A Detailed Timeline of How Long it Takes to Recover From a Mommy Makeover

After having a baby, your body’s shape will inevitably change. For some, this is a difficult experience, and many women lose self-confidence or no longer feel like themselves.

That’s why in recent years, according to plasticsurgery.org, “plastic surgeons have performed more than half a million mommy makeovers” to help restore women’s bodies to their pre-pregnancy shape, which may involve body contouring: tummy tucks, breast augmentations, and liposuction, among other procedures.

If you’re considering a mommy makeover, it’s important to take into account the recovery period. Below, we cover the mommy makeover recovery process.

A Brief Overview of Mommy Makeover Procedures

Mommy makeovers are a combination of cosmetic procedures that are designed to restore a woman’s body to its pre-pregnancy shape, involving plastic surgery. It typically looks like a combination of:

The recovery time will depend on which procedures are chosen by you and your plastic surgeon so you can plan accordingly.

A Closer Look at the Week-to-Week Recovery Timeline

When it comes to a mommy makeover recovery timeline, mommy makeover patients will have a different healing timeline depending on their health history, how many procedures they are getting done, age, and other factors. It’s important to get an estimated recovery timeline by your board-certified plastic surgeon so you know what to expect and can plan on when to return to your normal routine. Here, we provide a general guideline so you understand the healing process better.

Week 1

The first week is the initial recovery period post-surgery where pain medication is prescribed. This is a time to recover in bed and limit normal activities as your body heals. You can expect some slight pain and discomfort, swelling, and bruising. It’s wise to have support from a loved one as well as childcare so you can fully rest and heal. If you undergo a tummy tuck, you’ll also need to wear compression garments for a few weeks as prescribed by your doctor to avoid blood clots and to encourage circulation.

Week 2

Doctors typically encourage women to take two weeks off of work to rest and heal, and even more if you have a physically demanding job. During this week, you may switch to over-the-counter pain medication as the discomfort and swelling starts to subside. Now, and up to 4-6 weeks, plastic surgeons advise against heavy lifting, including your small children.

Week 3-4

General bruising and swelling should mostly subside by this point, but residual swelling may take up to six months to resolve. Here, your incisions will remodel and soften, becoming less noticeable. You’ll likely feel more energy and can return to some normal activities, but it’s crucial to keep physical activity at a minimum. By now, you can return to your desk job as normal.

Week 5-6

Here, you will be able to return to most activities as normal, other than strenuous activity, including lifting heavy objects. You’ll have far less downtime than the first initial weeks, but should still follow thorough patient care to avoid complications.

Beyond 6 Weeks

During this period, your incisions will continue to fade over time and scarring and swelling should be mostly gone. Your strength will return, but before doing any strenuous exercise, you need to clear it with your doctor first and follow post-op instructions diligently to heal faster and more thoroughly. You will start to see the final look of your mommy makeover, and your confidence will return. Mommy makeover healing takes a little bit of time, but the results pay off big when you truly enjoy your new look. Your doctor will require some follow-up appointments, and it’s important to stay diligent to continue in your healing process.

Potential Recovery Complications and How to Handle Them

When you go under the knife, there’s always a risk for complications. Here are some things to keep in mind and how to handle them if they arise.

Infection

There is always a risk of infection when undergoing surgery. A trusted plastic surgeon will take precautionary measures to avoid this. However, redness, swelling, a fever, or pain could ensue as a sign of an infection. If this happens, your doctor will likely prescribe you antibiotics and treat the wound carefully to allow it to heal. A combination of procedures may increase your risk of infection.

Hematoma

A collection of blood under the skin can collect from cosmetic surgeries (or any surgery), called a hematoma.

Seroma

A seroma involves a collection of fluid under the skin, which can cause swelling and discomfort.

Poor Wound Healing

If a wound isn’t healing properly, it can cause an increased risk for infection. It’s important to get adequate education about letting your wounds heal, as advised by your doctor, to avoid any further complications.

Nerve Damage

Tingling or numbing can occur post-op, which is typically temporary.

Anesthesia Complications

Having a great anesthesiologist is crucial for surgery. However, some complications can arise that are not under the anesthesiologist’s control: such as having an allergic reaction or coming into contact with respiratory issues. Talk to your doctor to ensure that the anesthesiology practices are safe and well-examined.

Blood Clots

There is a reason why patients wear compression garments post-surgery: to avoid blood clots. Further complications would involve blood clots forming in the legs and coming up to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which can be life-threatening.

Complications Due to Breast Surgery

Asymmetry issues and a hardening of the breast implant capsule, which can cause shape changes and pain (called capsular contracture), are risks associated with breast augmentations.

Tips for a Smoother Recovery

Recovering from surgery can range from mild to moderate. The best way to heal properly is to carefully follow post-op instructions. Here are some tips to help you navigate your surgical procedure recovery:

Prioritize rest: Avoid strenuous activity or lifting heavy objects in the first few weeks following your surgery.
Wear compression garments: This helps you reduce swelling, promote faster recovery, and avoid blood clots or further complications.
Manage your pain effectively: Be open and talk to your surgeon about your level of pain as you go through your recovery rejuvenation. Managing your pain appropriately will help you sleep better and recover faster.
Seek support from loved ones: You’ll want support and help from loved ones, from helping take care of your children to helping you lift things, cook, and do daily activities. They will also help provide emotional support as your body heals.
Maintain adequate sleep and good nutrition: Help the healing process along by eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate sleep. Although sitting in front of the couch eating chips and ice cream every day sounds tempting as you heal, don’t overdo it, especially as you’re halting from strenuous exercise for a while.
Follow your post-care instructions diligently: From changing your bandages regularly to staying on top of your medication schedule, being disciplined with your doctor’s instructions will help you avoid complications and feel better faster.

How Painful is Recovering From a Mommy Makeover?

The level of pain will vary from person to person, depending on which procedures you choose, your health, and your medical history. In general, the first few days after your mommy makeover surgery will be the most challenging, but they can be managed by prescribed pain medication. Within two weeks, you should feel far less pain and can manage with OTC pain medication. Tummy tucks generally involve more pain due to their interference with abdominal muscles, and having multiple procedures will result in more pain and recovery time. Talk to your doctor about expectations surrounding your recovery.

Highlighting the Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Recovery

There’s the age-old saying: “it may get worse before it gets better”. While the intention of a mommy makeover is to feel better, the process of going through surgery and initial recovery can be challenging. You may feel worried about scarring, excess skin, or the side effects that come with going under the knife. Post-surgerical depression can take hold when you’re least expecting it, especially when you are not able to do your typical activities for a period of time. It’s important to know this going into it because it is all temporary. If you need to, speak with a therapist or find a support system. Once you have healed, you will likely feel even more confident, radiant, and happy than before your surgery. Just know, it’s all a process.

The Importance of Follow-up Appointments

Visiting your surgeon regularly for follow-up appointments is crucial in your post-operative healing process. Here, you can address any concerns you have, help avoid infection or complications, alter your medication, and have any necessary discussions with your doctor as you heal. Your doctor will monitor the healing of your incisions and wounds, provide guidance on managing your recovery, and let you know when it’s safe to return to work, start driving, and resume physical activities.

The success of your surgery may depend on your discipline and dedication, but the recovery process is only temporary. Stay on top of your appointments and you’ll find far greater success in your mommy makeover healing journey.

How Brevard Cosmetic Surgery Group Can Help

Committing to your confidence and self-esteem is the first step in the mommy makeover journey. If you’re ready to talk to our board-certified plastic surgeon about your makeover options, schedule a consultation today at our beautiful Merritt Island, Florida, location and start your journey to feeling more radiant and confident today.