.Mummy Makeovers: Rediscover your pre-baby body beautifully!

The commonest form of mummy makeover is an abdominoplasty combined with breast augmentation. Abdominoplasty may be combined with liposuction. Breast augmentation may be combined with mastopexy(uplift surgery). The aims of an abdominoplasty are to improve the contour and reduce the excess skin and fat. The abdominal wall almost always needs to addressed with tightening of the abdominal wall. The fascial layer of the abdominal wall on top of the muscles is tightened and in doing so the muscles are brought together leaving less discomfort postoperatively.

Stretch marks in the lower abdomen can be removed and stretch marks in the upper abdomen are brought down to the bottom of the abdomen. These upper stretch marks are often improved in appearance following an abdominoplasty procedure. Often the pink appearance can become paler in perception, although patients with excessive stretch marks should be aware that these will still be present post-operatively albeit lower on the abdominal wall. Hernias can occur as a result of pregnancy and these can be addressed at the same time as an abdominoplasty. Scars are generally placed as low as possible within the bikini line. Expected stay is 24-48 hours. Drains may be placed at the time of surgery.

In terms of breast rejuvenation, most women feel that they have lost both volume and shape. In some patients where the nipple areola complex is at a suitable height breast augmentation alone may suffice. Where the nipple areola complex has dropped a mastopexy is often required to lift the breast up the chest wall. If a patient chooses a mastopexy they may wish to have increased fullness especially in the upper part of the breast and may consider breast augmentation at the same time. This can be with autologous fat or with breast implants. Autologous fat transfer, removed during liposuction, can be used to increase the size of breasts but patients must be aware that the size increase is small and less predictable than breast implants.

There are different types of breast implants and it is important to discuss the different types, different shapes and different positions that the implants can be placed in. Breast augmentation in combination with an abdominoplasty can give a good result although the result is dependent on the position of the nipple-areola complex preoperatively and the expectations of surgery. Some patients choose this rather than accept the scars associated with a mastopexy. Patients must be aware that it is likely that they will require a mastopexy at some point in the future.

Combining a mastopexy with an implant at the same time has some limitations in terms of the volume that can be created but a one stage mastopexy implants is often the best way to give back both the shape and volume lost. With mastopexy implant improved techniques mean that drains are often not required and patients can go home within 24 hours.

When considering a mummy makeover it is best to be at your ideal weight and have completed your family. You should be able to have help at home post-operatively especially if you have young children. Careful consideration of the post-operative arrangements is important so that you avoid excessive lifting in the days following surgery. The surgery should not be performed in smokers or those with significant co-morbidity and with careful patient selection complications are uncommon. It is usual to have some swelling for a number of weeks afterwards and the final results from abdominoplasty can take a number of months. It is usual to have some discomfort which is more usual in the abdomen than the breasts. Sensory changes do occur although most changes are temporary. Issues with infection, haematoma, wound healing or wound breakdown can occur although these are unusual.

For breast augmentation there can be long term issues relating to breast implants and it is important to go through these potential risks preoperatively so that you can make an informed decision as to which operation is best for you.

Although there are anaesthetic risks with combined procedures any of the combinations of surgery described can be carried out in 4-5 hours thus minimising anaesthetic risks and preventing the need for a catheter. Early mobilisation is important to decrease the risks associated with general anaesthesia and compression garments should be worn for 4-6 weeks alongside a support bra. The combination of surgeries is often termed “extreme makeover” however the combination of breast and abdominal rejuvenation surgery in one stage is increasingly being recognised as a better alternative in selected patients than splitting the procedures into two stages. Patients can turn back the clock and rediscover the contour they had prior to having children with one operation.