Mommy Makeover Abdominoplasty in Santa Monica
Pregnancy and childbirth create profound changes in a woman’s body, particularly in the abdominal area. As the uterus expands, the skin and underlying abdominal muscles stretch to accommodate the growing baby. After delivery, many women are left with loose, excess skin, stretch marks, and persistent abdominal bulging that does not improve with diet or exercise. One of the most common underlying causes of this bulge is diastasis recti, a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the midline. When these muscles remain stretched apart, the abdominal wall loses its natural support, leading to a protruding abdomen, weakened core strength, lower back discomfort, and difficulty achieving a flat contour.
A Mommy Makeover abdominoplasty directly addresses both the cosmetic and structural components of post-pregnancy abdominal changes. During the procedure, excess skin and stubborn fat are carefully removed from the lower abdomen, restoring a smoother and firmer appearance. However, the most transformative aspect of the surgery is the repair of the separated abdominal muscles. Through precise suture plication, the rectus muscles are brought back together along the midline and reinforced with layered sutures. This internal repair functions like a built-in corset, tightening the abdominal wall, narrowing the waistline, and reestablishing core stability.
By correcting muscle separation, abdominoplasty not only improves abdominal contour but also enhances posture and core strength. Patients often report relief from back strain and improved comfort during physical activity. The removal of redundant skin further refines the silhouette, particularly in women who developed significant skin laxity or stretch marks during pregnancy. The result is a flatter, more toned abdomen that better reflects a patient’s healthy lifestyle efforts.
Raffy Karamanoukian is a highly skilled plastic surgeon known for his meticulous approach to Mommy Makeover abdominoplasty. With extensive experience in advanced muscle repair techniques and aesthetic body contouring, Dr. Karamanoukian customizes each procedure to the patient’s anatomy and goals. His focus on precision, natural proportions, and durable muscle reinforcement allows patients to achieve long-lasting, beautifully contoured results while restoring abdominal strength and confidence.
Mommy Makeover Breast Augmentation with Motiva Breast Implants
Breast implant surgery is one of the most transformative components of a Mommy Makeover, restoring youthful fullness and shape after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Many women experience significant changes in their breasts following childbirth, including loss of upper pole volume, deflation, decreased firmness, and widening of the cleavage. Even with a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise, these changes cannot be reversed without surgery. Breast augmentation with Motiva breast implants offers a refined, natural-looking solution that helps mothers regain confidence and restore balanced body proportions.
After pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations and breastfeeding can stretch the breast skin and reduce internal glandular volume. As the breast tissue shrinks, it often leaves behind loose skin and a flattened appearance, particularly in the upper portion of the breast. Cleavage may diminish as the breasts lose projection and fullness near the center of the chest. For many women, this change impacts how clothing fits and how they feel in swimsuits or fitted tops. Breast augmentation during a Mommy Makeover addresses these concerns by replenishing lost volume and enhancing contour.
Motiva breast implants are known for their advanced design, smooth surface technology, and natural feel. Motiva implants are engineered to provide soft, responsive movement that closely mimics natural breast tissue. Their progressive gel technology allows for beautiful upper pole fullness without an overly round or artificial appearance. These features make Motiva implants a popular choice for women seeking elegant, proportionate enhancement.
During surgery, careful implant positioning is critical to achieving optimal results. In most Mommy Makeover procedures, the Motiva implant is placed beneath the pectoralis major muscle (submuscular placement). Positioning the implant under the muscle provides several benefits. It creates a more natural slope in the upper breast, offers additional soft tissue coverage for a smoother contour, and may reduce the risk of visible implant edges or rippling in patients with thinner breast tissue. Submuscular placement also supports long-term implant stability and enhances overall aesthetic balance.
In some cases, breast augmentation alone is not sufficient to achieve the desired outcome. When pregnancy has caused significant skin laxity or nipple descent, a breast lift (mastopexy) may be recommended in combination with implants. A breast lift repositions the nipple-areolar complex to a more youthful height and reshapes the breast mound. By removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue, the lift restores firmness and improves projection. When performed together, augmentation and lift create fuller, perkier breasts with improved symmetry and cleavage.
The success of breast implant surgery during a Mommy Makeover depends on surgical expertise and artistic judgment. Raffy Karamanoukian is a highly experienced plastic surgeon serving Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, known for his meticulous technique and natural-looking results. Dr. Karamanoukian carefully evaluates each patient’s anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals to determine the ideal implant size, profile, and placement. His approach emphasizes proportion, balance, and long-term satisfaction. By combining advanced Motiva implant technology with precise submuscular placement and, when needed, a thoughtfully planned breast lift, Dr. Karamanoukian delivers beautifully restored contours tailored to each patient. Breast augmentation as part of a Mommy Makeover can help women feel confident, feminine, and rejuvenated—celebrating their bodies while restoring the shape and fullness they desire.
Have you ever wondered why your belly button never looked the same after pregnancy and childbirth? Well, there are a couple of reasons, all of which can be corrected with Mommy-Makeover procedures at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica. Our office is dedicated to body sculpting options that can make you feel sexier about your body and can redefine your post-childbirth you.
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, our board-certified plastic surgeon and body sculpting expert identifies four common problems with the belly button after childbirth.
Belly Button Piercing Scar:
Well…it may be time to just lose that belly button piercing once and for all. Just like fashion trends in clothing, there are body trends that come and go, or just may need to go because they’re not as appropriate as they once were. Belly button piercings can cause the skin to stretch and sag on the upper part of the belly button. Taken out, they can result in a noticeable hole that may need to be repaired.
Fixing belly button piercing scars begins with a consultation in which we determine how much skin is sagging and how noticeable the scar is from a distance. Repairs usually take less than thirty minutes and can be done with local anesthetic.
Diastasis Recti Repair in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills
Diastasis recti is a common condition characterized by separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the midline of the abdomen. It frequently develops during pregnancy due to stretching of the abdominal wall but can also occur with significant weight fluctuations or chronic abdominal pressure. Patients with diastasis recti may notice a persistent abdominal bulge that does not improve with diet or exercise, a feeling of core weakness, lower back pain, poor posture, and in some cases, urinary stress incontinence. Diagnosis is made through a physical examination, during which a gap between the abdominal muscles can be felt when the patient engages the core. In certain cases, imaging studies may be used to confirm the extent of muscle separation.
The most effective and definitive treatment for moderate to severe diastasis recti is surgical repair performed during an abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck. During this procedure, excess skin and fat are removed, and the separated abdominal muscles are carefully restored to their natural position. Muscle repair is accomplished using a layered suture plication technique. This involves placing strong, permanent sutures along the linea alba—the connective tissue between the muscles—to bring the rectus muscles back together. Multiple layers of suturing reinforce the repair, creating a firm internal corset that strengthens the abdominal wall and narrows the waistline. This structural restoration not only improves abdominal contour but also enhances core stability and reduces associated symptoms.
Diastasis recti repair can often be performed using an existing lower abdominal scar, such as a prior C-section scar, myomectomy scar, or previous tummy tuck scar, minimizing the need for additional incisions. By carefully reopening and refining the existing scar, the surgeon gains access to the separated abdominal muscles and performs precise suture plication to restore core strength and contour. Whenever possible, the scar is revised and improved during closure for a smoother, more discreet appearance. This approach allows patients to benefit from functional muscle repair and enhanced abdominal shape without creating new visible scars.
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive expertise in minimal scar abdominoplasty and advanced diastasis recti repair. Known for meticulous technique and attention to detail, Dr. Karamanoukian customizes each procedure to achieve a flatter, more toned abdomen while minimizing visible scarring. His precision in layered muscle plication ensures durable, natural-looking results and restored abdominal strength.
C-Section Scars:
C-section scars can be indented, hypertrophic, keloid, or saggy. Dr. Karamanoukian is an expert in scar revision and can help you lower your scar or remove it altogether with a combination of liposuction, scar revision, and laser therapy. Sometimes, c-section scar revision can be combined with a tummy tuck in order to minimize scarring.
Umbilical Hernia:
An umbilical hernia is very common among women who have been pregnant. It results from a small defect in the abdominal wall that causes the intestines to poke out above the muscle fascia. Identifying an umbilical hernia is quite easy, as women usually have a progressively enlarging ‘outey’ on their belly button. Repair of an umbilical hernia is relatively straightforward and is covered by medical health insurance if there is medical necessity. Our office accepts the following insurance policies as an out-of-network provider.
Insurance Accepted: Santa Monica
Aetna
• Sony Aetna
• Lions Gate Entertainment Aetna
• United Airlines Aetna
• Bank of America Aetna
• City of Santa Monica Aetna
• United Embassy of Saudi Arabia Aetna
• Truecar Aetna
Anthem
• FOX Entertainment Anthem
• Universal Music Group Anthem
• Capital Partners Anthem
• Credit Suisse Anthem
• Time Warner Cable Anthem
• Shearman & Sterling LLP Anthem
• USC Anthem
• Lilly Anthem
• Medtronic Anthem
• Google Anthem
• Redbull Anthem
• Verizon West Anthem
• LA Firefighters Fund Anthem
Cigna
• Yahoo! Cigna
• Electronic Arts Cigna
• Noble Americas Corp Cigna
• International Medical Corp Cigna
• NBA Cigna
• Activision Blizzard Cigna
• NFL Cigna
• Cornerstone On-Demand Cigna
• Hearst Corporation Cigna
• FRHI Fairmont Hotels $ Resorts International Cigna
• United Embassy or Kuwait Cigna
• AFTRA Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
• The Turner Corporation UnitedHealthCare
• Solar City United Health Care
• Viacom United Health Care
• NW Entertainment United Health Care
• Proctor and Gamble United Health Care
• Oxford Health United Health Care