The procedure | Mummy Makeover

After pregnancies and breast feeding, your body might not look the same as before. Weight changes take their toll and it is not easy to regain for instance the strength in your tummy or the shape of your breasts. Sometimes, depending on built and skin characteristics, it is just not possible. In that case a mummy-makeover (a combination of tightening of your tummy and lifting of your breasts) can make all the difference. Be aware that sometimes multiple stages are necessary to achieve the desired effect.

Where will I be operated?

The operation will be performed in one of the private hospitals in Vienna. If you have a preference we will of course try to take this into consideration. Be prepared to spend several days in hospital.

What can I expect of the operation?

Your surgeon will always see you before the operation and will talk you through the steps. Markings will be made on the regions concerned and pictures will be taken for documentation. The operation will be performed under general anaesthetic. Incisions will be made in inconspicuous areas and will be closed by resolvable sutures. Drains will be left to aid in wound healing in the first period after surgery.

What are the risks?

A Mummy makeover is a combination of procedures that should not be taken lightly. Most common complications are the risk of infection and woundhealing problems. They can be dealt with effectively and at limited physical cost by antibiotics if noted at an early stage. Please contact your surgeon if you have any doubt. You will be given medication to reduce the risk for serious complications like Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism (blood cloths in vessels of the legs or lungs), which are luckily very uncommon. In the long term irregularities or asymmetry can occur (although nobody is completely symmetrical).

What can I expect after the operation?

When the anaesthetic wears off you may experience a tightness of the areas involved in surgery, and (variably) some bruising. Most people describe a feeling of soreness and muscle ache like after a long run during this period. Initially some asymmetry may be present, but this will disappear as swelling subsides and healing occurs. You will be required to wear a compression garment around your tummy and a sports bra for 6 weeks day and night.

What will the scars be like?

The scars of the tummy correction will be positioned in the bikini-line, running from hip to hip, and around the navel. These scars may be thick and discoloured for 6-12 months, but should be easily covered by clothing. The scars of the breast lift will be placed around your areolas, straight down from there to the fold underneath your breasts, and may extended into that fold both ways when needed. Scars are usually visible in the first few months because of the difference of colour compared to their surroundings. Thickness and colour in this location however will disappear over the course of a few months and the scars will be come less conspicuous over time.

How long before I can resume my normal life?

Most woman manage to return to light activities in the first few days after surgery, while some manage to return to work after a week (depending on physical requirements). Realistically it will take two weeks to reach this stage for most. It will be difficult to walk up straight for a while. Sports activities can on average be resumed after 6 weeks. Please listen to your body though; pain is a protective mechanism so if certain movements are painful please refrain from doing them. In the following months the final swelling will slowly disappear, but it may still be uncomfortable to lie on your front for a while. Sometimes unexpected movements still may give rise to sudden twinges, but this frequency will reduce over time. Total healing time is known to take one year.

What is good to know about the long term?

Breast-feeding

Even though the nipple complex will remain attached to the underlying gland, this breast tissue will be repositioned. The operation could therefore interfere with breast-feeding. However, it is good to realise that the ability to breastfeed is not guaranteed for woman in general.

Changes in body shape over time

While a breast lift aims to optimise the current physical situation, the process of aging, changes in lifestyle or variations in weight may all influence the shape of your breasts again. This means that over the course of your life these alterations may evolve again into a situation that is not to your liking.

Breast cancer

International studies have proven that the use of breast implants does not interfere with the occurrence of breast cancer. For the screening of breast cancer an X-ray taken with the use of the so-called “breast displacement” technique is preferred. Alternatively, an ultrasound or MRI may be of benefit.

Palpable implants

If implants are used to enlarge the breasts, then they need to be covered by the breast tissue as much as possible. Implants however may be palpable, especially as the breast tissue thins over time. This may result in rippling which for instance can be noticeable in your cleavage when bending over. At the first consultation this risk is evaluated and in order to reduce this as much as possible, both the operative technique as well as the choice of implant are adjusted accordingly.

Tummy tightening

Skin and fat that is removed from your tummy will not return. If you would gain weight again though, it will also show in the areas where the surgery was performed.

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