The Mummy Makeover

The Mummy Makeover is a term used to describe a procedure among women that combines a series of surgical procedures. The mummy makeover is popular among women who want to re-shape their bodies after their pregnancies. It has been designed specifically to address common issues that are faced by women who have been through pregnancy and breastfeeding

The Mummy Makeover is custom-tailored to fit the individual patient’s unique needs. It typically starts with targeting sagging, excess skin and fat around the abdomen, and breast reshaping (breast augmentation or breast lift) to give a more defined, sculpted and contoured figure – but additional elements can often include liposuction and labiaplasties.

Our expert surgeons at The Private Clinic are a selection of highly skilled experts who are very experienced in these types of combination procedures. They have the advanced knowledge and skills required to carry out ‘mummy makeover’ procedures which may also be performed in stages. They are dedicated to helping mothers feel better about themselves and helping them to return to their pre-pregnancy bodies. Many women who undergo this transformative procedure journey often report a significant increase in their sense of psychological well-being and confidence.

The Mummy Makeover typically targets a combination of the below

• Excess skin removal. (Brazillian Abdominoplasty / Tummy Tuck/ Breast Uplift)
• Excess fat removal. (Liposuction/ Brazillian Abdominoplasty / Tummy Tuck)
• Reshaping of the breast. (Breast Enlargement / Breast Uplift / Breast Reduction / Breast Implant Removal or Replacement)
• Restoring stomach wall muscles for a firmer core. (Tummy Tuck with Diastasis Recti Repair)
• Reducing scars and stretch marks. (Tummy tuck / Scar revision)
• Addressing concerns of a stretched labia. (Labiaplasty)

What areas of the body can be treated as part of a Mommy Makeover?

Tummy Tuck / Brazillian Abdominoplasty

During pregnancy, abdominal muscles, skin and tissues will all stretch to accommodate the growing baby safely. After childbirth, these layers may not bounce back to their tight, pre-baby shape which can cause sagging and bulging of the stomach.

The Mummy Makeover combines a Brazilian Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty, a surgical procedure that combines liposuction and a tummy tuck. This procedure provides more sculptured results and is ideal for patients who suffer from more excess fat than skin. The Brazilian Tummy Tuck provides faster recovery and healing and has less risk of complications compared to the full abdominoplasty. The Brazilian Tummy Tuck is performed under general anaesthetic and the length of the procedure would depend on the amount of fat and skin required to be removed but on average, it takes around 3-4 hours.

At The Private Clinic, we work with the highly skilled consultant plastic surgeon Mr William Van Niekerk, who specialises in the Brazilian Tummy Tuck procedure.

You can see his video series describing what happens during Tummy tuck procedures here.

Diastasis Recti Repair

Diastasis recti (diastasis rectus abdominis or diastasis) is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles (abs) during and after pregnancy. This separation can cause the belly to bulge in the postpartum period. You can try several exercises to help you heal from the separation, and they usually work well, but in cases of severe diastasis recti, surgery to correct the condition may be an option.

Surgery to repair abdominal separation is usually performed as part of a tummy tuck procedure. As described above, this procedure removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen to achieve a smoother appearance. During the tummy tuck procedure, the lining of the muscles is sewn back together which brings the two separated muscles closer. Following surgery, a careful recovery programme will be prescribed to help build your core without causing separation again.

Breast Surgery

• Breast augmentation: Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for women in the UK. Breast enlargement consists of the surgical addition of breast implants in order to enhance the size, shape and volume of the breasts. Many women feel they lose volume after breastfeeding and breast enlargement can give you back that feminine shape you feel you have lost.
• Breast lift: Also known as Mastopexy surgery is a surgical procedure aimed to rejuvenate and uplift the breasts. This procedure provides a more lifted appearance retaining the volume and size of the breast.
• Breast reduction: This procedure is to reduce the size and reposition the breasts. Breast reductions are recommended for patients who suffer from sagging, heavy or large breasts. The results are more lifted lighter and youthful-looking breasts.

Liposuction

Vaser Liposuction is a surgical procedure for contouring and shaping of the body. It’s performed under local anaesthetic with sedation and is ideal to target stubborn areas of fat all over the body including the abdomen, upper arms, back, hips and thighs.

Liposuction can effectively remove excess fat and sculpt the area. The procedure is performed as a daycase usually under local anaesthetic with sedation.

Labiaplasty

Physical vaginal changes during a pregnancy are common, especially during the later stages of pregnancy, when pressure and swelling are more pronounced. This is due to pelvic blood flow increasing, which makes sure that the baby is receiving enough nutrients from mum. It is also normal the labia to become softer and looser preparing the body for childbirth, which can cause the inner and outer labia to become longer. This strain and pressure of a vaginal delivery can lead to the stretching and even tearing of the labia, which can then result in long-term unhappiness in its appearance as well as any physical discomfort that is present.

A labiaplasty procedure is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of your labia minora. The benefits of a labiaplasty include; improved comfort, improved health and increased confidence.

Why have a Mummy makeover?

Pregnancy and childbirth are life-changing events that frequently alter a woman’s physical appearance. Following these changes, some women may want to go back to their pre-pregnancy physique. Surgery known as “mummy makeover” is a combination of cosmetic surgery procedures that help to restore a woman’s pre-baby body. Difficulties that women may be left with include excess skin, weak abdominal muscles, drooping or deflated breasts, postpartum weight gain, and changes to the appearance of the vagina. All of these problems can be successfully addressed with mummy makeover surgery.

Healthy eating and exercise can help to take the body back to a pre-baby resemblance but there are many factors that, if severe enough, only surgery can effectively help with. Your body has accomplished something incredible by nurturing, birthing, and nourishing a baby. However, there is definitely nothing wrong with having a desire to return to your pre-pregnancy body following this amazing journey.

A mummy makeover is a customised treatment plan made to meet each patient’s specific requirements. It usually consists of a mix of operations that target different parts of the body, such as the vagina, hips, thighs, abdomen, and breasts. Breast surgery, liposuction, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) are the most popular operation combinations since they may all be combined into one treatment where possible.

We invite you to book an appointment with one of our expert consultants where we can discuss how to help you achieve your body goals.

Mummy Makeover FAQs

How soon after having children can I have a mummy makeover?

Cosmetic surgery following pregnancy ideally should not be performed until at least 6-12 months after childbirth or the patient has finished breastfeeding.

Many changes occur to the body both during pregnancy and immediately afterwards. Many of these changes are temporary and do require some patience to allow the body to settle and repair.

Cosmetic surgery procedures can also require recovery periods that advise no heavy lifting so assistance with young children will be needed for the first few weeks at least.

Can I breastfeed after having a mummy makeover?

Whilst we advise that anyone considering a mummy makeover has no planned future pregnancies, breastfeeding post-procedure is still possible.

It would firstly depend on the type of breast surgery that you have, a breast enlargement is unlikely to have any effect on breastfeeding but a breast uplift may affect milk supply. If breastfeeding is something you wish to do following a mummy makeover, it is important to discuss this with your surgeon who will decide on the best technique to help maintain your ability to do so.

Are all Mummy Makeovers performed on the same day?

Should a Mummy Makeover be completed in phases?

The time-frame for your procedures to be performed will be on a case-by-case basis.

We do not perform any breast procedures at the same time as a Brazilian Tummy Tuck. The length of time required for both procedures is very extensive and patient safety is a priority. When booking a consultation for a mummy makeover we will recommend that you choose the procedure that you would like to have first and focus on that stage before discussing the next. Our consultations are very detailed and we would not want you to feel rushed and ill-informed on leaving which is why we ask patients to attend 2 different consultations to discuss each procedure separately.

Who is a good candidate for the mummy makeover?

The ideal candidate for a mummy makeover include women who have had one or more pregnancies and have noticed changes in their body shape. The combination of procedures makes it suitable for anyone who is looking to reshape their abdomen and breasts along with any other areas of the body such as the buttocks, legs and vagina.

Patients will also need to;

• Be in excellent psychological and physical health to ensure that they can safely undergo surgery and recover effectively.
• Be at, or as close to their ideal body weight to help optimise their surgical outcome.
• Have no future pregnancies planned as this can potentially impact the results of their procedure.
• Ensure they have a positive outlook and realistic expectations from their surgery understanding the limitations, risks and potential outcomes of the procedure.

How soon will I recover from a mummy makeover?

Your recovery time will depend on which procedures were performed. On average, the recovery time is approximately 6 weeks – at this stage, you will be back to visit your surgeon to discuss your results and they can best advice on when you can return to any activities.

Most patients will be able to return to work within 2 weeks depending on their job role. Extensive exercise should be avoided for at least 6 weeks.

Any compression or recovery garments will usually need to be worn for 6 weeks.

All aftercare following your procedure at The Private Clinic is free, our dedicated medical team are available 24 hours should you have any queries.

What results can I expect from the mummy makeover?

The results of your mummy makeover procedure will vary depending on which procedures were performed. Overall, the patient should expect to achieve increased happiness with the overall shape and contour of their body. Other mummy makeover key surgery outcomes include:

• Removal of extra fat and skin from the abdomen.
• Restoration of breast volume and shape.
• Removal of excess skin and fat from problem areas, such as the thighs, arms, and waist.
• Reduction of stretch marks and scars.
• Revitalization of the vaginal region’s structure and appearance.

Final results from the combination of procedures are usually noticeable after 6 weeks but results will continue to enhance over 12-18 months.

Are the results of a mummy makeover permanent?

The results of a mummy makeover are long-lasting, but they are not able to pause the natural process of ageing which could result in small changes to your results as your skin’s elasticity will decrease over time. To help maintain your results, we recommend a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and regular exercise. Patients should avoid smoking after their procedure as not only can this affect their healing but it also increases the ageing process.

Mummy Makeover at The Private Clinic

At The Private Clinic, we tailor each procedure to every patient’s needs and goals. We work with a team of highly experienced doctors with years of experience in their field.

If you are considering a Mummy Makeover, during your consultation our expert doctors will be able to assess and determine how many procedures you will require and can advise when is the best time to have the operation.

The Private Clinic has clinics across the UK in London, Manchester, Northampton, Birmingham and Leeds.

Get in touch

To book a consultation for a Mummy Makeover at any of our clinics you can call us on 0333 920 2471 or visit our website where you can find before and after pictures and read the patient stories of our tummy tuck and breast augmentation patients.