How Long Is a Mommy Makeover Surgery?

A mommy makeover is a combination of cosmetic procedures designed to restore your body’s shape and enhance its appearance after the physical changes caused by pregnancy and childbirth. It typically includes procedures for the breasts and abdomen, and may also involve contouring of the buttocks, thighs, or vaginal area, depending on your individual needs and goals.

Whether simple or extensive, a mommy makeover involves multiple procedures performed in a single session, making it a lengthy operation followed by an extended recovery period. So, how long does a mommy makeover take, and what is the recovery time for each procedure?

Discover your mommy makeover surgery with Turkey Luxury Clinics, from surgery duration to a step-by-step recovery timeline designed to help you contour and restore your body with confidence.

Mommy Makeover Timeline at a Glance

How Long is Mommy Makeover Surgery?

A mommy makeover surgery typically is 3 to 6 hours, though the exact duration depends on the number and complexity of procedures performed. For example, liposuction generally takes 1–2 hours, a full tummy tuck 2–3 hours, and a breast augmentation 1–2 hours.

After surgery, most patients stay in the hospital for one to two nights under monitoring to ensure safety and proper initial recovery from anesthesia.

For international patients seeking mommy makeover abroad, it’s recommended to wait for 3–4 days to allow for the initial check-ups, post-operative care, and safe follow-up before travelling and returning home.

Here’s an overview of how long each procedure involved in a mommy makeover usually takes:

What are the Procedures Involved in Mommy Makeover?

A mommy makeover surgery combines several cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction, tummy tuck, and breast enhancement, to restore and reshape the body after pregnancy. Each makeover is customized to fit your unique needs, goals, and budget.

The specific procedures included in your mommy makeover depend on factors like your body’s condition, desired results, and overall health. While the main procedures are breast enhancing and abdominoplasty with or without liposuction, other body contouring procedures like labiaplasty, BBL, thigh and arms lift, and full body contouring can be involved.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common procedures that may be included in a mommy makeover and how long each one is

1. Tummy Tuck

Pregnancy mainly affects the abdominal area, often leading to sagging skin caused by the rapid stretching and shrinking of the abdomen. Almost all women experience some degree of loose skin after childbirth, which can affect body confidence and self-esteem.

A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that tightens loose skin by removing excess skin along with underlying fat, and in some cases, tightens the abdominal muscles for a firmer appearance.

It is commonly combined with liposuction. A tummy tuck is a key component of any mommy makeover procedure. The surgery typically takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the type—mini, extended, or 360 tummy tuck—and on whether additional procedures such as liposuction are performed.

2. Breast Surgery

After childbirth and hormonal changes, the breasts often undergo changes in size, shape, and volume, including loss of fat tissue, sagging (ptosis), or asymmetry. To restore and enhance the breasts, a mommy makeover may include:

1. Breast lift (mastopexy): Corrects sagging and reshapes the breast.
2. Breast augmentation with implants: Restores volume and enhances fullness.
3. Fat transfer (autologous fat grafting): Uses the patient’s own fat to improve shape or volume.

The duration of breast procedures during a mommy makeover varies based on the type and complexity. Breast augmentation alone typically takes 1–2 hours, while lifts or fat transfer may take 2–4 hours, especially if multiple techniques are combined.

These procedures are often performed alongside other mommy makeover treatments, such as tummy tucks or liposuction, as part of a single-session surgery to restore overall body contour and confidence.

3. Liposuction

If stubborn fat remains after childbirth, liposuction can help remove it during a mommy makeover. This procedure targets areas such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or arms, improving body contour and definition.

Liposuction can be performed using traditional methods or more advanced techniques such as VASER or laser liposuction. The duration typically ranges from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the treatment area, amount of fat removed, and technique used. Generally, VASER or laser liposuction may take slightly longer than traditional methods due to the precision and contouring involved. Also procedures like 360 liposuction and full body lipo take double the time of limited liposuction.

4. Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty can be performed as part of a mommy makeover surgery to address changes in the labia caused by childbirth. This procedure reshapes and reduces the size of the labia minora, which can improve physical comfort, relieve irritation, enhance sexual satisfaction, and boost confidence in intimate and social situations.

5. Other body contouring procedure:

In addition to tummy tucks, breast surgery, and liposuction, a mommy makeover may include other body contouring procedures based on your goals and body needs:

1. Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): Enhances the shape and volume of the buttocks using fat transfer. Typically takes 2–4 hours, depending on the amount of fat harvested and transferred. Recovery involves avoiding sitting directly on the buttocks for several weeks.
2. Thigh Lift: Removes excess skin and tightens the thighs for a smoother contour. Usually takes 2–4 hours and is often combined with liposuction. Recovery may require avoiding strenuous leg activity for 4–6 weeks.
3. Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): Tightens sagging skin in the upper arms. Procedure time ranges from 1.5–3 hours, depending on the extent of skin removal. Recovery involves limiting heavy lifting for several weeks.
4. Full-Body Contouring: Combines multiple techniques (tummy tuck, liposuction, thigh/arm lift, BBL) in a single session for a harmonious overall shape. Duration varies widely, typically 4–8 hours depending on the number of procedures performed, with recovery following a combined timeline of each included surgery.

How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Mommy Makeover?

The mommy makeover journey doesn’t end when you wake up from surgery; the recovery period is a crucial stage you must go through to achieve the full results. Recovery after a mommy makeover varies for each patient but generally progresses through several phases, with noticeable improvements each week. Full results appear gradually as healing continues. So, how long does it take to recover from a mommy makeover?

Most patients can resume strenuous activities around six weeks, although initial recovery—when you may need assistance—usually lasts the first few weeks.

Mommy Makeover Recovery and Results Timeline

Week 1: Swelling and Results Are Masked

Immediately after surgery, expect pain, soreness, swelling, bruising, and fatigue. Rest is crucial, and you will likely need assistance with daily tasks and childcare. Short walks are encouraged to prevent blood clots, but avoid strenuous activity.

Weeks 2–3: Mommy Makeover Results Begin to Appear

During this phase, your strength gradually returns, and pain and discomfort start to subside. You can slowly resume daily activities. Early results begin to show as swelling and fluid retention decrease.

Weeks 4–6: Resuming Activities with Caution

Most daily tasks and household activities can be resumed with care. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise until cleared by your surgeon, usually after week 6. The results of your mommy makeover become more obvious during this period.

Months 3–6: Seeing the Final Results

Residual swelling continues to decrease, revealing the final contour and shape. Light exercises, such as walking, help reduce swelling and strengthen muscles. Most patients can return to their regular exercise routines and daily activities.

6–12 Months and Beyond: Full Recovery

By this stage, nearly all swelling has resolved, and scars will continue fading, becoming a natural part of your body’s healing journey. You should feel fully recovered, confident, and able to appreciate and enjoy the results of your mommy makeover.

Factors That Affect Mommy Makeover Surgery Time

Several factors can influence the duration of a mommy makeover and the subsequent recovery:

1. Number and Complexity of Procedures:
2. Mommy makeovers that combine multiple procedures for full body contouring naturally take longer. More complex cases, such as extensive loose skin, significant excess fat, or the need for fat transfer (as in BBL or breast augmentation), require additional time both during surgery and during recovery.
3. Pre-Existing Health Conditions:
4. Your overall health affects both the surgery duration and recovery time. Younger, healthier individuals often recover faster and may require a shorter hospital stay.
5. Surgical Techniques:
6. Advanced techniques that minimize tissue damage, like VASER liposuction, can sometimes lead to shorter surgery times and quicker recovery.
7. Anesthesia and Post-Operative Monitoring:
8. Extended surgeries under general anesthesia may require a longer stay for monitoring, pain management, and ensuring patient stability before discharge.

FAQs About How Long is Mommy Makeover Surgery?