Out of Town for Mommy Makeover-Augmentation and Tummy Tuck-how Can I Improve Healing and Safety?

I am going out of town (9 hours away by car--terrified of planes) for an augment and tummy tuck. I have large amount of excess skin on my lower stomach by the groin. They told me to expect to stay at 7 days, but I took two full weeks off of work and booked 10 nights in a hotel. Is this enough? Is there anyway to improve healing or safety? Also-will I be ready to go home? I know that the drains are an issue and I can only leave once their gone. Is there anything I can do to be safer/heal faster?

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by Transformingmyself

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Recovery Time Mommy Makeover

My best suggestion is to get written instructions from your Plastic Surgeon for both the pre and post op period. Here are my suggestions for the best Mommy Makeover Recovery that I give to my patients: Get the optional pain pump. Your recovery is much less painful with a pain pump! As a result, patients tend to heal quicker because they are moving around and eating normally sooner. Get your medications filled out before your surgery Stop taking... more

Out of Town Mommy Makeover

Thank you for your question. The longer you can stay in the town to be close to your surgeon the better (for your piece of mind as well as your surgeons). I usually ask my tummy tuck patients to try to stay in town for a minimum of 2 weeks. No one can say when the drains will be ready to be removed (depends on how much fluid is draining) but if you are flexible with your dates to return home and you follow your surgeons advice, hopefully all will be well. Best wishes. more

Assistance During Your Stay Is important, Along With These Tips

The most important thing you can do to help your recovery is to follow your surgeon's pre and post operative care instructions. These instructions have been designed to facilitate the entire surgical experience, from the very beginning, before you even step into the operating room. It's great that you booked 10 days instead of 7, because it's always better to err on the side of caution. The amount of time you need to recover really depends on your body, and it's quite... more

Jerome Edelstein, MD

13 reviews

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and augmentation

A word to the wise. If you are looking for safety, do not do the 2 procedure at the same time. By combining the 2, you increase the risk of complicaions. Both procedures are uncomfortable and they might impair your ability to breath. Also, if you do not ambulate enough, you increase your risk of a blood clot. Drains do not have to be an issue. I do not use drains, instead I use quilting sutures that prevent fluid accumulation. You can ask your surgeon about that option. In regard to... more

Healing after Mommy Makeover

It's impossible to judge, in advance, how you will heal and how quickly you will feel well enough for that 9 hour return car trip. In terms of safety, adhere to your plastic surgeon's preop instructions. Have a contingency plan in case you need to remain longer in the event of a complication. Just having planned for the eventuality will ease your mind because you will be prepaed. You should remain at the location until your sutures have been removed. Also, plan for how you will deal... more