January often brings a renewed focus on health and fitness. Gym memberships rise, walking boots come out, and many people commit to eating better and moving more. For some, this leads to a common and very reasonable question: if I exercise enough, can I get the same results as a tummy tuck?

The short answer is that exercise is incredibly valuable for your health and strength, but it can’t always achieve the same physical changes as surgery. Understanding why can help you decide what’s realistic for your body and goals.

What Exercise Can Do for Your Abdomen

Regular exercise plays a huge role in building core strength and improving muscle tone. Strength training, Pilates, and targeted abdominal exercises can tighten and strengthen the muscles underneath the skin. Cardio and a balanced diet can also reduce overall body fat, which may help your stomach look flatter.

For people who have mild skin laxity and no muscle separation, exercise alone can make a noticeable difference. Improving posture, strengthening the core, and reducing fat can all contribute to a more toned appearance. In these cases, consistency and patience often pay off.

However, there are limits to what exercise can change, particularly when it comes to excess skin and muscle separation.

What Exercise Can’t Fix

After pregnancy, significant weight loss, or natural ageing, the abdominal area can change in ways that exercise simply can’t reverse. One of the biggest issues is loose skin. Once skin has been stretched beyond its ability to retract, no amount of sit-ups or cardio will tighten it back into place. Skin elasticity varies from person to person, and factors like age, genetics, and how quickly weight was gained or lost all play a role.

Another common issue is diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles that often occurs during pregnancy. While certain exercises can help strengthen the core and reduce symptoms, they cannot physically bring the muscles back together once they’ve separated significantly.

A tummy tuck addresses both issues by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying muscles, creating a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that exercise alone cannot achieve.

How a Tummy Tuck Is Different

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is not a weight-loss procedure and it’s not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. Instead, it’s designed to correct structural changes that exercise can’t reach. By tightening separated muscles and removing excess skin, it reshapes the abdominal area in a way that workouts cannot replicate.

This is why tummy tucks are particularly popular after pregnancy or major weight loss. Many patients come to surgery already fit and active. They just can’t get rid of the loose skin or restore muscle tone through exercise alone. In these cases, surgery becomes a finishing step rather than a replacement for healthy habits.

Achieve The Results You Deserve

The key difference between exercise and a tummy tuck comes down to what you’re trying to change. If your goal is improved strength, fitness, and general tone, exercise is essential. If your concern is loose skin, stretched tissue, or muscle separation, surgery may be the only effective option.

If you’ve committed to fitness and still feel your stomach doesn’t reflect the work you’ve put in, it may be worth exploring your options. A consultation can help you decide whether continuing with exercise alone is the right path, or whether surgery could help you achieve results that simply aren’t possible through workouts alone. Call 02380 764969 to book an appointment today.

While the classic facelift never truly went out of style, recent trends and medical advances are fuelling a new wave of interest. From the rise of “Ozempic face” to the growing demand for subtler, more natural-looking results, people are increasingly turning to surgical options to refresh and restore their appearance in a way that lasts. One of the most talked-about developments is the rise of ‘wide-awake’ facelifts.

In this blog, we’ll explore what’s changing in the world of facial surgery, what a ‘wide-awake’ facelift actually involves, and how these innovations are shaping the future of facial rejuvenation.

Why Facelifts Are Making a Comeback

According to the BAAPS (The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons), there’s been a noticeable increase in interest in facelift procedures, and it’s not just about chasing youth. Many people are now seeking subtle, age-appropriate enhancements that help them look refreshed.

Part of this trend is being fuelled by what’s become known as Ozempic face, a term used to describe the hollowed or deflated appearance some people develop after rapid weight loss, especially in the cheeks and lower face.

As more people take medications like Ozempic or simply lose weight through lifestyle changes, they’re finding that while their bodies may feel better, their faces sometimes look more tired or drawn. This is where facelift surgery can play a key role in rebalancing facial volume and lifting soft tissue, helping restore a more youthful, rested appearance.

What Is a ‘Wide-Awake’ Facelift?

Traditionally, facelift surgery has been performed under general anaesthetic. However, with advances in techniques and patient care, there’s now a growing interest in local anaesthetic facelifts, sometimes called ‘wide-awake’ facelifts. As the name suggests, these procedures are done while the patient is awake but comfortable, using local anaesthetic and sometimes light sedation.

For suitable candidates, it can mean a quicker recovery, fewer risks, and the ability to go home shortly after surgery. Some patients also prefer avoiding general anaesthetic altogether, particularly if they’ve had bad experiences with it in the past, or have medical conditions that make general anaesthesia more complex.

It’s worth noting that wide-awake techniques are usually best suited to less extensive or more targeted facelift procedures, rather than full, deep-plane facelifts. However, they can still deliver impressive results for the right patient, particularly those focused on lifting the lower face and jawline, or addressing early signs of aging.

Tailoring the Approach to Each Patient

One of the most significant developments in facial surgery is the shift toward truly individualised treatment. Today’s facelift focuses on restoring structure, repositioning soft tissue, and improving facial harmony in a way that still looks like you, just fresher.

For some patients, that could involve a classic lower facelift and neck lift to redefine the jawline and remove sagging. For others, it may include fat grafting, eyelid surgery, or non-surgical treatments to complement the surgical results. The key is choosing an approach that suits you and your lifestyle.

Mr Nigel Horlock specialises in facial rejuvenation procedures that aim for natural, long-lasting results. With years of experience in both surgical and reconstructive techniques, he tailors each procedure carefully to ensure that patients not only look great, but also feel confident in how they’ve chosen to age.

Looking Ahead

Whether it’s through advanced surgical techniques, awake procedures under local anaesthetic, or carefully planned combination treatments, there are more options than ever before to help patients look refreshed, well-rested, and entirely themselves.

If you’ve been considering facial surgery but aren’t sure what’s right for you, a consultation with Mr Horlock is the perfect place to start. He’ll guide you through the available options, including traditional and modern approaches, to help you find the solution that’s right for you.

If you’ve had children, you’ll know just how much your body can change during and after pregnancy. While stretch marks are completely normal, and incredibly common, they’re also one of the top concerns for many women thinking about a post-baby body makeover.

A ‘mummy makeover’ is designed to restore and reshape areas of the body most affected by pregnancy, but can it actually remove stretch marks?

In this blog, we’ll look at what a mummy makeover includes, how it could help with stretch marks, and what other treatment options may be worth considering as part of your post-pregnancy plan.

What exactly is a mummy makeover?

A mummy makeover isn’t one single procedure, it’s a personalised combination of surgeries designed to target the areas most affected by pregnancy and childbirth. For many women, that includes the breasts, tummy, and sometimes the hips or thighs. The most common elements are a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), breast surgery (such as augmentation, a lift, or both), and sometimes liposuction to reshape certain areas and restore balance.

The aim is to help women feel more confident in their post-baby bodies, not to chase perfection, but to feel more like you again.

Can stretch marks be removed?

The short answer is it depends on where the stretch marks are. A tummy tuck, which is often a core part of a mummy makeover, can remove stretch marks that sit on the lower part of the abdomen, especially those below the belly button. This is because the procedure involves removing excess skin in that area and tightening the muscles underneath. If your stretch marks fall within the skin that’s being removed, then yes, they’ll go with it.

However, stretch marks that are higher up on the abdomen, or on the sides of the tummy, likely won’t be removed during surgery. They may become less noticeable once the skin is tightened, but they won’t disappear completely. The same goes for stretch marks on the breasts. While a breast lift or augmentation can reshape and reposition the tissue, it won’t erase stretch marks entirely, though it may improve how they appear.

When can you have a mummy makeover postpartum?

It’s important to give your body time to recover before considering any kind of surgery. Most surgeons, including Mr Nigel Horlock, recommend waiting at least 6 months after giving birth, and ideally a few months after you’ve finished breastfeeding. This gives your hormones time to settle, your skin a chance to recover, and ensures that your weight has stabilised. It is worth bearing in mind that if you’re planning further pregnancies, this will impact your results.

During your consultation, you’ll be able to talk through your post-pregnancy journey, your goals, and what’s possible based on your body now, not just what it used to be.

Book a consultation today

A mummy makeover can do a lot. It can lift, flatten, reshape, and restore. And yes, in many cases, it can help reduce or even remove certain stretch marks, especially those on the lower tummy. However, it’s not a guaranteed fix for every mark or scar.

If you’re considering a mummy makeover and want to know what’s possible for you, book a consultation with Mr Nigel Horlock to talk through your options.

If you’ve had breast implants, or you’re thinking about getting them, you may be wondering how they’ll affect your ability to breastfeed in the future. It’s one of the most common questions women ask, especially those who are planning to have children or expand their family down the line.

The good news is that in many cases, it is possible to breastfeed with implants. However, like anything related to surgery and the body, it depends on a few key factors.

In this blog, we’ll explore what you need to know about breastfeeding with implants, what to expect, and how a breast lift can help restore shape and confidence after the baby stage.

Can you Breastfeed with Implants?

Yes, in most cases, women with breast implants can breastfeed successfully. Whether or not you can breastfeed depends more on how the original surgery was performed than on the implants themselves.

If your implants were placed under the muscle (a common technique), and the incisions were made under the breast or in the armpit, there’s usually little or no disruption to the milk ducts or nerves involved in breastfeeding. In these cases, milk production is often unaffected.

However, if the incision was made around the areola, there’s a slightly higher chance that some milk ducts or nerves may have been affected during surgery. That doesn’t automatically mean you can’t breastfeed, it just means milk supply could be lower, or that sensation may be reduced in the area, which can sometimes impact let-down.

If you haven’t had surgery yet but are considering implants and plan to breastfeed in the future, be sure to raise this in your consultation. Your surgeon can help guide the approach to maximise the chances of keeping all breastfeeding functions intact.

Will Breastfeeding Affect My Implants?

Breastfeeding won’t harm your implants, but pregnancy and feeding can still affect the way your breasts look and feel. As your breasts grow and shrink with milk production, the surrounding tissue and skin stretch and contract. Once feeding stops, this can sometimes leave the breasts looking flatter or less firm, even if the implants themselves haven’t changed at all.

This is one reason why many women choose to have breast surgery after they’ve finished having children. That way, the results aren’t affected by future changes related to pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, if you already have implants, rest assured that feeding your baby won’t cause damage to the implants themselves.

Considering a Breast Lift After Breastfeeding

While breastfeeding itself is a natural and rewarding experience, it can take a toll on the shape and position of your breasts, especially if you already have implants. Some women find that once they’ve stopped breastfeeding, their breasts feel deflated or sit lower than before, even with implants in place.

As we’ve explored in this blog on post-breastfeeding breast lifts, many mothers choose to have a breast uplift to restore the breast’s natural position, remove excess skin, and bring back a firmer, more youthful shape. In some cases, the lift is done alongside implant replacement or size adjustment, depending on how your body has changed.

It’s a popular option because it focuses on reshaping what’s already there, rather than starting over. If your implants are still in good condition and you’re happy with the volume, a lift alone may be all you need to feel more confident in your post-baby body.

If you’re considering implants or wondering about your options post-breastfeeding, Mr Nigel Horlock can help guide you. To find out more, book a consultation.

Breast lifts are a popular procedure for women who want to restore a more youthful shape and position to their breasts. Despite this, there are still plenty of misconceptions that can make patients uncertain about whether a lift is right for them.

Some myths come from outdated information, while others are the result of confusion between a breast lift and other procedures.

Here are five of the most common myths about breast lifts, and the truth behind them.

Myth 1: A breast lift will make your breasts bigger

One of the most common myths about breast lifts is that they can increase cup size. In reality, the goal of a lift is to reshape and reposition, not enlarge. By removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue, the breasts are lifted into a more youthful position.

For women who also want more volume, a breast lift can be combined with implants, but the lift itself does not add size. Many women actually notice that their breasts look fuller simply because they sit higher on the chest.

Myth 2: You can achieve the same results with exercise or creams

Exercise is excellent for improving overall health and strengthening the chest muscles that lie beneath the breast, but it cannot tighten stretched skin or lift breast tissue that has changed over time.
Similarly, no cream or topical treatment can reverse sagging. Breast lifts are surgical for a reason. They directly address the skin and tissue that contribute to drooping, delivering results that cannot be achieved from workouts or skincare products.

Myth 3: Breast lifts leave highly visible scars

All surgery leaves scars, but with breast lifts, the incisions are placed carefully to minimise visibility. Over time, most scars fade significantly and can often be hidden by clothing, including swimsuits and bras.

Advances in surgical techniques also mean scars are now finer and more discreet than they once were. Patients who follow aftercare advice and allow time for healing are usually pleased with how subtle their scars become compared to the improvement in shape and position.

Myth 4: Recovery takes a very long time

While recovery is an important part of the process, most women find it easier than they expect. Discomfort is generally manageable, and many patients return to desk-based work within a week or two. Light activity is encouraged early on, with heavier exercise avoided until healing has progressed.

Full recovery takes a few months, but most of the visible improvement is noticeable right away, and patients often feel more confident in their appearance soon after surgery.

Myth 5: Results don’t last long

Another common myth about breast lifts is that the results are only temporary. In reality, the results are long-lasting, although they cannot stop the natural aging process. Over time, gravity, changes in weight, or pregnancy may affect breast shape again, but most women enjoy the benefits of their lift for many years.

Choosing a qualified surgeon, maintaining a stable weight, and following healthy lifestyle habits all contribute to keeping results at their best.

Making an informed decision

Breast lifts can improve comfort, confidence, and the way clothing fits. Like any cosmetic procedure, they require careful thought and realistic expectations, but they can be highly rewarding for the right patient.

If you are considering a breast lift and would like to find out more, book a consultation with Mr Nigel Horlock today.