If you are unhappy with the shape and appearance of your body after childbirth and it is affecting your confidence, a ‘mummy makeover’ can restore your pre-pregnancy figure. It combines liposuction and a tummy tuck with breast augmentation and a breast lift to deliver optimal results.
A mummy makeover is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many patients. However, choosing to embark on any type of cosmetic surgery is a decision you should only make when you have all the facts.
With that in mind, this article aims to answer your questions and provide guidance on what mummy makeover surgery involves, what procedures it includes, how much it costs and why you should always opt to have it in the UK.
What’s included in a mummy makeover package?
A mummy makeover is a range of procedures that can be performed in one surgical session or in stages to restore and even improve your youthful, pre-pregnancy body.
A mummy makeover usually includes:
- Liposuction – Removing stubborn fat from the abdomen, hips, thighs, flanks and other problematic areas to enhance body contours.
- Tummy tuck – Tightening the abdominal muscles, skin, and connective tissue and resolving the issues that cause an abdominal paunch.
- Breast augmentation – Increasing breast size, improving their shape and making them more symmetrical.
- Breast lift – Raising and reshaping the breasts and removing excess skin to give them a more youthful position and appearance.
By addressing all the areas you are dissatisfied with, you can restore your pre-baby body confidence, improve the way clothes fit and live your life as a mum to the fullest.
Why do some women choose to have a mummy makeover?
After childbirth, you may find that areas of your body have changed in ways you had not anticipated, or perhaps to a larger degree than you were expecting. It can be frustrating for many women, particularly if you have been used to taking care of your body with a healthy diet and exercise and now find that your lifestyle choices no longer bring the results they used to.
Changes to the body following pregnancy tend to fall into several categories, including breast, abdomen, waist, hips and thighs. The most noticeable changes usually occur in the breasts and abdomen. That can be due to weight gain that permanently stretches the skin or abdominal muscles that weaken or separate during pregnancy. Both of these changes can cause issues – such as breast sagging and an abdomen paunch – that cannot be addressed by diet and exercise alone.
Some women undergo mummy makeover surgery to correct the areas that bother them. This transformative procedure can provide multiple benefits, including:
- Improved body shape – Tightening the abdominal muscles and removing excess fat and skin can provide a smoother, more youthful and proportionate body shape and contour.
- Better breast appearance – Breast augmentation improves the breasts’ size, shape and fullness, while a breast lift tightens the surrounding skin to reduce sagging and elevate the nipple.
- More body confidence – Restoring your pre-pregnancy body and removing the appearance of stretch marks and scars will help you feel more comfortable and confident in your skin.
- Reduced cost – You receive significant discounts when booking multiple procedures as part of a mummy makeover. That represents better value than if you were to have each procedure alone.
What is the recovery period after mummy makeover surgery?
The recovery period depends on whether you have multiple procedures in one surgical session or have the procedures in stages, which is the route we recommend to our patients.
If you have multiple procedures in one session, the initial recovery period is intense and puts your body under significant stress. You will need complete rest for at least two weeks after surgery. That’s not ideal for busy mums and may mean you have to make arrangements to have a friend or family member help with childcare and tasks around the home. If you work from home, you may be able to return to work after two weeks. Otherwise, you’ll need at least four weeks off. After four to six weeks, you can begin gentle exercise. After six weeks, you will be able to see the results of your surgery, and after eight weeks, you should be fully recovered.
Due to the lengthy recovery time and the stress it puts on your body, we believe the best approach is to have mummy makeover surgery in stages. You will only need to take one or two weeks off work for each procedure, and you’ll be able to fully recover before embarking on the next treatment. This is beneficial for your safety and recovery.
Mummy makeovers in Turkey: the benefits of having surgery in the UK
Mummy makeovers in countries like Turkey have become more popular in recent years, mainly due to their affordability. Advertisements promise procedures performed by experienced surgeons and the ability to enjoy the first stages of your pre-op recovery in beautiful locations, sometimes for half the price of mummy makeover surgery in the UK.
While that can seem attractive, the reality of what you’re being sold may not live up to your expectations and can put you at risk. Here’s why you should think very carefully before choosing a mummy makeover in Turkey:
Quality and safety standards
The UK has some of the world’s strictest cosmetic surgery quality and safety standards, and surgeons and clinics must meet stringent accreditation requirements. There is more variation in the standard of surgical facilities and certification if you choose a mummy makeover abroad, and you can never be 100% sure what to expect.
Aftercare
At Enhance Medical Group, you get 12 months of comprehensive aftercare included in the price of your surgery. That includes post-operative check-ups, a 24-hour emergency contact number and even further surgery if the results of your procedure do not meet your expectations. That improves satisfaction rates and reduces the risk of complications.
If you have a mummy makeover in Turkey, aftercare may not be included, and if it is, you may not be able to access it once you have flown home. You also need to think about who will pay if something goes wrong.
Your recovery
Sitting on a beach while you recover might seem idyllic, but the reality is far different. You’ll still have the surgical dressings on, you’ll have to wear a compression garment, you won’t be able to swim and heat, and sun exposure can exacerbate your swelling.
There’s also the flight home to consider. Most UK clinics advise patients not to fly short haul (three to six hours) for a minimum of two weeks after the surgery due to the added risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism. Carrying heavy bags through the airport and standing in queues to get through can cause pain and swelling and delay recovery.
How much is mummy makeover surgery in the UK?
Our cosmetic surgery pricing guide gives you an idea of what each procedure would cost if you had it in isolation. However, we also offer an attractive mummy makeover discount when you book multiple procedures together.
You may only want a couple of the mummy makeover procedures to achieve your preferred shape or choose to have them all. Whatever combination you need to achieve your goals, we can create a unique package and arrange a payment plan to suit you.
Are mummy makeovers safe? Guidance for new mothers
Mummy makeovers are generally safe. However, when multiple procedures are combined in one surgical session, it does lead to a higher risk of complications. That’s why, at Enhance Medical, we prefer to perform each procedure individually.
A tummy tuck carries the greatest risk of all the procedures involved in mummy makeover surgery. Those risks are still minimal, although you may consider alternatives such as liposuction if it can achieve similar results. Your surgeon will advise you on the most appropriate procedures and the risk of complications during your consultation.
Read more: Liposuction vs. tummy tuck: Which procedure is right for you?
Speak to our team
For affordable, high-quality mummy makeover surgery, speak to the team at Enhance Medical. We have a selection of the country’s best surgeons and state-of-the-art clinics in locations throughout the UK. Read more about breast augmentation, breast lift, liposuction and tummy tuck surgery and book a free consultation with our team.