Mummy Makeover - Medical Experts

A ‘mummy makeover’ is a combination of a tummy tuck and breast surgery. Both procedures are carried out during the same surgical operation. The concept forms part of plastic and aesthetic surgery.

The specific changes addressed may vary. The patient’s initial physical condition and her wishes are the determining factors. Breast reduction, for example, has been considered in conjunction with abdominal surgery. The term alone does not indicate whether a breast lift or liposuction is planned.

Terms such as breast lift, breast augmentation or liposuction do not define the scope of the procedure. Nor is the use of autologous fat a fixed component. Which tissues are to be treated is agreed during the consultation.

Descriptions such as persistent changes, excess skin, sagging breasts or the desire for a lift refer to personal preferences, but do not specify the surgical steps involved.

Some women base their wishes on how their body looked before pregnancy. However, a ‘mummy makeover’ cannot correct the effects of pregnancy and childbirth according to a standardised treatment plan. Nor can the goal of looking just as firm as before be guaranteed.

A ‘mummy makeover’ is aimed at women who wish to undergo a combined surgical procedure to alter changes to their abdomen and breasts. A prerequisite is that the potential benefits of the combined operation justify the personal risks involved.

Before making a decision, the following initial circumstances in particular should be discussed:

• Tummy and breasts: Both areas are to be treated during the same operation.
• Previous blood clots: An older review advised against the combined procedure in such cases.
• Significant weight loss: Here too, the authors took a critical view of the combined procedure.
• Rectus diastasis: Where the rectus abdominis muscles have separated, abdominal surgery alone may be sufficient.

The recommendation against a combined procedure following previous blood clots or significant weight loss is based on limited evidence.

The outcome depends on the surgical procedures chosen and the patient’s initial physical condition. The aim is to achieve an aesthetic improvement in the abdomen and breasts. It is not possible to derive a general success rate for all patients from the available observational data.

In an observational study, after around 12 months, more than 90 per cent of the women who had undergone surgery reported an improved quality of life and stated that they would undergo the procedure again. As there was no untreated control group, this does not guarantee improved body image or a specific level of satisfaction.

Any expectations based on one’s pre-pregnancy body should be clearly stated during the consultation. This will help to clarify which changes can be achieved surgically and where the limits of the treatment lie.

Before a ‘mummy makeover’, the desired changes and the individual’s surgical risk are assessed. In a comparative study, women were given information about the benefits and risks of the combined procedure, as well as those of an abdominoplasty alone, before making their decision.

The consultation with the specialist doctors involved addresses the individual risk assessment. Phrases such as ‘after pregnancy and breastfeeding’, ‘once family planning is complete’ or ‘before another pregnancy’ do not replace this assessment.

In a large-scale registry analysis, diabetes, obesity, being over 53 years of age and general physical condition were factored into the risk assessment. These factors do not automatically mean that the procedure is ruled out. However, they do influence the individual consultation.

A ‘mummy makeover’ combines the planned procedures on the abdomen and breasts into a single operation. The exact procedure depends on which areas are to be treated.

The basic procedure is divided into the following steps:

1. The doctor discusses with the patient which areas are to be treated.
2. The tummy tuck and the selected breast surgery are carried out as a combined procedure.
3. After the operation, the wounds are dressed; depending on the surgical approach, a special dressing may be applied.

In a small case series, the median duration of the operation was approximately 3.5 hours. The range between the lower and upper quartiles was approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours. These figures are taken from a specific surgical record and are not binding for every ‘mummy makeover’.

In the same small case series, an overnight stay was planned following the procedure. No patient had to stay longer than planned. The actual length of stay may vary depending on different surgical approaches and individual physical conditions.

The combination of several surgical procedures alters the risk profile compared with a single operation. In particular, the prevention of blood clots in the veins is a key safety consideration when abdominal and breast surgery are performed simultaneously.

A systematic review found a higher risk of complications with a ‘mummy makeover’ than with breast surgery alone. The risk was comparable to that of an abdominoplasty performed on its own. It is not possible to deduce an exact frequency for individual patients from this.

Which complications may arise in an individual case depends on the patient’s initial physical condition and the planned surgical procedures. This assessment must be carried out before the surgical procedure and taken into account when deciding for or against the combination.

Following a ‘mummy makeover’, the focus is on wound care and medical check-ups. The type of dressing required depends on the specific operation and how the wound is healing.

In a small study, wounds healed more quickly under a negative-pressure dressing than under a standard gauze dressing. This does not mean, however, that every patient requires a negative-pressure dressing following a ‘mummy makeover’.

A retrospective comparative study examined the combination of a tummy tuck and breast reduction. Women who had undergone the combined procedure required more follow-up appointments than women who had undergone a breast reduction alone.

Time off work, swelling, scar formation and physical capacity may vary depending on the extent of the surgery and the healing process. No standard duration can be specified for the combinations of procedures examined.

If symptoms caused by rectus diastasis – that is, separated rectus abdominis muscles – are the primary concern, a tummy tuck on its own may be a surgical alternative.

The term ‘surgeon’ alone does not indicate the specific medical specialism involved.

In the case of combined treatment, it should be clarified who is responsible for the abdomen, the breast and anaesthesia. Transparent planning includes a personal safety assessment, information about alternatives and a clear plan for wound checks.

These questions may be helpful during the initial consultation:

• What specific treatment steps are planned, and what scars can be expected?
• How are blood clots in the veins prevented?
• How are wound checks organised, and how can the surgeon be contacted in the event of complications?
• What alternatives are available if the combination of procedures seems too taxing?

You can find specialists in mommy makeovers at the end of this text.