Mummy makeover (post-pregnancy surgery) in Istanbul

It depends on you. The most common combination is a tummy tuck with a breast lift, breast augmentation or both, often with liposuction. ASPS notes that some plans also involve the waist, buttocks or genital area. Each operation is chosen after an examination, so no two plans need to be the same.

ASPS advises waiting at least six months after giving birth, and longer if you are breastfeeding, so that your body has healed, your hormones have settled and you are close to your goal weight. The body can keep changing for up to a year, and some surgeons suggest waiting that long.

Breast surgery should wait until breastfeeding has finished. After you stop, the breasts can take 4–6 months to reach their final size and shape, so planning the operation after that gives a more predictable result. Ask how long Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker recommends in your situation.

Yes. The same timing applies, with at least six months after the birth. An existing caesarean scar can usually be included within the new tummy tuck scar, so you do not end up with two separate scars across the lower abdomen.

There is no standard time, because it depends on which operations are combined. A tummy tuck alone takes about 2–5 hours according to the NHS. Because risk rises as operations get longer, an extensive plan may be split into two sessions.

Many women manage everyday routines after about two weeks, which is the average recovery Dr. İlker describes. Full recovery after several operations can take 6–8 weeks or longer, and most activities and exercise return at around six weeks. Physical work takes longer than desk work.

Not during the first weeks of recovery: lifting heavy things, including your baby, strains the tummy tuck and breast wounds. Your surgeon tells you at a check-up when you can start again, so arrange help with lifting and carrying before the operation.

Yes, somewhat. In a large database, major complications rose from 3.1% for a tummy tuck alone to 4.3% when combined with breast surgery. A meta-analysis of carefully selected patients found the overall complication rate similar to a tummy tuck alone. Good selection and limiting operating time matter most.

Pregnancy can stretch the abdominal skin and muscle repair again and change the breasts, so part of the result may be lost. That is why a mummy makeover is usually planned once you have finished having children. If you are unsure, it is reasonable to wait.

No. It is not a weight-loss operation. It is planned when you are at or near your goal weight, and it changes shape by removing skin and some fat, repairing muscles and reshaping the breasts. Reaching a stable weight first gives a more lasting result.

Only if the breasts are part of what you want to change. If what you would like to change is limited to the abdomen, a tummy tuck on its own may be enough. If the breasts have also lost volume or dropped, both can be combined under one anaesthetic.

It can be part of some plans, and whether it suits you is discussed at examination. If you hear about laser or radiofrequency 'vaginal rejuvenation', note that the US FDA warned in 2018 that no energy-based device has been approved or cleared for this purpose.

The NHS advises waiting 7–10 days before flying after a tummy tuck, which is usually the most demanding part of the plan. Your surgeon confirms your date after checking your wounds. On the flight, walk for 5–10 minutes every hour and drink water.

You can, but plan for another adult to care for your child, because you cannot lift or carry for several weeks after surgery. Think about sleep, feeding and outings in advance, and keep the first days for rest rather than sightseeing.