Mummy Makeover

“The body says what words cannot.“  Martha Graham

Mummy makeover surgery is an umbrella term for procedures carried out by a plastic surgeon to counteract the lasting effects of pregnancy, post-pregnancy weight loss and breastfeeding on a woman’s body. It is a combination of surgeries involving the breast and abdomen but can also include other surgeries such as labiaplasty, liposuction and facial rejuvenation.

Mummy Makeover introduction

The skin and muscles of the anterior abdominal wall are stretched during pregnancy. In some women, this leaves loose and excess skin and fat which can cause difficulty with clothing and may look unattractive. The abdominal muscles also become stretched or separated, further adding to a lack of tone. Exercise and diet can help to reverse these abdominal wall changes to some extent but for many women, it is difficult to get back to the shape they once had. In these instances, surgery may be helpful to tighten the muscles and remove the excess skin.

The important thing to remember about abdominoplasty is that it is not about weight loss; it is about altering the skin and muscles producing a smoother, firmer look and feel. It is important to realise that obese patients often have excessive fatty tissue within the abdominal cavity, which is behind the abdominal muscles. This cannot be removed by a conventional tummy tuck operation. Combining the abdominoplasty with liposuction to the waistline can enhance its effectiveness for some women.

What is a Mummy Makeover?

Mummy makeover is a surgical procedure to restore the shape and appearance of a woman’s body after childbearing. The mummy makeover usually consists of breast augmentation and/or breast uplift as well as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). 

The exact nature of the procedure will vary from patient to patient since every woman will have a different body shape that changes in varied ways. Most importantly, women will have specific goals from a mummy makeover procedure.

Who is a good candidate for mummy makeover?

Mummy makeover is a highly individualized procedure. The following are common reasons why you may want to consider a mummy makeover: 

• Pregnancy or weight fluctuations have left you with extra skin on your abdomen and abdominal muscle weakness
• You are bothered by the appearance of the abdomen and breasts
• Sweating, dermatitis and skin infections under the fold of excess skin
• Difficulty participating in sports
• Breast lacks firmness and are pendulous
• Self-consciousness due to the appearance of the body

Mummy makeover may be a good option for you if: 

• You do not smoke as smoking slows down the healing process and increases the risk of serious complications during and after surgery
• Your weight is stable. If you are generally obese, this procedure is not appropriate for you
• You are physically healthy. You must be in relatively good physical shape to tolerate this procedure
• You are finished having children. The muscles that are repaired during an abdominoplasty can separate again during a future pregnancy. Pregnancy may stretch the breasts and reduce their volume, compromising surgery benefits

What are the complications of mummy makeover?

In general, mummy makeover is safe, and the results are entirely predictable, with an associated high degree of patient satisfaction. Nevertheless, no surgery is without risk. Some of the complications that can happen include slow healing, infection, bleeding, poor scarring, asymmetry, problems with the belly button, nipple or suture junction areas, pain, numbness or sensitivity in the skin, contour irregularities, seroma, clots in the legs and lungs and persistent puckering along the scar.

You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following Dr Mackenzie’s instructions before and after the surgery, especially with regard to when and how you should resume physical activity.