Mummy Makeover

What is a Mummy Makeover?

A Mummy Makeover incorporates different plastic surgery procedures into a single operation and can help a woman restore her body to its pre-pregnancy state or even improve on it. Those nine months can take a toll on the body, leaving loose abdominal muscles, sagging breasts and unwanted bulges that don’t seem to go away even with diet and exercise. The Mummy Makeover can address all these concerns in one operation, allowing women to achieve their full results with just one time under anaesthesia and one recovery process.

Procedures Included in a Mummy Makeover

Your Mummy Makeover at Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery will be customised to your unique concerns and aesthetic goals. Procedures that are commonly performed during this surgery include:

Abdominoplasty

The tummy tuck procedure is designed to focus on the midsection, where much of the body’s pregnancy-related changes take place. The surgery can tighten up abdominal muscles that have become lax from the expanding uterus. By bringing the muscles back together, we can achieve a tighter, firmer abdomen and a narrower waistline.

Abdominoplasty also allows for removal of loose, sagging skin that affects the appearance of the stomach. Residual fat deposits can be removed to enhance the results further and the navel may be repositioned to create a natural result.

Liposuction

In some cases, a tummy tuck is not sufficient in creating the sculpted look you want to achieve from your Mummy Makeover. Whether stubborn bulges of fat linger around the middle or other areas of the body, liposuction can remove the fat to produce a smoother body profile. This procedure can be used with the tummy tuck to enhance the contour of the midsection, or in areas like the hips, flanks, thighs and even the upper arms to create a leaner look.

Breast Augmentation

Changes to the breasts can also occur during pregnancy and particularly the breastfeeding process afterward. Your once full, perky breasts may start to sag and droop and may even take on a deflated appearance. Breast augmentation uses implants as a way to restore and increase volume in the breasts.

Breast augmentation is a highly customisable process that allows you to carefully select the size, shape and placement of your implants to create a look that is distinctly individualised and proportionate to the rest of your curves. Our surgeons will walk you through the decision-making process to ensure your expectations are met and your cosmetic goals are achieved.

Breast Lift

While augmentation can add fullness to the breasts, it cannot do much to correct sagging that might have occurred. That is why a breast lift is a frequent addition to the Mummy Makeover to restore breasts to a more youthful, perky position on the chest. This procedure does not address size, but it does remove loose skin that is a culprit in the drooping effect.

Who does this procedure suit?

Women who have achieved a healthy weight and are finished having children are usually the best candidates for a Mummy Makeover since future pregnancies and weight fluctuations can impact the outcome of the procedure. Most women requesting this surgery are not satisfied with the changes that occurred to their bodies as a result of having children or the ageing process. Patients should be in relatively good health, non-smokers and have realistic expectations about what this procedure can do for them.

What results will I expect?

Your Mummy Makeover can offer dramatic body contouring results, restoring your shape and your confidence in your appearance. With the ability to address multiple areas at one time, this procedure is an efficient way to create the positive changes you are looking for in a single operation.

What’s the first step to take?

If you are undergoing a breast enhancement procedure as a part of your Mummy Makeover, we will likely begin the process with a 3D image using our Vectra 3D system. This imaging system allows you to “see” your results before your surgery, so your expectations are realistic going into your procedure. Your surgeon will also discuss your aesthetic goals with you, so your procedure is tailored to your precise issues and desired results.

Please bring all your medical information, including medications you are currently taking, to this first appointment. We want to ensure your procedure is as safe as possible, which means addressing any potential risks or complications before surgery. You will receive all the information necessary about your procedure, to prepare you and set your expectations so you can make an informed decision.

How do I prepare for my surgery?

The time you spend preparing for your procedure will make all the difference in the safety and success of both the operation and your recovery. Your surgeon will provide you with a list of instructions that will include stopping certain medications that could exacerbate bleeding or bruising and smoking for at least two weeks before and after the procedure. Please arrange for someone to take you home and remain with you for a day or two to ensure a safe start to your recovery process.

What happens on the day of my surgery?

You will have a list of items to bring with you on the day of your procedure, including:

  • Toiletries
  • Comfortable clothing or a nightgown
  • Medications you are currently taking

You will also be instructed to stop eating and drinking for a number of hours before your surgery to avoid complications.

What should I expect during surgery?

Your Mummy Makeover will be performed in one of our private hospitals under general anaesthesia so that you will be comfortably asleep throughout your surgery. Precise steps of your operation will vary based on the procedures you are having done. Incisions will be placed as discussed between you and your surgeon before your surgery. Every step will be taken to minimise visible scarring after your procedure.

What should I expect after surgery?

Your recovery process will depend on the procedures performed. Some of the factors to consider include:

  • You should expect to spend a few days in the hospital after your operation so that you can be cared for by attentive nursing staff for the first portion of your recovery.
  • Drains may be placed to prevent the build-up of fluids around your incisions. These will be removed within a few days.
  • You will probably have some pain after your surgery, but we will prescribe pain medication to keep you comfortable
  • Post-operative garments will need to be worn for days or weeks following the procedure, to reduce swelling and promote healing to the area.
  • We will give you directions on when to begin light activity, when you can return to work and when more strenuous exercise can begin.

What are the risks and complications with this procedure?

There is no way to avoid risk during and after surgery, but our surgeons will take every precaution to minimise these events. Some of the complications you might experience include:

  • Bleeding or the formation of blood clots
  • Asymmetry, capsular contracture or loss of nipple sensation with breast enhancement procedures
  • Infection, although you will be prescribed antibiotics to reduce that risk
  • Poor incision healing, resulting in excessive scarring

A Mummy Makeover is a productive way to address a variety of post-pregnancy concerns in a single surgery. To learn more about this procedure, contact the Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery today on 03 9508 9508.