Mummy Makeover

You are overweight, with a BMI of over 32, smoke or vape, are in bad health and are taking anti-coagulant medication or are diabetic.

A Mummy Makeover is the term given to a combination of procedures designed to rejuvenate a woman’s body after she has completed her family.

A number of women see big changes in their breasts and tummy areas after bearing children and even after rigorous diet and exercise regimes there often remain some areas that cannot be improved which affect a woman’s confidence and self esteem. Mummy Makeover surgery is where all the options for surgery are employed in order to restore a pre baby body appearance.

For some ladies, a Breast uplift (Mastopexy) alone may be enough but for other ladies it is perhaps a Breast Reduction and both of these procedures may utilise Breast Implants to achieve the right size and shape that the patient desires.

The tummy area is most often treated with a full Abdominoplasty or Tummy tuck. This is often preferable to a mini tummy tuck as it allows me to repair and tighten the layer of connective tissue that sits on top of the muscles. The tummy muscles (recti) can often become separated after childbirth especially after twins or a large baby. No amount of exercise will correct this.

In addition to these operations, liposuction can be done at the same time and sometimes facial surgery such as upper eyelids (Blepharoplasty). Liposuction can be used to treat many different areas but the more frequently treated zones are around the flanks (outside of the thighs).

Given that more then one operation is done at the same time I recommend that you stay in hospital for 2 nights as you may need a little more time to get mobile and will need some support from family and/or friends in the first few days post operation. It is important to have some help at home as you will be fatigued easily and you will benefit from practical support to do the basic activities such as shopping and cooking. If you have young children at home, it may be an idea to enlist help from family and friends in the first few days after you come home. It is, however, very important that you keep yourself mobile in order to reduce the risk of a blood clot in the legs and lungs as this is a particular risk after multiple surgeries and spending a longer time in the theatre. I recommend that you spend at least 15 minutes on your feet every 2 hours, except when you are sleeping! You will need to allow for some time off work and of course how long depends on the type of job you do. For an office-based job you can return to work in approximately 3 weeks or perhaps work some reduced hours after 2 weeks. If you have a more active and physical job, then it may help to be moved to a less active role for a short time while you recover.

As this requires you having multiple procedures it is important that you are in good health to start with. If you are on any medications that may affect your wounds healing like steroids or immunosuppressants then multiple operations at the same time may be contraindicated. If you are a smoker, or use a vape containing nicotine, then you should stop for at least 3 weeks pre-op and for at least 6 weeks post-op as it will have a marked impact on your ability to heal and increase your risk of blood clots and chest problems.

I will review you in the clinic 10-14 days later and remove the dressings and inspect the wounds. If all is well then you will usually have a much lighter dressing applied and then a plan to review your progress in about 4 weeks and then 3 months time. It is important in the post operative period to avoid anything rubbing or pressing on the wounds and so I ask that you wear a soft and supportive sports bra with no under wiring until I am happy that all wounds have settled nicely.

Generally you will need to have some help with shopping and childcare for the first week at a minimum as it is advisable not to lift anything heavy while your breasts are healing.

You should wear a soft, comfortable and supportive sports bra with no underwiring after your surgery. Front fastening bras are often easier to use after surgery so you are not stretching behind you when you put your bra on and take it off.

If you have any cause for concern after your surgery such as dressings being soiled or increasing pain and redness, then you should contact the hospital on the number provided on your discharge notes. Mr Lambe will also review you in the clinic 2 weeks after surgery and remove your dressings and check your breasts are healing nicely.

Unfortunately, breast feeding is highly unlikely to be possible after this surgery.