Our med spa team can help you sequence these treatments at the right time so they support surgical healing. They are finishing details, introduced only when Dr. Metzinger agrees the tissues are ready.
Candidates for Mommy Makeover in New Orleans, LA
Strong candidates share a few practical traits:
Completed childbearing, or comfortable that another pregnancy could alter results
Good overall health and a stable weight they can maintain
Finished breastfeeding
Non-smokers, or willing to quit nicotine as directed
No serious medical conditions that increase surgical risk (uncontrolled diabetes, clotting disorders, or untreated hernias are discussed and managed first)
Realistic expectations, emotional readiness, and a support system at home
We recommend waiting until you have finished breastfeeding – often at least three to six months after weaning – and allowing the body 6–12 months to recover from childbirth. Weight should be stable; operating during active loss or gain can shift how skin redrapes and how implants or lifts settle.
Plan around:
Help with lifting children, driving, and household tasks
One to three weeks away from work, depending on job demands and procedures chosen
Completing your family first, since a future pregnancy can restretch the abdomen and change the breasts
There is no universal “right age” – only a right window for your body and your life.
Benefits of the Procedure
Patients often experience:
A flatter, more defined
Restored breast volume
A significant boost
One anesthesia event
Mommy
Makeover Cost
in Orleans, LA
What Makes Our Team Different From Others?
Dr. Stephen Eric Metzinger is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon who designs each mommy makeover around your anatomy – with a meticulous approach, deep understanding of facial and body anatomy, and a commitment to natural-looking results
Honest limits on operative time, customized implant selection, and incision planning
Personalized care in a safe, welcoming environment
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a mommy makeover help with stretch marks?
How long do the results of a mommy makeover last?
What is the recovery like after a mommy makeover?
Can I have more children after a mommy makeover?
How many procedures can be combined?
How visible are the scars?
When can I lift my children?
Start Your Transformation Today
