How Much Is a Mummy Makeover Surgery in Australia?
After pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, you may be experiencing changes in your body, such as deflation or sagging of breasts, loose skin, and a less firm abdomen. These changes can lead to a negative body image and a lack of confidence in your skin. If you want to address these cosmetic concerns with plastic surgery, a “mummy makeover” surgery may be the answer. “Mummy makeover” surgery usually includes both breast and abdominal plastic surgery performed at the same time. However, plastic surgery plans should always be highly individualized to make sure that your aesthetic and functional goals are met. Your plastic surgeon can discuss a mummy makeover plan and cost that is designed to improve your body image and create a result that you are happy with.
What Is A Mummy Makeover?
The term “mummy makeover” is used to describe a combination of several plastic surgery procedures aimed at correcting post-pregnancy cosmetic concerns, especially regarding the breasts and stomach.
The procedures involved in a mummy makeover can include the following:
- Breast augmentation, reduction, or lift, and
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or mini tummy tuck surgery, and/or liposuction, and
- Labiaplasty/vaginal rejuvenation surgery
Are You a Good Candidate For a Mummy Makeover?
Mummy makeover surgeries can address many post-pregnancy cosmetic concerns, such as sagging breasts or excess abdominal skin. If you have any of these concerns, you might be wondering if you will be a good candidate for a mummy makeover.
You are a good candidate for a mummy makeover surgery if:
- You don’t plan on having any further pregnancies
- You are no longer breastfeeding
- You are at a healthy BMI and don’t plan on losing or gaining a significant amount of weight
- You are in generally good health and are willing to quit smoking or discontinue medication if required
- Your surgical expectations are realistic
What To Keep In Mind When Looking To Get a Mummy Makeover
Remember that if you do fall pregnant after having mummy makeover surgery, this may impact your surgical results or require revision surgery.
If you gain significant weight post-op, your results will not be maintained over time. This means that if you have lost baby weight to prepare for mummy makeover surgery, you will need to have a plan in place for maintaining your weight loss in the future.
If your mummy makeover includes breast implants, there is a possibility that these will need to be replaced after a certain time period has passed. Most breast implants have a “life span” of around 20 years. Your surgeon will be able to advise you on how long your breast implants are expected to last.
Because a mummy makeover usually involves more than one surgery, it is essential that you are in good health before booking your surgery. You will need to be given a clean bill of health by your GP, and if you are a smoker, you will need to quit for at least three weeks before your surgeries.
What Is Included In the Cost of a Mummy Makeover?
The costs included in your mummy makeover fee will depend on what procedure you are having, where you have it, and the kind of post-op care you will be receiving.
Typically, an all-inclusive price for a mummy makeover procedure may include the following:
- Surgeon fee
- Hospital fee
- Anaesthetist fee
- Post-op care
- Prescription costs
- Scans and medical tests
- Additional garments if required
- Implant costs if required
- Scar treatments
How Much is a Mummy Makeover in Australia?
The overall cost of a mummy makeover varies from patient to patient. Cost depends on what procedures you will need to achieve your individual aesthetic goals, as well as how qualified your surgeon is. A mummy makeover that includes both breast and abdominal surgery will cost more than breast or abdominal surgery alone.
You will have a good idea of how much your mummy makeover will cost after your initial consultation with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon will take into account your specific situation, wants, and needs, to come up with a surgical plan that is tailored to you.
The cost of a mummy makeover that includes both breast and abdominal surgery in Australia typically ranges between $15k and $30k.
Different Price Ranges For A Mummy Makeover
The difference in price between a $15k mummy makeover and a $30k mummy makeover mostly depends on the expertise of your surgeon. Remember, a cheaper surgical price tag is not necessarily a “good deal”. The surgeon’s expertise and ability to give you results that you are happy with is even more important than the price.
Procedures at the low end of this price range will be:
- Usually performed by a Cosmetic Surgeon, not a Specialist Plastic Surgeon
- Sometimes performed by a junior Plastic Surgeon
- Carried out in a day surgery or the surgeon’s own clinic
Procedures in the middle of the price range ($20-25k) will be:
- Usually performed by a Specialist Plastic Surgeon
- Carried out in an Accredited Private Hospital or an Accredited day surgery
Procedures at the high end of the price range ($25-30k) will be:
- Performed by a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who is highly experienced at mummy makeover procedures
- Carried out in an Accredited Private Hospital
Individual Procedures Cost
You may only want one aspect of a mummy makeover, such as breast augmentation or a tummy tuck. This means that the cost of surgery will be reduced, depending on what procedure is appropriate for you.
Price ranges for common individual mummy makeover procedures include:
- The cost of a tummy tuck without breast surgery ranges between $12k and $24k
- A mini tummy tuck, which targets excess skin, costs between $8k and $16k
- Breast augmentation alone costs between $7k and $17k
- Breast lift and breast reduction surgery both cost between $10k and $20k
- A labiaplasty will cost between $5 and $12k
How To Finance Your Mummy Makeover
The best option for financing your mummy makeover procedure depends on your financial situation, financial goals, and the reasons that you are considering plastic surgery.
Options for financing your mummy makeover surgery include:
- Paying costs out of pocket
- Early withdrawal of your SuperFund if eligible
- Medicare cover if eligible
- Taking out a personal loan
- Using a payment plan
Does Medicare Cover a Mummy Makeover?
Depending on which surgical procedures you are planning to get as part of your mummy makeover, you may be able to get Medicare coverage for your surgery.
Surgical procedures that may be eligible for a Medicare rebate under some conditions include:
- Breast lifts
- Breast reductions
- Tummy tucks/abdominoplasties
You may be able to get Medicare cover for a tummy tuck procedure or abdominal skin removal if:
- You have lost a significant amount of weight (more than 5 points on the BMI scale), and this weight loss is not related to pregnancy
- You have excess abdominal skin that is impacting your quality of life and has not been improved by non-surgical measures
You may be able to get Medicare cover for a breast lift or reduction if:
- The size of your breasts is causing you pain, such as lower back pain, or
- Your breast sagging (ptosis) results in at least ⅔ of your breast tissue falling lower than the “fold” of your breast, and:
- You have at least one child under the age of 7, and:
- You have no children under the age of 1
You may be able to get Medicare cover for labiaplasty if:
- The size or shape of your labia is causing pain or discomfort
- Your discomfort is not eased by non-surgical measures
Usually, you will not be able to get Medicare cover for a breast augmentation or a tummy tuck that is purely cosmetic.
Using SuperFund To Pay For Mummy Makeover Surgery
Sometimes, patients are able to access Superannuation funds early to cover the costs of surgery by applying to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) through a process called compassionate release.
You might be able to access your SuperFund to cover the costs of a mummy makeover if:
- You are unable to pay for the surgery yourself
- You cannot have the surgery performed through the public healthcare system
- Your cosmetic condition is causing pain or discomfort
If you are considering a mummy makeover for purely cosmetic reasons and not because of pain or discomfort, you will not be eligible for early release of Super funds.
How To Choose The Best Surgeon For Your Mummy Makeover
When planning any plastic surgery, it is essential to make sure that your surgeon is trustworthy, fully accredited, and has the expertise needed to give you the best possible results.
When choosing your plastic surgeon, make sure that you:
- Select a surgeon who is certified by RACS (the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons)
- Check that your surgeon is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and not a cosmetic surgeon
- Talk with family members or friends who have had plastic surgery
- Talk with your GP about qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeons who practice in your area
- Search for reviews online
- Select a surgeon who makes you feel comfortable, at-ease, and fully informed on your surgical procedures and recovery
Mummy Makeover FAQs
What Should I Expect During a Mummy Makeover Consultation?
- During your mummy makeover consultation, be prepared to discuss the goals you have for your surgery. It is important for you and your surgeon to be on the same page about your goals and expectations so that your surgeon can recommend treatments that are right for you.
Your plastic surgeon will also ask you questions about:
- Your medical health
- Any previous surgeries you have had
- Your current medications and substance use
- Any allergies you may have
Your surgeon’s examination will include:
- Examination of key “problem areas” such as the stomach and breasts
- Taking photographs of target areas
- Evaluating skin quality
During your initial consultation for your mummy makeover, you and your plastic surgeon will discuss:
- The outcomes for different mummy makeover procedures
- Your surgical options, as well as what option your surgeon recommends for your goals
- Risks or complications of mummy makeover surgery
Can a Mummy Makeover Include Genital Surgery?
- Pregnancy and childbirth can often cause stretching of the labia, leading to pain, discomfort, or a lack of confidence. If you have cosmetic concerns regarding your labia, or your labia are causing your discomfort after pregnancy and birth, vaginal rejuvenation procedures such as labiaplasty can be included in a mummy makeover. If you are considering labiaplasty as a part of your mummy makeover, please discuss this with your plastic surgeon in your initial consultation.
How Soon After Birth Can I Have Mummy Makeover Surgery?
- After birth and finishing breastfeeding, it is recommended that you wait a minimum of 6 months, and preferably one year, before having mummy makeover surgery.
This “cool down” period after birth means that:
- You give your body the time it needs to recover from pregnancy
- You are able to de-stress and relax after delivery
- Hormonal fluctuations are able to settle
- Pregnancy-related tissue elasticity has time to return to normal
- You have time to finish breastfeeding at your own pace
Will I Need To Lose Weight Before Having a Mummy Makeover?
- If you are at your ideal weight and your BMI is healthy, there is no need to lose any weight before having a mummy makeover. If you are overweight or have gained “baby weight” that you are unhappy with, it is recommended that you lose most of this weight through an individually tailored diet and exercise programme before you book mummy makeover surgery.
What Is The Recovery Time For Mummy Makeover Surgery?
- The recovery time after having a mummy makeover depends on your health, your lifestyle, and what surgical procedures you have had. Your surgeon will be able to tell you how long they expect your recovery journey to take, as well as any restrictions that you will have in place post-op.
Post-op restrictions can include:
- Periods of bed rest, such as after a tummy tuck
- Restrictions on heavy lifting
- Restrictions on exercise
Usually, surgical recovery from mummy makeover surgery will be between 4 and 8 weeks.