Mummy Makeover: Questions to Ask Your SurgeonA practical checklist for your mummy makeover consultation

Medically reviewed: Last reviewed by Mr Reza Nassab, FRCS Plast —

At a mummy makeover consultation, ask about your surgeon’s specialist registration and qualifications, exactly which procedures are recommended and why, whether they should be combined or staged, how blood clots and other risks are reduced, the hospital, the recovery and childcare implications, aftercare and the revision policy. A good surgeon gives specific, balanced answers and is willing to say what surgery cannot achieve.

Credentials and experience

  • Are you on the GMC Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery?: a clear yes, which you can confirm on the GMC’s online register.
  • Do you hold FRCS (Plast)?: this is the specialist exit qualification for UK plastic surgeons.
  • Are you a member of BAAPS or BAPRAS?: membership shows engagement with professional standards and audit of outcomes.
  • How often do you perform combined body and breast surgery?: expect a frank, factual answer about how regularly these operations form part of the surgeon’s work.

Mr Nassab is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register, holds FRCS (Plast) and is a BAAPS Council member.

The surgical plan

  • Which procedures do you recommend, and why?: a good answer links each part of the plan, such as tummy tuck, muscle repair, breast lift, implants or liposuction, to a specific concern you raised.
  • Is there anything you would advise against?: an honest surgeon will say if a component is unlikely to help or would add risk.
  • Are implants, a lift or both needed?: you should hear how breast volume, skin quality and nipple position guide the choice.
  • Will my separated muscles be repaired?: the answer should explain how diastasis is assessed and addressed during the tummy tuck.

Safety and hospital

  • Should the procedures be done together or in stages?: a good answer considers your health, weight and the estimated theatre time, rather than defaulting to one approach.
  • How is the risk of blood clots reduced?: expect to hear about a formal risk assessment, compression, early walking and, where appropriate, blood-thinning injections.
  • Where will surgery take place?: a CQC-registered hospital with overnight nursing care and critical care support available.
  • How long is the hospital stay?: usually at least one night after combined surgery.

Recovery and daily life

  • How long before lifting children is safe?: typically several weeks; you should plan for help with lifting and childcare in the early period.
  • When are driving and work possible again?: a realistic answer is often around two to six weeks depending on the procedures and your job.
  • Will there be drains and garments?: you should understand how long drains stay in and how long compression garments are worn.

Aftercare, risks and revision

  • Who is the out-of-hours contact?: there should be a 24-hour number and a named team.
  • What follow-up is included?: a schedule of wound checks and reviews over the first year.
  • What are the most likely complications for me?: seroma, wound healing problems, scarring and implant issues should be discussed openly.
  • What is your revision policy?: you should know in writing what would happen, and what it might cost, if a further procedure is needed.

Cost and payment

Ask for a written, itemised quote showing which procedures are included, along with the surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, garments and routine follow-up. A mummy makeover with Mr Nassab is from £20,000 and the £150 consultation is charged separately. Ask about finance and who provides it; Reza Nassab Ltd is a credit broker for Chrysalis Finance, not a lender. The mummy makeover cost guide explains the factors involved.

Red flags

Be cautious if you are offered a discount for booking quickly, pressed to add procedures you had not considered, seen only by a coordinator, or told that combined surgery carries no extra risk. A lack of clear aftercare, particularly for surgery abroad, is a serious concern after major body surgery. Cosmetic surgery is for adults aged 18 and over, and a cooling-off period of at least two weeks before booking is good practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many consultations are usual before a mummy makeover?

At least two is good practice, giving time to reflect and ask further questions.

Is it worth bringing a partner or friend?

Yes. Recovery affects the whole household, and a second person can help remember details and plan support.

Should previous pregnancies and births be discussed?

Yes. Caesarean scars, hernias and weight changes during pregnancy can all affect planning.

Are before-and-after photographs useful?

Photographs of consenting patients with a similar body type can help set realistic expectations, though every result is individual.

Should medications and supplements be listed?

Yes. Some medicines, including the contraceptive pill and certain supplements, can affect clotting or bleeding and may need adjusting.

Mr Reza Nassab — Consultant Plastic Surgeon

Written & Medically Reviewed by

Mr Reza Nassab

FRCS (Plast) GMC Specialist Register — Plastic Surgery RCS England Certificate in Cosmetic Surgery MBA MSc

Mr Reza Nassab is an award-winning Consultant Plastic Surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register in Plastic Surgery, and holds the Royal College of Surgeons of England Certification in Cosmetic Surgery. He practises at CLNQ Deansgate Hospital in Manchester; Knutsford, Cheshire; Dubai and London, and is a member of BAPRAS and BAAPS. Mr Nassab has published original research in PRS, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, and JPRAS and lectures internationally on advanced surgical techniques.