Medically reviewed by Dr Josiah Gana, FWACS, Chief Consultant Plastic Surgeon · Updated 15 July 2026
What is a mommy makeover?
A Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures designed to restore the pre-pregnancy body in a single surgical session. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can cause lasting changes to the breasts, abdomen, and body contour that diet and exercise alone cannot reverse.
At Soulplace Surgery, each Mommy Makeover is fully customised — most commonly combining a tummy tuck with breast lift or augmentation, and liposuction to the flanks and hips. The combination is planned in consultation with your surgeon based on your anatomy and goals.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding create physical changes that diet and exercise often cannot reverse: skin that has stretched beyond its elastic limit, abdominal muscles that have separated at the midline, and breast volume and position that have changed significantly. A mommy makeover combines the procedures that address these specific changes in a single planned surgical session — delivering a comprehensive result with one recovery period.
The combination is always personalised. The most common plans pair a tummy tuck (to address the abdomen and muscle separation) with a breast lift or breast augmentation (to restore breast shape and position). Liposuction of the flanks, arm lift, or thigh lift may be added where appropriate. Dr. Gana proposes a plan based on what you specifically want to improve, what is safely achievable in one session, and your recovery expectations.
We recommend completing your family before having a mommy makeover, as a future pregnancy will reverse improvements to the abdomen and breasts. Your weight should also be stable for at least 6 months before surgery. When both conditions are met, the procedure consistently delivers some of the most meaningful and lasting results in body contouring surgery.
Areas treated
- Abdomen and waist
- Breasts (lift, augmentation, or reduction)
- Flanks and hips
- Overall post-pregnancy body contour
Mommy Makeover at a glance
- Duration
- 4-8 hours
- Anaesthesia
- General
- Hospital Stay
- 1-3 nights
- Recovery
- 6-8 weeks
Times are typical. Your surgeon will give you a personal plan at consultation.
Why patients choose this procedure
- Restores pre-pregnancy body in a single surgical session
- Repairs separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti)
- Removes excess abdominal skin that exercise alone cannot eliminate
- Lifts and reshapes breasts affected by breastfeeding and weight changes
- Comprehensive body restoration that diet and exercise cannot achieve
Is it right for you?
Likely a good fit if
- You have completed your family and are not planning future pregnancies
- You have persistent abdominal laxity or loose breast tissue after childbirth
- You are at a stable weight and within a healthy BMI range
- You are in excellent general health and a non-smoker
- You have realistic expectations and adequate support during recovery
Not the right time if
- Planning future pregnancies
- Active or recent smoker
- Weight not yet stable post-pregnancy
- Significant uncontrolled health conditions
- Unable to arrange post-operative childcare support
Your surgeon confirms suitability in person after an examination and pre-operative assessment.
What to expect
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01 Hospital & Rest Days 1-7
You will be monitored overnight in the clinic. Pain is well managed with prescribed medication. Arrange full-time support at home for at least two weeks — you will not be able to lift children or carry anything heavier than 1–2 kg. Rest is the priority; gentle short walks are encouraged from day one to reduce clot risk.
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02 Careful Movement Weeks 2-4
Gentle short walks increase progressively. Compression garments remain in place across all treated areas. Lifting restrictions continue — this is particularly important to protect abdominal muscle repairs. Swelling and bruising across the breasts, abdomen, and flanks begin to reduce. Most patients feel significantly more comfortable by the end of week two.
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03 Gradual Return Weeks 4-6
Light work and essential daily tasks are usually possible by week four to six. Driving may resume once you can perform an emergency stop without pain — typically at 4–6 weeks. Strenuous activity, gym, and lifting children awaits surgeon clearance at your follow-up appointment.
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04 Final Transformation Months 3-6
Swelling fully resolves across all treated areas and the final transformation becomes visible. Abdominal scars and breast incision scars fade progressively over 12–18 months with scar care. Most patients describe this stage as life-changing — the results achieved are ones that diet and exercise alone could never produce.
Your surgeons
Risks & safety
Combining multiple procedures in one session increases the total anaesthetic time and the scope of surgical risk. Potential risks include scarring at all incision sites, wound healing complications, seroma (fluid collection), asymmetry between treated areas, infection, and standard anaesthetic risks. Longer operations carry a slightly higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is mitigated through compression stockings and early mobilisation. Patient health, BMI, and medical history are rigorously assessed before a combination procedure is approved. Patients with significant health conditions or elevated BMI may be advised to stage procedures across separate sessions to reduce risk.
Frequently asked questions
What procedures are included in a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover is fully personalised. Common combinations include tummy tuck + breast lift, or tummy tuck + breast augmentation + liposuction. Your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate plan for your specific concerns at consultation.
Is it safe to combine multiple procedures in one session?
Yes — combining procedures in one anaesthetic session is common and safe when planned carefully. Your health, total anaesthesia time, and blood loss are all assessed. In some cases, staging over two sessions is the safer approach.
Do I need to wait before having a mommy makeover?
We recommend waiting at least 6 months after your last delivery or after finishing breastfeeding. Your weight should also be stable for at least 6 months before surgery for the best and most lasting results.
How long is recovery from a mommy makeover?
Most patients return to light desk work in 3–4 weeks, with full recovery and final results taking up to 12 months. Having support at home during the first 2 weeks is very important.
Will a mommy makeover affect future pregnancies?
A future pregnancy will reverse many of the improvements, particularly to the abdomen and breasts. We strongly recommend completing your family before having the procedure.
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