The world is quick to deduce that the cosmetic surgeries new mothers have performed following childbirth stem from nothing more than vanity. However, Dr. Faisal Salim, who has spent his entire career training and working as a specialist surgeon across England, the USA, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), says nothing could be further from the truth.

The specialist, who is a UK-trained board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20+ years of experience, explains that while pregnancy is a beautiful journey for many women, it often leaves scores of new mums with underlying trauma, from how much their bodies have changed.

“During pregnancy, the breasts enlarge and the stomach expands. After childbirth, the body is not what it used to be. As a consequence, once these mothers have delivered the baby, they have a beautiful child, but often, when they look at themselves in the mirror, they are not the same person they were before. For many, their femininity is affected too.”

He explains that this often translates into dented self-confidence. Furthermore, he says that there are real health implications involved in pregnancy, which can be rectified by procedures that fall under the “mummy makeover” umbrella.

“Mummy makeovers anatomically realign the body. The breasts require volumizing and reshaping. This is achieved using breast implants and breast lifting. Pregnancy, and in particular multiple pregnancies can lead to muscle separation in the abdomen, which can also cause the bowel to push out. The imbalance in anatomy can cause many patients to suffer from lower back pain. This is something many new mums don’t know about or understand.”

However, as soon as the mummy makeover surgery is performed, women often are able to get back to their pre-pregnancy states quicker.

“After giving birth, many mums see themselves as overweight, but they’re actually not. Many go to the gym and diet, but little changes. But once the muscles are realigned back in position, as part of an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, suddenly their bodies are a lot more efficient and structured. Subsequently, they feel better and look better which has a huge impact on their quality of life.”

The esteemed specialist who has performed large numbers of complex surgeries, says the loyalty he receives from his clients, is proof of his dedication to providing them with services that not only offer them value but also a safe space for them medically as well as emotionally.

These days, being in Dubai, Dr. Salim says that he aspires towards being nothing less than the best plastic surgeon not only in the Gulf Region but also across the entire Middle East.

“I not only come highly trained but I also genuinely care. I wish to treat my patients as I would my family as a treating surgeon. My main concern is my patient’s safety and that they are happy with their final results. Another strong focus in my practice is providing a quality aftercare service. As part of this, I make sure that my patients have access to my phone number and contact me whenever they wish.”

With the advent of social media, body enhancement procedures are becoming more normalized and less controversial. Dr. Salim says consequently, procedures such as the mummy makeover are now more popular. The single biggest determinant of the success of the surgery is choosing the right plastic surgeon.

Advice he offers to mums considering a mummy makeover is that they do their research on the plastic surgeon. Ask questions about their education, up-to-date training, and the equipment they used. Additionally, client testimonials, before and afters, aftercare service, and the surgeon’s ability to empathize with the client’s concerns go a long way in ensuring credibility.

To get in touch with Dr. Faisal, please visit his website at www.faisalsalim.com. Also, be sure to visit his Instagram pages @drfaisalsalim as well as @Drfaisalbeforeandafters.