What Is Body Sculpting Postpartum?

Posted: Friday July 11, 2025

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During pregnancy, the body changes in numerous ways that support the growth and delivery of the baby. Many of these changes, such as weakened abdominal muscles, skin laxity, stretch marks and new areas of fat, carry on after pregnancy. While these changes are a normal part of postnatal life, some women wish to address them through surgery.

At Dr Ellis Choy’s practice in Sydney, multiple surgeries can be combined into one appointment with a procedure that we call post-pregnancy body contouring. This surgery is customisable based on the areas that you wish to address. Combining procedures can offer logistical and surgical benefits compared to scheduling separate operations and may be the right decision for certain patients.

What Is Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring?

Post-pregnancy body contouring is a general term that refers to a grouping of surgical procedures that address physical changes that remain after pregnancy. These procedures focus on areas like the abdomen, breasts and flanks that are most often affected by pregnancy. Surgical techniques can include abdominoplasty, breast surgery, liposuction, labiaplasty and more.

Common Physical Changes After Pregnancy

Abdominal Laxity or Muscle Separation

During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles and connective tissue stretch to accommodate the growing uterus. In some cases, this leads to a separation of the abdominal muscles, a condition known as diastasis recti. When the abdominal muscles are separated, the midsection may bulge or feel weak even after weight has returned to pre-pregnancy levels. Surgical correction may be considered if muscle tone and separation do not improve with physical therapy or core strengthening.

Fat Pockets

Hormonal shifts and changes in activity levels during and after pregnancy can affect how fat is stored. Fat pockets can develop in new areas such as the lower abdomen, flanks, thighs, back or buttocks. This fat is often difficult to target, even with general weight loss, because of external factors like genetics and hormones. These pockets of fat can be reduced with surgery.

Lower Breast Position

You may notice that your breasts sit lower after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breast tissue and skin can stretch because of the changes in breast size that happen during and after pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies and a larger breast size can make these changes more pronounced. Surgery can remove excess skin, reshape the breast tissue and place the breasts higher on the chest.

Reduced Breast Volume

Breasts may undergo a change in volume after pregnancy, and sometimes they look “deflated” as a result. In these cases, volume can be restored to the breasts through implant or fat grafting surgeries. Breast volume and position are often adjusted during the same surgery.

Skin Laxity

Loose skin is common after pregnancy because of the major stretching that occurs as the body adjusts to a growing baby. The abdomen is a common area for excess skin, but it can also occur on the hips, thighs, arms and more. Surgical excision can be used to remove excess skin and make the treated area firmer and smoother.

Changes to the Labia

Hormonal fluctuations and vaginal delivery can affect the shape or size of the labia majora and labia minora. This can be an aesthetic concern for some and a practical concern for others, causing irritation, chafing or discomfort during intimate moments. Surgery can modify the labia to reduce functional issues or change the appearance of the labia.

Surgical Options Available With Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring

Breast Lift

A breast lift, or mastopexy, repositions the breasts to a higher position on the chest. During the surgery, Dr Choy makes incisions that allow for the removal of excess skin, and the size of the areola may be adjusted before repositioning the breasts. The incision used depends on how much excess skin will be removed and the patient’s preferences. This procedure does not increase the size of the breast, but it can result in modest changes to the breast’s shape.

Breast Augmentation

A breast augmentation increases the volume of the breasts through the use of implants or fat grafting techniques. It can be considered after pregnancy when the breasts appear smaller or are asymmetrical. Dr Choy can use silicone or saline implants, but he often favours silicone implants because of their realistic texture and the wide variety of implant options.

Breast Reduction

Some patients experience an increase in breast volume or have naturally large breasts that they want to reduce while addressing other areas. Large breasts can cause physical discomfort such as chafing, back pain and bra strap syndrome, where the straps of the bra put pressure on the shoulders and cause grooves. To reduce the size of the breasts, Dr Choy removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin. Usually, he elevates the breasts at the same time.

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) repairs separated abdominal muscles and removes excess skin and fat to make the stomach flatter after pregnancy. Dr Choy can perform a full abdominoplasty for patients who want to address the entire abdominal area, or a mini abdominoplasty to target the lower half of the abdomen. The incision is placed low on the abdomen and may span from hip to hip.

Liposuction

Liposuction removes localised fat deposits using small incisions, a cannula and suction technology. Liposuction may be included in body sculpting postpartum to address fat that has not responded to lifestyle changes and is commonly used in areas like the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms or chin. This surgery is not a weight loss method, but it can reshape the treated areas.

Labiaplasty

This surgery modifies the labia minora or majora to change the appearance or improve comfort during physical activities. Dr Choy can reshape the labia using different surgical techniques. The wedge technique involves removing a V-shaped portion of tissue from the central area of the labia minora and preserving the natural edge. The trim technique removes tissue along the outer edge of the labia to reduce length and change the shape.

When Can Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring Be Considered?

Post-pregnancy body contouring can be considered once you have had time to recover from childbirth and hormonal shifts. We recommend waiting at least six months after delivery and breastfeeding since breast size and shape can continue to change. A stable weight and no plans for future pregnancies are also important since both of these can affect the outcome of the surgery. You will need to be in good general health, a non-smoker and cleared for elective surgery.

Surgery Timing and Recovery

Combining procedures into a single operation can reduce the number of surgical periods, but it also means a longer initial healing time. Depending on the surgeries performed, recovery may involve several weeks of activity restrictions, including lifting and exercise. Swelling, bruising and temporary discomfort are expected with all surgeries, and support garments or dressings are often required. It’s important to have help at home, especially in the early stages of recovery, since your mobility will be limited.

Find Out More About Post-Pregnancy Body Contouring With Dr Ellis Choy

Post-pregnancy body contouring offers surgical options to address changes such as abdominal muscle laxity, breast volume loss and excess skin. Procedures can be performed individually or combined. Dr Choy provides detailed assessments to determine whether body sculpting postpartum is appropriate based on your anatomy, goals and timing. To learn more or request a consultation with Dr Ellis Choy in Sydney, call us on 02 8962 9388 or contact us online.