Mummy Makeover Options with Plastic Surgeon Dr Patrick Briggs

Mummy makeovers are a popular choice for women to help get their bodies back into shape after pregnancy and childbirth. The term mummy makeover refers to a combination of a few different procedures to help get a woman’s body back to where it was, if not better than it was, before kids. We chatted to Dr Patrick Briggs, Specialist Plastic Surgeon and one of Perth’s most experienced mummy makeover surgeons, to talk us through what’s involved in a mummy makeover. He also shared some mummy makeover patients’ before and after photos with us. All photos below are patients of Dr Briggs. Make sure you click on each of them to see the full sized photos.

* UPDATE – Dr Patrick Briggs is now based in Melbourne at Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery *

Mummy Makeover Options – What procedures can a mummy makeover include?

A mummy makeover is not a one size fits all group of procedures, however it usually includes an Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), Breast Augmentation (breast implants), Breast Mastopexy (breast lift with or without implants) and any other procedure to repair or improve the appearance of a part of the body affected by pregnancy and childbirth such as:

  • Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
  • Breast Augmentation (breast implants)
  • Breast Mastopexy (breast lift)
  • Breast reduction (with or without lift)
  • Liposuction
  • Labiaplasty (repair function and/or appearance of the vaginal area)
  • Augmentation Mastopexy (combination of breast augmentation and lift) – this is a common procedure combination as after children breast tissue is lost and the tissue sags thus breast implants combined with a breast lift will give the patient fuller, perkier breasts.

More than one procedure may be performed at the same time so a mummy makeover can be done in one surgery, however it does depend on each individual patient and which procedures are being performed. Quite often the procedures may be done in separate surgeries, especially if one or more of the procedures are more involved, eg. a tummy tuck that involves muscle separation is a more involved procedure than a tummy tuck without muscle separation repair and may need separate recovery time. It also depends on the surgeon and the patient’s individual circumstances including health, financial position, time available off work, and other factors. It is something a patient should discuss with their surgeon to see what’s best for them. We suggest patients may wish to have a second consult with a second surgeon to get a different opinion on what is best for each patient.

Dr Briggs says of combining procedures, “It is commonplace nowadays to combine multiple procedures into one surgery as it decreases downtime post-operative recovery and decreases costs. Perhaps one downside is the slight increase in risk due to longer time under anaesthesia. This is a minimal risk.”

When is the best time for a mummy makeover?

Most surgeons will suggest you wait to undergo a mummy makeover until you have finished having children and have completed breastfeeding. Making sure you are able to have a proper recovery is important too – if you still have a young baby, you won’t be able to pick them up for at least a week after an abdominoplasty so you either have to have an appropriate support system in place or wait until they’re a bit older. Surgeons will also want you to be at or close to your goal weight before you undergo any mummy makeover procedures, as if you still have a large amount of weight to lose you may need further surgery after losing it.

Dr Briggs says mummy makeover patients have similar inquiries to any other patients; there are often questions regarding what procedures will be most effective in providing a desired result. He says, “As no patient is the same, not all procedures will be suitable for everyone. Within a consultation I can discuss your concerns and any procedures I would recommend that would best suit you and your body. The cost and down time of procedures can also be outlined within a consultation, helping a patient make an informed decision.”

Further Information about Mummy Makeover Options

More Blogs by Dr Patrick Briggs Melbourne Plastic Surgeon

To Contact Dr Patrick Briggs

If you’d like more information about your mummy makeover options – breast or tummy surgery post pregnancy or any other procedures, please contact Dr Patrick Briggs at Coco Ruby Melbourne