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Having a baby and breastfeeding can change your body in big ways. You might notice your breasts drooping, loose skin around your tummy, and extra fat that wasn’t there before. Many women choose to have a ‘mummy makeover‘ to help get their body back to how it looked before having kids.
This article will help you understand when it’s a good time to consider a mummy makeover after giving birth. We’ll go through what the surgery involves and answer lots of common questions that women often have when thinking about it.
Our team at Centre for Surgery in London has loads of experience in doing successful mummy makeovers. We’re known for giving women natural, long-lasting improvements to their looks. When you choose Centre for Surgery, you can be sure that you’re in the hands of a surgeon who really knows what they’re doing.
Want to know more about how we can help you feel great in your post-baby body? Get in touch with Centre for Surgery today.
When Is the Right Time for a Mummy Makeover Following Childbirth?
After bringing a new life into the world, it’s essential to allow your body adequate time to heal before thinking about cosmetic treatments like a mummy makeover. We generally advise waiting for at least six months after giving birth before pursuing any kind of surgery. This waiting period gives your skin—particularly around the breasts and tummy—the chance to regain its original elasticity.
If you’ve been breastfeeding, it’s equally important to wait for a minimum of six months after you’ve stopped. The reason for this extra waiting time is to allow your breasts to settle down to a more stable size and shape. Even if you gave birth some time ago, if you’ve only recently stopped breastfeeding, you should still count six months from the day of the last feed before scheduling your mummy makeover.
This timing ensures that your body is in the best possible condition for the surgery, increasing the likelihood of satisfying, long-lasting results. Remember, everyone’s body is different, so these are general guidelines. For personalised advice tailored to your individual circumstances, it’s always best to consult with a qualified and experienced surgeon.
What Treatments Make Up a Mummy Makeover?
A mummy makeover aims to offer a complete transformation that brings back your pre-pregnancy body shape. It’s a package that typically combines three or four different procedures to enhance your breasts, flatten your tummy, and reshape your body. Here’s a detailed look at each:
Breast Augmentation and Optional Lift
Pregnancy and breastfeeding often result in breasts that sag and lose their fullness, which can be a cosmetic concern for many women. With breast augmentation, you can regain that lost volume using silicone implants or fat transfer. Some women might prefer to focus on lifting and reshaping their breasts rather than adding volume, opting for breast reduction or a breast lift. One of our specialities is composite breast augmentation, which combines implants with fat transfer for extra shape and definition.
RELATED: Hybrid Breast Augmentation
Tummy Tuck Surgery
Pregnancy stretches the muscles, ligaments, and skin in the abdomen to make room for the growing baby. After birth, this often leaves women with separated muscles and saggy, excess skin around the stomach area. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a transformative part of the mummy makeover package. This surgery removes the loose skin and repairs the separated muscles, giving you a flatter, firmer stomach.
Liposuction
It’s common to gain weight during pregnancy, and sometimes, that weight sticks around in the form of stubborn fat pockets in areas like the stomach, hips (often referred to as ‘muffin tops’), and thighs (‘saddlebags’). Liposuction is designed to target and remove these persistent areas of fat, helping you get back to your pre-pregnancy figure.
Why Opt for a Mummy Makeover After Having a Baby?
Deciding to have a mummy makeover is a big step, but it comes with a range of aesthetic and practical benefits that can have a significant positive impact on your life. Here are some of the key reasons why a mummy makeover could be a great choice for you after pregnancy:
Holistic Transformation of Your Body
One of the standout advantages of a mummy makeover is that it targets multiple problem areas all at once. Instead of focusing solely on saggy breasts or a protruding tummy, this combined surgery addresses various concerns to help you get back to your pre-pregnancy figure.
Immediate and Lasting Results
A mummy makeover offers fast, visible changes that are long-lasting. Whether it’s the lift in your breasts, the flatness of your tummy, or the contoured shape of your hips and thighs, the results are often dramatic and enduring.
Breast Enhancement
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause breasts to sag and lose volume. A mummy makeover typically includes breast augmentation or a breast lift to bring back the shape and fullness of your breasts, making you feel more youthful and confident.
Single Recovery Period
Having three surgeries in one go may sound daunting, but the upside is that you only need to go through one recovery period. This is not only convenient but also allows you to enjoy your transformation sooner rather than later.
Address Medical Concerns
Childbirth often leads to a condition known as diastasis recti, where the abdominal muscles separate. This can cause lower back pain and posture problems. A mummy makeover can include a tummy tuck that repairs this muscle separation, providing relief from associated medical issues.
Improved Body Contour
The addition of liposuction in a mummy makeover targets and removes stubborn fat deposits in areas like the tummy, hips, and thighs. This contributes to a more defined and contoured body shape, boosting your self-esteem.
Cost-Effectiveness
While a mummy makeover is an investment, it is usually more cost-effective than undergoing each of the procedures separately. You save on operating room costs, anaesthesia, and surgeon’s fees by combining the surgeries into one comprehensive package.
Because everyone’s needs are unique, it’s important to consult with a qualified and experienced surgeon for personalised advice tailored to your specific circumstances. A mummy makeover aims to make you feel better both physically and emotionally, helping you reclaim your body after the life-changing experience of pregnancy and childbirth.
Is It Best to Finish Breastfeeding Before Having a Mummy Makeover?
Yes, we strongly advise waiting for at least six months after you’ve stopped breastfeeding before considering a mummy makeover. The reason for this waiting period is to give your breasts enough time to settle back to a more stable size and shape. Breastfeeding can significantly affect the appearance of your breasts, and it’s important to see how they look in their ‘final form’ before undergoing any surgical procedures.
By waiting six months post-breastfeeding, you’ll have a clearer idea of the long-term changes to your breasts, which can include sagging or loss of volume. This makes it easier for you and your surgeon to formulate a more accurate and effective treatment plan, whether it’s a breast lift, augmentation, or other procedures.
This recommendation aims to ensure that the surgical results align well with your post-pregnancy and post-breastfeeding body, maximising the chances of long-lasting, satisfying results.
Should You Complete Your Family Before Considering a Mummy Makeover?
Yes, it’s generally advisable to wait until you’re done having children before opting for a mummy makeover. One key advantage of waiting is that the results of the surgery are much easier to maintain in the long term. When you know that you won’t be having more children, you can more confidently invest in the procedure knowing that your body is less likely to go through significant changes that could impact the results.
For instance, future pregnancies would likely lead to weight gain and could stretch your abdominal muscles and skin again, potentially reversing the effects of a tummy tuck. Similarly, another period of breastfeeding could change the size and shape of your breasts, affecting the results of a breast augmentation or lift.
By waiting until you’re certain that you’re done having children, you can maximise the benefits of the mummy makeover and enjoy longer-lasting results. Your weight is less likely to change dramatically, and your abdominal area won’t have to stretch to accommodate another baby. This makes it far more likely that the surgical enhancements will stand the test of time.
Who Makes an Ideal Candidate for a Mummy Makeover After Pregnancy?
A mummy makeover isn’t exclusively for those who have given birth; anyone experiencing concerns like loose skin on the stomach, muscle separation (diastasis recti), or stubborn fat deposits could be a suitable candidate. However, at Centre for Surgery, we do have specific criteria to identify the ideal candidate for a mummy makeover:
Good Overall Health
You should be in good physical and psychological health. A strong body and mind are key to a successful surgery and smooth recovery.
Realistic Expectations
It’s crucial to have realistic expectations about what a mummy makeover can achieve. While the procedure can produce transformative results, it’s essential to discuss your goals with a qualified surgeon to understand the potential outcomes.
Optimal Weight and BMI
Ideal candidates should be at or near their target weight, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of under 30. Maintaining a stable weight helps ensure that the results of the makeover last longer. You can determine your BMI with our convenient online calculator.
Done with Childbirth and Breastfeeding
We recommend that you have completed your family and have finished breastfeeding. This minimises the chances of future pregnancies or breastfeeding affecting the surgery’s outcomes, allowing you to enjoy longer-lasting results.
Interested in Comprehensive Body Contouring
If you are looking to address multiple areas of your body affected by childbirth—like your abdomen, breasts, and other areas that may have excess fat or skin—a mummy makeover could be the comprehensive solution you’re seeking.
The Advantages of Opting for a Mummy Makeover Post-Pregnancy
The primary benefit of having a mummy makeover after giving birth is the comprehensive transformation it offers to your body, which has undergone significant changes due to pregnancy and childbirth. But the benefits extend beyond the physical; here are some of the key advantages:
Restoring Your Pre-Pregnancy Shape
One of the most appealing aspects of a mummy makeover is the opportunity to reclaim your body. The procedure targets key areas like your stomach, breasts, and other regions where fat may accumulate, effectively restoring your pre-pregnancy physique.
Boost in Self-Confidence
Feeling good about how you look can have a profound impact on your self-esteem and overall happiness. A mummy makeover can offer that much-needed confidence boost, helping you feel more comfortable and self-assured in both social and intimate settings.
Comprehensive Treatment
A mummy makeover is not just one procedure but a combination of surgeries that aim to improve various areas of your body in a single go. This means you can address multiple concerns at once, making it more time-efficient than undergoing several separate surgeries.
Cost-Effectiveness
Opting for a mummy makeover could be more cost-effective in the long run compared to scheduling multiple individual procedures. Not only do you save on surgical fees and facility costs, but you also only need to go through one recovery period, potentially meaning less time off work.
Symptom Relief
For some women, a mummy makeover can also offer relief from physical discomfort. For example, repairing diastasis recti (muscle separation in the abdomen) can alleviate associated problems like lower back pain.
Long-Lasting Results
Once you have fully recovered, the results of a mummy makeover are long-lasting, especially if you maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle.
Single Recovery Period
Since multiple procedures are performed simultaneously, you’ll only need to go through a single recovery period, making it easier to plan around work commitments and family responsibilities.
Should You Reach Your Target Weight Before Opting for a Mummy Makeover?
Yes, it’s highly recommended to be at or near your ideal weight before undergoing a mummy makeover. The procedure is not designed as a weight-loss solution; instead, it aims to contour and enhance your body’s shape. Being close to your target weight can optimise the results, ensuring that the improvements are more pronounced and long-lasting.
When you are at a stable weight, the surgical enhancements are less likely to be compromised by future weight fluctuations. This makes it easier to maintain the results over the long term, allowing you to get the most out of your investment in the procedure.
If you’re struggling to lose weight before the surgery or are concerned about maintaining your weight afterwards, consulting with a nutritionist can be beneficial. A qualified nutrition expert can help you create customised meal plans on a weekly basis, guiding you towards healthier eating habits. This support can be invaluable both in the lead-up to your mummy makeover and in maintaining your new shape post-procedure.
What Steps Should You Take Before Undergoing a Mummy Makeover Post-Pregnancy?
Before you go ahead with a mummy makeover, there are several important preparatory steps to consider. These measures are essential to minimise risks and optimise the outcome of your surgery:
Cease Hormone Treatments
If you are on oestrogen-based contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it’s advised to stop taking these at least four weeks before your procedure. This helps to reduce the risk of blood clots during surgery.
Quit Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping can lead to complications during surgery and can also affect your ability to heal post-procedure. It’s strongly recommended that you stop smoking or vaping for at least four weeks before undergoing your mummy makeover.
Moderate Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol can interfere with your body’s healing process, particularly where surgical incisions are involved. Aim to limit your alcohol intake in the weeks leading up to your surgery.
Maintain a Healthy BMI
Being close to your ideal body weight will enhance the results of your mummy makeover. Focus on maintaining a stable and healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) in the weeks leading up to your surgery.
Prepare Your Living Space
Make your home as comfortable and functional as possible for your recovery. Think about setting up a dedicated area where you can rest post-surgery, and ensure that essential items are within easy reach.
The Mummy Makeover Process Explained
A mummy makeover typically takes between 4 to 6 hours to complete and is carried out under general anaesthesia. The duration and specific steps involved in the surgery can vary depending on the unique combination of procedures you choose and what your surgeon determines is the best approach for you.
Initial Consultation
During your first consultation at Centre for Surgery, we’ll discuss your aesthetic goals, lifestyle, and medical history to guide you through the various options available. This consultation aims to help you make an informed decision about which combination of procedures will best achieve your desired outcomes.
The Sequence of Surgeries
In a standard mummy makeover, the procedures are usually performed in the following order:
- Breast Augmentation or Breast Lift: The surgery kicks off with work on the breasts. This can involve placing silicone implants to enhance volume or lifting the breasts to improve their shape and position. The choice between augmentation, lift, or a combination of both depends on your specific needs and goals.
- Liposuction: Following the breast procedure, the surgeon proceeds to liposuction. This involves removing unwanted fat deposits from specific areas like the abdomen, hips, or thighs, which helps in contouring and reshaping the body.
- Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): This is the final step and usually the most transformative part of a mummy makeover. During this procedure, excess skin is removed, and any separated muscles in the abdominal area are repaired. This results in a flatter, more toned stomach.
Each of these procedures is tailored to your individual requirements, and our highly experienced surgeons at Centre for Surgery will work closely with you to ensure you get the best possible results.
How Much Time Do You Need for Recovery After a Mummy Makeover Post-Pregnancy?
The time needed for recovery after a mummy makeover usually depends on the most invasive surgery you undergo, which is typically the abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck. For most patients, it’s generally safe to go back to work about 10 days after the procedure. However, complete recovery, where you can resume all normal activities, often takes around 12 weeks.
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Variability in Recovery Time
The exact length of the recovery period can differ depending on the specific surgeries you opt for. For instance, a full mummy makeover, which includes additional procedures like fat transfer, usually requires a longer recovery time of up to three months.
Key Recovery Milestones:
- First 10 Days: Initial recovery where you may experience discomfort, swelling, and bruising. Light walking is encouraged, but strenuous activities should be avoided.
- Weeks 2-4: Continued recovery and easing into more daily activities. You should still avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise.
- Weeks 4-8: Most of the swelling will have subsided, and you’ll start to see the more permanent results of your mummy makeover. Still, take it easy with physical activities.
- Weeks 8-12: By this time, you should be close to fully recovered and can typically return to all normal activities, including exercise.
Timeline for Seeing Results After a Mummy Makeover
The transformation journey following a mummy makeover is a gradual process, and understanding the timeline can help set realistic expectations. Here’s a general guide on when you can expect to see results:
First 2 Weeks:
During this initial phase, your body will be in the early stages of healing. You’ll experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which makes it difficult to gauge the final outcome at this point.
Six Weeks:
By the six-week mark, a significant amount of swelling usually subsides, allowing you to start appreciating the new changes. Your breasts should look fuller and more lifted, and your abdomen should appear flatter and tighter.
Three Months:
At this stage, you’ll likely have a clearer idea of the more permanent results. While there may still be some minor swelling, you’ll be able to see strengthened abdominal muscles and a more streamlined silhouette.
Six Months:
Your body will continue to heal and adapt. Any minor irregularities in contour or residual swelling should mostly be resolved by this point, providing a better idea of your long-term appearance.
12-18 Months:
This is the phase where you’ll see your results come to full fruition. Your breasts should have settled into their new, fuller shape, and your abdominal muscles should be fully healed and strengthened. Your body’s silhouette should be more contoured, and your skin should have adapted to its new contours.
RELATED: How Long Will Mummy Makeover Results Last?
What’s the Difference Between a Standard and a Full Mummy Makeover?
Both the standard and the full mummy makeover are significant surgical undertakings aimed at enhancing your body shape. They commonly include three core components: liposuction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), and either breast augmentation or a breast lift. However, there are key distinctions that set the two apart:
Additional Fat Transfer in Full Mummy Makeover
A full mummy makeover adds an extra layer of refinement by incorporating fat transfer techniques. In this more extensive version, fat is removed from areas where it’s abundant, like the stomach or thighs, and then transferred to the hips. This helps to sculpt a more hourglass figure, enhancing your overall body contours.
Recovery Time
Because a full mummy makeover is a more comprehensive procedure, the recovery period is typically longer. You can expect a recovery timeline of up to 12 weeks, in contrast to the 6-8 weeks usually required for a standard mummy makeover.
Aesthetic Results
While both versions aim to enhance your body’s appearance, a full mummy makeover offers a more nuanced result by addressing an additional area—the hips. This can produce a more harmonious and balanced look, particularly for those seeking a curvier silhouette.
Suitability for a Full Mummy Makeover
The full mummy makeover may be more suitable for those who are looking for a more dramatic transformation or for those who have excess fat in particular areas that can be harvested for transfer.
How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Mummy Makeover?
At Centre for Surgery, the starting cost for a standard mummy makeover is £15,000, while a full mummy makeover begins at £18,000. It’s important to note that these are starting prices, and the final cost will depend on various factors tailored to your specific needs. Each surgical procedure at our clinic is customised, so a detailed cost breakdown will be provided after your initial consultation.
RELATED: How Much Does A Mummy Makeover Cost?
Flexible Financing Options
Understanding that the cost of a mummy makeover is a significant investment, we offer a range of financial solutions through our financing partner, Chrysalis Finance. This enables you to spread the cost of your surgery over multiple instalments, making it more manageable for your budget.
By offering these flexible payment options, we aim to make the transformative experience of a mummy makeover accessible to a broader range of people. This way, you can focus on what really matters: achieving the body transformation you desire and enjoying a boost in confidence and well-being.
Additional Procedures to Enhance Your Mummy Makeover
Mummy Makeover and Labiaplasty
Giving birth can lead to changes in the intimate areas as well. For some women, childbirth causes the inner vaginal lips, known as the labia minora, to stretch and become enlarged. This can result in discomfort during intimate activities or even while wearing certain types of clothing. A labiaplasty procedure can address this issue by resizing and reshaping the labia minora, reducing any excess skin and relieving the associated discomfort or irritation.
Mummy Makeover and Thigh Lift
While a mummy makeover focuses on the abdominal and breast areas, you may also notice changes in your thighs after pregnancy. Loose, sagging skin or excess fat can make you feel self-conscious about the lower half of your body. A thigh lift can remedy this by removing the excess skin and fat, resulting in firmer, more toned thighs. When combined with a mummy makeover, a thigh lift can provide a comprehensive body transformation, from your bust down to your legs.
Opting for these additional procedures alongside your mummy makeover can offer a more complete aesthetic rejuvenation, addressing concerns from top to bottom and creating a harmonious, more youthful appearance overall.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mummy Makeover After Pregnancy
Can I Tailor My Mummy Makeover to Suit Me?
Absolutely, yes! One of the best things about a mummy makeover is how flexible it is. You’re not getting a one-size-fits-all deal. Depending on what you want, you can combine various procedures like breast augmentation or lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, and even fat transfer. It’s all about what you need to feel your best.
How Long Will the Results of My Mummy Makeover Last?
If you get a mummy makeover, you can expect the results to be long-lasting. However, there are some things you should consider to keep these results looking their best. First off, maintaining a steady weight is key. Huge weight fluctuations can alter the way your makeover looks. Also, if you’re planning on having more children, you might want to hold off on the surgery for a bit. Pregnancy can really change your body shape and could mess with the effects of your makeover.
Can I Get a Mummy Makeover as a Day Case?
Yes, at Centre for Surgery, mummy makeovers are safely completed as a day case, but the actual length of time you’ll be in the clinic depends on what procedures you’re getting. Generally, you can expect to be in surgery for about 4 to 6 hours. Your surgeon will fill you in on all the details so you’ll know exactly what to expect time-wise.
Will I Lose Weight from a Mummy Makeover?
Here’s the thing: a mummy makeover will get rid of some fat and loose skin, so you’ll lose a little bit of weight, but not much. It’s not really a weight-loss solution. It’s more about tightening things up and improving the shape of your body. So if you’re looking to lose weight, it’s best to hit your ideal weight before you go for the makeover.
Is a Mummy Makeover Really Worth It After Having a Baby?
For a lot of women, the answer is a resounding yes. A mummy makeover is a favourite among mums because it does a great job of turning back the clock to your pre-baby body. You get to sort out multiple issues—like drooping breasts and a saggy tummy—all in one go. Most women who’ve had it done say they feel much more confident and comfortable in their own skin, making it a valuable experience for them.
RELATED: Is A Mummy Makeover Worth It?
Mummy Makeover After Pregnancy – Why Choose Centre for Surgery
When you’re contemplating a transformative procedure like a mummy makeover, you want to make sure you’re in the safest and most experienced hands possible. Centre for Surgery is a leading specialist clinic in the UK dedicated to offering the best in plastic surgery services. Here’s why you should consider us for your mummy makeover journey:
Industry-Leading Surgeons
Our team comprises highly skilled and accredited surgeons who have years of experience in mummy makeovers. Our practice is known for its personalised approach and commitment to achieving the best results for you.
Comprehensive Care
From your initial consultation to post-op support, Centre for Surgery is there with you every step of the way. Our clinic uses state-of-the-art technology and advanced surgical techniques to ensure top-tier outcomes.
A Bespoke Experience
We believe that each patient is unique and deserves a customised treatment plan. During your first consultation, you’ll receive tailored advice and options to achieve your aesthetic goals.
Finance Options
We understand that affordability can be a concern. To help with this, we offer a range of finance options including 0% APR with Chrysalis Finance, allowing you to spread the cost over multiple instalments.
A Wealth of Information
Still contemplating your decision? Visit our comprehensive plastic surgery blog and Clinic FAQs to get all the information you need.
What Our Patients Say:
- Rebecca M.
“My experience at Centre for Surgery was nothing short of amazing. The care and results have changed my life for the better. Highly recommended!”
- Daniel S.
“The staff made me feel completely comfortable and the results were beyond my expectations. A top-notch clinic!”
- Sarah J.
“From the consultation to the aftercare, Centre for Surgery provided an excellent service. I couldn’t be happier with my results.”
Contact Us
To begin your transformation journey, book a consultation with us today. 📞 Phone: 0207 993 4849
📧 Email: contact@centreforsurgery.com
📍 Address: 95-97 Baker Street, London W1U 6RN
For more information on why you should choose us, visit our About Us page.
Further Reading
To learn more about mummy makeovers and other procedures, explore our plastic surgery blog and Clinic FAQs.
Get started on your path to a more confident you. We’re here to make your transformation as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
