How Long After a Mommy Makeover Before I Can Have Sex?

Let's assume both you and you partner are equally interested in resuming normal sexual relations after surgery. Trust me, this is not always the case, as some couples with unequal interest are hoping for different answers! I usually tell patients that the best answer is when you are both ready, but providing proper care is taken to not harm her results or end up needing re-operation for bleeding, which is the usual result of too-soon sex or any vigorous activity.

If a woman finds it impossible to lay on her chest after breast surgery because her chest is still too uncomfortable, then a partner should not lay on her chest. If moving the implants to keep the surgical pocket healing properly is still uncomfortable, then vigorous breast manipulation during sex is just not good. But this applies not just to sex--tackle football, pole vaulting, and trapeze sex are all "out" for at least a month or so after breast surgery, and at least 6 weeks after tummy tuck. This list would also include kickboxing, skydiving, and double black diamond skiing. You get the idea!

Basically, how is more important than when. If a woman wants a "no sex for 3 months after surgery" recommendation, perhaps there are other issues at play here, as this is just not surgically necessary. If a partner asks for sex immediately after surgery, perhaps it's just to make the swollen, bruised, and uncomfortable partner feel desired and pretty--but please don't expect the patient to really follow through. Give her a chance to heal and feel good so you BOTH enjoy getting together. Start gently; be kind; be understanding. Remember that after successful cosmetic surgery, the patient feels better about herself, feels and is prettier, and is happy to have repaired what she once had before pregnancy and breast feeding. This usually results in better and more frequent sexual relations when all is said and done. Cheers!

Typically we ask that the patients refrain from exercise for two months after a tummy tuck.  This goes for sexual relations as well.

Most would say that at least a couple of weeks should ellipse but it will be variable depending on your surgeon's preference. 

With regards to sexual activity after mommy makeover, I feel
it is important to allow enough time for proper wound healing and during sexual
activity the endorphin rush can lower inhibitions that increase pain tolerance
and patients are more likely to injur themselves with this kind of activity.
As a result I usually recommend at least two weeks refraining from sexual
activity and advise possibly more to not have complications to healing. When
sexual activity resumes, I advise very careful and gentle activity to minimize
the risk of injury and over time normal activity can resume usually within a
month or six weeks.

While there is no definitive answer to this, I typically recommend that my patients refrain completely from sexual activity for 2 weeks following a mommy makeover operation, and to remain quite gentle until at least 6 weeks post-op.  This allows sufficient time for the incisions to heal, for the abdominal plication from the tummy tuck to become stable, and for breast implant pockets to become mature and stable.

I recommend that most patients wait at least three weeks following mommy makeover surgery to resume sexual activity.  Depending on the size of the operation and degree of activity, that length of time might be longer or shorter for a particular patient.  Just as with exercise, I encourage patients to be very active before surgery so that it will be a little less difficult to take a few weeks off.

Since mommy makeovers vary to the amount of surgery, you should ask your surgeon or the nurse or PA in the office. Generally for my patients who have undergone breast and tummy surgery, I suggest refraining from sexual relations for at least one month and taking positioning precautions as required.

Thank you for your question. Any sexual activity should be avoided for a minimum of two weeks. You can resume most of your normal activities, including some form of mild exercise, after a few weeks. You may continue to experience some mild, periodic discomfort and swelling during this time, but such feelings are normal. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certified Plastic surgeon Hoffman Estates BarringtonOakbrook Chicago

Usually a month is sufficient to resume gentle intercourse with your husband.  Please check with your surgeon as well as he or she will know the situation the best.

I would defer to your operating surgeon to discuss their specific post-op instructions when it comes to all physical activity (sexual intercourse included).  What procedures were included in your mommy makeover surgery will largely determine when you can get back to normal activities.  I typically recommend that patients refrain from all exercising and heavy lifting for at least 4 weeks following their surgery, including sexual activity.  Defer to your operating surgeon and get clearance from your doctor before doing so.  Best of luck!

My protocol calls for 4 weeks before soaking under water and 6 weeks before strenuous activities.  I'll typically wait until the patient feels comfortable moving forward with sexual activity before allowing it.  This often is not until about 3 weeks have passed.