Mummy Makeover

A 'mummy makeover' is a combination of procedures involving the breast, abdomen, waist, hips, thighs and labia designed to restore the body to its original contours and appearance before childbearing.

A combination of the following procedures can be selected (which may be possible to be performed as a single operation):

• Breast enlargement with implants to reshape and restore the size of the breast
• Breast uplift (mastopexy)
• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
• Liposuction (body contouring)
• Labiaplasty (vaginal labia minora & majora reshaping)

The breast augmentation and lift aim to deliver a firmer breast with better contouring and can either be done at once or in a staged fashion with the lift first and then the augmentation.

For women also in need of a tummy tuck, the excess skin and fat from below the umbilicus is removed and redraped to provide a firmer appearance of the abdomen, whilst the muscles underneath are centralised to provide better contouring and appearance. The incision is concealed below the bikini-line, and the procedure is often combined with liposuction to further improve contouring. Typical areas for liposuction include the tummy, hips & thighs.

The key reason for having a mummy makeover procedure is to help restore a more visually pleasing body shape and appearance, similar to the one enjoyed before pregnancy and childbirth.

The procedures aim to reverse any unwanted changes, ranging from unmoveable 'baby weight', to changes in breast size and shape, excess abdominal skin and undesired genital shape and function changes.

Mothers who undergo such procedures report an increase in self-confidence and a sense of psychological wellbeing.  By combining procedures the cost is less and there is a single period of ‘downtime’.

Typically expected improvements from surgery include:

• Removal of excess abdominal skin and fat 
• Tightening of the stomach wall muscles
• Reducing or restoring breast volume and shape
• Reducing the visibility of scars and stretch marks
• Removal of excess pockets of fat and skin from trouble areas such as the waist, arms and thighs
• Rejuvenating the appearance and structure of the vaginal region
• Increased satisfaction with the overall body contour and shape

Most commonly procedure combinations include tummy tuck, breast enlargement and liposuction, but of course combinations will be bespoke to you.

Most definitely. 

Mummy makeover surgery is a highly personal decision and should only be undertaken if you feel strongly that you would like to restore the appearance of your pre-pregnancy body.

You are likely to be a suitable candidate for mummy makeover surgery if:

• You are in good psychological and physical health
• You are at your ideal body weight
• You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations of what can be achieved via surgery
• You are a mother who has experienced body shape and contour changes following one or multiple pregnancies 
• You have completed your family
• You are no longer breastfeeding (surgery ideally should be 6 months after completion of breastfeeding, however you can book a consultation before this)

It can take several months for the body to settle down after pregnancy & breastfeeding, so surgery should be considered only when a complete recovery has been made.

Usually, within a year of childbirth, it should be possible to assess your permanent new body shape, enabling you to make decisions about whether a mummy makeover is right for you.  Often you can check in earlier with a free initial consultation to discuss the changes you would like to make and to determine which procedure or combination of procedures is right for you.   We can also use our Crisalix 3D body imaging to help you visualise your results of surgery to help in your decision making.

Although not all women are suitable the vast majority can have multiple procedures simultaneously.  Mr Sawyer will talk you through which procedures can be combined and whether there may be a benefit in staging the procedures.  He will discuss the pros and cons of your circumstances.