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Mommy Makeover Recovery Time

What is recovery like with a mommy makeover? I have scheduled both a breast augmentation with lift and a tummy tuck and am pretty scared. I am worried that the pain will be unbearable.

I know medication will be provided but I do not want to be comatose. I have 2 small children and a wonderful husband that will be taking 100% care of all 3 of us but I also want to be coherent. Will I be alert and will I be in so much pain as to scare my children? I have had 2 c sections and the pain was completely bearable.

Asked 32 months ago by baseballmom in Texas in Texas

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Having both procedures done at the same time does not lengthen the recovery

Having both procedures done at the same time does not lengthen the recovery, it just makes the tummy tuck the time variable. Breast augmentation recovery is 7 days or so. Tummy tuck recovery is 10 to 14 daysl. Your recovery will be in the 10 to 14 day period for both. If you've had a c-section, you have a great understanding for what to expect. Your pain will not be additive, but it will comprise a larger area of your body. My patients seem to "turn the corner" in the 3rd to... more

Ricardo Izquierdo, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mommy Makeover Recovery Time

The recovery time necessary after a Mommy Makeover can vary depending upon each individual’s circumstances. This recovery time can last anywhere from a week or less to 6 weeks. Since a Mommy Makeover can encompass many different types of procedures, it will depend upon which operations your surgeon performs and how your surgeon manages your discomfort after surgery. The single procedure that typically requires the most recovery is a tummy tuck. Most of my patients... more

John K. Wakelin III, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Recovery from a Mommy Makeover will vary depending on what procedures are done

There are many different procedures that can make up a Mommy Makeover. Generally speaking, a Mommy Makeover usually involves some sort of breast procedure along with abdominal contouring, perhaps an abdominoplasty of liposuction. Your initial recovery may be from 3-10 days, depending on which procedures are performed. Some patients are back to work after a breast augmentation and tummy tuck by 7 days. Others may need 10-14 days. A breast augmentation may also be... more

Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mommy Makeover recovery

The recovery from a mommy makeover (breast procedure and tummy tuck) typically involves one to two weeks off of work. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity is to be avoided for approximately four to six weeks. The pain is usually manageable with oral pain medications (vicodin or percocet), however you can request a pain pump to be inserted at the time of the tummy tuck which can help considerably. Many women compare the recovery from a tummy tuck to that of a C-section. Most would agree that... more

William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

This is bigger

The two most painful procedures I do are the BAM and TT. Both hurt due to the surgical muscle trauma and resultant spasm. The recovery is significant and more than from a CS. The medications will help, and you must keep walking caughing and deep breathing. The movement will help your muscles relax and you will feel better sooner. YOU WILL NEED HELP. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mommy makeover is easier than a c section.

Hi! Good news! Most women who have had a previous c section tell us that recovery from a tummy tuck is not nearly as bad as recovery from a c section. (We are not going deep inside you.) And a well performed breast augmentation does not hurt much at all. Overall, you should be a little sore but functioning well in one week.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Recovery from a Mommy Makeover

Dear Baseball Mom, Discomfort is subjective, and also depends on how your surgeon manages your pain control. The fact that you did OK with the c-sections really goes in your favor. The tummy tuck component of the makeover is the part that is most uncomfortable, to the point where you will likely not really notice the breast surgery that much. Make sure you follow your surgeons instructions carefully (the first 2 days are the most uncomfortable, so if you are instructed to take medications... more

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Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Recovery

Recovery following surgery depends upon the type of surgery. Typically, if procedures are combined (ie tummy and breast), recovery may take a bit longer. Many patients are back to household activities after about 2 weeks. In terms of full exercise and lifitng, that may take up to 6 weeks following surgery.

Loren Schechter, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Mommy Makeover Recovery

Surgery that involves muscles can be pretty sore. Usually with a Mommy Makeover the abdominal muscles are tightened during the tummytuck and if you have breast implants they are most commonly placed under the chest muscles. In my experience, the level of post op pain is quite variable, i think because we all experience pain differently. On the average my patients tell me the worst is over by the end of the third day. In other words, if your surgery is on a Monday, by Thursday you can count... more

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Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Generally speaking recovery time is 14 days for a Mommy Makeover.

Generally speaking recovery time is 14 days for a Mommy Makeover, however, keep in mind this procedure is a make-up of many different procedures. Some woman may need more or less time for recovery depending on which procedures they had.. The safest advice for recovery that I give my patients when planning for their downtime is to arrange for help at home during the first few days. They usually start to feel better after one week. They can usually return to work after 2 weeks and resume... more

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Alfred Sofer, MD

Fairfield Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

What to expect during a Mommy Makeover recovery

After any major surgery, you can expect to require at least 6 weeks off of aggressive activity, including exercise. You should not lift more than 5 pounds during the first 3-4 weeks after breast surgery, and following a tummy tuck, avoid twisting motions and using your core for 4-6 weeks. Arrange for help at home - both for routine daily activities like getting the kids ready for school, making lunches, making dinner, driving children to and from appointments, etc. - both also ensure you... more

Karen M. Horton, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

You will probably need 10-14 days to recover

While what is involved in a Mommy Makeover varies from patient to patient, in your case, your recovery should be pretty straightforward. One helpful hint is to make sure you continue to have lots of help at home-- this cannot be stressed enough. You'll be tempted to try to help around the house quickly, but you won't feel like yourself for at least 7 days (10-14 in many cases) and you still shouldn't do any heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. Good pain control, including pain pumps, are... more

Shahram Salemy, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Recovery from Mommy Makeover

Hi there- The recovery from a Mommy Makeover is going to vary quite a bit, depending on the details of the procedures involved (a Mommy makeover usually includes a breast augmentation and a tummy tuck, but can also include a breast lift, some liposuction, and/or a labiaplasty), and techniques chosen. Individual patients also have different thresholds and experience pain differently. The average patient requires prescription pain medication for 5-7 days, and then does well on Tylenol. You'll... more

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Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Recovery after mommy makeover

Hello, You will do great. The recovery will largely be limited by the tummy tuck and primarily by the abdominal wall plication (muscle tightening). You will be fairly sore and tight the first week. By the end of the second week you will be walking relatively straight and will be in better mood especially if the drains are taken out. By the 3-4th week you will be given the go ahead to stop wearing an abdominal binder and resume some excercise activity. All the... more

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Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Consider a pain pump

Having a mommy makeover like you are planning is a relatively common procedure these days. and combining these surgeries can lead to an operation that takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours or so. i would consider a couple of things - talk to your surgeon about possibly using a pain pump. this is a catheter that is placed in the operating room which slowly drips in local anesthetic (like novocaine you get at the dentist) directly to the areas that will be most sore after the... more

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Eric Chang, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Recovery after a Mommy Makeover: Start your recovery before surgery

Mommy makeover surgery is a very common combination procedure though it does come with a longer recovery than just one of the procedures separately and there is a higher risk of complications because of the length of procedure. I would recommend you to be at your best for surgery by increasing your protein intake 3 weeks in advance and stopping any hormone therapy 3 weeks in advance. These two preoperative suggestions will increase your healing capacity and decrease your risk of blod... more

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Andrew P. Trussler, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Great Pain Control Makes Recovery Much Easier

The latest innovation in pain control, the pain pump has dramatically reduced the discomfort after tummy tuck and breast augmentation, the two procedures that are usually done in a Mommy Makeover. The pain pump uses small catheters placed during the surgery to slowly drip local anesthetic into the surgery sites, providing local anesthetic (numbing medicine) directly where it hurts. The result is a dramatic reduction in pain, so much so that our patients take less than half the... more

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Recovery after mommy makeover

A mommy makeover incorporates two surgeries that are designed to improve the female body after pregnancy. These include a tummy tuck, which entails a one to two week recovery, and a breast augmentation, which entails a 5 day recovery. These recovery times depend on the type of surgery and patients may begin to resume work duties typically within one week.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Plastic Surgery Recovery varies from patient to patient

It may seem obvious, but every person recovers at a different rate. I tend to tell my patients to expect each phase of the recovery to be broken down into "2 to 3." This means that it is usually 2-3 hours to "wake up" from the anesthetic so your head starts to clear; 2-3 days that you can expect pain that probably requires pain medication (narcotics) around the clock or on some set schedule; 2-3 weeks that you taper off the medications and start increasing... more

Jason Brett Lichten, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Recovery from Mommy Makeover

It is very common for mommy makeovers to include both breast and tummy procedures. Your surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate for a combined procedure based on your health status (past medical history) and your physicial exam. In addition, your surgeon will determine if an overnight stay at the hospital is warranted. After surgery, your pain should be well managed with 1-2 oral pain pills every 4-6 hours. All my mommy... more

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C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Request Pain pumps

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... more

Brent Moelleken, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Recovery from mommy makeover

I appreciated the comments from the patient who had a "makeover" - there is alot of good SUBJECTIVE experience in it But your experience will be dependent on your interaction with your doctor and his post op regimen. First off. Recovery from a C section is more painful and protracted because it is an intraabdominal procedure( see my site for previous answers). I use long acting topical anesthetics and NSAIDS which significantly limit the need for opiates which creates a much... more

Barry H. Dolich, MD

Bronx Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Talk with other patients

I'd encourage you to read comments like Simpatico and, in my office, we will often hook up prospective patients with those who have had the same procedure to discuss pain, scars, child care and some of the things patients are more equiped to answer. I can tell you, you are on the right track lining up help. Too often patients don't want to impose of family or friends and don't get assistance lined up for after surgery. This inevitably leads to frustration and a longer recovery road. You can... more

Robert Frank, MD

Munster Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mommy Makeover recovery compared to a c-section

Great question - obviously everyone responds differently to pain. That being said, both breast augmentation and tummy tuck surgery do come with a certain degree of pain and discomfort because of the manipulations made to the underlying musculature. Most of my patients who have had C-sections tell me that they experience a similar length of recovery and degree of pain between the two operations (re: patients who bounced back quickly from C-sections seem to bounce back... more

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William F. DeLuca Jr, MD

Albany Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Mommy makeover recovery

These procedures are commonly performed together, and the benefit for you is that you only have to endure one recovery time. The first week will be the worst, and you will still feel like you are recovering for about 2-3 weeks. After that, you'll probably be feeling pretty well, but you will not be able to do any heavy lifting (like picking up your kids) for 6 weeks postop. Don't fret- it's exciting, and patients generally feel that it's worth it! more