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When is It Okay to Do House Work After Mommy Makeover?

asked 11 months ago by Slimama
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 482 times
Tags: 1 week post-op, activity

I had breast augmentation/ anchor lift/ tummy tuck with muscle repair and lipo of flanks and inner thighs. I am 9 days PO I carefully and lightly did dishes which required bending over and reaching. I also swept the floor lightly. Is this okay to do? Am I putting any stain on my core muscles? I feel fine and take breaks when I need it. I am an active athletic person 5'2 at 115-120 pounds, and I feel that has a lot to do with me recovering so fast. What kind of household chores are okay to do?

16 answers to When is It Okay to Do House Work After Mommy Makeover?

+2

Ok to do housework 9 days afte Mommy Makeover?

Every patient and surgeon is different, but you should still be taking it easy 9 days after your surgery. Bending and reaching is OK, as long as you're comfortable, and not lifting too much, and not spending too much time doing it. You had a large surface area of skin and soft tissue lifted and carefully tightened and sewn together to give you a great result, and too much activitiy puts undue stress on your incision. So, try to take it easy. And make your... more
Roy Kim, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+2

When is It Okay to Do House Work After Mommy Makeover?

If you where my patient in my pre operative and post operative instructions/informed consents I request at least 3 weeks of NO activity. That includes house work! But you are not my patient so best to call your chosen surgeon to discuss in detail.
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

Activity after surgery

Since mommy makeovers are my most common procedures I deal with this all of the time! Mom's don't know how to sit still!!! I know, I am one! I know you are going insane because there is clutter and mess everywhere you look since nobody else in the house seems to notice such things but you HAVE to let it go until you heal. I tell my patients that they are at risk for bleeding for 2 entire weeks after surgery. After that, you can get a little more adventurous... more
Tiffany McCormack, MD

Reno Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mommy Makeover

This is not the time to find out how much you can do. The priority is for you to heal, and with minimal scar tissue. Being too active may cause more scar tissue. After 4-5 weeks, depending on how you are doing, then you may think of small household chores.
Vivek Bansal, MD

Danville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Housework after a mommy makeover

You should follow the instructions of your plastic surgeon. Patients should generally avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting (>25lbs) for 4-6 weeks after a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. Address any specific activity questions to your plastic surgeon. Best wishes, Dr.Bruno
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Too Much Too Soon

Just 9 days following multiple surgeries, especially a tummy tuck, you are stressing your abdomen and breasts too much too soon. You may develop fluid and swelling in the operated areas. Check this out with your surgeon.
Ivan Thomas, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Activity after tummy tuck / mommy makeover

Each surgeon has their own protocol for this....so, it's best to speak with your own surgeon directly. Our protocol is to really take it easy for the first 4 weeks....so, no sweeping or vacuuming or other vigorous cleaning activities. We let people start to gradually exercise around 6 weeks, start non-abdominal workouts around 8 weeks, and abdominal workouts (golf, tennis, pilates, sit-ups, yoga, etc.) at 3 months. Hope that helps!
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Housework after Mommy Makeover

For my Mommy Makeover patients, I ask that they limit their activity (housework) for at least a month. I understand that it's difficult to let things go and take care of yourself (lots of Mom's have this issue) but after this large of a procedure, you want your results to be wonderful and you don't want to cause problems (that may require even a longer recovery time) so TAKE IT EASY. Talk to your plastic surgeon and see what they recommend but really this is a time to... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

When is It Okay to Do House Work After Mommy Makeover?

RE: "I had breast augmentation/ anchor lift/ tummy tuck with muscle repair and lipo of flanks and inner thighs. I am 9 days PO I carefully and lightly did dishes which required bending over and reaching. I also swept the floor lightly. Is this okay to do? Am I putting any stain on my core muscles? I feel fine and take breaks when I need it. I am an active athletic person 5'2 at 115-120 pounds, and I feel that has a lot to do with me recovering so fast. What kind of household chores... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mommy Makeover recovery

A mommy makeover is a sizable surgery and I insist that my patients take it easy for at least two weeks. This means you can walk around the house but no lifting over 5 pounds and no household chores. I understand this can be very difficult but it will enhance your results and shorten your recovery. How you treat your body on the front end greatly helps reduce complications.
Neil J. Zemmel, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon
+1

Avoid activity for two weeks after mommy makeover.

Hi. As a general rule, it is safest to avoid any motion that increases discomfort for two weeks. On the third week, most normal activities are OK, after a month there are no restrictions.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Doing housework after mommy makeover

You need to discuss this with the doctor who did your surgery. My guess is that he/she has not given you the okay to do what you are doing and you are seeking our "permission" to jump the gun. Believe me, I am sympathetic. As a mother of three I know how hard it is to just let things be when you are looking a big mess and a dirty floor! The urge to tidy up is very, very strong. Thank being said, I won't "allow" my patients to lift... more
Lisa L. Sowder, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.sowdermd.com

+1

Returning to Normal Activity After Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a significant surgery. Although there are different versions of this procedure, a tummy tuck and breast lift can be a major event. Returning to activities must be limited for several weeks to not stress your incisions and allow for proper healing and to provide your body with enough time to "heal." Don't rush back into your housework too soon as you could compromise your recovery and even the results of your operation. Stay in close contact with... more
Vincent P. Marin, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post Mommy Makeover and Housework

It sounds like you are healing well if you are feeling like doing housework, however give yourself a break. It is not worth overdoing and paying for it later. I am sure your surgeon has advised you to take it easy, and while that is very hard for Moms to do, make it your goal to be good to yourself. You need to respect your healing time of two to three weeks and then only add things gradually. Doing too much to soon can cause complications that can really set you back. Good luck. more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+1

Mommy makeover post operative activity

Hi, Anything that pulls or stretches the muscles or skin that was repaired is risky before there has been complete healing, which may take several weeks. Picking up dishes would normally be fine, but bending over, straining, vacuuming, etc, may be too soon only one week after the surgery you described. Even people who are very fit do not heal faster than normal. The best person to answer this question is, of course, your surgeon who knows exactly what he did and how he... more
Joseph Rabson, MD

Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon
+1

When your surgeon tell you so...

Hello, After having multiple operations, you really should have your surgeon release you to different levels of activity when he or she figures it is safe to do so. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon

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