Being a mother and having a baby is a beautiful experience but pregnancy and breastfeeding can leave everlasting changes on a woman's body that sometimes even diet or exercise cannot fully correct. Many women experience a decline in their confidence and self esteem by their sagging breasts, abdominal fat, loose skin and stretch marks. Mummy makeover surgery, also known as "mommy makeover, provides a personalized set of treatments to restore pre-pregnancy curves, enhance confidence, and revitalize the body. Mummy makeover not only enhances physical appearance but also helps to improve core strength and overall health that might be affected during pregnancy period. Here you can find everything that you need to know about the mummy makeover, who is an ideal candidate, costs, risks and complications, recovery, and choice of surgeons.

What is a Mummy Makeover Surgery ?

A mummy makeover is a set of personalised and tailored reconstructive surgeries used to correct or modify physical changes that are caused due to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. A mummy makeover is not a generic surgery but rather is tailored to each woman's goals and body anatomy. The areas that are more focused include the breasts, abdomen, hips and thighs and is sometimes focused on the vaginal region. The advantage of such a combinative surgery is the reduced exposure to anesthesia and the reduced recovery time.

Why do women choose a Mummy makeover surgery ?

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding can cause hormonal changes in a woman's body. Some of the common physical changes a woman faces include loose abdominal skin, especially below the naval region, saggy breasts, stretch marks, loss of breast volume due to breastfeeding, diastasis recti which is the separation of abdominal muscles, and changes in the vagina after childbirth. A mummy makeover surgery aims to address these issues and helps them to feel more like themselves as they were before their pregnancy.

Who is an ideal candidate ?

Not everyone is an ideal candidate for a mummy makeover surgery. An ideal candidate would be healthy and have a stable weight. Mummy makeover is recommended for women who do not plan future pregnancies as another pregnancy would reverse the results of the procedure. Those who have given birth should wait for at least 6 -12 months before they decide to do the surgery as it would help the body to heal gradually after the course of childbirth. They should not have any allergic response to anesthesia and would be willing to undergo post operative care. Mentally one should also have realistic expectations of the procedure and should be satisfied with the results.

The common procedures involved in a Mummy Makeover Surgery

Some of the common procedures involved in a mummy makeover are detailed below.

Tummy Tuck

Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure that is used to remove excess fat and tissues in the abdominal area creating a flatter and firm abdomen. This also helps to restore separated or weakened abdominal muscles. A tummy tuck, however, cannot correct stretch marks and is not a substitute for a weight loss program. Even though this surgery is permanent, the outcome can greatly vary depending on the individuals’ weight management.

Breast Lift, Augmentation or Reduction

A surgical breast lift can help in raising saggy breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissues. Breast lift cannot however increase the breast size. This is done by another procedure called breast augmentation where a breast implant is placed to increase the size and give a more fuller look. Combining both these surgeries are also advised as it gives a more lifted appearance and more volume on the breasts. If your aim is to reduce the size of the breast, you’ll have to go for breast reduction surgery.

Liposuction

It is normal for women to develop new fat deposits in the abdomen due to pregnancy hormones. This can lead to unwanted post-pregnancy “love handles”. Although this might sound cute it can reduce the overall confidence and self esteem and can prevent you from wearing your favourite clothes. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses suction to remove fats from specific areas of the body like stomach, hips, thigh, arms and buttocks through small puncture holes. It can help to shape and contour these areas. It is particularly helpful if you have a lot of body fat in specific areas while having a stable body weight.

Labiaplasty

Childbirth can stretch the labia minora, the skin surrounding the urethra and vagina causing it to be loose and asymmetrical. Labiaplasty is a surgery that is performed to correct this issue by removing excess skin. Although not easily visible, this loose skin can cause discomfort during physical activities, exercise and intercourse as they can get twisted and cause chaffing.

Buttocks lift

A buttocks lift or “gluteal lift" enhances the surface and form of your butt by pulling up the skin surrounding it and reducing sagging. The process results in a more toned, smoother, and less dimpled appearance. A butt lift doesn't make your butt bigger as other cosmetic butt operations do. A Brazilian butt lift is different from a normal butt lift. In Brazilian butt lift, the surgeon removes fat from one part of the body like the stomach or thighs and injects it into the butt areas.

How do you prepare for a Mummy Makeover Surgery?

Pregnancy and childbirth will undo many of the effects of a mommy makeover, but this surgery won't stop you from becoming pregnant or from carrying a healthy baby to term. It's advisable to wait until you have no plans to expand your family if you think you might desire more kids.

Prior to having surgery, try to reduce your baby weight and keep within a few pounds of your target. After a mommy makeover, significant weight fluctuations will negatively impact your outcomes.

Alcohol thins blood and raises the possibility of more severe bleeding both during and after operation. For at least two weeks prior to your mommy makeover, abstain from alcohol.

Mummy Makeover Surgery: Procedure and Recovery

The Mummy makeover usually involves multiple procedures performed during a single surgery and the advantage is that you’ll only have to undergo anesthesia once. Depending on the combination of therapies, the procedure's duration can vary, although it usually takes four to six hours.

To guarantee the ideal outcomes, you will need to adhere to a recovery plan following the procedure. Depending on the procedures done, the recovery period for a Mommy Makeover might vary, but most women need to take two to three weeks off from work to recuperate. Following surgery, swelling, bruising, and soreness are typical, although these side effects typically go away in a few weeks time.

What is the cost of a Mummy Makeover surgery in India ?

The procedures selected, the surgeon's experience, the hospital's amenities, and the post-operative care can all affect the price of a mommy makeover in India. A mommy makeover surgery in India typically costs between INR 1,50,000 and INR 3,00,000, depending on the number and extent of the treatments performed.

How to choose the best surgeon for a Mummy Makeover Surgery ?

While a Mummy Makeover procedure can be life altering, selecting the best surgeon is a crucial part of the process. The surgeon's expertise, experience and patient friendly approach can significantly enhance the outcome of the overall procedure.

Risks and Complications of a Mummy Makeover Surgery

While a mommy makeover surgery can have dramatic effects, it's crucial to remember that, like other operations, it involves inherent dangers.

Post-surgical bleeding can accumulate beneath the skin, resulting in a hematoma. Infection can start at the incision site or deep within the tissue. Poor wound healing/dehiscence is another risk. It is commonly found in smokers and people who are under-nourished.

Apart from general surgery risks, procedure specific risks can also occur.

Tummy tuck can cause fluid build up under the skin which needs to be aspirated. Skin necrosis, temporary or even permanent numbness and loss of sensation can occur near the belly button. Liposuction can cause bumpy or uneven skin if fat suction is not performed uniformly.

Breast augmentation and breast lift also comes with risks like leaking of the implant, numbness around the areolar tissue, uneven breast positioning, hardening of tissue around the implant and swelling of lymph nodes.

In the end, most healthy patients receiving care from skilled and expert surgeons have a highly positive risk-benefit ratio. However, for a mommy makeover to be both safe and fulfilling, careful planning and comprehension are essential.

FAQs

1. For whom is a Mummy Makeover Surgery the best option?

Women who are in good health, have a stable weight, have stopped breastfeeding, and have no plans to get pregnant again are ideal candidates.

2. When is the ideal time for a mummy makeover surgery ?

It is advised to postpone surgery for at least 6 to 12 months following childbirth and lactation in order to give your body time to heal completely.