What is recovery like with a mommy makeover?

Mommy makeover is a term that implies some surgery on the breast, some surgery on the tummy.

The mommy makeover one patient get may be a simple scar revision of their  C-section and a small breast implant; another patient might need a full breast reconstruction with a full tummy tuck and flank plasty.  

Some patients are young and bounce back, others are older and take longer to recover.

So the recovery is quite varied.  For an 'average' mommy makeover, patients can usually drive by 1 week, walk five miles on a flat surface by two weeks, and run by 4 weeks.  Hard workouts generally start at around 6 weeks.

Pain pumps have dramatically altered the recovery from abdominal and breast surgery. They reduce pain without sedating patients. Their safety profile is also much higher than in the past, with no need for Marcaine, a long acting anesthetic that has been associated with heart block in some patients.

The difference between patients who go home after their surgery and those who stay in an aftercare with pain pumps is night and day.

It is actually possible to have a pain pump for both the breasts and the tummy tuck at the same time.

Also, a night or two in an aftercare facility also helps recovery.

Small children less than two years of age are the biggest impediment to an easy recovery. It is often nice to get some help if kids less than 2 years old are at home.

All in all, the satisfaction rate for an expertly performed breast surgery and tummy tuck, customized to the patient's needs, is very high.

Patients should not over schedule during their recovery period.  It is a time for recovery and healing.

 

The combination of breast and tummy surgery is very common today.  I inform my patients that the recovery is basically based on the tummy tuck.  I do no expect patients to be in sever pain, as a matter of fact, with the right pre and post operative medications patients are usually very comfortable and pleasantly surprised.  I expected 7 to 10 days of very limited activity.  By 2 weeks back to most normal light activity.  By 5 weeks may resume most activities. 

Hi there,
I think it's important to be realistic about your expectation of what recovery involves in any major elective surgery such as Mommy Makeover with concurrent breast implant lift and tummy tuck.
Depending on both your physical and psychological preparation for your surgery, the quality of your recovery time can vary widely between patients. In general, the post operative swelling is worse for the first 1-2 weeks with you being in a compressive garment for swelling control. You'll also feel very "tight" during this period of time due to the inherent nature of the surgery in "tightening" you in both vertical and horizontal dimensions from the tummy point of view as well as "filling" & "lifting" your breast shape & volume. Quite often you'll be put on some appropriate pain relief to alleviate the associated discomfort while you recover from this major surgical transformation.
It would be wise to take 2-4 weeks off your regular work or home duties as you'll not be advised to be involved in any form of heavy lifting or strenuous physical activities. Be prepared for the possibility of taking up to 6-8 weeks in some patients before feeling completely comfortable again with your new self. 
This is understandably a massive investment in your new self physically, mentally and financially. So it's prudent to be best prepared for the most optimal recovery involved.
Hope that helps.
Best Wishes
Ellis Choy