Most mommy makeovers require 4 to 6 hours in surgery, but it's important to note that this is a general range.
Mommy makeovers are custom procedures, so your exact surgical time will depend on which procedures you choose and your individual anatomy.
The 4-6 hour timeframe accounts for common combinations like tummy tucks, breast surgeries, and liposuction performed together. Several factors influence your actual duration: the extent of correction needed, your body's unique characteristics, and safety considerations that always take priority.
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Schwartz MD FACS creates personalized surgical plans to help you achieve the silhouette you always wanted.
Contact us today to schedule your personalized consultation
WHAT IS IN A MOMMY MAKEOVER?
A mommy makeover is a customized combination of surgeries designed to restore your pre-pregnancy body. The beauty of this approach lies in its flexibility. Dr. Schwartz tailors each mommy makeover to address your individual concerns.
Most mommy makeovers include two or three major procedures. The most common combination addresses the abdomen and breasts, the primary areas affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding. A tummy tuck removes excess skin and tightens separated abdominal muscles. Breast procedures restore lost volume and lift sagging tissue. Liposuction sculpts stubborn fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise.
Typical procedure components
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) addresses stretched abdominal muscles that may not bounce back after childbirth. This procedure removes loose, sagging skin and eliminates the separated muscles known as diastasis recti. Many tummy tucks also address C-section scars and reposition the belly button for optimal aesthetics.
Breast procedures vary based on how pregnancy and breastfeeding changed your breasts. Augmentation restores lost volume using implants. A breast lift repositions sagging tissue and nipples to a higher, more youthful position. Many women combine both procedures to achieve perky, full breasts. Some women need reduction if their breasts became disproportionately large and uncomfortable.
Liposuction provides finishing touches by removing stubborn pockets of fat from the abdomen, hips, flanks, thighs, or arms. This sculpting creates balanced, harmonious results. Liposuction combined with a tummy tuck creates comprehensive body contouring that diet and exercise alone cannot achieve.
AVERAGE TIME FOR MOMMY MAKEOVER SURGERY
The typical mommy makeover takes between four and six hours from incision to closure. This range reflects the most common procedure combinations that safely fit within recommended surgical timeframes. Your specific surgery may fall shorter or longer depending on your customized plan.
Some straightforward mommy makeovers require only three hours.
These typically involve fewer procedures or less extensive correction. More comprehensive transformations addressing multiple body areas can extend to seven or eight hours, though procedures exceeding six hours often get staged into separate surgeries for safety.
Individual procedure durations
A full tummy tuck typically requires two to three hours. This includes removing excess skin, repairing separated abdominal muscles, and recontouring the abdomen. Mini tummy tucks addressing only the lower abdomen take less time at approximately one and a half to two hours.
Breast augmentation using implants takes one to two hours on average. The procedure becomes slightly longer when combined with a breast lift, extending to two or three hours total. Standalone breast lifts also require one to three hours depending on the degree of sagging and complexity of the lift required.
Liposuction duration depends on how many areas need treatment. Each area typically adds 45 minutes to one hour to your surgical time. Traditional liposuction of multiple areas takes one to two hours total. Advanced techniques like laser-assisted liposuction can be more efficient.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOUR SURGERY LENGTH
Your individual characteristics can also influence how long your mommy makeover takes. No two women experience identical post-pregnancy changes, which means surgical timing varies considerably based on your unique situation.
Your body and correction needs
The amount of excess skin and fat requiring removal directly impacts surgical duration. Women who gained significant weight during pregnancy or experienced major weight loss afterward typically need more extensive correction, adding time to the procedure. Your natural body type and how your skin responded to pregnancy matter considerably.
Skin elasticity also plays a crucial role in determining procedure complexity. Younger women with more elastic skin quality may require less extensive work. Previous pregnancies, age, sun exposure, and smoking all reduce skin elasticity, potentially requiring more intricate surgical techniques and additional time.
Previous surgeries create scar tissue that requires careful dissection. C-sections are particularly relevant since the incision sits in the same area as a tummy tuck. While previous C-sections do not prevent mommy makeovers, they do increase surgical complexity and duration. The same applies to other abdominal surgeries like hysterectomies or hernia repairs.
The severity of muscle separation affects tummy tuck duration. Diastasis recti, the separation of abdominal muscles during pregnancy, requires careful repair. More severe separation takes longer to address properly. Some women also have hernias that can be repaired simultaneously, adding time but allowing a single recovery.
Safety considerations and time limits
Safety is always the first and biggest concern with any surgery.
Most plastic surgeons agree that the maximum safe time under general anesthesia is approximately six hours. Beyond this threshold, complication rates increase, including risks of blood clots, infections, and anesthesia-related issues.
Your overall health and any pre-existing medical conditions also influence how long you can safely remain under anesthesia. Older patients, those with heart conditions, diabetes, or higher BMI may have lower threshold limits. A thorough medical evaluation during consultation helps determine what surgical duration is appropriate for your specific health profile.
DR. SCHWARTZ’S APPROACH TO SURGICAL PLANNING
As a board-certified plastic surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Dr. Jaime Schwartz he has performed thousands of body contouring procedures and developed innovative techniques that optimize both safety and results.
Personalized consultation and planning
Your mommy makeover journey begins with a comprehensive consultation. Dr. Schwartz takes time to understand your specific concerns, examine your body, and discuss your aesthetic goals. He explains all available options clearly, ensuring you make informed decisions about your body and health.
This patient-first approach means no two surgical plans are identical. Dr. Schwartz assesses which procedures you need, in what order, and whether combining them in a single surgery makes sense for your situation. He considers your body type, the extent of correction needed, your health status, and your recovery support system.
You are an active participant in the planning process, including the marking session before surgery, ensuring you feel confident about your surgical plan.
Innovative techniques that affect timing
Dr. Schwartz developed signature techniques to make these procedures even more efficient.
His Internal Waist Trainer™ technique complements traditional tummy tucks by restructuring the waist internally using your body's own strong connective tissue (Scarpa's fascia). This creates an hourglass figure with natural-looking curves and permanently reshapes your midsection.
The LipoLift® procedure, another Schwartz innovation, uses minimally invasive techniques for breast reshaping and reduction. This approach often proves faster and safer than traditional methods while providing natural outcomes and faster recovery.
When appropriate, Dr. Schwartz uses advanced liposuction techniques that reduce surgical time while improving precision. His focus on modern, refined approaches helps keep surgical duration within safe parameters without compromising results.
Safety protocols and recovery planning
Dr. Schwartz dedicates himself to enhancing plastic surgery safety standards. He serves on multiple American Society of Plastic Surgeons committees focused on patient safety, quality metrics, and clinical guidelines. This national leadership role reflects his unwavering commitment to surgical safety.
His Schwartz Rapid Recuperation™ technique uses specialized anesthesia protocols that minimize nausea and post-operative discomfort. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) avoids anesthetic gases that often cause side effects. Special medications and longer-acting numbing agents mean many patients need only Tylenol and Advil after surgery rather than narcotic pain medications.
This careful approach to anesthesia and pain management makes longer procedures safer and more comfortable. The 24/7 support from Dr. Schwartz's team ensures you have access to care coordinators and nursing staff throughout your recovery. Patients can call or text with questions anytime, providing peace of mind during healing.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON SURGERY DAY
Of course, your total time at the surgical facility extends beyond the actual procedure duration. You will spend additional time in pre-op preparation and post-operative recovery monitoring.
Pre-op preparation
You will arrive at Dr. Schwartz's state-of-the-art Beverly Hills surgical facility on surgery day. Pre-operative preparation typically takes 30 minutes to one hour. During this time, the surgical team reviews your medical information, starts your IV, and prepares you for anesthesia.
Dr. Schwartz meets with you before surgery to review the surgical plan, answer any last-minute questions, and perform surgical markings. This ensures everyone clearly understands the planned procedures and desired outcomes.
Post-operative recovery
After your surgery completes, you spend one to two hours in the recovery room under close monitoring. The medical team ensures you wake comfortably from anesthesia, manage any discomfort with medication, and verify your vital signs remain stable.
Most mommy makeovers are outpatient procedures, meaning you go home the same day. Someone must drive you home and stay with you the first night.
For extensive procedures, Dr. Schwartz may recommend an overnight stay in a medical facility for additional monitoring and controlled pain management.
Your total time commitment on surgery day spans approximately eight to twelve hours, accounting for arrival, preparation, surgery, recovery, and discharge.
PLANNING YOUR MOMMY MAKEOVER TIMELINE
Dr. Schwartz recommends waiting at least six months after your last pregnancy before surgery. You should be completely finished breastfeeding for at least three to six months to allow your breasts to settle to their final post-nursing size and shape.
Your weight also should be stable for at least six months before surgery. Mommy makeovers work best as contouring procedures when you are at or near your goal weight, not as weight loss surgery. Losing significant weight after your procedure can compromise results.
SCHEDULE YOUR PERSONALIZED CONSULTATION
Your mommy makeover timeline is unique to you.
Contact Dr. Schwartz's Beverly Hills office to schedule a consultation where you'll receive a personalized assessment of your goals, the procedures you need, and exactly how long your transformation will take.