Post Pregnancy Surgery: Plastic Surgery for Mums

After pregnancy, many women experience significant physical changes in their bodies. These changes often include sagging breasts, excess abdominal skin, diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), and stubborn fat deposits that seem resistant to diet and exercise. While these changes are natural and a result of the miraculous process of childbirth, they can sometimes affect physical comfort. Post-pregnancy surgery, also known as plastic surgery after birth, offers a solution for addressing these physical changes. Procedures like breast augmentation and post pregnancy tummy tuck can help restore the breasts’ shape and volume and create a flatter, more toned abdomen. By understanding the concept of post-pregnancy surgery and its benefits, women can explore options to regain a more pre-pregnancy appearance.

Understanding Post Pregnancy Body Changes

The benefits of Post Pregnancy Procedures are smoother, lifted, perkier breasts and a tummy that’s flatter and smoother than it was before.

Dr Doyle

Pregnancy brings about significant transformations in a woman’s body, often leading to various physical changes. These changes commonly involve sagging breasts, excess abdominal skin, diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation), and stubborn fat deposits. Sagging breasts can occur due to hormonal fluctuations and breastfeeding, resulting in a loss of firmness and shape. The stretching of the abdominal area during pregnancy can lead to excess skin and weakened abdominal muscles, causing the appearance of sagging or loose skin. Diastasis recti occurs when the abdominal muscles separate, resulting in a bulging or protruding abdomen. Additionally, some women struggle with stubborn fat deposits in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or hips, which can be resistant to traditional weight loss methods. Understanding and addressing postpartum body could be helpful for individuals aiming to enhance their overall well-being following childbirth.

Breast Engorgement

A few days after you give birth, your breasts will begin to swell. This is because your breasts are producing milk to feed your baby with. Once the milk is gone, whether you breastfed or not, it is likely that your breasts will lose density and tissue size, resulting in an aesthetic that is quite different to what you are used to. This usually results in sagging.

Weight Gain and Loss

Natural fluctuations in weight during and after pregnancy can cause stretch marks and loose skin. You may have stretch marks on your belly from where your skin was stretched during the pregnancy. They may also occur on your thighs, hips and bottom and will usually fade over time.

Excess Skin

For the first two weeks after giving birth (sometimes longer) your belly will look quite baggy. This is because it needed to expand to accommodate your baby and now no longer needs to be that stretched. Some moms are unfortunately unable to be rid of the excess skin which leaves them feeling unhappy with their appearance and unable to remove it through any other form but surgery.

Exploring Post Pregnancy Surgery Options

When considering postpartum plastic surgery options, women have a range of procedures available to address their specific body concerns following childbirth. Two popular choices are breast augmentation and tummy tuck.

mommy makeover surgery

Breast augmentation is a procedure that aims to restore volume, shape, and symmetry to the breasts, which may have changed due to pregnancy and breastfeeding. It involves the use of breast implants to enhance the size and appearance of the breasts.

On the other hand, a tummy tuck or postpartum belly surgery primarily focuses on the abdominal area, aiming to tighten abdominal muscles, remove excess skin, and create a flatter, more toned stomach. These procedures can be beneficial for women seeking comprehensive transformations after pregnancy.

Tummy Tuck after Pregnancy

After pregnancy, many women experience changes in their abdominal area, such as excess skin, stretched abdominal muscles, and diastasis recti. A postpartum tummy tuck is a surgical procedure specifically designed to address these concerns and restore a flatter, more toned stomach after delivery.

During a tummy tuck, the surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen to access the underlying muscles. The abdominal muscles are then tightened, excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is carefully repositioned for a smoother appearance. This procedure not only improves the appearance of the abdomen but also helps alleviate any discomfort caused by stretched or weakened muscles.

By opting for a tummy tuck after pregnancy, women can achieve significant improvements in their abdominal contour. Post pregnancy belly surgery helps eliminate excess skin, reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and create a more defined waistline.

Breast Augmentation: Restoring Volume and Shape after Pregnancy

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause significant changes in the breasts, often leading to volume loss, sagging, and a loss of symmetry. Post pregnancy breast augmentation is a popular procedure among women seeking postpartum improvements, can restore the breasts’ fullness, shape, and proportion.

Boob job after pregnancy involves the placement of breast implants to increase the size and enhance the appearance of the breasts. The procedure begins with a consultation to determine the patient’s desired size, shape, and implant type. There are various implant options available, including saline or silicone implants, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. The surgeon will help guide the patient in choosing the most suitable option based on their preferences and anatomy.

Breast augmentation after pregnancy not only enhances breast size but also improves symmetry and corrects any asymmetries caused by pregnancy-related changes. It is important to note that breast augmentation does not address significant sagging or drooping of the breasts, which may require additional procedures such as a breast lift.

Liposuction

The weight loss that occurs after childbirth is not always enough or as much as women would like to see. Sometimes there are more stubborn areas of excess fat that even exercise can’t get rid of. This is where liposuction would become an option, to remove that layer of fat below the skin. We do suggest that you first reach your goal weight or as close to it as possible as this is not a sole fat-loss solution but rather a tool to assist you with the more difficult areas.

Combined Approach for Comprehensive Transformation

Combining breast augmentation and post pregnancy tummy tuck procedures allows for a comprehensive transformation of the breasts and abdominal area. Women can achieve restored volume, improved shape, and enhanced symmetry in their breasts, while also tightening the abdominal muscles, removing excess skin, and creating a flatter, more toned stomach.


When performed together, breast augmentation and postpartum tummy tuck can complement each other, leading to improved overall proportions and balance. By addressing multiple areas of concern in a single surgical session, patients can reduce overall recovery time and potentially lower the costs compared to undergoing each procedure separately.

Before and After Photos

Recovery After Post Pregnancy Surgery

In most instances, patients will need to spend at least a week to 10 days at home. In terms of regular activities, any exercise can only be resumed after six weeks. Dr Doyle will provide you with specific aftercare instructions that should be carefully followed to achieve the ideal outcome. This will include how to care for your wounds and steps you can take to make your recovery more comfortable. Patients may also need to wear a compression garment for six weeks to reduce swelling. Dr Doyle’s cosmetic surgery recovery tips may help you to have a smoother recovery.

If you are worried about scarring, know that all scars naturally fade over time. There are also specific steps you can take to keep scarring to a minimum. Keeping your incision sites protected from harmful UV rays, even after they’ve healed, is one way to prevent noticeable scarring. Patients can also use silicone gel sheets and massage techniques as a way to reduce scars after a post pregnancy procedures.

Long term Results of Postpartum Surgery

The final results of post pregnancy procedures will take several months to appear (as it takes some time for swelling to subside) however, you will see a noticeable difference directly after surgery. It’s important to wait until all swelling and bruising have subsided before you decide whether you’re happy with your outcome. In terms of how long your results will last, this will depend on your lifestyle and whether you choose to grow your family later on. Age will also still affect your body, which may result in the need for additional procedures later in life.

Considering Post Pregnancy Surgery: Choosing a Surgeon

Dr Mark Doyle, one of Queensland’s top plastic surgeons, has over 30 years of experience and has meticulously completed hundreds of post pregnancy procedures. Post pregnancy procedures are a collection of surgical treatments done at the same time to correct the changes that occur during pregnancy. These packages are a customised technique that can improve a woman’s physique after pregnancy and childbirth.

Dr Doyle is a specialist plastic surgeon who practises on the Gold Coast. He operates out of John Flynn Private Hospital, which is about a 5-minute drive from Coolangatta International Airport. He works alongside a surgical operating team (Nurse Assistant and Anaesthetist) who are all well regarded in their respective fields.

Dr Mark is a big believer in patient-centered care and will take the time to listen to your concerns before making any treatment recommendations.

FAQs

How Much Does a Combined Breast Augmentation and Tummy Tuck Procedure Cost?

The cost of a combined breast augmentation with lift and tummy tuck procedure with Dr. Doyle starts from $41800. However, it’s important to note that the final cost may vary depending on additional factors such as surgical facility fees, anesthesia fees, and the specific techniques used.

Combining these procedures can often provide cost savings compared to undergoing them separately, as certain expenses like anesthesia and facility fees can be shared between the surgeries. Nevertheless, it is vital to prioritize the selection of a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Doyle, who can deliver safe and satisfactory results, rather than basing your decision solely on the cost.

Will Medicare Cover My Post-Pregnancy Procedures?

Typically, Medicare and Health Fund rebate eligibility applies for single surgery sessions only. This means that rebates from Medicare (and Private Health Fund cover) will often not apply if you want to combine your breast surgery and tummy tuck surgery into one procedure.

It’s best to ask your GP or surgeon for details about your post-pregnancy conditions and if they meet the Medicare criteria. Then you can proceed in deciding if you would like to do the surgery as a single-stage procedure (with limited access to Medicare coverage) or as a two-stage procedure.

Can I Breastfeed after Undergoing Breast Augmentation?

While breast augmentation itself does not typically interfere with breastfeeding, it’s important to discuss your plans for future breastfeeding with implants with your plastic surgeon during the consultation. In most cases, breast implants do not impact the milk ducts or nipple sensitivity.

Contact Us

We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions about postpartum surgery. If you have any other questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please call our clinic or enquire through our website.

About Dr Mark Doyle FRACS (Plast) – Queensland Plastic Surgeon

Servicing patients in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and New South Wales NSW – Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore and more.

Dr Mark Doyle is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon with over thirty years of experience performing BreastBodyFace and Nose surgery. Dr Doyle is a fully qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 30+ years of experience. He has completed all required training and only carries out approved surgical practices. There are absolutely NO undertrained doctors or cosmetic doctors acting as surgeons in our clinic.

As a highly esteemed plastic surgeon, Dr Mark is committed to achieving the best possible results for all his breast, body, face and nose patients, both men and women.

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  • Dr. Mark Doyle AHPRA Registration: Dr Mark Doyle MED0001375519 Specialist Plastic Surgery – MBBS FRACS FRCS

*DISCLAIMER: All information on Gold Coast Plastic Surgery website is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Results can vary significantly and depend on individual patient circumstances. All images on this website, unless specified as real patient images, are stock images used for illustrative purposes only. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your surgeon. Book a consult for details regarding your cosmetic surgery procedure.