After pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, many women notice lasting changes in their bodies that do not respond to diet or exercise alone. A Mommy Makeover is a tailored combination of surgical procedures designed to help restore the body's pre-pregnancy shape. At Private Lokman Hekim Esnaf Hospital Fethiye, we offer personalised Mommy Makeover plans tailored to each patient's individual needs, combining advanced surgical techniques with compassionate, patient-centred care.
Despite the name, this procedure is not exclusively for mothers. While it originally referred to the physical changes following pregnancy, today it also applies to body transformations after significant weight loss or as part of the natural ageing process. The concerns are often similar — a looser abdomen, changes in the waistline, and breasts that no longer feel or appear the same.
A Mommy Makeover is not a single standard operation — it is a personalised surgical plan that combines two or more body contouring and breast procedures performed during a single session. The aim is to address multiple areas of concern at once, reducing overall recovery time compared to undergoing separate surgeries.
The most commonly combined procedures include:
Each Mommy Makeover is carefully tailored to the individual. Your surgeon will assess your specific concerns and recommend the ideal combination of procedures to achieve your desired outcome.
A Mommy Makeover may be the right choice for women who:
We usually recommend waiting at least 12 months after giving birth, especially if breastfeeding, before undergoing a Mommy Makeover. This allows the body to fully recover and stabilize, ensuring the best possible surgical results.
A Mommy Makeover is performed under general anaesthesia and typically takes between 3 and 6 hours, depending on the combination of procedures involved.
The surgeon makes an incision along the lower abdomen, usually placed within the bikini line, to keep scarring as discreet as possible. Excess skin and fat are removed, and if diastasis recti is present, the separated abdominal muscles are repaired and tightened. This muscle repair helps restore core strength and support — something exercise alone cannot achieve. If there is a previous caesarean section (C-section) scar, it can often be improved or incorporated into the new incision line.
The breast procedure depends on the individual patient's needs:
Small incisions are made in specific target areas, and a thin cannula is used to remove stubborn fat deposits, helping to refine the overall body contour.
All incisions are placed as low and as discreetly as possible, with careful attention given to minimizing visible scarring.
Diastasis recti is the separation of the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis muscle — the so-called "six-pack" muscle — that commonly occurs during pregnancy. This separation creates a gap along the midline of the abdomen, resulting in a persistent abdominal bulge that does not improve with exercise.
Many women mistake this condition for stubborn fat, but the real issue lies beneath the surface. During a Mommy Makeover, the surgeon repairs the separated muscles by stitching them back together along the midline. This helps restore the integrity of the abdominal wall, provides better core support, and creates a flatter, firmer midsection.
Diastasis recti repair is one of the most impactful components of a Mommy Makeover, as it addresses a structural issue that cannot be corrected through diet or exercise alone.
The breast component of a Mommy Makeover is tailored to the individual patient's specific changes:
Your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate option based on your anatomy, the degree of change, and personal goals.
Proper preparation helps ensure a smooth surgery and recovery:
Recovery is often the part patients are most concerned about, but with proper planning, it is very manageable.
There will be some discomfort, swelling, and bruising, which can be effectively managed with prescribed pain relief. Resting in a slightly bent position — often called the "V position" — helps protect the abdominal repair and reduces tension on the incisions.
Most patients are able to resume light daily activities within the first two weeks. Surgical drains, if placed, are typically removed within the first week. A compression garment should be worn as directed to support healing and reduce swelling.
By six weeks, most patients feel significantly more like themselves and can gradually return to moderate levels of activity. Light exercise such as walking is encouraged, but strenuous workouts and heavy lifting should still be avoided.
Full recovery, including the resolution of swelling and scar maturation, takes approximately three to six months. The body continues to refine its shape during this period, with final results becoming fully visible over time.
As with any surgical procedure, a Mommy Makeover carries certain risks. When performed by experienced surgeons in an accredited hospital environment, these risks are minimized. Potential complications include:
Our surgical team takes every precaution to ensure patient safety, including a thorough preoperative assessment, advanced surgical techniques, and comprehensive postoperative monitoring.
The cost of a Mommy Makeover varies depending on several factors:
Turkey is recognized worldwide for offering high-quality surgical care at significantly more affordable prices compared to the UK, Europe, and the United States. At Private Lokman Hekim Esnaf Hospital Fethiye, our Mommy Makeover packages for international patients typically include hospital stay, surgeon fees, anaesthesia, pre-operative tests, post-operative garments, medications, and transfer services (if requested).
For a personalized quote based on your specific needs, please contact us directly via WhatsApp or our contact form.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, so you will not feel any pain during surgery. After the operation, there is moderate discomfort, particularly around the abdominal area, which is effectively managed with prescribed pain relief. Most patients describe the discomfort as manageable and find that it decreases significantly within the first week.
We recommend waiting at least twelve months after giving birth and at least six months after completing breastfeeding. This allows your body to fully recover, your weight to stabilize, and your breast tissue to settle, ensuring the best possible surgical results.
While a future pregnancy is not medically dangerous after a Mommy Makeover, it can reverse the results achieved by the surgery — particularly the tummy tuck and muscle repair. For this reason, we strongly recommend completing your family before undergoing the procedure.
A Mommy Makeover typically takes three to six hours, depending on the number and complexity of the procedures included. Because multiple surgeries are combined in one session, you benefit from a single anaesthesia event and one overall recovery period.
Most patients can return to desk-based or light work within two to three weeks. If your job involves physical activity or heavy lifting, you may need six to eight weeks before resuming full duties. Your surgeon will provide personalized guidance based on the procedures performed and your individual recovery progress.