Pregnancy, childbirth and also breastfeeding can cause changes in the body. The tissue loses elasticity and pronounced weight fluctuations can lead to tissue sagging, typically in the abdomen as well as the breasts.

Often, the physical changes lead to an impairment of self-confidence and thus a reduction in the quality of life. Even a healthy diet and lots of exercise are not enough to tighten the tissue again.

Read also: liposuction, tummy tuck, labiaplasty, breast augmentation, breast lift, facelift, wrinkle treatment

Is a Mommy Makeover just a tummy tuck?

A typical mommy makeover operation consists of a tummy tuck and breast lift with or without implants. During the tummy tuck, the rectus muscles are often tightened (so-called rectus plication), as the straight abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis muscle) can become loose during pregnancy (so-called rectus diastasis).

This technique can significantly reduce a bulging abdomen. Liposuction is often performed in addition. With the so-called High Definition (HD) technique, body contours can be emphasised.

What operations can be combined for a Mommy Makeover?

A Mommy Makeover can include the following operations:

• Breast: breast lift, breast reduction or breast enlargement
• Body: abdominoplasty, liposuction, labia reduction rsp. tightening of the labia minora
• Face: face lift, neck lift, fat grafting, filler treatment and wrinkle treatment with botulinum

All procedures do not necessarily have to be combined at the same time, because the longer the operation, the higher the risk of complications.

When is the ideal time for a Mommy Makeover?

You should allow yourself enough time after pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding to regenerate before undergoing a major operation. In principle, a Mommy Makeover can be performed when the breastfeeding period was 6 - 12 months ago and the desired weight or normal weight has been reached again. Ideally, family planning should be completed.

Generally, however, a mommy makeover does not interfere with another pregnancy. The ability to breastfeed after breast surgery is usually maintained, and a tummy tuck or breast lift usually changes little after a new pregnancy.

What do I have to consider before the operation?

Try to reduce smoking and high-fat food three weeks before the operation (vasoconstriction, lack of blood circulation).

To support wound healing and reduce swelling, I recommend probiotics or omega-3 fatty acid 3 weeks before and after surgery. Alternatively, bromelain can also promote the healing process and should be taken 7 days before and after surgery.

In case of iron deficiency, I recommend folic acid treatment until the operation. In order to achieve an optimal metabolic situation in the treatment area, manual lymphatic drainage can be carried out shortly before the operation.

What is the procedure for the operation?

The operation takes place under general anaesthesia, the hospital stay is 1 - 4 nights depending on the extent of the operation.

Where does the scar run?

The scars after a Mommy Makeover run along the bikini line, but without a bikini the scar can still be visible up to a year after the operation. For optimal scarring, I recommend daily scar care and SPF 50 sunscreen from the 7th postoperative week until one year after surgery.

When the scar is no longer reddened and faded, the scar healing is complete. The decisive factor after wound healing is the shaping, the scar becomes secondary with time. Very rarely, a scar correction is necessary, but this is not until one year after the operation at the earliest.

What are the risks of a Mommy Makeover?

There are the classic surgical risks such as infections, post-operative bleeding, redness or swelling. Temporarily there may be numbness in the area of the operation, rarely also hypersensitivity of the nipple.

These sensory disturbances usually recover within the first 6 - 12 months after the operation. Occasionally, changes in shape or the formation of dents may occur; so-called fine corrections are then rarely necessary.

What do I have to consider after the operation and when will I see the final result?

After the operation you should not carry too heavy objects (max. 15kg). Therefore, at the time of the operation it is important that your children are so far independent and that they do not have to be carried all the time.

Depending on the operation, you will receive a compression girdle and special bra from us for about 4 weeks. I also recommend manual lymph drainage directly after the operation, which must be carried out by a recognised physiotherapist with additional training in manual lymph drainage.

Manual lymphatic drainage improves decongestion and thus promotes the healing process. Despite its effective medical effect, lymphatic drainage is a pleasant treatment and is reminiscent of a gentle massage. The treatment is usually also covered by the basic health insurance benefit (up to a maximum of 36 treatments per case).

You can resume light physical activity after two weeks, depending on the healing process and the type of procedure. Swelling and hardening can last up to 6 months, which is why the final result is visible after 6 months at the earliest.

What are the costs for a Mommy Makeover?

The procedures are rarely covered by health insurance and only if there is a relevant medical condition (e.g. severe pain, inflammation or neck pain). If you have a rectus diastasis with corresponding abdominal wall weakness, then the health insurance may possibly cover part of the abdominoplasty.

These options must be examined during an individual counselling interview, then, if necessary, an application for cost approval can be submitted to the competent health insurance fund.

Depending on the additional procedures and duration of the operation, you will receive a detailed written cost estimate from us. The costs for the planned operation must be transferred at least 7 days before the operation so that the date can be definitively confirmed. This advance payment, which is customary in the industry, is necessary in order to be able to make the reservations and preparations for your operation.