Motherhood brings numerous challenges, including the physical changes that occur after pregnancy and childbirth. While some celebrity moms appear to easily regain their pre-pregnancy bodies, many women find it difficult to embrace their postpartum figures. Diet and exercise can be beneficial, yet even those who maintain healthy eating habits and regular workouts might feel dissatisfied with the appearance and feel of their breasts, bellies, or bottoms.
A mommy makeover is a personalized treatment plan that includes at least one elective cosmetic surgery procedure to contour a woman’s body (via the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery). Common combinations include breast augmentation, butt lifts, and tummy tucks. It’s essentially designed to address any concerns a woman might have about regaining her pre-motherhood figure.
Naturally, undergoing any surgery involves risks, some of which can be life-threatening. However, the mommy makeover death rate might not be what you’d anticipate, primarily due to the variety of surgical procedures involved.
If you’re contemplating a mommy makeover, it might be helpful to examine the individual death rates associated with each surgery you intend to have. For instance, a 2022 review in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that the mortality rate for over 9,000 women who underwent breast implant surgery was zero. Therefore, if your mommy makeover is limited to this procedure alone, your risk of death would be statistically minimal.
Adding procedures can amplify risks
What if you included a tummy tuck in your mommy makeover plan? According to a 2020 article in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery — Global Open, this would present a 1 in 13,000 chance of death. Adding a butt augmentation would result in a 1 in 20,000 mortality rate. Furthermore, even if you survive the procedure, postoperative complications may still arise.
As highlighted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, mommy makeover patients may encounter issues such as malfunctioning breast implants (read about breast implant illness), infections, heart problems, blood clots, and the death of healthy tissues. Each of these complications could necessitate additional surgeries and medical interventions, increasing the risk of further procedures and associated mortality rates.
This doesn’t imply that a mommy makeover is out of the question. You may want to take steps to minimize potential issues, starting with recovery planning. In an interview with WDSU News, Dr. Courtney Washington emphasized the importance of realistic recovery expectations. She suggested a roughly eight-week recovery period for a mommy makeover that includes a butt lift and tummy tuck, noting that securing assistance can help prevent complications.
Lowering the chances of a tragic result
To avoid an emergency during a mommy makeover, ensure you’re at a healthy weight first (not just based on BMI), advised plastic surgeon Dr. J. Vincente Poblete (via Cleveland Clinic). “Studies have indicated that higher BMI correlates with a higher incidence of local and systemic complications,” Poblete explained.
Lastly, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued advice in a 2024 report on protecting oneself when considering elective cosmetic surgery. The report reviewed death rates of U.S. citizens who traveled to the Dominican Republic for cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks and breast lifts. Between 2009 and 2022, 29 individuals died on average 2.8 days post-surgery.
To mitigate such risks, the CDC recommends consulting with primary health professionals about personal risk factors and preventive measures before pursuing surgery abroad. Therefore, discussing your plans with your general practice provider could further reduce your risk associated with a mommy makeover.
