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

Recovery times following mommy makeover surgery vary from patient to patient. It’s important to remember that this is an extensive procedure that combines cosmetic breast surgery, abdominoplasty, and liposuction of the hips and thighs. Because of this, returning to strenuous activity to soon after surgery can potentially have negative consequences.

We generally recommend light activity for the first two weeks following the procedure. Patients are allowed bathroom and kitchen privileges, but encouraged to minimize activity. Light ambulation in a slightly flexed position is encouraged to avoid the formation of lower extremity blood clots. After two weeks, patients are allowed to gradually resume normal non strenuous activities. Strenuous activities and heavy lifting are not allowed for at least six weeks. At six weeks, most patients are able to resume all of their normal activities.

It’s important to remember that every patient is unique. The specifics of their employment and procedure will have a significant impact upon their recovery. In some cases, return to normality will occur quickly, while in others who have more extensive procedures and who have more strenuous employment, it may take longer. Light house keeping that utilizes the core muscles of the abdomen will take longer.

Make sure you discuss this issue with the plastic surgeon who performed your mommy makeover. Your surgeon’s insights regarding your surgery will provide important information regarding resumption of activity following this procedure.

Thanks for the question. After 6 weeks your surgery area is totally healed and yes you can do your house work and also do other activities.

You always follow your surgeon's recommendations for activity, especially after muscle repair with tummy tuck. You don't want to strain your core muscles with lifting, and stretching or twisting should be kept to a minimum. Typically it takes 6 weeks for the body to heal enough for unrestricted activity.

As I advise my patients, if your work keeps you sedentary, you may return whenever you feel up to it. If your work is strenuous, wait until your work activity does not cause any superficial pain. Some employers will modify a person’s job duties so they can back sooner, but without physical activity. Our office can provide our patients with a note stating they are not to engage in strenuous activity for a specified period of time. The note will not disclose what procedure they have underwent. Therefore, you may have to request a similar note from your surgeon if you are not independently employed. I recommend avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous #activity for six weeks following your surgery. With that said, it may help you plan your return to work accordingly.

As for heavy lifting and other #strenuous #activities, it should be avoided for until you have clearance from your surgeon. You may, however, do normal activities at any time if they cause no pain or #discomfort. Let your body tell you what you can or cannot do. Aerobic exercise will raise your blood pressure, which could cause late bleeding and harm your result. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!!  If you have concerns about your healing, or pain that you question to be unusual, it is important to call your plastic surgeon to discuss these further asked to be examined.

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.

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

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!  

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.

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 hubby do the dishes for a couple of days!

This question is best answered by your surgeon who is most familiar with the details of your surgery and how you've been progressing through recovery. In general lifting restrictions of greater than 10 pounds are in place for the first six weeks after surgery. I advise my patients that they can return to work and resume non strenuous activities after two weeks. Light exercise can begin after four weeks and strenuous activities after six. This of course will vary by patient progress in recovery.