Tips for a Faster Mommy Makeover Recovery

Mommy makeover recovery: Looking to reclaim your body after having children?

While nothing beats motherhood, there are still many ways in which pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can take their toll on a woman’s body. From sagging breasts and enlarged areolas to abdominal fat and stretched out skin, many women are looking for a way to feel like themselves again after having kids. 

The mommy makeover procedure is an attempt to address all of the major cosmetic issues moms face. It is best to perform the surgery after a patient knows she is done having children. As long as the patient is in good overall health and is within a healthy body weight range, she will most likely be a good candidate for this procedure. 

Naturally, one of the areas that concerns patients the most when it comes to mommy makeovers is recovery. Busy moms want to know exactly when they’ll be able to jump back into the swing of things after they’ve healed. 

Ahead, we’ll take a look at how long it takes to recover from a mommy makeover, on average. We’ll also offer up some tips for speeding up the mommy makeover recovery process whenever possible. 

How Long Does It Take to Heal From a Mommy Makeover?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the mommy makeover procedure has one of the longest recovery periods of any cosmetic surgery. This is largely because a mommy makeover is a combination procedure. It combines multiple surgeries into one. Or, sometimes, the patient will actually have two surgeries (on two different dates), and each surgery will involve multiple procedures. Regardless of how it’s scheduled, as a rule, more surgery = a longer recovery period.

With all of that said, every patient will have a different experience when it comes to their mommy makeover. That’s because each mommy makeover is catered to the specific needs of the individual. So, one woman might be interested in getting a tummy tuck, liposuction, and labiaplasty and that’s it. Another woman may only want liposuction and no tummy tuck, but she may want to get breast implants as an additional procedure. 

The nuances of one’s surgery, therefore, are also going to factor into the mommy makeover recovery experience. Naturally, the more surgery a patient has, the longer and more intense the recovery period is likely to be, but it also depends on the individual procedures.

For example, tummy tucks are known for requiring quite an extensive recovery period. Liposuction and breast augmentation, on the other hand, don’t typically have long recovery periods in comparison.

Getting down the brass tacks, most patients should expect their mommy makeover recovery period to last anywhere from two weeks to two months – you see the exact mommy makeover recovery week by week here. At the very least, patients should take off around two weeks from work or school in order to properly heal. Ask Dr. Steinberg for more details about the length of your prospective mommy makeover recovery period.

How long are you sore after a mommy makeover?

Pain and soreness will be worst over the first few days after surgery. Around day four or five, you should notice an improvement in your discomfort, however. From that point on, your soreness should wane by the day. It will be several weeks before the soreness completely goes away.

When can you return to work after a mommy makeover?

The vast majority of mommy makeover patients should be able to return to work around two to four weeks after surgery. However, every surgery and every patient is different. Always consult with your surgeon first to know when returning to work is okay.

When can you exercise after a mommy makeover?

Physical activity, including more vigorous exercise like weight lifting and cardiovascular activity, can usually be resumed after approximately six to 10 weeks. However, it’s always important to speak with your surgeon directly about your unique situation.

Most patients will be able to start moving slowly and gently shortly after surgery. For patients who’ve had breast surgery, it’s important to ease back into upper body movements. No stretching up high with the arms or lifting heavy objects. 

The same goes for tummy tuck surgery. This procedure requires only gentle, slow movements when getting in and out of bed or walking around the house. It’s important to avoid popping stitches or causing internal trauma to the incision sites. 

Tips for a Faster Mommy Makeover Recovery

 

Follow these tips to maximize your recovery time and get back to the things you love as quickly as possible.

• Plan ahead.

Directly after your surgery, you will have limited mobility. Therefore, do all you can before your procedure. Fill your prescriptions, get groceries, buy mommy makeover recovery supplies, have a healthy meal plan prepared, create a comfortable living space for daytime recovery, and prep your bedroom and sleeping space as well.

• Get help.

Moms tend to be quite bad at asking for help, but it is a necessity after mommy makeover surgery. Ask a friend or relative if they can stop by at least once a day to help you out with chores around the house, meal prep, grocery shopping, and other daily tasks and errands. You’ll need more help at the beginning of your mommy makeover recovery.

• Follow Dr. Steinberg’s recovery instructions carefully.

The absolute best way to maximize your recovery time after mommy makeover surgery is to closely follow Dr. Steinberg’s recovery instructions. Do everything on her aftercare list, and if you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to call our office for more information.

Request a Consultation Appointment

All mothers are unique and special. Unfortunately, they often devote so much time to their children and families that they forget to think about themselves. 

Moms deserve to feel good about the way they look. If you are a mom who’s unhappy with her appearance after having children, consider a mommy makeover. This comprehensive procedure can address nearly all of the issues you face, including loose skin, excess body fat, drooping breasts, and lack of breast volume. Take a look at our mommy makeover gallery to see examples of past patients’ results.

For more information or to book a consultation appointment with Dr. Steinberg, call today!

References 

Mommy Makeover Recovery: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-a-mommy-makeover