What Is ‘Mummy Makeover’ Surgery?

Mummy-Makeover

Having a child is probably one of the most fulfilling experiences a person can have. However, post-pregnancy, you may feel self-conscious about the effects that pregnancy has had on your body. The stretching of the stomach muscles and skin, breasts, thighs, and other areas during pregnancy can lead to loose and sagging skin, stretch marks, and excess fat deposits. To counteract the effects of pregnancy, some women choose to have a ‘mummy makeover’, which is a combination of post-pregnancy plastic surgeries and non-invasive skin treatments to restore the body to its pre-pregnancy state. These procedures are primarily meant to address the effects of pregnancy that cannot be reversed through diet and exercise alone.

Am I a ‘Mummy Makeover’ Surgery Candidate?

The ideal candidate for ‘mummy makeover’ surgery is someone who is looking to lift, firm and tone the body to restore their pre-pregnancy shape. If you have successfully lost weight after your pregnancy but cannot reverse stubborn pockets of fat and sagging skin, you are probably a good candidate for cosmetic procedures. Most reputable surgeons advise waiting 6-9 months after stopping breast feeding before embarking on breast surgery and the same length of time following child birth or until you are back to your ideal weight for a tummy tuck or liposuction.

Before ‘Mummy Makeover’ Surgery

Before surgery it is important to have a detailed consultation with a cosmetic surgeon and to clearly outline your expectations of the procedure. It may be the case that a less invasive option such as liposuction or non-invasive treatments can deliver the results you desire. There are many factors to consider before undergoing a ‘mummy makeover’, such as your current health and lifestyle, the areas of your body you want to target, and how post-pregnancy plastic surgery will affect your family life.

During ‘Mummy Makeover’ Surgery

‘Mummy makeover’ surgery is usually a combination of procedures, most commonly a tummy tuck to remove excess skin from around the stomach area; a breast lift and/or augmentation to restore perkiness and volume to the breasts post-pregnancy; and liposuction to remove stubborn pockets of fat. These can also be combined with non-invasive procedures such as mesotherapy to improve the appearance of cellulite, and laser treatment to improve the appearance of stretch marks. Your surgeon can also perform other body lift procedures as a part of your ‘mummy makeover’, including an arm, thigh or buttock lift.

Recovery from ‘Mummy Makeover’ Surgery

Expect the treatment area/s to be sore, with some bruising and swelling post-surgery. It is definitely wise to enlist some help with your child post-surgery as you may be requiring a couple of weeks of rest and recovery time.

Benefits of ‘Mummy Makeover’ Surgery

The body naturally undergoes significant changes during pregnancy. By combining a selection of non-invasive and invasive post-pregnancy plastic surgery procedures, it is possible to smooth, lift and firm the skin so that you can restore your pre-pregnancy youthful appearance.

Types of ‘Mummy Makeover’ Surgery

The most common type of ‘mummy makeover’ surgery involves a combination of treatments, often including liposuction to remove stubborn pockets of fat, excess skin removal (most commonly around the stomach area), a breast lift and/or augmentation and also non-invasive treatments to tackle cellulite and stretch marks. The extent of the procedures you require will depend on how dramatically your body has changed post-pregnancy.

‘Mummy Makeover’ Surgery Risks and Complications

For the first few days following surgery, the treatment area will feel swollen and tight with some pain and discomfort. Expect to feel sore and bruised for a couple of weeks after surgery. The potential risks and complications will obviously increase with more extensive surgery, so if you are considering multiple procedures, it may be best to recover from one before embarking on the next.