Dr. Saber’s Blog
As a mother, I know firsthand the physical toll that pregnancy and childbirth can have on a woman’s body. Despite my best efforts to exercise and eat healthily, I struggled to regain my pre-baby figure. That’s when I started considering a mommy makeover.
The mommy makeover is currently one of the most popular combined cosmetic surgeries. The goal is to restore a woman’s body to its “pre-motherhood” appearance as closely as possible by reducing sagging skin caused by breastfeeding along with stretch marks or loose skin left behind by pregnancy.
The surgery often combines two or more of these procedures:
For many women who have completed their families, a mommy makeover can mark a “before and after” point in their lives, ringing in the next phase of their personal and professional development without any undue extra risks to the patient.
But because this cosmetic procedure tackles so many different body parts at once, recovery should be carefully planned to optimize your mommy makeover results.
In this article, I will guide you through the recovery process following surgery so you know exactly what to expect.
Remember, a well-informed patient is the best patient and the smartest. I always want my patients to be as well-informed as humanly possible!
Mommy makeover recovery time will be a different experience for each woman. However, here’s a general timeline for what you can expect:
Expect to feel groggy due to the anesthesia. Pain medication will be provided to manage discomfort, and you must arrange for someone to drive you home.
Your body will still be recovering from the side effects of the anesthesia, and you may be nauseous or drowsy due to the pain medication and the shock on your body, so expect to spend most of the first day in bed. A hospital stay may not be necessary, but you will still need round-the-clock care.
However, after the first day, it’s important that you try to get up and walk around to reduce the risk of blood clots or other complications.
During this time, your energy levels will likely remain low. Due to swelling, bruising, and even the pressure from the bandages, most people continue to move very slowly. You should not lift anything over five pounds to avoid straining your incisions, especially around your abdominal muscles. Most regular household chores and normal activities will probably be too much at this stage.
After 7 to 10 days, you will need to come back to our office for a follow-up examination so that we can check the bandages and the incisions. By this point, most of the pain will have subsided, and you will likely not need any more pain medication, but you may still feel tenderness around the surgical sites.
By the end of the second week, you will likely already be driving and may even return to work—provided you work from home and from a desk. You will still need to be careful with physical activity and refrain from lifting anything over 10 pounds until your plastic surgeon gives you the all-clear.
By this time, you’ll likely be feeling much better and may have resumed some normal activities, but anything too strenuous and all heavy lifting should still be avoided.
A month after the surgery, the hard part is likely over, and you’ll have returned to your normal routine, bar any strenuous exercise and heavy lifting. Depending on the exact procedures you had, you’ll need to continue wearing compression garments.
The early, dark bruises will brighten and eventually disappear. While any residual fatigue may also linger, you’ll likely not feel the urge to nap as often.
Although it may feel like it’s taking forever, the residual swelling will gradually subside. It’s hard to put a definitive date on when this should happen as everyone is different, but generally speaking, if your mommy makeover included breast implants or body contouring, you can expect the swelling to last longer.
You will also have a couple of follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. Soon enough, the final results will take shape, your new figure will emerge, and you’ll get the green light to resume strenuous activities.
The recovery process and downtime can vary greatly from woman to woman, but it is usually influenced by:
The mommy makeover is a combination of procedures, and each one is often customized to the individual patient’s goals. As a general rule, if you had liposuction alongside your tummy tuck, you should expect to face a longer recovery.
When it comes to breast surgery, keep in mind that the recovery process after implants is generally longer than that of a simple breast lift.
After surgery, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions to the letter: they were designed to ensure your body has the extra fuel and time to heal, optimize your recovery, and minimize the likelihood of complications.
To ensure a smooth and speedy recovery, here are some of my favorite tips:
It should be no surprise that this is at the top of my list. It is critically important for you to follow our instructions to minimize the risk of complications or scarring. Your surgeon will provide you with very detailed post-operative advice and guidelines. Make sure to follow them diligently.
During the initial recovery phase, you’ll need someone to assist you with basic tasks, from helping you shower to childcare. Now is not the time to be totally on your own. If you have trouble asking for help, now is the time to push beyond your comfort zone and ask family and friends for the help you’ll need.
Please share these with whoever will be helping you or even seeing you during your recovery so they can help you stay on track.
Take time off from work and limit your physical activity. Having friends and family around to assist you will also help you focus on your recovery.
Consume enough protein, vitamins, and minerals, and drink plenty of fluids! Now is not the time to be eating crappy food. Your body needs good nutrition to help it heal.
Your body (and incisions) need time to heal, so avoid excessive movement. Your surgeon will guide you and tell you when to begin walking and lightly exercising and when you’ll be ready to start more strenuous activities.
CALL (818) 770-7050 OR CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE ONLINE
Dr Sepideh Saber, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon who distinguishes herself through her extensive training and an empathetic, caring outlook for patients of all genders, ages, and walks of life.
She began her career at Stanford University School of Medicine, one of the most competitive in the United States. Then, she completed her residency in reconstructive and plastic surgery at the University of Southern California, followed by a fellowship at New York University.
Throughout her career, she has cultivated a philosophy of patient care that focuses on the emotional impact of each procedure. From the smallest botox injection or filler to complete cosmetic transformations, she approaches each procedure as a partner, empowering her patients to rediscover their confidence.
To request a consultation, call (877) 205-4100 or schedule a consultation online.
Dr. Saber’s practice is located in Encino, CA, for patients throughout the Los Angeles area. We are also convenient to Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Malibu, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Downtown Los Angeles, Silverlake, and Echo Park.
Recovery from a mommy makeover can be uncomfortable, but the level of pain varies based on several factors, including the specific procedures performed, individual pain tolerance, and how well post-operative care instructions are followed.
After a mommy makeover, light walking is usually encouraged within the first 48 hours post-surgery. Walking helps promote blood circulation, reduces the risk of complications like blood clots, and aids in recovery. However, there are some important considerations, and following your doctor’s instructions on this matter is essential.
The number of sizes you go down after a mommy makeover varies significantly depending on the specific procedures performed, your body type, and the amount of excess skin and fat removed.
A mommy makeover is primarily designed to contour and reshape the body rather than serve as a weight loss solution. The amount of weight you might lose after a mommy makeover varies depending on the procedures performed (such as tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast surgery) and the amount of skin and fat removed.
After a mommy makeover, it’s generally recommended to wait 4 to 6 weeks before resuming sexual activity. This timeframe allows the body to heal sufficiently and reduces the risk of complications such as wound disruption, infection, or increased swelling. Please discuss this with your surgeon, as everyone heals at a different rate.
Swelling after a mommy makeover is a normal part of the healing process, and it can take several months for it to fully resolve. The timeline varies depending on the specific procedures performed (e.g., tummy tuck, liposuction, breast surgery).
SOURCES
Mommy makeover recovery | American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/mommy-makeover/recovery
What is included in a mommy makeover? | ASPS
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-is-included-in-a-mommy-makeover
Everything you need to know about a mommy makeover | ASPS
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-a-mommy-makeover