Mommy Makeover in Turkey: Which Surgeries Are Combined?

What Is a Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover is a combined aesthetic surgery approach that corrects, with a single plan, the changes that persist in the body during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. It is not a single operation but a personalized programme in which breast, abdominal and liposuction procedures are combined according to the person's needs.

The three most common post-pregnancy changes are addressed together: sagging and volume loss in the breasts, loosening of the abdominal skin and separation of the muscles (diastasis), and stubborn fat in the waist and abdomen. Correcting these in a single session provides a holistic result with a single recovery period.

Separation of the abdominal muscles (diastasis) is seen in about 60% of women at 6 weeks after childbirth and is still present in about one third at 12 months.¹ Excess skin and persistent muscle separation may not be reversed by exercise.

Who is a mommy makeover suitable for?

People who have completed childbirth and breastfeeding and have a stable weight
People with breast sagging or volume loss after pregnancy
People with loose abdominal skin, separated muscles (diastasis) or stretch marks
People with localized fat in the waist and abdomen that does not go away with diet and exercise
People in suitable general health who do not smoke and have realistic expectations

For those planning a new pregnancy in the near future the procedure is usually postponed, because a new pregnancy can affect both the abdominal muscles and the breast result.

To allow the breast tissue and weight to stabilise, Op. Dr. Yasemin Aydınlı plans surgery at least 6 months after breastfeeding has ended.

Which procedures are combined?

A mommy makeover is not a fixed package; the appropriate ones among the following procedures are selected during the examination according to need.

Breast procedure

If there is sagging, a breast lift (mastopexy); if there is volume loss, augmentation; for excessively large and heavy breasts, a reduction; or a suitable combination of these can be planned. Techniques that preserve breastfeeding function as much as possible can be preferred.

Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)

The loose skin is removed and the separated abdominal muscles are repaired; any existing stretch marks are partly removed along with the lower abdominal skin that is excised.

Surgical repair of abdominal muscle separation can improve complaints such as low back pain and urinary incontinence, as well as quality of life.²

Liposuction

Stubborn fat in areas such as the waist, flanks and back is removed to define the silhouette.

Breast Lift · Breast Augmentation · Tummy Tuck · Liposuction

One session or staged?

In suitable and healthy patients these procedures can be done together in a single session; this offers the advantage of a single anaesthesia and a single recovery period. However, the number of procedures, the total operating time and the patient's health are evaluated for safety; if necessary the plan can be split into two stages. Safety always comes first.

In a prospective study comparing a mommy makeover with a tummy tuck alone, combined surgery was not inferior in terms of safety and showed a clear advantage in body image and satisfaction.³ In another study of 726 patients, once other factors were taken into account, no difference in adverse events was found between a mommy makeover and a tummy tuck alone.⁴

Early mobilisation, compression and an individual risk assessment are part of the standard approach to preventing blood clots.^5,6 Because smoking markedly increases wound-healing problems and complication rates, it should be stopped before surgery.⁷

The surgical process

Planning: the procedures to be combined and their order are decided according to need; the necessary tests (abdominal ultrasound, breast ultrasound/mammography) are requested.
Surgery: under general anaesthesia, breast, abdominal and liposuction procedures are performed in an average of 3–5 hours, depending on the combination.
Early recovery: usually 2 nights of hospital observation; the garment and movement instructions begin.

Recovery process — step by step

First week: pain, swelling and bruising are normal; the garment is worn continuously and in the first days one stands slightly bent forward.
Around week 2: most people return to social life; the surgeon's advice is awaited for heavy lifting.
Weeks 4–8: the garment is left off in this period; light activity is resumed.
After week 8: a gradual return to strenuous exercise that works the abdominal muscles begins.
Months 3–6: the swelling resolves, the scars fade and the final result becomes clear.

Mommy Makeover Recovery: What Happens Day by Day

Yes in suitable patients; when safety requires it, a staged plan can also be made.

It is usually recommended after childbirth and breastfeeding are completed and weight has stabilized.

It is usually a personalized combination of tummy tuck, liposuction and breast lift or augmentation procedures. Which procedures will be performed is determined during the examination.

Although it varies with the combination of procedures, it is generally between 3 and 5 hours.

Return to social life usually takes about 2 weeks; for strenuous exercise and heavy lifting, the surgeon's individual recommendation should be awaited.

The scars are planned to be hidden in natural folds and along the underwear/bikini line, and they fade noticeably over time.

When planning breast surgery, techniques that preserve breastfeeding function as much as possible can be preferred; this is assessed during the examination.

After the online preliminary meeting, the surgery and control schedule is planned individually; Details are shared after medical evaluation.

The tummy tuck incision is planned at the level of the caesarean scar. Op. Dr. Yasemin Aydınlı removes the old caesarean scar together with the excised skin, so only the tummy tuck scar remains.

Yes, you can. However, pregnancy may stretch the abdominal muscles and skin again and change the shape of the breasts. That is why surgery is usually recommended once family planning is complete.

References

Sperstad JB, Tennfjord MK, Hilde G, ve ark. Diastasis recti abdominis during pregnancy and 12 months after childbirth: prevalence, risk factors and report of lumbopelvic pain. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(17):1092–1096. PMID 27324871
Jessen ML, Öberg S, Rosenberg J. Treatment Options for Abdominal Rectus Diastasis. Front Surg. 2019;6:65. PMID 31803753
Toto V, Scarabosio A, Alessandri-Bonetti M, ve ark. Combined Surgery (Mommy-Makeover) Compared to Single Procedure (Abdominoplasty) in After-Pregnancy Women: A Prospective Study on Risks and Benefits. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023;47(6):2533–2542. PMID 37612475
Wolf Y, Fainzilber-Goldman Y, Skorochod R. A Comparative Analysis of the Complication Rate in "Mommy Makeover" Procedures and Abdominoplasty. Isr Med Assoc J. 2025;27(8):526–530. PMID 40819205
Mittal P, Heuft T, Richter DF, ve ark. Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prophylaxis After Abdominoplasty and Liposuction: A Review of the Literature. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2020;44(2):473–482. PMID 31858207
Kraft CT, Janis JE. Deep Venous Thrombosis Prophylaxis. Clin Plast Surg. 2020;47(3):409–414. PMID 32448477
Pluvy I, Panouillères M, Garrido I, ve ark. Smoking and plastic surgery, part II. Clinical implications: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 2015;60(1):e15–49. PMID 25447218