Post-pregnancy Abdominoplasty and Breast Surgery Sydney
Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Dr Ben Norris FRACS
Follow-Up Guarantee
Care for the rest of your life
Accredited Hospitals
Not performed in-clinic
The term “postpartum surgery”, or post-pregnancy surgery, describes a combination of cosmetic surgery procedures that commonly include abdominoplasty and breast procedures such as augmentation mammoplasty and/or mastopexy. The procedure combines multiple surgeries that address some of the common physical changes related to pregnancy. A woman’s breasts and abdomen are the primary focus.
At Form and Face, Dr Norris tailors post-pregnancy abdominoplasty and breast surgery to each patient’s physiology and psychology. Dr Norris uses a customised approach to these procedures while considering the patient’s goals and overall health.
Dr Ben Norris explains the basics of post-pregnancy abdominoplasty and breast surgery.
To understand how post-pregnancy surgical procedures can help address concerns after pregnancy, it’s helpful to first understand what childbirth does to a woman’s body, especially her abdomen and breasts.
Abdominal skin stretched during pregnancy may not have the natural elasticity to snap back into place after a woman has given birth. Additionally, the muscles that run vertically along the abdomen (the rectus abdominis muscles) can become lax and separate, adding to a woman’s protruding abdomen.
Breast skin becomes overstretched, and breasts become engorged during pregnancy and nursing, causing them to become lax and lose volume.
At Form and Face, we offer a combination of abdominoplasty and breast mastopexy (lift) or augmentation mammoplasty (implants) specifically tailored to help our patients address changes after pregnancy. They can be performed alone or in conjunction with one another:
Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty
Alters the size and shape of breasts with the use of implants.
Breast Lift Mastopexy
Removes excess, stretched breast skin
and tissue, without altering
the size of the breasts.
Tummy Tuck
(Abdominoplasty)
Removes excess abdominal skin and tissue,
and addresses separated abdominal muscles.
Every woman’s body is different, and post-pregnancy procedures at Form and Face are tailored to fit the individual needs of each patient. Depending on the patient’s preferences and goals, laser skin resurfacing, liposuction, cosmetic injectables, and other treatments may also be used in some cases.
Who are suitable candidates?
Suitable candidates for post-pregnancy surgery, including abdominoplasty and breast surgeries, are individuals seeking to address the physical changes brought on by pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. It is generally recommended that at least six months have elapsed since the birth of the last child and four months since breastfeeding has concluded, allowing the body sufficient time to stabilise postpartum. Furthermore, candidates should be in good overall health and near their ideal body weight.
These are just general guidelines for assessing a patient’s suitability for the surgery. During a comprehensive consultation at Form and Face, patients meet with Dr Norris to discuss their health, emotional well-being, and lifestyle.
When to have a post-pregnancy abdominoplasty and breast augmentation mammoplasty/mastopexy?
The body needs some time to recover from childbirth. Patients at Form and Face are encouraged to lose some of their pregnancy weight gain before pursuing any post-pregnancy surgeries. Whatever your target weight might be, it’s a good idea to achieve it and then maintain it for at least four months.
Another factor that impacts the timing of procedures is a woman’s interest in having more children. Dr Norris generally recommends that patients wait until they have had their last child before undergoing the procedures that comprise a postpartum surgery (abdominoplasty, breast augmentation mammoplasty, or breast lift mastopexy). The procedures do not affect a woman’s ability to conceive or nurse. However, the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth can undo many of the effects of breast and abdominal surgery.
Actual breast augmentation mammoplasty and lift (mastopexy) patient of Dr Benjamin Norris
What happens during postpartum surgery (abdominoplasty and breast surgeries) at Form and Face?
Dr Norris works to ensure that each patient’s surgery is designed to help address their specific needs. He can recommend certain procedures based on a patient’s goals and physiology.
For the majority of women who visit Form and Face for a post-pregnancy abdominoplasty or breast procedure, Dr Norris will recommend one or more of these three procedures:
Abdominoplasty
Pregnancy can contribute to excess skin, fat, and lax muscles in the abdominal area. Abdominoplasty removes the excess skin and fat and repositions the abdominal muscles. This can be performed together with liposuction to address a broader area.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and takes three to four hours. Recovery is in the hospital and usually lasts three days, depending on the extent of the surgery.
For additional details about this procedure and cost, visit our abdominoplasty page.
Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty (Implants)
Breast augmentation mammoplasty can address lost volume in the breasts and increase breast size. Dr Norris will help patients select the shape, size, and type of implant based on their body anatomy and goals.
To perform breast augmentation mammoplasty, Dr Norris makes small incisions and then places the implants beneath the skin and tissues of the breast. This outpatient procedure is performed in about an hour under general anaesthetic.
For additional details about this procedure, including the cost of breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery with implants, visit our page on breast augmentation.
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics and lifestyle.
Breast Lift with Implants (Mastopexy with Augmentation Mammoplasty)
Pregnancy affects women in different ways. For women who are concerned about the appearance of breast laxity or lost volume, a two-step approach involving both mastopexy and implants (augmentation mammoplasty) may be performed. The advantage is that the same incisions can be used.
Breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. Before surgery, Dr Norris discusses whether the procedure will be performed on an outpatient basis or if you require an overnight hospital stay. The surgery takes two-and-a-half to three hours, depending on the patient’s concerns.
For more information about this approach to post-maternity breast surgery, including the cost of a breast lift with implants (mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty), please visit our page on mastopexy with augmentation mammoplasty.
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
Also known as mastopexy, a breast lift is used to alter the shape of the breasts. Dr Norris uses this procedure to raise lax breasts on the chest wall without changing their size. Laxity and loss of shape of the breasts occur as the skin loses its elasticity due to gravity, the normal ageing process, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and significant weight loss.
Based on the patient’s needs, Dr Norris will choose from a number of breast lift mastopexy techniques that differ according to the placement of incisions and the subsequent scars. He has trained in using short-scar techniques.
For additional details about this procedure, including the cost of a breast lift mastopexy, visit our page on mastopexy.
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors, including the individual’s genetics and lifestyle.
What is the average cost of post-pregnancy surgery (abdominoplasty with breast augmentation, mammoplasty or mastopexy) in Sydney?
Dr Norris is dedicated to providing customised, personalised treatments to help patients achieve their goals. If you would like to know more about these procedures & costs that can be part of your personal surgical plan, please contact our practice at (02) 9387 3800 or use our online contact form.
What happens after the surgery?
The First Few Days After Breast Enlargement Surgery (Augmentation Mammoplasty)
When you return home, you will continue to take over-the-counter painkillers. You may expect to feel sore and tired for several days, so be sure to schedule enough time for rest. Dr Norris will advise you to wear a postoperative bra and compression bandage for extra support and positioning while you heal.
Some women experience tightness in the breast area during this time. This is normal. It’s because your skin is adjusting to the size of your new implants.
The First Few Weeks Following Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty Surgery
The recovery period for breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery depends on whether your breast implants have been placed over or under the muscle (under-the-muscle placement has a slightly longer recovery time) and what technique your surgeon has used to augment your breasts.
Breasts may remain swollen and sensitive to the touch for a month or longer. Dr Norris recommends that his breast implant surgery patients avoid any strenuous activities that could raise pulse and blood pressure or that require strenuous use of arms and chest.
Most Form and Face breast augmentation mammoplasty surgery patients return to normal activities within six weeks. Dr Norris cautions active patients to keep their incision sites out of direct sunlight for about a year because the skin in those areas is more delicate.
Possible complications
The breast and abdominal procedures that are typically part of postpartum surgery (abdominoplasty and breast augmentation mammoplasty or mastopexy) are surgical in nature and require anaesthesia. They expose patients to the risk of:
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Wound healing and scarring problems
There are also different risks associated with different procedures. These include
Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty Surgery (Breast Implants)
- Asymmetry (difference in size or shape of breasts)
- Contour problems
- Capsular contracture (a hardening of connective tissues)
Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
- Breast contour and shape irregularities
- Breast asymmetry
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
- Numbness and changes in sensation
- Changes in skin colour
- Fat necrosis, or death of fatty tissue located deep inside the skin
At Form and Face, patients are given post-operative home care instructions. Dr Norris carefully reviews each step with patients so they know exactly what to do to help their bodies heal.
Here at Form & Face, we provide patients with a
Lifetime followup guarantee
This means that we will be there for you far beyond the recovery period.
You can rest assured knowing that you can come to us about any
post-surgical concerns for the rest of your life.