Restoring your body after pregnancy and breastfeeding

A mommy makeover is a customised combination of procedures designed to address the changes pregnancy and breastfeeding cause to the breasts and abdomen. It typically includes some combination of: breast augmentation (with implants), breast lift (mastopexy), abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), diastasis recti repair, and liposuction of the flanks or thighs. The exact combination is determined by your individual anatomy and goals.

Yes. The defining feature of a mommy makeover is that the procedures are performed during a single operative session under one general anaesthesia. This means one recovery period, one inpatient stay, and one set of post-operative restrictions. Typical operative time is 4 to 6 hours depending on the combination. Combining procedures is safe in healthy candidates with appropriate body mass index and no significant comorbidities.

Most plastic surgeons recommend waiting at least 6 months after stopping breastfeeding before considering a mommy makeover. This allows the breast tissue and abdominal skin to reach their final post-pregnancy state. If you plan to have more children, it is generally recommended to complete your family first — future pregnancy can stretch the abdominal repair and change breast shape again.

Pregnancy after a mommy makeover is medically possible but not ideal. The diastasis repair and tummy tuck closure can stretch again with pregnancy, potentially requiring revision surgery. For this reason, mommy makeover is generally recommended after you have completed your family. Breast implants do not affect future pregnancies or breastfeeding when placed using fascia-preserving or muscle-preserving techniques.

Recovery is structured in phases. Days 1–3: hospital and hotel rest with assisted walking. Week 1: light daily activities, drains removed. Weeks 2–4: return to desk-based work, no lifting over 5 kg. Weeks 4–6: gradual reintroduction of light cardio. Weeks 6–8: return to most exercise, including upper body. The breast scars and tummy tuck scar continue to fade for 12–18 months. Final shape settles between 6 and 12 months.

Diastasis recti is a separation of the two vertical bands of the rectus abdominis (six-pack) muscles along the linea alba. Pregnancy stretches these muscles apart. After delivery, in some women, they do not return to their original position, leaving a visible bulge or weak abdominal core. Dr. Erdal repairs diastasis during tummy tuck using continuous internal sutures (plication) that pull the muscle bands back together, restoring abdominal core integrity.

For breast augmentation alone, Dr. Erdal does not use drains. For tummy tuck — particularly when combined with diastasis repair or significant skin removal — temporary drains are used to prevent fluid collection (seroma). Drains typically come out on day 3–5 and are managed by the clinic before patients fly home. Progressive tension sutures during tummy tuck closure reduce drain dependency in selected cases.

Most international patients stay 7–10 days in Istanbul after a combined mommy makeover. This allows for: pre-operative consultation and tests (1–2 days), surgery day, hospital stay (1–2 nights), early recovery at the partner hotel (4–6 days), drain removal, and a final fit-to-fly check by Dr. Erdal before departure. Companions are welcome and stay in the same suite at no additional cost.

Combining procedures into one mommy makeover means one anaesthesia, one recovery, one round of time away from work and family, and a single financial outlay. Separate procedures spread across 6–12 months mean multiple recoveries, multiple anaesthesias, and significantly higher cumulative cost. The combined approach is preferred when the patient is medically suitable. For complex cases or when total operative time would exceed 6 hours, splitting into two stages is sometimes safer.

When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon at an accredited hospital on appropriately selected candidates, a mommy makeover has a safety profile comparable to single procedures. Key safety factors include: candidate BMI under 32 (ideally under 30), no smoking 4 weeks before and after surgery, no significant comorbidities, total operative time kept under 6 hours, and post-operative DVT prophylaxis. Dr. Erdal's clinic operates only in JCI-accredited hospitals with full anaesthesiology backup.

Tummy tuck scar runs horizontally low across the abdomen, designed to be hidden by underwear and bikini bottoms. Breast augmentation scar is in the inframammary fold, hidden beneath the breast. Breast lift adds a vertical scar from the nipple to the fold (lollipop) or an additional horizontal scar at the fold (anchor). All scars fade significantly over 12–18 months with proper scar management. Dr. Erdal provides a structured scar care protocol including silicone tape, sun avoidance, and follow-up assessment.

Dr. Erdal is double board-certified — Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS, 2025) and Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (FEBOPRAS, 2020). He holds the academic rank of Associate Professor (Doçent) of Plastic Surgery, awarded in 2024. He has international training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, 2018) and Ghent University Hospital (Belgium, 2023), and 30+ peer-reviewed publications in plastic surgery journals.