Choosing the Right Doctor for a Mommy Makeover: Rediscover Yourself with Dr. Ahmet Kaplan in Istanbul
Hello from Istanbul, I am Dr. Ahmet Kaplan. As a Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeon who welcomes mothers from all over the world to our clinic in Turkey, I recognize a very specific emotion in my patients’ eyes: A mix of immense pride in motherhood, coupled with a subtle feeling of alienation from the reflection in the mirror.
Motherhood is the world’s most miraculous experience. However, the processes of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding lead to biological changes in a woman’s body that are almost impossible to reverse with just diet and exercise. Muscle separation in the abdomen, loss of breast volume, or stubborn regional fat… This is exactly where Mommy Makeover, modern plastic surgery’s most comprehensive solution, comes into play.
When you search for “Doctors performing Mommy Makeover” globally, you might find hundreds of results. However, choosing a surgeon to entrust your body to, especially if you are considering traveling abroad to a medical hub like Turkey, is not like shopping online. This is a life-changing decision that requires surgical skill, mastery of anatomy, and an artistic vision.
In this article, we will discuss the Mommy Makeover from an expert’s perspective, why choosing the right doctor in Istanbul is vital, and how we transform this process into a work of art at our clinic.
What is a Mommy Makeover? The Art of Combined Surgery
A Mommy Makeover is not a single surgery; it is a personalized set of combined operations aimed at restoring a woman’s body to its pre-pregnancy form (or often, even better).
Why is the search for “doctors performing this” so critical? Because this surgery requires intervention in multiple areas of the body simultaneously. It typically includes a combination of three fundamental procedures:
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): Not only removes sagging skin but also stitches the separated abdominal muscles (diastasis recti) back together like an internal corset, slimming the waistline.
Breast Aesthetics: Lifting breasts that have deflated or sagged after breastfeeding (mastopexy) and, if necessary, adding volume with implants (augmentation).
Liposuction: Shaping the body contour by removing stubborn fat from the waist, back, and hips.
Managing such a comprehensive procedure tests not only the surgeon’s technical knowledge but also their ability to manage operation time and coordinate with the anesthesia team—standards we uphold strictly here in Istanbul.
Choosing the Right Doctor: What Should International Patients Look For?
When looking at the list of “doctors performing Mommy Makeovers,” especially when considering a destination like Turkey, what should be your real criteria for decision-making? With the precision of a surgeon and the insight of an expert, I offer you this checklist:
1. Expertise & Experience in Combined Surgeries
Any plastic surgeon can perform a breast surgery or a tummy tuck separately. However, performing both in the same session, without risking the patient’s health and while maintaining aesthetic integrity, requires a distinct specialization. As Dr. Ahmet Kaplan, I have focused a significant portion of my cases in Istanbul on combined surgeries. Because the body is a whole; fixing only the abdomen while leaving the breasts sagging disrupts the aesthetic perception.
2. Body Analysis and Personalized Planning
No mother’s body is the same as another’s. Does your potential doctor listen to you? Do they just say “let’s do it,” or do they honestly explain your body’s limits and potential results? In our clinic in Istanbul, every process begins with a detailed analysis and simulation, often starting with online consultations before you even fly here.
3. Location & Safety: Why Istanbul, Turkey?
In your research for doctors, look at where they operate. Combined surgeries require full-fledged hospitals with intensive care units and the highest level of sterilization standards. Istanbul creates a difference as a global capital of medical tourism, hosting state-of-the-art technologies. We perform our operations exclusively in A+ class, JCI-accredited hospitals in Turkey, ensuring your safety is never compromised while you are away from home.
Why Dr. Ahmet Kaplan? My Approach
I always tell my patients who travel to us: “We are not just restoring your body; we are restoring your self-confidence.”
The fundamental approach that distinguishes me and my team is the principle of “Holistic Silhouette Design.”
Incision Management (Hidden Scars)
The biggest concern in a Mommy Makeover is scarring. Thanks to the modern surgical techniques and special suture materials I use, I aim to hide the tummy tuck scar at the very bottom of the underwear line and plan the breast scars to fade over time. Our goal is for you not to have to hide your scars when you wear a bikini on your next holiday.
Importance of Core Repair
Many patients only complain about excess skin, but the real problem is often the internal muscle separation (Diastasis Recti). In my surgeries in Istanbul, I place great importance on repairing the abdominal muscles with the “internal corset” technique. This not only provides a flat stomach but also reduces the risk of future hernias and improves your posture.
Rapid Recovery Protocol for Travelers
Combined surgeries might seem daunting regarding recovery, especially if you are abroad. However, with the “Rapid Recovery” protocols we implement, along with long-acting local anesthetics used during surgery and special garments you will wear post-op, we get our patients up and walking within 2-3 days. This allows you to recover comfortably in your hotel in Istanbul before flying back home.
How Does the Process Work for International Patients?
If you are in the decision-making phase, knowing how the process works in Turkey will put you at ease:
Virtual Consultation: We meet online before you travel. We listen to your expectations and perform a preliminary body analysis.
Arrival & Planning: Upon your arrival in Istanbul, we finalize the plan—deciding on combined procedures, implant sizes, or liposuction areas together.
The Operation: It is a procedure performed under general anesthesia lasting approximately 4-6 hours. A hospital stay of 1 or 2 nights is sufficient.
Recovery & Return: The first week is for resting in your hotel, and the second week allows for light movement and perhaps enjoying the beauty of Istanbul. After the final check-up, you are ready to fly home.
Conclusion: This Is Your Second Spring
When searching for “doctors performing Mommy Makeovers,” what you are actually looking for is a companion who understands you, gives confidence with their experience, and can turn your dream transformation into reality.
Motherhood may have taken a toll on your body, but modern medicine has the power to give it back. This investment in yourself is not just a physical change; it is that feeling of “it was worth it” every time you look in the mirror.
I am Dr. Ahmet Kaplan. I am here in Istanbul, Turkey, with my experience, my team, and my art, ready to help you achieve your dream body. Let’s plan this journey together.
Are you ready for a new beginning?
Dr. Ahmet Kaplan Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Istanbul, Turkey
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When is the best time for a Mommy Makeover?
I recommend waiting at least 6 months after giving birth for the body to recover and hormones to balance. Additionally, at least 3-4 months should have passed after breastfeeding is completed so that the breast tissue takes its final shape, allowing us to plan correctly before you book your trip to Turkey.
Q2: Do all surgeries (tummy, breast, liposuction) have to be done at the same time?
No, they don’t have to be, but it is advantageous. As doctors performing Mommy Makeovers, we recommend combined surgery to allow the patient to resolve all issues with a single anesthesia and a single recovery period. This provides significant savings in terms of both cost and time—a huge benefit for our international patients traveling to Istanbul.
Q3: Can I get pregnant again after a Mommy Makeover?
Medically, there is no obstacle to getting pregnant. However, the muscles we tightened and the skin we removed with the tummy tuck may loosen again with a new pregnancy. Therefore, for the longevity of the surgery, we recommend this operation to mothers who have completed their family planning.
Q4: Will the scars be very visible?
There is no scarless surgery in plastic surgery, but there are “hidden scars.” As Dr. Ahmet Kaplan, my technique is to plan the tummy tuck scar slightly longer than a C-section scar but low enough to remain inside underwear. Breast scars vary according to the chosen technique but largely lose their visibility by taking on skin color over time (within 12-18 months).
Q5: Is this surgery very painful?
Thanks to advanced anesthesia techniques and “block anesthesias” applied to tissues during surgery at our hospitals in Turkey, pain is not something to be feared as it used to be. Our patients generally feel tightness and muscle soreness (like after doing heavy sit-ups) for the first 2-3 days. This process can be managed extremely comfortably with painkillers.
