Case Study 06 | Tampa Surgical Arts
Mommy Makeover in Tampa, FL: Restored, Not Overdone
Most patients arrive knowing what they want changed. This one arrived knowing what she did not want. Her mommy makeover was built as much around that request as around her anatomy.
The Patient’s Story
At 57, she had spent her career in the health industry, which meant she knew what surgery could and could not do.
After children and breastfeeding, she had loose abdominal skin, stubborn fat along her waist and hips, and breasts that had lost their position and upper fullness. Pregnancy had also separated her abdominal muscles, a change no amount of core work reverses. She wanted those things addressed, but she was firm about the outcome: a natural shape, nothing overdone.
She came to Tampa Surgical Arts for a plan that would restore her figure without changing who she is. Dr. Pasquale Tolomeo listened to that request first, then built a plan around it.
The Plan
Her concerns spanned the abdomen, waist, arms, and breasts. Dr. Tolomeo, a triple-board-certified cosmetic surgeon, addressed all four in one operation.
The plan combined four targeted procedures into one surgery:
- Lipo360 to contour the waist, hips, and full midsection
- The Tolomeo Tuck, Dr. Tolomeo’s own tummy tuck approach, with rectus plication to remove loose skin and repair the abdominal muscles
- Arm liposuction with Vaser to refine the upper arms
- Breast lift with implants to restore position and upper pole fullness
Combining the procedures meant one surgery and one recovery instead of several. It also let Dr. Tolomeo balance her proportions across her whole figure, which is harder when procedures are spaced months apart.
The Procedure
- Surgeon: Dr. Pasquale Tolomeo
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia
- Duration: Approximately 7 hours
Surgery was performed at Tampa Surgical Arts’ AAAHC-accredited facility. Pre-operative breast imaging was completed beforehand as a standard safety protocol.
Using Vaser ultrasound-assisted liposuction, Dr. Tolomeo sculpted the full midsection, hips, and arms, then applied Renuvion® (J-Plasma) to tighten the skin and refine the final contour. The abdominal muscles were repaired with rectus plication, flattening the stomach while preserving the curve of her waist.
The breast lift and augmentation followed in the same operation, one restoring position and the other restoring volume.
The Recovery Journey
Recovery from four procedures takes patience, and hers moved forward on schedule.
- Day of Surgery: She arrived anxious, focused on one thing: looking natural. She was up and walking the same day.
- Week 1: Wore an abdominal binder and surgical bra 23 hours a day, with regular lymphatic drainage massages.
- Week 2: Transitioned to Spanx, began abdominal exercises to tighten muscles, and walked several minutes every few hours.
- Week 6: Cleared for full activity, including the beach, pool, exercise, and intimacy.
- 3 Months: Graduated from all compression garments with no remaining restrictions.
Before & After
Refined contours from waist to arms, lifted breasts, and still unmistakably her.
Results may vary.
See the Results With Dr. Tolomeo
At 10 weeks post-op, Dr. Tolomeo walks through this patient’s results, from the abdominal repair to the natural breast shape she asked for. Her contour will continue to refine as the last of the swelling resolves.
3 months post-operation
The Results
The change was significant, but the result looks like her.
Dr. Tolomeo removed 2 pounds of skin, 3.5 pounds of fat through liposuction, and half a pound of breast tissue. Her stomach is flatter, with her waist curve accentuated rather than erased. Her breasts sit higher with restored upper fullness, exactly the outcome she asked for.
“I’m so happy with everything. It’s perfect.”
Dr. Tolomeo’s Perspective
“This patient had loose skin from pregnancy, and a tummy tuck was the only way to remove it and flatten the abdomen. Breastfeeding had left her breasts sagging, so the lift restored their natural position while implants restored upper pole fullness.
The goal throughout was to restore her natural form. Implants are a tool for doing that, not a reason to change how someone looks.”
— Dr. Pasquale Tolomeo
Is a Mommy Makeover Right for You?
This procedure tends to suit patients who:
- Are dealing with changes from pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss that diet and exercise cannot reach
- Have loose abdominal skin, weakened core muscles, or breasts that have lost volume and position
- Would rather look refreshed than obviously altered
- Want to handle several concerns without scheduling separate surgeries
- Are healthy enough for surgery and willing to follow the recovery plan
No two mommy makeovers at Tampa Surgical Arts look alike. This patient needed four procedures. Someone else might need a completely different combination. That decision comes out of your consultation, not a template.
Ready to Talk About Your Mommy Makeover?
Seeing someone else’s results is a starting point. Seeing what will work on your anatomy takes an in-person evaluation. Located in Odessa and serving Tampa Bay and beyond, Dr. Tolomeo and the team are ready when you are. Call 813-836-7202 to schedule a private consultation.
FAQs
Why were implants added to the breast lift in this case?
After breastfeeding, this patient had both sagging and a loss of volume in the upper breast. A lift alone would have repositioned the breasts without restoring fullness. Implants alone would have added volume without correcting position. Combining the two addressed both concerns in one procedure.
Is 57 too old for a mommy makeover?
No. Candidacy depends on health and skin quality, not age. This patient was in good health, followed her recovery plan closely, and was cleared for full activity at 6 weeks. Her case is also a reminder that the changes from pregnancy do not expire, and neither does the option to address them.
Why was Renuvion used along with liposuction?
Liposuction removes fat, but it does not tighten the remaining skin. Renuvion applies controlled energy beneath the surface to help the skin contract, which matters most in patients who want smooth contours without additional incisions.
