Mommy Makeover
A customized combination of procedures — typically tummy tuck plus breast surgery — addressing the physical changes pregnancy and breastfeeding leave behind.
What it treats
Pregnancy and breastfeeding leave lasting physical changes: stretched abdominal skin that won’t retract, separated abdominal muscles, stubborn fat deposits, breast volume loss after breastfeeding, breast sagging, and changes in breast size, shape, or symmetry. These changes are biological and normal — not a failure of fitness or willpower — and exercise and healthy eating cannot reverse permanently stretched skin, separated muscles, lost breast volume, or damaged collagen and elastin. A mommy makeover combines plastic surgery techniques — typically a tummy tuck and breast surgery performed together — to address these changes comprehensively.
Hospital-based care
Every mommy makeover is performed at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, with an anesthetist — particularly important given the longer combined surgery time — full emergency capability, and the ability to admit overnight if ever needed.
What’s typically combined
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) — removes excess abdominal skin, repairs separated muscles
- Breast surgery — augmentation (implants), lift (mastopexy), or both
- Liposuction (if included) — removes stubborn fat deposits
- Arm or thigh lift — if excess skin exists in those areas too
The goal is restoration, not transformation — returning your body’s pre-pregnancy shape and proportions, not creating an artificial or unrealistic appearance.
Common combinations
Tummy Tuck + Breast Augmentation
Best for excess abdominal skin plus lost breast volume after breastfeeding.
Tummy Tuck + Breast Lift
Best for excess abdominal skin plus breast sagging with adequate volume — no implants needed.
Tummy Tuck + Augmentation + Lift
Best for both volume loss and significant sagging — the most comprehensive option.
Tummy Tuck + Liposuction
Best when stubborn fat deposits (flanks, hips, thighs, back) accompany excess skin.
Day of surgery
- Tummy tuck — removes excess abdominal skin, repairs separated muscles, repositions the belly button, tightens remaining skin.
- Breast surgery — augmentation to restore volume, a lift to reposition tissue higher, or both.
- Liposuction (if included) — targeted fat removal from additional areas.
- Drain placement — to prevent fluid accumulation during healing.
- Closure — incisions closed with sutures, compression garments and surgical bras applied.
Most patients go home the same day, though some stay one night depending on the extent of combined procedures.
Recovery timeline
Moderate to significant discomfort. Cannot lift children or anything over 5 lbs. Drains in place (removed at 7–14 days). Significant help needed with childcare and daily tasks.
Pain decreasing significantly. Drains removed. Light day-to-day tasks manageable. Still cannot lift children or heavy objects.
Most discomfort resolved. Return to desk work. Careful lifting of toddlers with limitations. Light walking for exercise.
Cleared for all exercise and lifting. Full return to normal activities including full childcare.
Continued scar fading and maturation. Final breast shape and abdominal contour fully apparent.
You cannot lift your children for 4–6 weeks minimum — a genuinely difficult part of this recovery. Arrange full-time help for at least the first two weeks.
Am I a candidate?
Good candidates typically:
- Have completed their family, with no future pregnancies planned
- Have finished breastfeeding, ideally 6–12+ months ago
- Have maintained a stable weight for 6–12 months and are within 10–15 lbs of goal weight
- Are in good overall health and a non-smoker (or able to quit 6–8 weeks before and after)
- Have adequate support arranged for a genuinely demanding recovery
Important: future pregnancy will likely undo surgical results — we strongly recommend waiting until your family is complete.
What if I have a C-section scar?
Dr. Borsuk can often incorporate or remove your C-section scar during the tummy tuck component, since the incision is typically positioned in the same general area — this is discussed directly during your consultation.
Cost & financing
Typical range: $18,000–$25,000+ CAD, varying by the specific combination of procedures and their complexity. Your quote includes the surgeon’s fee, hospital operating room fees, anesthesia, post-operative compression garments, surgical bras, and a year of follow-up appointments. Not covered by OHIP or insurance; financing options are available.
Results
Every patient’s anatomy, goals, and healing are different — these photos are intended to help you understand what this combination of procedures can achieve, not to predict your own outcome. This patient combined an abdominoplasty with breast augmentation in one surgery.
Results are not guaranteed. Individual results may vary.
Risks & safety
As with any surgery, a mommy makeover carries real risks worth understanding upfront — and because it combines multiple procedures in one longer surgery, some risks are elevated compared to a single procedure alone:
- Bleeding or fluid buildup (seroma)
- Infection
- Delayed wound healing
- Changes in skin or nipple sensation
- Blood clots (DVT/PE) — a more relevant risk given the longer combined surgery time
- Implant-related risks if augmentation is included (capsular contracture, implant malposition or rupture)
- Fat necrosis
- Asymmetry or unfavorable scarring
- Contour irregularities or deformities
- Need for reoperation or revision surgery
- Dissatisfaction with cosmetic outcome
- Anesthesia-related risks, including rare risk of death
Dr. Borsuk will walk through how these risks apply specifically to your case, and what’s done to minimize them, before you consent to surgery.
Frequently asked questions
How long after having a baby can I have a mommy makeover?
Minimum 6–12 months after finishing breastfeeding and reaching weight stability. Ideally 12–18+ months, allowing your body to fully recover and hormones to stabilize.
Can I have a mommy makeover if I’m not finished having children?
Technically yes, but it’s strongly discouraged — a future pregnancy will likely undo your results, re-stretching abdominal muscles and skin and altering breast changes significantly.
Will a mommy makeover help me lose weight?
No — it removes tissue (skin), not significant fat, except where liposuction is included. You should be at or near your goal weight and stable for 6–12 months first.
How much time off work do I need?
Desk jobs: 4–6 weeks minimum. Physically demanding work: 6–8 weeks. Jobs requiring childcare or lifting: 8+ weeks.
Ready to plan your mommy makeover?
Every combination is customized to your anatomy and goals — a consultation is the clearest way to build your plan.
Schedule a Consultation