A mommy makeover is the best way to get back in shape after giving birth or facing significant weight gain or loss and transform your body with surgical procedures such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast lift or augmentation.
One of the biggest benefits of a mommy makeover is that patients can undergo multiple procedures simultaneously, combining the recovery period. While the recovery period varies on individual factors, most patients need to take a few weeks off from their routine. You can make your recovery period smooth, quick, and healthy by careful planning. Read on to learn more about the time it takes to recover from a mommy makeover surgery and to get a general timeline of what you can expect.
How Long Does Mommy Makeover Recovery Time Last?
The recovery time for mommy makeovers varies because all makeovers are different and designed to suit the individual needs of patients. Recovery time also depends on the type and number of surgeries performed, post-surgery care, as well as each patient’s response to the surgical procedure.
If you opt for the complete works, which include breast reduction or breast lift, breast augmentation, buttock augmentation, liposuction, vaginal rejuvenation, and tummy tuck, initial recovery can take around six weeks. However, complete recovery can last several months. While every patient requires an individual approach, your surgeon can provide some estimations regarding the mommy makeover recovery timeline.
Mommy Makeover Recovery Timeline
As multiple plastic surgery procedures are performed at once, recovery time is longer. When you combine procedures, your recovery time will closely mirror the recovery time of the most extensive procedure in the makeover. For most women, this is a tummy tuck as it takes the longest time. Procedures like labiaplasty, breast augmentation, breast lift, and liposuction have shorter recovery times than tummy tuck.
Full recovery can take up to a year, while most healing takes place during the first three months. Most patients can return to work between two to four weeks, depending on the combination of procedures they have chosen. With a busy lifestyle, it is best to consolidate recovery from multiple procedures and achieve the desired results.
When considering recovery time, remember that yours may be different. You will only be able to tell when you actually go through the process.
For an average mommy makeover patient, here is what you can expect throughout this journey:
Week # 1
It is the most intense period of recovery after the mommy makeover procedure. You will be coping with the after-effects of anesthesia, and your body will be at its lowest point. Your body will be in a state of shock, and you will not be able to do much except sleep, eat, or rest and move just enough to get your blood flowing.
You will have pain and discomfort along with swelling and bruising on the body, which is normal. Make sure you have someone to care for you and help you with chores and heavy lifting like meal preparation, grocery shopping, cleaning, and even caring for your children.
If a tummy tuck was a part of your makeover, your muscles are healing internally, and you need to be very gentle with yourself so they can heal properly. Your surgeon may also ask you to walk with a slight bend at the waist to prevent straining the external and internal incisions.
During this week as well as in the following weeks, it is essential to focus entirely on resting and healing and avoid anything that is physically demanding. It is important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions carefully, take medications, and visit the surgeon as scheduled for a smooth and timely recovery and personalized advice.
Week # 2
By the second week, you will notice a difference in how you feel. Surgical sites are still sore and tender. Bit by bit, you start feeling more like yourself. If your surgeon permits, take short walks outside but continue to rest most of the time to allow your body to heal. Take a nap whenever you feel the urge.
If possible, during this period of recovery, you can work from home if you are able to but do not bend any of the rules in your post-operative instruction, no matter how good you feel. Mommy makeover recovery instructions have been refined with years of surgeon and patient input, and every detail matters when it comes to healing quickly and achieving ideal results. Continue taking your medications as prescribed by the surgeon to manage pain and other symptoms.
Week # 3 to 6
During this period of recovery, post-operative swelling should be down. You may feel tired and experience some swelling and bruising, especially around the abdomen if you underwent a tummy tuck.
You may start feeling better and regain some strength. However, it is still important to allow as much time as possible for proper healing. Some women may be able to return to work, but for others, it may take longer. You can continue walking and other light activities to promote a healthy healing process, although you will not be able to lift heavy grocery bags or overfilled laundry baskets and will still require assistance with household chores and small children. By this time, if you are off your pain medications, your doctor may clear you for driving, but you must not overdo things.
Week # 6+
Once you hit week six, you will feel more like your old self. At this point, most patients are generally cleared to resume regular exercise in moderation, except for tummy tuck recovery, as core workout is still off-limits for a few more weeks. Incisions should be fully closed, and swelling should have receded, but in some cases, it may take up to a year for swelling to subside, so be patient.
If all is good, you may be cleared to lift things heavier than 10 pounds and may be able to resume basic housework and activities. Make sure to gradually return to your full capacity, such as physical work, playing with children, and exercising. Avoid difficult workouts and choose simpler options to see how well your body responds to activity.
Months 2 through 6
As the months pass, you may close to fully recovered and can return to normal activities, although minor residual swelling may persist for several months. Once your surgeon confirms your incisions are adequately healed, you will be able to get on a swimsuit and go swimming.
At this point, you will feel confident showing off your transformed figure and can shop for new clothing that flatters your curves. Scars will continue to heal and fade in the coming months. Your surgeon will prescribe medication to minimize their appearance during this time.
The mommy makeover healing process can last about six months, even though most patients return to their routines much earlier. You may experience light symptoms, but most swelling subsides after six months, and you will be seeing results when you look in the mirror. Remember, your breast surgery results and other procedures like labiaplasty may be final sooner than those of your tummy tuck.
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How to Prepare for a Mommy Makeover Recovery?
Recovery is vital for a successful mommy makeover and to get on your feet again. A healthy recovery begins before surgery. Plan things carefully so that you are prepared and have everything organized beforehand.
Do the following:
- Save up vacation days and clear everything from your calendar for at least two weeks following surgery
- Make arrangements for childcare and pet care
- Make sure essential items are at waist level and within easy access
- Pre-fill prescriptions
- Prepare your recovery space with plenty of pillows and entertainment
- Get recovery-appropriate clothes that won’t irritate healing incisions or otherwise cause discomfort
Make sure you have everything you will need conveniently at hand. A few lifestyle changes and habits can shorten your recovery time before surgery even takes place.
Read more: Mommy Makeover Procedure Pricing Breakdown
Tips for a Faster Recovery Period
Your surgeon will provide a detailed recovery booklet, full of critical information for your safe, speedy recovery. Following all the instructions carefully will help you achieve the desired results most effectively.
Here are the top tips for speeding up your mommy makeover recovery:
- Start walking short distances as soon as you feel up to it. Gentle movement on a regular basis promotes healing and prevents complications after surgery.
- Avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds, as it can damage your incisions. Even lifting small children is not allowed as it can put stress on your incisions and widen the scars.
- Make sure to eat a healthy, nutrition-packed diet, as it helps in healing and leads to beautiful results.
- Patients who diligently follow their post-operative instructions enjoy the best recoveries and desired outcomes successfully.
What Does Mommy Makeover Include – How to Customize Procedures?
Your mommy makeover will be customized to suit your specific health and aesthetic goals. You can select treatments and procedures based on the problem areas in your body. Most often mommy makeover is used to help women restore their bodies after having children, though it is also beneficial for people who have experienced the unwanted side effects of weight loss or aging.
Common procedures included in mommy makeover surgery are:
- Tummy tuck – It removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and improves its shape and appearance, resulting in a toned and flat stomach.
- Breast augmentation — It enhances breast volume and size by placing implants under the breast tissue or chest muscles.
- Breast lift – This procedure removes excess skin and reshapes the breast tissue to raise the sagging breasts and nipples.
- Breast lift combined with augmentation — The combined benefits of these two procedures can provide overall enhancement to your chest and upper body. The implant helps with lost volume at the chest, while the lift eliminates sagging and repositions the nipple and areola higher on the breast, giving them a more perky, youthful appearance.
- Breast reduction — This procedure makes the breasts smaller by removing breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin. This reduces its size and changes its shape and position on the chest for a proportionate look.
- Liposuction – It uses suction to remove excess fat from specific areas of the body, such as the stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, or neck, reshaping them for a more toned appearance.
- Labiaplasty — It is a procedure that reduces the length of the labia minora or majora.
- Vaginal rejuvenation — It includes vaginoplasty surgery or non-surgical rejuvenation that helps to improve vaginal function and appearance.
Patients get to choose what procedures are included in their mommy makeovers. You can also pick additional procedures to treat other body maladies or problem areas. While the results of these body contouring procedures can be transformative, the recovery process and ample downtime play a significant role in achieving optimal outcomes.
Schedule your mommy makeover consultation with our board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon today at Millennial Plastic Surgery. Dr. David Shokrian is recognized as one of the best plastic surgeons in New York and has helped thousands of women reclaim their bodies after the effects of childbirth or aging. He listens to your concerns, examines you carefully, and comes up with a unique surgical plan that aligns most closely with your goals and results in rapid and smooth recovery. He stays with you every step of the way to ensure you achieve the rejuvenated, youthful body that you deserve.