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.

 

Mommy makeovers are one of the most popular procedures in the U.S. because of the transformation that is possible from the surgery.    

Mommy makeover is a broad term that describes a tummy tuck and breast surgery which could include breast augmentation, breast lift or a breast lift with augmentation.  The broad definition of the procedure makes the recovery time variable for the surgery.    

There are several new advancements in the procedure that has decreased the recovery time after the mommy makeover.

 

The use of Exparel – a long acting local anesthetic that is injected during the procedure to provide discomfort relief for three days. 
Drains are often rarely used as well.  Special suturing techniques can prevent the need for these drains.   
These two advancements have allowed patients to have a more comfortable and swift recovery from their mommy makeover. 
The recovery for the breast portion of the mommy makeover is variable depending if a person has a breast augmentation alone, or a breast lift and augmentation.

In general patients, should give themselves at least two weeks to recover from the procedure so that they can maximize their results.

Please consult your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your mommy makeover options! 

A properly performed mommy makeover by a board certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience in cosmetic surgery and thousands of patients can result in a beautiful outcome with moderate discomfort. The pain should last 2 to 4 weeks and require narcotics for comfort during that time.  The procedure is done in an outpatient surgery center, and the patient can typically return to work at two weeks. We see patients in follow-up at 1 day, 5 days, 7 days, 9 days, 14 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, and every year after that forever (all of this is free). Pain is moderate, though pain medicine is provided. It takes about two months before one can resume exercise. Overall, it is a safe operation with high patient satisfaction rates.

Thanks for your question!
You will have pain, soreness and swelling, especially the first week. The pain is manageable with rest and medication. I do not think you will scare your children. Just take the time needed to heal and recover. Best wishes!

Recovery after a mommy makeover involves different stages and varies from person to person. Generally, the first few days are the most uncomfortable, with some patients experiencing soreness and tightness in the chest and abdomen. Medications will be provided to help manage the pain, and while they may cause some drowsiness, you should not feel comatose. After a few days, most patients can begin to walk and perform light activities. However, you will need to avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous activities for a few weeks. It is essential to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions carefully to ensure a successful recovery. With regards to your children, it is important to communicate with them about your recovery process and limitations, so they understand why you may not be able to do certain activities. I would recommend that you plan for at least 3-4 weeks of limited activity and 6-8 weeks for full activity. Thank you for your question, and best of luck with your mommy makeover!

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

Congratulations on your decision to move forward with surgery. I know it's a big step, and being worried is natural. You don't have to worry about being "comatose" once you're home. Usually patients wake up drowsy from anesthesia, but we don't have your family see you until you're more awake and conversant. If you want to recover with a little more peace and quiet, we offer patients a recovery house staffed with a very attentive nurse. The first one-two weeks is the toughest in terms of discomfort. Our patient can start slow exercise at the 4 week mark.