Mommy Makeovers
There’s nothing vain about mommy makeovers,” says UAE’s leading best plastic surgeon, Dr. Faisal Salim

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 “mommy makeover” umbrella.
“Mommy 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 mommy 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 mommy 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 mommy 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.
Patient Testimonials
Dr Faisal was nothing but outstanding during my entire journey in deciding if I should have a deep plane facelift in my 40’s. I didn’t want fillers and other interim interventions, all I wanted was to turn back time with what I had! From the very first consultation to before and after surgery including my many WhatsApp messages during my recovery months Dr Faisal was calm, reassuring and always there for me. It’s now 6 months on and I can honestly say it was the right decision to make. I am thrilled that it doesn’t look obvious that anything has been done but certainly friends and family comment on how fresh and alive I look! I would highly recommend Dr Faisal for his professional, calm, reassuring and expert advice for anyone considering such a big decision in their life. Juli Fairclough-Davis2024-12-05 I couldn’t say enough wonderful things to do Dr. Faisal justice! He listens. He cares. He has deep discussion with you to be certain he is targeting your root problem or concern. His staff is lovely. He doesn’t miss a step! After a botched mommy make over and THEN a trans-abdominal hysterectomy I was left with a massive scar and intense daily pain. Dr. Faisal gave me my life back! After 6.5 YEARS of intense, debilitating, life-altering pain, I am finally set free! My results are truly remarkable. I could not have asked for anything to go better! I am pain free, I have my athletic build back again and can get back to my active lifestyle with my kiddos again! I hope I never need surgery again in my lifetime but if I do- I’ll go to the ends of the earth to make sure it’s in his hands! He’s a realist and will not lie to you. He sets real expectations and then exceeds them by leaps and bounds! I am forever grateful to Dr. Faisal! Kat Overbeck2024-10-17 Cannot fault the service from start to finish. Highly recommend Dr Faisal and the team. Thank you for everything. Alice Williams2024-10-05 My neighbor recommended Dr. Faisal to me , and I am so happy with the result with only 4months now.I have done the breast augmentation and nipple correction. Dr. Faisal is so professional so good, he can hear you and understand what you want, and he did the work perfectly . I am very happy with my breast now. The results are even better than I had hoped. TT &T2024-09-30 Review of Dr. Faisal - abdominoplasty As a diabetic who had embarked on a weight loss journey to improve my health, I found myself facing a new challenge - unsightly loose skin around my tummy. This unexpected outcome of my weight loss efforts impacted my self-confidence, especially when it came to how I dressed and carried myself. Despite the physical transformation I had achieved, the presence of excess skin made me feel self-conscious and hesitant to fully embrace my new body. Therefore, I started researching doctors who could carry out the procedure. Upon scheduling my initial consultation, recommended by a friend, Dr. Faisal meticulously guided me through the surgery, addressing all my inquiries and aligning with my objectives. Prior to the operation, he dedicated time to addressing any concerns, remaining accessible for my numerous questions, and offering detailed instructions for the recovery process. Post-surgery, he closely monitored my progress and was consistently available for support, even during unconventional hours, providing reassurance and comfort. The recovery is always different for everyone but honestly, I felt it was made easier with the great support and did not struggle at all. I was up and about within a couple of days.....obviously with limitations. Now post 6 week mark i can confidently say Dr. Faisal's exceptional expertise resulted in a fabulous result (i find myself constantly checking myself out in the mirror and i can see abs !!), significantly boosting my self-confidence and I would highly recommend him to anyone contemplating this procedure. Puja Gujral2024-09-02 I wholeheartedly recommend Dr Faisal. After having 4 children including a set of twins, I no longer recognized myself when I looked in the mirror. My confidence was non existent. However, the thought of an extended abdominoplasty and breast lift was very daunting. Dr Faisal took the time to explain the whole procedure, recovery and expected outcome in an honest and frank manner whilst allaying any concerns or fears. The result is life changing. I was supported throughout the recovery and I now feel like I have my spark back. I enjoy exercising again and no longer look for baggy clothes to hide my body. Jennifer Durston MA Elip FCCT2024-08-28 I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the outstanding results of my surgeries. I am beyond thrilled with the outcome, and every time I look in the mirror, I feel an overwhelming sense of joy and confidence. Dr Faisal's exceptional skill and artistry are truly remarkable, and I am incredibly grateful to have found such an amazing surgeon. Thank you Dr Faisal for your beautiful work. Louise2024-08-17 Dr. Faisal is an exceptional doctor. Living in Dubai, it's not easy to find the right plastic surgeon. In previous years, I checked many profiles, but somehow I didn't trust them. One day, based on my friend's recommendation (and also after reading excellent reviews), I booked a consultation with Dr. Faisal. He really listens to his patients and answered my long list of questions, even the super silly ones. I didn't go anywhere else, I booked the surgery straight away. The results are just amazing; I got exactly what I asked for. I would highly recommend Dr. Faisal to anyone considering plastic surgery. Dora Czuczor2024-08-08 I had breast reduction surgery with Dr Faisal Salim 2 months ago. I was a GG cup size. Before the operation I searched for a good surgeon in the UAE and abroad for over a year, I selected 3 surgeons to meet with and one of them was Dr Faisal. I chose him because he was friendly and thorough in his explanation of what the surgery entailed and in managing my expectations. He and his team were always ready to answer my questions and his assistant Nazokat has been so lovely and helpful. I went into this surgery, very nervous of course, but fully aware of all the possible outcomes and I ended up with results that surpassed my dream scenario. I am so happy with the size and shape of my breasts. I am now a perky C cup at 43! Beyond the aesthetic aspect of my transformation, the health benefits are numerous; It is much easier to just exist everyday and do mondain activities with ease when it was a struggle before. I am able to keep up with my young children and working out has become so much easier that my fitness goals don’t seem so distant anymore. The positive consequences of this intervention don’t end here; one of the most significant outcomes is the impact on my confidence and self esteem; my family noticed that I’m more outgoing and I engage with others more and seem less reserved. I simply feel a million times better about myself! Dr Faisal did an amazing job and I will forever be thankful to him and cannot recommend him enough. He is a highly skilled surgeon and understands what his patients’ worries and preoccupations are. He is reassuring but honest and upfront about possible challenges which is exactly what I was looking for. This surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself and I recommend it to every woman who suffers from the burden of having very large breasts. My first visit with Dr Faisal was just a chat about what I was looking for, it was relaxed and I didn’t feel pressured at all. It helped me in realising that this issue that seemed insurmountable could actually be fixed - and now that it is, I wish for every woman who is in the situation I was in to meet with Dr Faisal and get a new lease of life 😊 Laïla Waugh2024-07-25 I want to thank Dr. Faisal for performing on excellent procedure: face lift, neck lift and blepharoplasty- all together during the same surgery- Great ! His bedside manner was excellent. I’m very happy with the results ! This surgery has made a positive impact on my self esteem. Dr. Faisal answered all my questions reassuring me with professionalism at every stage of my journey providing accurate information. Dr. Faisal’s knowledge and skills gave me a very natural look, avoid raising unrealistic expectations. I want to mention also the team at the clinic : friendly and professional. I greatly appreciate everything Dr. Faisal has done for me. Highly recommended- 5 stars. Maria A2024-05-06