Is Getting a Mommy Makeover Selfish? (Updated 2026)

A healthy diet and exercise aren’t always enough to get your pre-pregnancy body back. After having children, many women are left with physical changes that can’t be fully reversed on their own—no matter how committed they are to healthy habits.

It also doesn’t help when well-meaning people suggest you just aren’t working hard enough, or imply that plastic surgery, such as a Mommy Makeover, is a selfish shortcut. At our practice in The Woodlands, TX, women considering cosmetic plastic surgery after pregnancy are often seeking more than aesthetic changes—they want to feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves again.

Common Changes After Pregnancy

Pregnancy and childbirth can cause lasting changes to the body that go beyond weight gain alone. These changes are common, normal, and not always something diet and exercise can correct.

Some of the most common post-pregnancy concerns include:

• Diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles)

• Loose or excess abdominal skin

• Stretch marks

• Changes in breast volume, shape, or nipple position

• Urinary incontinence

For many women, these changes can affect not only how their bodies look, but how they feel day to day—both physically and emotionally.

A Mommy Makeover Isn’t a Shortcut

Many moms who are considering plastic surgery worry that they’re putting their needs above those of their families. One 33-year-old woman on the RealSelf website asked if she was “selfish and lazy” for even thinking about getting a Mommy Makeover, which typically combines body contouring procedures such as a tummy tuck and cosmetic breast surgery.

The fact is that having children results in changes to the body that no amount of working out or following strict diets can address, such as tightening loose abdominal skin or repairing separated abdominal muscles. And deflated breasts won’t magically regain their volume or shape.

Confidence and Being a Parent

The saying, “When you look good, you feel good,” is a cliché for a reason—it’s generally true. That’s not to say great parents don’t come in all sizes. But how a mom feels about herself is influenced by her body image and self-esteem. A mother who feels confident about her body is typically happier overall, and that self-assurance can benefit the relationships she has with her children.

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Is a Mommy Makeover Right for You?

Deciding whether to pursue a Mommy Makeover is a personal choice, and it’s one that deserves thoughtful consideration. Rather than focusing on guilt or outside opinions, it can be helpful to look at a few practical and personal factors.

Things to Consider Before a Mommy Makeover

Feeling uncertain at this stage is common, and taking time to think through these considerations is part of making a thoughtful, well-informed decision:

• Your support system: Do you have reliable help at home for child care, household tasks, and errands during recovery?

• Timing: Are you finished having children, or do you anticipate future pregnancies?

• Financial readiness: Will the cost of surgery and recovery fit comfortably within your family’s budget?

• Recovery planning: Are you able to take the time needed to rest and heal properly?

What Shouldn’t Drive Your Decision

Just as important is recognizing what shouldn’t influence your choice:

• Feeling guilty about prioritizing your own well-being

• Worrying that caring about your appearance makes you selfish

• Believing you should be “grateful” for your body even if you feel uncomfortable in it

Having realistic expectations and understanding your motivations are key. Wanting to feel comfortable in a bikini or not rely on shapewear like Spanx® isn’t shallow; it’s a valid desire for comfort and confidence.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

If you decide to explore surgery, choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in Mommy Makeover procedures is essential. Reviewing before-and-after photos of actual patients can help you understand what’s possible and see how transformative a Mommy Makeover can be when performed by a skilled surgeon.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re finished having children and considering a Mommy Makeover, you can contact us via the online form to request a consultation, or call us at (281) 760-3373 to schedule an appointment. We invite you to browse more Mommy Makeover before and after images in our gallery.