Mommy Makeover Part I: Balancing Body Positivity, Daughters, and My Decision to Have Plastic Surgery

This four-part series is sponsored by Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery and details Kacey's exciting 'mommy makeover' journey. Stay tuned for Part II!

mommy makeover

One thing I have never lacked is self-confidence. Like I have said in the past, I’m not quite sure how my mother helped me gain such confidence as a kid. I was the chubby kid — the chubby kid with a great, funny, fun-loving personality, but the chubby kid nonetheless. (See, I told you I liked me.) I remember when I was in 4th or 5th grade, and a 6th-grade boy called me fat in the stairwell. I ignored him but told my mom that night. She rolled her eyes and told me I “should have told him he has a pencil dick.” Yeah, my mom is awesome and hilarious. So, in short, my mom instilled the “Screw anyone who’s not nice to you, you are awesome and beautiful” mentality from a young age. 

So, I believed I was awesome. I loved myself fat. I loved myself skinny. I never let my body image affect how I felt about myself as a person. But after a few decades and three kids, priorities changed and I knew the extra weight I was carrying needed to go. I’ve written a lot about that journey, and let me tell you, it has been a true journey. Up mountains, into valleys, back up mountains, and everything in between. It has taken me years to figure myself and my body out. But I did it! And I’ve kept the weight off, something that in the past, I was never able to do. It’s as if I’d started collecting pieces to a puzzle, and finally, over the past few years, I figured out how to put that puzzle together. 

But now, here I am. Three kids (all C-sections, I might add) and down 55 pounds. My stomach is like a bumpy, saggy, stretch mark-ridden war zone, and my boobs (if I can even still call them that) are flappy bags of deflated skin. While I still love myself and am appreciative of all my body has given me, I am over it. I’ve worked really hard to lose weight and gain muscle, and I’m ready to Marie Kondo my body if you will. Thank it for the joy it has brought, but exchange it for a new and improved one to bring me a different sort of joy. So, I’ve decided to get a “mommy makeover,” including a breast lift, breast implants, and a tummy tuck. 

Yep. All. The. Things. I’m so excited! But I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m a little nervous, too. It’s been months and months of consults, researching, and talking to everyone I could about surgeons and experiences. Turns out that when you start talking about a “mommy makeover” with other women, you would be amazed at the number of women who have done it (or at least a component of it). I’ve heard everything from horror stories to people who actually went and worked for their surgeons after their surgery because they loved the experience and results so much! Ultimately, I decided on Dr. Cayce Rumsey at Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery to do my surgery. After speaking with so many people and looking at his before-and-after photos, he was at the top of my list. At the consult, he was great and honest. He made me feel comfortable and didn’t push me to do more or less than what I wanted. On a personal note, he also lives in my neighborhood, and while I don’t know him personally, I have a few friends who are good friends of his and vouch for him as an awesome surgeon and all-around good guy, which is big in my book.

While all the planning and daydreaming of my new perky boobs and flat stomach are exciting, I also have had to keep in mind I am the mom of two daughters, ages 8 and 14. I want them to know they are perfect and beautiful and nothing about their appearance should define them. I think I’ve done a good job driving home the fact that content of character and kindness are the true things that make one beautiful. But, at the same time, I hope I have conveyed that I have worked my ass off, and there are some things that I want to improve for myself that I can’t do with a healthy lifestyle alone. So, we’ve talked about it. Obviously, I’m writing this post, so it is no secret. I don’t get the point of hiding plastic surgery. If anything, I think this perpetuates a culture of morphed body images for younger girls looking to others who have flawless bodies, perfect boobs, etc. I have absolutely no shame in admitting I’m having plastic surgery. I think my openness about having it bothers my 14-year-old more than the fact I’m actually having the surgery. My tendency to overshare is embarrassing to her, and I’m trying to navigate that. Acknowledge her, but also let her know there is no shame in doing stuff for yourself and no shame in sharing your story and always trying to be your authentic self.  Also, since my husband and I basically parent with humor and sarcasm, there are lots of jokes about “mom’s new boobs.” That’s how I like it. Light-hearted, funny, imperfect. I’m having plastic surgery to improve my already awesome self. It’s all for me, and I think that my girls and family understand that.

So, in keeping with my oversharing ways, I’ll be sharing my full mommy makeover journey with you, the readers. The consult, the surgery, and the post-op details — the good, the bad, and the beautiful.

Have you had or thought about having a mommy makeover? Please let me know in the comments if there are any specifics you would like to know more about!

Kacey Roache
Kacey Roache is a Jacksonville native who lives in Ponte Vedra with her husband, TJ, and her three kids, Lucy, Lucas and Lola. Kacey graduated from Florida State University (Go Noles!) with a degree in interior design. She is passionate about the arts and arts education and has served on the board of Art with a Heart in Healthcare, Ponte Vedra Public Education Foundation for the Arts, Christ Church Creative Academy as well as the PTOs at her kids' school. In her spare time you might find her channeling her inner Serena Williams on the tennis court, performing in community theater, or enjoying the beach with her friends and family. Follow her family's chaos on Instagram: @kaceyroachepvb

5 COMMENTS

  1. How wonderful of you to share! I am scheduled with Dr. Holly Hickman at PVPS for a Mommy Makeover on April 1st! Good luck to you. ❤️

  2. I’d love to hear about your experience. I’ve been wanting a breast reduction since I was in HS and I have major resentments toward my parents for not letting me get one.

  3. I am just beginning my journey and a bit older than you, but the healthy eating, active lifestyle and working with a trainer several times a week over the last 6-8 months has me down 50% of my weight goal to start the mommy makeover adventure. I have already set the consultation around the holidays and hopefully surgery in the spring. I have planned a tummy tuck (C-Sections) and a breast lift. I do need some tightening on neck, jaw line, as well as some wrinkle repair but will leave the recommendations to the doctor. Very excited my dream will soon be a reality. For some of us to figure this all out, it takes a while. Thanks for your article.

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