After giving birth, a mommy makeover can reverse many unwanted postpartum effects via a few techniques. Breast augmentation can lift a sagging bosom, which often occurs after milk production ends. Liposuction and tummy tucks remove excess skin and fat to tone and tighten a distended abdomen that went loose due to being overstretched. Butt lifts can add some shape and roundness to counteract the pancake appearance that often follows pregnancy. And scar revision surgery can remove unwanted stretch marks (or C-section scars) to restore the smooth, blemish-free skin near your bikini line.
But a mommy makeover is an intensive process. Not every woman needs one to get their body back. It’s a routine and generally successful procedure, but it can be uncomfortable and comes with a considerable recovery period. A mommy makeover is also unsuitable for women who have had birth complications or pre-existing health conditions, and let’s not forget that it’s also expensive. There must be another answer.
That’s where non-invasive mommy makeovers come in—they can do much of what a traditional mommy makeover does, with most downsides.
Introducing the Non-Invasive Mommy Makeover
A non-invasion mommy makeover is exactly what it sounds like—a full-body “revamp” that involves no surgical intervention. Every technique and tool stays outside your body, working its magic externally to create desired results.
Any number of techniques can replace surgical mommy makeover techniques, but here are some common replacements.
- RF Skin Tightening— A heat-based therapy that uses radio frequency energy to stimulate collagen production, resulting in tighter, firmer skin.
- CoolSculpting®— A non-invasive alternative to liposuction that freezes fat cells (a.k.a cryolipolysis) so the body destroys them, resulting in natural fat loss.
- Dermal Fillers— Injections of hyaluronic acid or other compounds can restore lost volume in certain body areas to keep them plump and youthful.
- Chemical Peels— A chemical solution applied to the skin that can improve the appearance of the skin, which often changes during pregnancy.
- Laser Resurfacing— An energy-based procedure that uses laser beams to improve the skin’s appearance, which changes during pregnancy.
These techniques can reverse a postpartum body for women who want to avoid surgery. Unlike traditional mommy makeover fixes, recovery from these procedures are fast because there are no scalpels involved. They also have shorter durations, allowing patients to complete sessions in an hour or less. And in case you’re wondering, yes, they also tend to cost less. In most cases, they’re a win-win.
RF Skin Tightening for Mommy Makeovers
Instead of a tummy tuck, a practitioner may recommend radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening to strengthen lax abdominal skin brought on by pregnancy, a treatment which generally lasts 30-60 minutes.
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The procedure starts with some prep work. The practitioner may apply a conductive gel over target areas to help an RF-emitting device glide smoothly against your skin. Afterwards, the practitioner passes the device over the lax skin, transferring heat through it to stimulate collagen and elastin production—the result of which is tighter, firmer skin in your midsection. The practitioner may then use a cooling device to minimize (often mild) discomfort and redness.
CoolSculpting® for Mommy Makeovers
CoolSculpting® might replace liposuction as an option depending on the amount of postpartum gain. The procedure, which lasts for 30-60 minutes, begins with a thorough cleaning in the target area, which for post-pregnancy includes the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and waist.
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The practitioner will then place an applicator on your trouble spots, which applies a controlled blast of cold air to freeze fat cells in the target area. Once completed, you will receive a post-treatment massage for 2-5 minutes, which concludes the treatment. There’s no downtime or additional steps beyond this.
Dermal Fillers & Botox for Mommy Makeovers
Pregnancy changes the whole body including the face, yet dermal fillers and botox can undo some of those effects. The process begins with a cleansing of the target area. This is followed by the application of a topical anesthetic or local numbing agent to keep discomfort to a minimum. The provider will then use a fine needle to inject the filler (often containing hyaluronic acid) or Botox into your target area to restore its volume, reduce wrinkles and further tighten loose skin. You will walk out of the session with mild redness and swelling but also a more defined jawline, brighter under eyes and more.
And as a side note, practitioners can use Botox and dermal fillers to provide temporary lifting to the breasts and buttocks, not just the face. Providers can inject the likes of Juvéderm and Restylane into the breasts or butt, giving them more volume and “bounce”. They’re more versatile than most realize!
Chemical Peels for Mommy Makeovers
Melasma, a.k.a “The Mask of Pregnancy” and hyperpigmentation are pregnancy artifacts, but chemical peels can be the perfect solution (excuse the pun) to wipe them clean. The provider begins a chemical peel by cleaning the target area to remove surface oils, allowing the solution to better penetrate the skin, along with a protective gel to avoid overexposure to the solution.
The practitioner then applies the chemical peel to shed dead layers of skin. Once they achieve the desired effect, a neutralizing agent is applied to halt the chemical reaction. You then might receive some cool compresses to reduce minor irritation and tingling.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
For more pervasive blemishes such as stretch marks or linea nigra, a clinician may prescribe laser skin resurfacing. The procedure starts with the administering of a topical anesthetic to numb the target area, followed by a thorough cleansing. The provider then applies a laser beam—either from an ablative or non-ablative laser—to vaporize damaged skin in the target area.
In the case of stretch marks, the lasers will stimulate collagen production to reduce their appearance, while for linea nigra, the beam will break down excess melanin. The session ends after 30 mins-two hours, and results often appear after 3-6 sessions.
Head-to-Head: Invasive vs Non-Invasive Mommy Makeover
Now let’s compare the two a little deeper.
With a traditional mommy makeover, you will get more dramatic results in one shot—there’s no debating that. Surgeries can yield more dramatic, immediate, and longer-lasting results because surgeons will physically alter the structures in your body to produce changes. Silicone implants for breasts and butts, fat transfers/suction for body contouring, and skin grafts for scar removal—they literally change the shape and structure of certain body parts. So the results they achieve are unmatched.
But along with higher costs and longer recovery times, that level of bodily manipulation carries more risks and complications. Traditional mommy makeovers carry more risk, despite being generally safe. That could make the procedure unsuitable for some mums.
On the other hand, the minimally invasive mommy makeover produces significant but less dramatic results. The procedures often require multiple sessions, and the results may be long-term but not permanent, requiring maintenance.
However, recovery times are faster and their costs, cheaper. And ultimately, a minimally invasive mommy makeover is safer. It’s a more gentle approach to reversing postpartum body changes, reducing some of the worries that come with regular mommy makeovers while still restoring your former body.
Comparison of Invasive vs Non-Invasive Mommy Makeover Methods
| Traditional Mommy Makeover | Non-Invasive Mommy Makeover | |
| Total Cost | $12,000-$30,000 | $1500-$6,500 |
| Risks | Common or mild Loss of sensation Nausea and vomiting Asymmetry Bleeding Scarring Serious or rare Blood clots (venous thromboembolism or VTE) Anaplastic large cell lymphoma Allergic reactions Capsular contracture (painful hardening of implanted body parts, often the breasts) Lung-related problems Hematomas Infections Implant leak | Common or mild Burning Bruising/aching Swelling/tenderness Redness Tingling/stinging Dizziness Pigmentation changes Serious or rare Allergic reaction Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH) (CoolSculpting®) Injury to blood vessels (which in extremely rare cases may increase stroke risk) (Dermal fillers) |
| Efficacy | ||
*Prices in this chart are based on Canadian quotes
Many of the procedures associated with each type of mommy makeover share similar side effects. For example, the use of anesthesia in traditional surgical makeovers can cause allergic reactions in some patients. For non-invasive mommy makeovers, the risk of bruising, swelling, and redness is present with all treatments on this list. However, most recipients do just fine as long as they’re treated by an experienced and skilled provider.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Non-Invasive Mommy Makeovers
- Women in generally good health and who aren’t receiving treatment for chronic conditions that may interfere with procedures.
- Women who have mild to moderate postpartum changes ranging from loose skin and stretch marks to stubborn fat deposits and reduced skin/tissue volume.
- Women who have realistic expectations and are willing to undergo multiple treatments and don’t expect overnight transformations.
- Women who have a stable weight and aren’t too far off from their target weight.
Who’s a Poor Candidate for Non-Invasive Mommy Makeovers
- Women who are breastfeeding.
- Women with severe or extreme skin laxity, fat deposits or scarring.
- Women who are unable to commit to multiple treatment sessions.
- Women recently diagnosed with or being treated for an acute or chronic condition.
Preparing for a Non-Invasive Mommy Makeover
What traditional and non-invasive mommy makeovers share is a similar preparation process—things to do and not do beforehand. Certain habits and product use need to halt or change (at least temporarily) before a non-invasive mommy makeover to ensure you heal fast and get the results you want. Luckily, they’re not too drastic.
Avoid Certain Medications Until Treatment Ends
Certain medications and skincare products must stay in the medicine cabinet until your treatment stops. You’ll have to pause using blood-thinning medications and supplements such as aspirin and fish oil, especially if receiving dermal fillers, RF skin tightening and CoolSculpting®. These treatments can cause some bruising, so the use of these meds and supps can make it worse. Fortunately, you only have to stop taking them for a few days before each treatment.
Avoid Certain Skincare Products and Grooming Habits for Now
We understand that your skincare routine may be an essential pre-bedtime ritual, but you need to put it on pause before a non-invasive mommy makeover. That includes using retinol-based products, AHAs, BHAs, and exfoliating agents for all skin treatments mentioned on this list.
These compounds can increase skin sensitivity can interfere with your treatments. For laser resurfacing, don’t use any SPF sunscreens in the meantime. And if you’ve got a chemical peel lined up, avoid shaving and waxing.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
A glass of champagne after a mommy makeover is well deserved, but drinking before the procedure is not a great idea. Alcohol can thin out the blood, making you more susceptible to bruising. But it also dehydrates you, which is bad for recovery and can hinder the results of skin treatments such as a chemical peel. Until you’re satisfied with your results, stick with sparkling water.
Eat in Moderation/Maintain a Healthy Weight
There’s not much to say about diet, but avoid overeating before a treatment. This is especially true for procedures like RF tummy tightening or abdominal CoolSculpting® where being too full can feel uncomfortable.
Also, if you plan on getting a CoolSculpting® treatment done a few months from now, try to keep your weight within a reasonable range. Gaining too much weight can make you ineligible for treatment, so monitor your food intake in the days and weeks leading up to your sessions.
Quit Smoking/Vaping
Yes, we know telling you to butt out is easier said than done, but quitting smoking will help your treatments go smoother. Smoking and vaping impede your body’s natural healing mechanism, meaning you may spend more time recovering between treatments. And because smoking and vaping prematurely age your skin, indulging before sessions will more or less undo your progress. So for your results and health, take a break—or better yet, quit!
Prepare for Post-Treatment Recovery
The treatments used for non-invasive mommy makeovers don’t bring on long recovery times. The after-effects of most of them, if any, are swelling, some minor discomfort, and worst, maybe some bruising. As a result, there’s no need to clear your schedule, and you’re usually able to resume your normal routine the same day or the day after.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to mentally prepare yourself for the procedure beforehand. All of these treatments have post-care tips, so review them. You’ll eliminate any surprises that may have happened if you didn’t.
Rest Well Beforehand
Sleep is your body’s master healing agent. The better rested you are, the more efficiently you can recover from mommy makeover treatments. Just being rested before a procedure can calm your nerves beforehand, not to mention make you feel a little less fatigue after the session. Make sure to get plenty of Z’s in the days leading up to your treatment.
A Full-Body Overhaul that Doesn’t Need a Surgeon
With that said, if you hesitate about going this route, take some inspiration from notable moms who avoided surgery.
Serena Williams, whose story we covered a while back, underwent some RF skin tightening treatments to tone her stomach which had gone flabby after her most recent pregnancy. Her results were impressive—her after photo on Instagram revealed a considerably tighter abdomen than her before shots. And then there’s Drew Barrymore and Kim Kardashian (who we’ll cover in the near future), who underwent CoolSculpting® treatments to regain their taut midsections post-pregnancy. They too were very pleased with their physiques.
So take note!
Here at PSSC, we provide various treatments that can undo those postpartum body changes. They include all of the treatments listed in this post and a few more. We bring decades of combined experience and a successful track record for mommy makeovers. You can rest assured that we’ll deliver the desired results, giving you a newfound sense of confidence and swagger!
Looking to get your pre-baby body back? Book a consultation with us and get your transformation journey started today!