Harrington Plastic Surgery & MedSpa
Mommy Makeover at Harrington Plastic Surgery & MedSpa

Mommy Makeoverin Minneapolis

Having children can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. The changes pregnancy and childbirth can have on the body, on the other hand, may not be quite as celebrated. Women who have had children may be interested in a mommy makeover, a customized set of procedures designed just for you.

Dr. Jennifer Harrington, one of the best female plastic surgeons in the region, knows firsthand how physical changes can affect a woman’s self-confidence.

Jennifer Harrington, MD

Your Trusted Surgeon

Dr. Jennifer Harrington is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience in the field. She is locally and nationally renowned for bringing the highest standards of medical excellence and aesthetic sensitivity to all procedures of the breast, body and face.

Find out why so many women and men choose us for their cosmetic surgery enhancements, and see why Dr. Harrington should be your top choice.

Real Patient Results

Case 179 - Before
Case 179 - After
BeforeAfter

Who Is a Good Candidate for a Mommy Makeover?

Most women who are in good overall health and have completed their families can be excellent candidates for a mommy makeover. Some of the most common reasons to consider getting a mommy makeover include:

  • Breasts have lost volume or become deflated due to pregnancy or nursing
  • Abdominal skin stretched during pregnancy
  • Abdominal muscles have separated, known as diastasis recti
  • Pregnancy and motherhood have resulted in stubborn bulges of fat that won’t go away
  • You wish to rejuvenate your figure

Schedule Your Consultation

Use our convenient online scheduler to book your initial surgical consult online. Choose a time that works for you and meet with Dr. Harrington's RN, Saebra. We look forward to seeing you!

Dr. Harrington meeting with a patient during a consultation

Our Before and After Photos

View our gallery of before and after photos of real Minneapolis patients whom Dr. Harrington has been able to help through a mommy makeover.

When Can You Get Moving After a Mommy Makeover [Infographic]

What’s Included in a Mommy Makeover?

The procedures included in a mommy makeover depend on your personal appearance goals. Most women opt for a breast enhancement plus body contouring with liposuction of the area, but Dr. Harrington will work with you to decide the optimum combination of procedures to help you reach your appearance goals.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation increases breast volume with saline or silicone breast implants, and is one of the most popular procedures to include with a mommy makeover. Breast augmentation often will help bring back into balance the new, slimmer midsection after a tummy tuck.

Breast Lift

Sagging breasts can be resolved with mastopexy, or a breast lift. This procedure lifts and tightens breast skin and reshapes your natural breast tissue. Breast lift incisions usually circle the areola and continue downward vertically to the breast crease. Breast lift surgery is frequently combined with breast augmentation.

Breast Reduction

Women whose breast size increased during and after pregnancy, or who had unwanted breast volume to begin with, may consider breast reduction surgery. Incisions for a breast reduction usually circle the areola, continue down vertically to the breast crease, and travel along the breast crease a short distance in either direction. The exact length of incisions depends on the amount of tissue being removed and will include a lift.

Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty is the most common procedure to include in a mommy makeover. Tummy tuck incisions are placed below the bikini line so they can be easily hidden by everyday clothing. Incisions for abdominoplasty run horizontally just above the pubic bone. The exact length depends on the extent of the procedure.

Liposuction

Liposuction removes stubborn fat. Dr. Harrington will make several small incisions on and around the treatment area(s) before inserting a surgical instrument called a cannula into each incision, removing excess fat cells with suction. For some women, CoolSculpting® may offer a non-surgical alternative to traditional liposuction.

Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty resizes and reshapes the labia to address both aesthetic and functional concerns. Often after pregnancy, the labia can become enlarged and swollen and never regain their original shape.  Incisions are discreetly placed and difficult to detect after healing.

Your Mommy Makeover Consultation

During your consultation, we will take the time to carefully listen to your goals and what you hope to achieve through a mommy makeover. We will also review your medical history, perform a physical evaluation and may order basic lab work to determine if you could be a good candidate for a mommy makeover.

Together, we’ll decide which specific procedures to include in your mommy makeover. This will depend on your cosmetic goals, physical anatomy and our professional recommendations. While most mommy makeover procedures can be performed as a single surgery, there are some instances where we may recommend multiple surgeries to ensure your safety and optimal results.

Preparing for a Mommy Makeover

Prior to your procedure, Dr. Harrington and her team will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your upcoming mommy makeover. To help you understand what to expect, below are a few examples of important steps to take in preparation for your surgery day.

  • Arrange for help with children and pets. Keep in mind that you will not be able to lift anything heavier than 5 to 10 pounds for the first few weeks after your mommy makeover.
  • Take time off work. Plan to take 4 to 6 weeks off work to recover from your mommy makeover. Women with more labor-intensive jobs should plan to take closer to 6 weeks off.
  • Meal plan. Get grocery shopping and meal prepping done ahead of time so you and your family have easy access to healthy, nutritious meals while you heal.
  • Discuss medications and supplements. Dr. Harrington may recommend temporarily stopping some medications and supplements that can thin the blood for a few weeks before and after your mommy makeover. These include ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, fish oil, vitamin E, warfarin and others.
  • Prepare a recovery space. Set aside a quiet, comfortable space in your home where you can rest and recover for a few weeks after your mommy makeover. Stock up on essentials like tissues, lip balm, pillows, blankets, books, crossword puzzles or other entertainment that you might want.

Your Mommy Makeover Procedure

All surgical mommy makeovers are same-day procedures performed under general anesthesia at our surgery center. Some women, however, may see the best results from staging their procedures.
You should arrive at the surgical facility one hour prior to your procedure start time and plan to stay for one hour after your surgery is finished. A friend or family member will need to stay with you for at least 24 hours after your mommy makeover. You will receive a complimentary one-night stay at the Executive Restorative Suites attached to our offices. Meals are provided and the amenities are accommodating to post-surgical patients.

Because of the customized nature of each mommy makeover, the exact length of the surgery will vary for each woman. Most women are in surgery for around 3 to 4 hours while getting their mommy makeover. Dr. Harrington can give you a more precise estimate for your procedure length once you have developed a plan for your surgery.

In addition to the procedures listed above, some women choose to include non-surgical treatments such as cellulite treatment or BOTOX® . Dr. Harrington can help you understand each of your options and choose the best approach for your needs.

Mommy Makeover Recovery

Recovery after a mommy makeover will vary depending on the combination of procedures performed and your body’s individual healing response. Most women take 4 to 6 weeks away from work and other daily activities to allow for healing after a mommy makeover. If your surgery includes a tummy tuck, recovery may lean toward the longer end of that range.

It is common to experience some swelling, bruising and mild to moderate discomfort, especially in the first few days. These symptoms are usually easy to manage with pain medication, cool compresses and rest. Dr. Harrington may recommend wearing compression garments, which can help to reduce swelling, improve circulation and minimize complications like blood clots.

You will need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity for at least 6 weeks after your mommy makeover. At your follow-up appointments, Dr. Harrington will assess how you are healing and let you know when you may resume your normal exercise routine.

Your Mommy Makeover Results

While you should notice a change in your body immediately after your surgery, your final results will take some time to develop as your body heals and swelling dissipates. Most women are able to see a significant improvement in their body shape and contours around the 3-month mark, but it can take 6 to 12 months for final results to fully develop.

Attending all followup appointments, following post-op instructions and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits after your mommy makeover can all contribute to the longevity of your results.

Mommy Makeover FAQs

The cost of a mommy makeover in Minneapolis and elsewhere will depend on the specific procedures that are being included. For this reason, Dr. Harrington and her team will be able to provide you with a more accurate cost estimate at the time of your consultation. We are also pleased to offer several plastic surgery financing options. Please ask us about these if you are interested.

In most cases, insurance companies do not cover the cost of a mommy makeover, since it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. For more information about your specific health plan coverage, call the number listed on the back of your insurance card.

Dr. Harrington typically recommends coming within 10 to 20 pounds of your ideal weight before moving forward with a mommy makeover. This helps to ensure your safety and minimize the likelihood of needing a revision surgery later.

There is no single best age to get a mommy makeover. As long as you are in good health, close to your target weight and have completed your family, you could be a candidate for a mommy makeover.

While the main goal of a mommy makeover is not to lose weight, many women find that they can size down 1 to 2 dress or pant sizes due to the tightening of excess skin and removal of stubborn, exercise-resistent fat.

While it is physically possible to have children after a mommy makeover, Dr. Harrington recommends completing your family first. Otherwise, you may need a revision procedure to achieve your results again following a pregnancy, and this revision procedure can be more complex than the initial mommy makeover.

You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort during your mommy makeover, as this procedure is performed under general anesthesia. After your mommy makeover, you will likely experience some swelling, bruising and mild discomfort. However, these symptoms should be fairly easy to manage with cold compresses, compression garments, rest and over-the-counter or prescription medication.

Mommy makeover results can be very long-lasting, though will, of course, depend to some extent on the procedures you’ve included. Breast implants, for example, may require a revision 10 or more years down the road, while liposuction results may be even longer-lasting when paired with healthy diet and exercise habits.

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Dr. Harrington shares what you can expect when you visit us for your initial consultation.

Dr. Jennifer Harrington

Written By: Dr. Jennifer Harrington

Dr. Jennifer Harrington is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the medical director at SpaVie in Minneapolis. Dr. Harrington is recognized as one of the best female plastic surgeons, and is locally and nationally renowned for bringing the highest standards of medical excellence and aesthetic sensitivity to all procedures of the breast, body and face.

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Last Reviewed: July 8th, 2026