Mummy Makeover

Centre for Surgery are leaders in expertly performed mummy makeover procedures. Our outpatient surgicentre both at 106 Crawford Street and in Watford are used by our surgeons to perform a range of breast and body procedures.

After having children, some women will struggle to restore their pre-baby body. Changes to the body can most often be seen in the 2 main areas of the breasts and abdomen. These areas can often become immune to weight loss through usual methods such as diet and exercise. This can be frustrating and can negatively impact your self-esteem. In many cases, cosmetic surgery of the female breasts and abdomen and can be combined into a single procedure and this is often referred to as a mummy makeover. The exact nature of the procedure will vary from patient to patient since every woman will have different body shapes that change in varied ways. Most importantly, women will have specific goals from a mummy makeover procedure.

The great advantage of a mummy makeover procedure is that it addresses the negative spiral of decline that can be a powerful demotivator for achieving healthy eating and exercise habits. Many patients who attend for consultation will often tell the surgeon that were in amazing physical shape prior to pregnancy and childbirth. After the first pregnancy, it was not so much of an issue in losing weight, but the problems came with additional pregnancies with an increasing difficulty to lose weight successfully.

A mummy makeover can add volume and lift to the breasts with breast augmentation and breast lift, remove excess fat with liposuction and tighten skin and muscle on the abdomen with a tummy tuck.

All our surgeons are on the GMC specialist register.

How to choose your plastic surgeon

• Significant experience in all types of mummy makeover – Breast uplift or breast augmentation combined with liposuction or abdominoplasty
• We own and manage our own surgical facilities. Properly performed mummy makeover takes time as it is major surgery with multiple procedures occurring in one operation and should not be rushed. Our surgeons perform a maximum of one mummy makeover in a day. We do not cram 3-4 procedures into one day like other providers. You want your surgeon to be well-rested and mentally and physically sharp to perform mummy makeover which is a very physically demanding procedure to get the very best results.

Our clinic at 106 Crawford Street was recently inspected and rated as good across all 5 domains.

The benefits of outpatient cosmetic surgery

• Our surgeons live and work in London. We don’t work with ‘fly-in, fly-out’ surgeons from Italy. This is very important because whilst your surgeon takes all precautions to minimise complications, complications can and do occur and our surgeons are readily available to manage any issues if and when they arise. Mummy Makeover is major surgery and our expert nursing team will monitor you very closely under the supervision of your surgeon.

Risks of going abroad for cosmetic surgery

Our surgeons are full members of:

How to choose your plastic surgeon

• In some cases, Dr Mitsakos and Dr Tillo will jointly operate together to optimise the aesthetic results from a mummy makeover procedure.

A mummy makeover consists of a combination of procedures which aims to rejuvenate the body after childbirth. There are a number of procedures which can take place as part of the mummy makeover. These include:

• Breast augmentation
• Breast lift
• Abdominoplasty
• Liposuction

These procedures will help to improve the aesthetic appearance of the breasts, abdomen and the labia. These are the common areas which will change in appearance as a result of pregnancy and childbirth. Breasts will often lose significant volume, leaving them appearing deflated and sagging. Breasts will also tend to sit lower than previously. Augmentation and a lift can help to increase the size of the breasts while also improving the position and firmness of the breasts. 

One of the most noticeable changes after pregnancy will be to do the abdomen. During pregnancy, the skin will stretch. Some women will find the skin will return to how it was before childbirth. For some women, especially those who have had multiple pregnancies, the skin will become loose and will sag. Women may also experience changes to the abdominal wall muscles, which may become stretched or separated. A tummy tuck will be able to remove any excess skin and can tighten the abdominal wall muscles.

Prior to pregnancy, some women are uncomfortable with the appearance of the labia, as it may look too big, or may cause physical discomfort. The labia can further change in appearance after childbirth, leaving women with a stretched, large labia which is aesthetically unappealing. A labiaplasty may be able to reduce the appearance of the labia without impacting any functionality.

There are numerous benefits to undergoing a mummy makeover, including:

• Only having to undergo one recovery period
• Can help to improve any physical pain caused by changes to the body eg. back pain
• The combination of procedures can be changed for each individual

Prior to having a mummy makeover, you will have a consultation with one of our surgeons. They will be able to assess your body and see if you are a suitable candidate for this procedure. The surgeon will then be able to help you plan which procedures you would like to have.

Unique to Centre for Surgery, we are proud to offer the amazing Crisalix 3D imaging experience to all our patients. Visualise in incredible detail how your could look after your mummy makeover procedure.

Crisalix 3D imaging is offered as standard at your mummy makeover consultation.

You may be considered a suitable candidate for a mummy makeover if you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts or abdomen following childbirth. Those who are unhappy will often have breasts which are sagging or have lost volume, and excess skin or fat on the stomach.

• Women who have lost a large amount of weight and are now at their ideal stable weight
• Loss of abdominal shape with changes in breast volume and shape
• Women who have completed their family with no intention to have further children
• Loose hanging lower abdominal shape
• Good physical and mental health
• Has realistic expectations of what the mummy makeover procedure can achieve.
• Is a non-smoker

How to prepare for cosmetic surgery

You will need to ensure you have given enough time since childbirth for your body to fully recover.

The effects of smoking on healing after surgery

Prior to having any surgery, you will have a consultation with one of our surgeons, who will be able to assess whether you are a suitable candidate and which combination of procedures is correct for you. Your surgeon may also make you aware of the risks of this procedure and risks which may occur if you choose to go overseas for surgery. 

The procedure will take place under a type of general anaesthetic used at Centre for Surgery known as TIVA general anaesthesia. This varies from traditional general anaesthesia as the recovery from TIVA anaesthesia is much faster without the dizziness or grogginess feeling associated with traditional general anaesthesia. 

Your procedure will vary depending on which combination of surgeries you have. Mummy makeover procedures include:

Breast augmentation

This involves inserting silicone implants into the breast. This will help to increase the volume and size of the breasts. You will be able to choose the exact size and shape of the implants, as well as the placement. All of these variables will affect the end result and will alter how natural the breasts look. During your consultation, you will be able to try different sample sizes of implants to get an idea of how large your breasts will be. Your surgeon may advise you if you choose a size that is too large – doing this will risk the edges of the implants being visible after surgery. The surgeon will also need to assess whether you have enough skin and tissue available for your chosen implant size.

What to expect after a breast augmentation

Breast lift

If you want to improve your breasts which appear droopy or saggy but don’t necessarily wish to increase the size of your breasts, you may wish to have a breast lift. This will remove any excess skin and tissue, and lift the breasts into a higher position. This will make them appear fuller and more youthful and feel firmer.

You may wish to have both a breast augmentation and breast lift, to increase the size of the breasts as well as raise the position.

Mini breast lift vs Full breast lift

Abdominoplasty

After childbirth, many women will find that they have excess skin on the abdomen. This can negatively impact a woman’s self-esteem and restrict what you want to wear. An abdominoplasty involves an incision which runs horizontally from hip to hip. The excess skin is then excised. If needed, liposuction will also take place to remove any excess fat. The abdominal muscles are then tightened. The remaining skin is then pulled over the incision and closed. Women who do not have a large amount of excess skin may decide to have a mini abdominoplasty, which will involve an incision running from thigh to thigh, resulting in a smaller scar.

Labiaplasty

Some women may want to have an additional procedure when they have a mummy makeover. The most popular addition to the mummy makeover is the labiaplasty. This is suitable for those who dislike the appearance of their labia minora and wish for it to be shortened. The surgery involves using dissection techniques to remove any excess or unwanted tissue. There are numerous surgical methods which can be used for a labiaplasty; the one used in your procedure will be decided on in your consultation.

What is a labia reduction?

The recovery period will vary depending on which procedures you elected to have.

You will be able to leave the clinic on the same day as the procedure. However, you will not be able to drive home and will need to have someone drive you home or arrange a chaperone.

How to speed up recovery after cosmetic surgery

You will experience some mild discomfort, bruising and swelling where the incisions were made. You will be given pain medication which you can take to help alleviate any symptoms.

You will have to wear a compression garment on the areas which have been operated on. This will help to alleviate any swelling, as well as keep the area in shape. Your surgeon will be able to give you a specific timeframe for how long you will need to wear the garment.

If you had a labiaplasty, you will need to wear a sanitary pad for one week, or until any bleeding stops. You will be able to resume your usual sexual activities after six weeks.

As this is major surgery, you will need to ensure you get lots of rest. You will have to avoid sleeping on your front in order to avoid damage to the incisions.

You will need to avoid any strenuous exercise, including heavy lifting or lifting children, for at least six to eight weeks. After this time, you will be able to resume your usual gym and exercise routine.

Case 1:

360 liposuction of abdomen and flanks + full abdominoplasty with muscle repair.

Case 2:

360 liposuction of abdomen and flanks + liposuction of upper arms + bilateral breast reduction.

Case 3:

Full abdominoplasty + breast uplift.

Case 4:

Single stage breast uplift + breast augmentation.

Case 5:

Full abdominoplasty + repair of large abdominal wall hernia.

Case 6:

Bilateral breast uplift + breast reduction.

Case 7:

Full lipoabdominoplasty + rectus muscle repair.

Our surgeons have many years of experience in mummy makeover surgery of all types. Advanced techniques are used to provide patients with the ideal result for them. When you choose a reputable provider such as Centre for Surgery for your mummy makeover, the procedure is performed to the very highest standards.