Mommy makeover — tips and schedule for recovery after surgery

 

A mommy makeover is one or more procedures designed to help women rebuild their bodies from before pregnancy. This procedure may include breast surgery, tummy tuck with muscle repair or surgery on the intimate parts.

Recovery from breast or abdominal surgery varies from person to person and depends on the surgery you undergo. However, for the first 2-3 weeks, you will need in-home support with tasks such as cooking and cleaning when movement is limited. You will need to wear the compression garment for approximately 8 weeks. While you will experience swelling, bruising and pain, our specialist team of surgeons, anesthetists and nurses will help you make your journey for a better self. As enjoyable as possible.

Read on to learn what to expect when you recover from a mommy makeover (Daily Timeline) and learn some tips for your recovery faster from surgery.

What is a mommy makeover?

 

A Mommy makeover is a personalized combination of cosmetic surgery procedures designed to restore your pre-pregnancy body. It may contain any number of the following operations:

• Breast surgery: breast lift, breast augmentation (implants), breast reduction, fat transfer to the breast, or a combination of these.
• Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty): Traditional tummy tuck.
• Face and neck lift: traditional (SMAS) face lift, neck lift, cheek lift, eyebrow lift.
• Body Lift: Back Lift, Thigh Lift, Lower Body Lift, Shoulder Lift, Buttock Lift.
• Labiaplasty: rejuvenation of the vagina.
• Body contouring: liposuction and fat transplantation.

Overall, tummy tuck and breast surgery are essential parts of a mommy makeover. These are the two regions most affected by motherhood. The rest of the procedures can be regarded as additions.

Breast surgery can involve a combination of procedures to make your breasts taller, smaller or fuller, firmer and more youthful.

Tummy tuck can help remove excess belly skin and stubborn fat, and it will also make your tummy flatter and tight. Depending on your anatomy and expectations, your plastic surgeon will advise you on the best combination of operations for you.

Mommy makeover – Post-surgery recovery timeline

 

The recovery time after a mommy makeover varies greatly from person to person and depends not only on the procedures you perform but also on your body’s healing abilities.

Overall, a mommy makeover is an extensive surgery with a long recovery period. It may take up to 12 weeks for full recovery. You’ll have to take some time off from work. Moreover, you will need someone to help you at home, especially in the first few weeks after surgery. If you have young children you should find someone to help you look after them for the first 2 weeks. To find out what to expect, we’ve broken the recovery timeline into day-by-day and week-by-week sections to give you all the details you need.

 

IMMEDIATELY AFTER MOMMY MAKEOVER

Mommy makeover is performed under general anesthesia. This means that you will be put to sleep and will be closely monitored by an experienced anesthetist. At the end of the procedure, you will be woken up and taken to the recovery room. When you wake up completely, you will be taken to the hospital room where you will stay for at least 2 nights.

The first few hours after the procedure should be painless, because our team of plastic surgeons will use local anesthesia during the procedure. You may feel tired and sometimes even a little sick.

Once the anesthetic has worn off, you may start to feel discomfort in your breasts and abdomen. Your anesthetist will prescribe a wide variety of painkillers to help reduce pain both during your stay in hospital and when you return home. During your stay in hospital, nurses will give you medication on a regular basis. Basically, you can start eating when you feel ready.

DAYS 1-2

As mommy makeover is major surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for at least 2 nights. You may also have 2 or more drains coming out of your stomach or breast. These drains help to remove excess fluid and blood from the operating field. Your surgeon will discuss with you whether you will have drains prior to surgery.

WEEK 1

When you are discharged from the hospital for a mommy makeover, you will have limited mobility. Although you are not “bedridden”, you will need about 1-2 weeks of rest from housework. During this time, we encourage you to move around and take short walks. Walking helps to promote blood circulation in the body and reduces the risk of a blood clot forming.

WEEKS 1-2

During the first 2 weeks, you will notice that the swelling will gradually increase. Bruises will begin to appear. You may also notice some dry blood on the dressings. This is all normal and not cause for concern.

Swelling and bruising usually peak in the second week after the mommy makeover, before gradually turning a bright yellow and then fading away.

You can start going back to work about 10-14 days after your mommy makeover, provided your work isn’t heavy. If you have physical work, your plastic surgeon will be able to provide you with a more realistic time frame to return to your full responsibilities.

Compression abdominal clothing and a specialist bra should be worn throughout this period. It is recommended that you sleep on your back with your knees raised for the first 2 weeks after surgery to reduce swelling and pressure at the site of surgery.

WEEKS 3-6

3 weeks after surgery your pain will decrease significantly. Pain medications should rarely be needed at this stage, if at all. Relieving the pain and soreness will allow you to move more freely with minimal restraints. You can gradually return to your daily activities.

Sports and exercise are still prohibited at this stage. You should continue to wear a belly wear and sports bra and sleep on your back for up to 4 weeks after your mom’s transformation. However, if you find it difficult to fall asleep due to this position, you can resume the modified side sleeping position after 3 weeks. Avoid sleeping on your stomach for 12 weeks.

After 4 weeks, the swelling and bruising should begin to subside. You will begin to notice dramatic changes in the appearance of your breasts and abdomen, although the final results may be visible even after 12 months.

AFTER 6 WEEKS

Most patients achieve full recovery by week 6 after the mommy makeover. If all goes well, you can go back to exercise and resume all your sports activities. Take care to avoid direct abdominal exercise for 12 weeks.

After 6-8 weeks, you will notice your scars starting to turn redder, pigmented, or raised. After 8-12 weeks, your scars should start to fade, and they will do so throughout their lives. Some residual swelling is also to be expected, and it may take up to 12 months for it to completely resolve.

For the first 2 to 3 months after your mommy makeover, avoid sunbathing and excessive sunlight on the incision line as this may darken the scars.