After your last baby
Most surgeons advise waiting until your family is complete. Another pregnancy stretches the tummy and the breasts again and can undo much of the result. If you're not sure, waiting costs nothing. Having surgery and then another baby often means a second operation later.
After breastfeeding
Surgeons generally suggest waiting about six months to a year after you stop breastfeeding before breast surgery, so your breasts settle to their new size and shape. Breasts change size again in the months after feeding stops, and a lift planned too early can leave a different result once they settle.
After the muscles have had their chance
The HSE says a gap between the tummy muscles is normal in pregnancy and can take up to six weeks after the birth to close, sometimes longer. It advises asking your GP for a physiotherapy referral if you're worried about the gap after eight weeks. Physio comes first, and for some women it closes the gap enough that a tummy tuck isn't needed. Read muscle separation.
At a steady weight
A mummy makeover is not a weight-loss operation. A tummy tuck is usually only offered at a healthy weight, and surgeons want your weight steady for some months first. Losing more weight after a tummy tuck can leave new loose skin; gaining it stretches the result.
When life allows six weeks
Think about the six weeks after: who lifts the children, who drives, and whether it clashes with a new school year, a house move or a busy time at work. It helps to plan it around a partner's leave or a relative's stay.
Is it the right time?
It isn't the time yet if:
- you might have more children
- you're still breastfeeding, or stopped in the last six months (for breast surgery)
- your youngest is still a small baby and the tummy muscles haven't had time and physio to recover
- your weight is still going down or up
- you smoke and won't stop well before surgery
- you can't yet line up help at home for the first weeks
Questions people ask
How long after having a baby can I have a mummy makeover?
There's no fixed date, but most surgeons want your family complete, your weight steady and breastfeeding stopped for some months.
How long after breastfeeding?
Surgeons generally suggest waiting about six months to a year after you stop breastfeeding before breast surgery, so your breasts settle to their new size and shape.
Should I wait until I've finished having children?
Most surgeons advise waiting until your family is complete. Another pregnancy stretches the tummy and the breasts again and can undo much of the result.
Can I have a tummy tuck if I plan more children?
You can, but a pregnancy can undo it. Most surgeons advise waiting.