Procedure guide · 2 listed FRACS surgeons
Mummy makeover in Australia: cost, recovery and surgeon checklist
"Mummy makeover" is a marketing term, not a specific surgical procedure - it refers to combining breast surgery (augmentation, lift, reduction, or combinations) with abdominoplasty and sometimes liposuction in a single operating session, to address post-pregnancy body changes. Around 3,000 to 4,000 mummy makeovers are performed annually in Australia.
★Key takeaways
- ✓"Mummy makeover" is a marketing term, not a specific surgical procedure - it refers to combining breast surgery (augmentation, lift, reduction, or combinations) with abdominoplasty and sometimes liposuction in a single operating session, to address post-pregnancy body changes.
- ✓Typical Australian cost: $25,000 to $40,000 all-inclusive (Medicare MBS 30171 / 30177 (diastasis component) may apply).
- ✓2 FRACS-qualified plastic surgeons in our directory list mummy makeover among their specialisations.
- ✓Source: ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory, AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard 2023, Medicare Benefits Schedule. Last updated 17 May 2026.
What it is
What mummy makeover actually involves
Combined surgery in a single session has appeal (one recovery, one anaesthesia, one hospital stay) but carries elevated complication risk compared to staged single procedures. Total operating time often 6-8 hours; longer operations have higher rates of DVT, infection, and seroma. Many surgeons cap combined operating time at 6 hours for safety.
Most common combinations: breast augmentation + abdominoplasty, breast lift + abdominoplasty + liposuction of flanks, or breast reduction + abdominoplasty + diastasis repair. The most appropriate combination depends on individual anatomy and which changes from pregnancy you want addressed.
Where rectus diastasis is documented (post-pregnancy abdominal muscle separation), MBS items 30171 / 30177 attract Medicare rebate on the abdominoplasty component. The breast component is rarely rebated unless breast reduction meets MBS criteria.
Who is a candidate
- Completed family (pregnancy after mummy makeover reverses much of the improvement)
- Breastfeeding ceased at least 6 months prior
- Stable weight for 6 months (post-bariatric typically 12-18 months stable)
- BMI ideally under 30 for full combined procedure
- No untreated medical conditions, particularly diabetes or hypertension
- Smoking ceased 6 weeks minimum
- Robust support network for first 2-4 weeks post-op (recovery is demanding with combined procedures)
- Two-week cooling-off period observed
Typical recovery timeline
Day 0-3
Overnight hospital, often 2 nights for combined breast + abdominoplasty. Drains for abdomen 3-7 days. Compression garment full body, surgical bra. Significant pain - prescription pain relief 5-7 days.
Week 1
Bent-forward walking due to abdominoplasty closure tension. Drains removed at 3-7 days. Off work 3-4 weeks minimum.
Week 2-4
Walking upright by week 3. No lifting more than 2kg. Compression garments continued.
Month 1-3
Light cardio at 6 weeks; upper body and ab training at 8-12 weeks.
Month 3-12
Final shape settled at 6 months. Scars (hip-to-hip + breast scars + belly button) fade over 12-18 months.
See the full day-by-day timeline: Mummy makeover recovery timeline
Cost in Australia 2026
Combined breast + abdominoplasty all-inclusive: $25,000 to $40,000. Staged separately (6 months apart): typically $5,000 to $10,000 more total but with lower combined risk.
Medicare MBS items: 30171 / 30177 (diastasis component)
Questions to ask at consultation
- Do you recommend combined or staged procedures for my anatomy and risk profile?
- What is your maximum combined operating time?
- Are you operating in an accredited hospital with overnight care + intensive care backup?
- What is your combined-procedure complication rate vs single procedures?
- Do I qualify for MBS rebate on the abdominoplasty component (diastasis documentation)?
- How long should I plan to be off work and have support at home?
See our complete guide: 10 questions to ask any plastic surgeon
Red flags to walk away from
- ✗ Combined operating time over 8 hours in a single session
- ✗ Office-based theatre or day surgery only (combined procedures need overnight)
- ✗ No discussion of DVT prophylaxis (combined long operations are highest DVT risk)
- ✗ Pushes single-stage combined surgery without offering staged alternative
- ✗ Does not document rectus diastasis for MBS claim when post-pregnancy
- ✗ No smoking cessation requirement
Regulatory note
AHPRA s133 of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law restricts cosmetic procedure advertising. We do not display before-and-after images or testimonials on this site. Verify any surgeon at ahpra.gov.au and cross-check ASPS membership at plasticsurgery.org.au before booking any procedure.
Directory · FRACS Specialist Plastic Surgeons
2 listed surgeons who include mummy makeover in their specialisations
Cross-referenced against AHPRA Specialist Register and ASPS Find-a-Surgeon directory. We list FRACS-qualified specialists only.
Sydney · Double Bay
FRACSDr Kourosh Tavakoli
Dr Tavakoli Plastic Surgery
Master of Surgery in Plastic Surgery from UNSW. Reported to have performed over 10,000 breast procedures.
Melbourne · Berwick
FRACSDr Rebecca Wyten
Dr Rebecca Wyten Plastic Surgery
Female specialist plastic surgeon focused on post-pregnancy and post-weight-loss body restoration. Mentors female plastic surgery trainees.
Common questions
Mummy makeover - common questions
Should I have all procedures in one session or stage them?
Single-session: one recovery, one anaesthesia, one cost. Staged: lower combined risk per session, more flexibility to refine results before adding the next procedure. Most Australian FRACS surgeons offer both and discuss individual risk profile. For BMI under 28, smoker-free, no comorbidities, single-session combined breast + abdominoplasty is generally safe in an accredited hospital. For higher-risk patients, staging 6 months apart is often safer.
How long should I plan to be off work?
Combined breast + abdominoplasty: typically 3-4 weeks off desk work, 6-8 weeks for manual work. The abdominoplasty is the rate-limiting factor (bent-forward posture for first 2 weeks). Plan for childcare and household support for at least 2 weeks - this is the most common preparation gap.
Will Medicare cover any of the mummy makeover?
The abdominoplasty component may be partially Medicare-rebated under MBS 30171 / 30177 if rectus diastasis (post-pregnancy abdominal muscle separation) is documented and meets criteria. The breast component is rebated only if breast reduction meets MBS criteria (physical symptoms documented). Pure cosmetic breast augmentation or lift is never rebated.
Can I have another baby after a mummy makeover?
You can, but it reverses much of the improvement - the diastasis repair stretches with pregnancy, breast volume and skin change with breastfeeding. Most surgeons strongly recommend completing your family before mummy makeover. If you have a mummy makeover and then become pregnant, you may want revision surgery 12-18 months after delivery.
How do I find a safe surgeon for a mummy makeover?
AHPRA Specialist Plastic Surgery registration (FRACS) is the baseline. Beyond that, ask about: combined-procedure operating time (under 6 hours preferred), accredited hospital (not office-based), DVT prophylaxis protocol, complication rate vs single procedures, and willingness to recommend staging if your risk profile warrants it. A surgeon who pushes single-session combined surgery without discussing risk is a red flag.