Frequently Asked Questions

Most women who have completed pregnancy and are within roughly 5–7 kg of their target weight, generally healthy, and not actively planning further children are candidates. The ideal timing is at least 6 months after stopping breastfeeding (12 months is preferable for breast cases). BMI under 32 is the threshold for routine combined surgery; higher BMI may still proceed but as staged operations rather than combined.

Minimum 6 months after stopping breastfeeding for any breast component, 12 months ideally. The abdominal component can be done as early as 6 months postpartum if you are not breastfeeding. The body needs full hormonal and weight stabilisation for the result to be reliable.

It's not recommended. The breast result will likely change with another pregnancy and breastfeeding (volume changes, possible re-stretching). The tummy-tuck result is more vulnerable: a future pregnancy stretches the repaired abdominal wall and may undo the diastasis repair. Wait until you've completed your family.

If you genuinely might have another pregnancy, wait. Doing the surgery and then having another child is the worst outcome — you've paid for and recovered from a result that another pregnancy will partially undo. There is no rush; the body doesn't 'expire.'

No fixed age limit. Patients in their 50s and early 60s are common; the deciding factor is fitness, not chronological age. A 60-year-old with normal cardiovascular function and good skin elasticity is a better candidate than a 35-year-old with uncontrolled hypertension.

BMI above 32 carries materially higher complication risk for combined surgery. Above 35, most ethical surgeons will decline combined operations and offer staged (multiple-visit) surgery instead. Weight loss of 10–15 kg before surgery substantially improves both safety and result quality.

Not while you're smoking. Smoking is the strongest patient-side risk factor for skin necrosis (tissue death at incision edges) and wound healing complications. Cessation 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery is non-negotiable. Nicotine in any form (cigarettes, vapes, patches, gum) is not allowed during this window.

Well-controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c under 7) is generally fine. Insulin-dependent diabetes requires careful pre-operative optimisation and may shift the procedure timing. Discuss with your endocrinologist and the clinic — full medical history disclosure is essential.

The combination is customised to each patient. The four most common components are breast augmentation (implants), breast lift (mastopexy), tummy tuck with diastasis recti repair, and 360° liposuction. Most patients have 2–3 of these together; the 'full' four-procedure combination is less common and reserved for patients whose anatomy actually warrants it.

For breast augmentation alone, no drains. For tummy tuck — particularly with diastasis repair — temporary surgical drains are placed for 3–7 days to prevent seroma. Progressive tension sutures during tummy tuck closure reduce drain dependency in selected cases.

Tummy tuck: a horizontal scar low on the abdomen, designed to be hidden under underwear or swimwear. Breast lift: depending on technique, around the areola only (peri-areolar), around the areola plus a vertical line down (lollipop), or full anchor (lollipop plus horizontal in the breast crease). Breast augmentation: typically inframammary (under-breast crease, ~4–5 cm) or peri-areolar. Liposuction: small punctures around 4 mm.

Combined breast aug + tummy tuck: approximately 4 hours. Combined breast lift + tummy tuck: approximately 5 hours. Tummy tuck + 360° liposuction: 4–5 hours. Full mommy makeover (all four): 5.5–6 hours. Times include patient positioning, anaesthesia setup, and dressings — surgical time is shorter.

General anaesthesia administered by a board-certified specialist anaesthesiologist (5-year training) who remains in the operating room for the entire procedure. Modern monitoring is standard: continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, end-tidal CO₂ capnography, and BIS depth-of-anaesthesia monitoring.

FDA-approved cohesive silicone gel implants from the major manufacturers (Mentor, Motiva, Polytech). Implant choice (round vs anatomical, profile, volume, brand) is based on chest dimensions, patient goal, and tissue characteristics — selected during consultation.

Dr. Erdal's primary technique is subfascial — implant placement beneath the fascia (the thin layer of connective tissue covering the pectoral muscle) but above the muscle itself. This combines the natural look of submuscular with the absence of animation deformity (implants don't move with muscle contraction). For very thin patients with limited soft tissue cover, dual-plane placement may be preferred.

Desk work: 2–3 weeks for combined cases. Light physical work: 4 weeks. Lifting / physically demanding work: 6–8 weeks. The tummy tuck component is the rate-limiting factor — until the abdominal repair has integrated, lifting and core engagement are restricted.

Typically 10–14 days after combined mommy makeover. The criteria are: off prescription pain medication, able to do an emergency stop without abdominal pain, normal range of motion in the upper body. Don't drive sedated or in significant pain — your reaction time is impaired.

Walking from day 2 — gentle, frequent, short walks. Light cardio (stationary bike, low-pace treadmill) at 4 weeks. Resistance training at 6 weeks (lower body) and 8 weeks (upper body and core). Full unrestricted exercise at 12 weeks. Returning early is the most common cause of seroma.

Yes — for tummy tuck and liposuction components. Worn day and night for the first 2–3 weeks, then daytime only for weeks 4–6. Provided by the clinic. Replaces and supports the abdominal closure during early healing.

The first 48–72 hours are the most uncomfortable, particularly for tummy tuck. Pain is well controlled with the prescribed regimen — most patients describe it as 'manageable discomfort' by day 4–5 rather than significant pain. The abdominal repair causes a tight feeling that gradually eases over 2–3 weeks.

Tummy tuck drains: typically removed at days 5–7, when daily output drops below 30 ml. Drain removal is quick and almost painless. Patients can shower normally once drains are out.

Brief sponge bathing from day 2. Full shower (with the dressings as instructed) typically from day 3–4 once drains are out. No baths or pools for 4 weeks — the incision needs to be fully sealed and the abdominal repair stable.

Scars receive multimodal care: silicone sheeting from week 3, sun protection, hydration, and gentle massage from week 4. Most scars look worst at 2–3 months (peak redness) and progressively soften over 12–18 months. Scars in well-vascularised tissue (which is why patient selection matters) heal best.

Seroma (8–15%), small wound healing issues (3–8%), infection (1–3%), hematoma (1–3%), and rarely DVT/pulmonary embolism (<0.5%). Capsular contracture for implant cases (5–10% lifetime). Most complications, when they occur, are minor and resolve fully. The detailed breakdown is on the safety page.

JCI-accredited (Joint Commission International) private hospital in Istanbul. JCI is the global gold standard for hospital quality, audited every 3 years. Full ICU on-site, modern monitoring, board-certified anaesthesia.

Daily WhatsApp follow-up for the first 4 weeks, then weekly until 12 weeks. Photo and video assessment. Most concerns can be managed remotely with guidance for local care. For major issues, the clinic coordinates with local providers and remains medically responsible. Return to Istanbul for revision if needed.

When performed by a board-certified surgeon at a JCI-accredited hospital with full board-certified anaesthesia, mommy makeover safety in Türkiye is comparable to any developed-country practice. The risk drivers are surgeon credentials, hospital, and patient selection — not the country.

Minor revisions for issues attributable to the original surgery — minor scar revision, small dog-ear correction, drainage of a small late seroma — are included at no additional surgical fee in the first 6 months. Major revisions are evaluated case-by-case. Late issues (year 2+, capsular contracture) are not covered but offered at preferential rates.

Yes, but it's not recommended. Pregnancy will stretch the abdominal wall again, partially or fully undoing the diastasis repair. The breast result may also change. If pregnancy is even possible, wait until your family is complete.

Probably yes, but with reduced reliability. Breast augmentation has minimal effect on breastfeeding. Breast lift may reduce milk supply — particularly in techniques that disconnect the nipple-areola complex from underlying ducts (rare in modern practice). Discuss explicitly during consultation if breastfeeding is a future goal.

Pregnancy after mommy makeover is medically safe — the surgery doesn't endanger pregnancy or the baby. The cosmetic result will likely degrade. Revision surgery is possible after the new baby (waiting again 12 months after breastfeeding stops).

Minimum 7 days, recommended 10 days. The minimum window allows: arrival (day 0), pre-op tests + consultation (day 1), surgery (day 2), in-hospital stay (1–2 nights), recovery hotel days (3–7), drain removal at day 6–7, departure (day 8). The 10-day version gives more recovery margin and a less rushed last few days.

Yes. Daily in-person follow-up by Dr. Erdal during the Istanbul stay. Remote video consultations at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months at no additional charge. WhatsApp access is unlimited.

Yes. After WhatsApp photo assessment and a video consultation, a written all-inclusive quote is provided. Quote valid for 60 days; includes every fee that will be charged.

A modest deposit secures your surgery date. Fully refundable up to 30 days before the operation. Balance is settled on arrival in Istanbul, before surgery.

More than 30 days out: full refund. Within 30 days: case-by-case — generally a portion of the deposit may be retained to cover hotel and hospital booking costs.

Yes. VIP airport transfers are included. Hotel booking at one of several partner 4-star hotels in walking distance is arranged on your behalf, paid directly to the hotel (not in the surgery fee — keeps it transparent).

Yes, strongly encouraged. A partner, family member, or friend should accompany you for at least the surgical week. Hotels accommodate companions at no additional charge in most rooms.

Photo simulation is a starting point, not a guarantee. Dr. Erdal uses simulations to align expectations and discuss what is achievable, but emphasises that the final result depends on individual healing, tissue, and surgical execution. Realistic expectation-setting is part of every consultation.