When Can I Lift my 18 Month Old? 25 Pounds+. Getting a BA BL TT and Lipo of Upper Arm Outer Thigh?

Question

Hi I am a working mom and I am wondering truly when is that I can lift my 18 month old. I have to plan for someone to pick her up from school and put her in get car seat. Hubby is planning to do pick up duty in the evenings for 2 weeks but can't leave work early after that. I need to know how long after my surgery can I lift her put her in her car seat, high chair out her in her crib etc. I will be getting BA BL TT lipo of upper arm outer thighs. 6 hrs under. I am not huge. 125 pounds. 5-3.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

The Mommy Makeover is a combination of procedures to bring a woman’s body back to the way she looked prior to pregnancy. Most commonly some variation of a #TummyTuck and #BreastSurgery are performed. Additional procedures can include liposuction, umbilical hernia repair.  The most common #breastprocedures include #mastopexy or #breastlift, #breastaugmentation, or #breastreduction.

Healing after a  #tummytuck will require time. Some patients are out of bed and walking the night of surgery and every hour while awake. I allow my patients to return to work at one to two weeks with 14 days preferred.  However, no lifting or straining.  At three weeks, increased level of activity and full with no restrictions, at 6 weeks. 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.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You definitely want to follow your own 
surgeon's post-op activity instructions. This is a general guide I give 
to my patients as to the recovery after a mommy makeover:Week 1)  Discomfort and tightness 
level progressively decreases with each day.  Swelling decreases a great
 deal after one week. Week
 2)  Unlikely to need any narcotic support except maybe at night.  
Swelling and tightness continues to improve compared to week 1Weeks 
3-6)  May need tylenol or ibuprofen for intermittent discomfort. 
Swelling completely resolved.  Tightness may continue as the implants 
over an additional few months into their final position.   Most people return to work in some capacity.As far as activity, here is a safe guide:1)  No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 6 weeks (a gallon of milk as a guide).2)  Resume walking at a leisurely pace right after surgery (e.g. 2 mph)3)  At 2 weeks, you can walk 2 miles at 2mph4)  At 3 weeks, you can walk 3 miles at 3mph5)  At 4 weeks, you can walk 4 miles at 4mph6)  At 5 weeks, you can jog 5 miles at 5mph7)
  At 6 weeks, you can resume all activities, but listen to your body and
 use discomfort or tightness as a guide so you don't over do it. So
 as far as the little ones, I would recommend having help for basic 
needs like lifting into the car seat.  You can cuddle with them while 
you are sitting down, but you should avoid the tendency to multitask 
with one child in your arms while you are busy doing other tasks.

Amy Simon, MD, FACS · Answer

It sounds like you have the same challenge as many of my
Melbourne, FL, Mommy Makeover patients. I have a lot of patients who are young moms who struggle with the
surgery recovery versus being able to take care of the children, especially the
younger ones. I do tell all of my
patients to refrain from heavy working out, heavy lifting or going to the gym
or raising their blood pressure for 6 weeks after surgery. However, with that being said, with young
child at home sometimes there is just no way to avoid picking up the baby. Keep in mind that often you have help around
that you may not realize and that you were used to doing everything yourself. Use the help that is around you. For example, other people can hand you the
baby while you are sitting and try to avoid reaching out to pick anything up
including the baby. Another example, instead
of reaching down with your arms, you can bend down with your legs and use the
strength of your leg muscles rather your abdominal and upper body muscles. Common sense goes a long way in this
situation. Be sure and talk to your
board-certified plastic surgeon for more details about how to be careful during
recovery to maximize your ultimate best result for you. Best wishes to you!

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

It is very common for mommy makeovers to include both breast and tummy procedures.  After surgery, your pain should be well managed with 1-2 oral pain pills every 4-6 hours if needed.   All my mommy makeover patients are ambulating a few hours after surgery (of course walking flexed at their waist given the tummy tuck).   Most surgeons will likely recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 5-6 weeks.  Most of my mommy makeover patients are comfortable with driving 7-10 days after their surgery.  I generally recommend taking 7-10 days off from a desk job after a mommy makeover procedure.  Doing too much too soon can definitely increase your risk of healing problems or fluid collections (seromas).

	Every surgical plan is unique/different so I encourage you to direct these questions to your surgeon and his staff.  It is very important you allow enough time for yourself and your recovery.  Mommy Makeovers are truly transforming procedures.  I'm sure you'll love your results.   Please plan and give enough time for your recovery.  Best of luck.

	Dr. Basu
	houston, tx

Mark A. Schusterman, MD, FACS · Answer

Probably the most common issue my patients face when having a Makeover for Mom is how to care for their toddlers post-operatively. Most mommie makeovers include a breast augmentation and a tummy tuck, which, in my patients, include extensive muscle manipulations. When muscles are involved in surgery lifting should always be avoided post-operatively, which of course, means you cannot lift your toddler. This can be a deal breaker for some moms. I recommend a minimum of three weeks, and would prefer six weeks of no lifting. Most moms are so used to be being the primary care taker for their family that it is difficult for them to take the time necessary to recuperate. Remember, your Makeover is your family's gift to you for all you've done for them. Take the time necessary to recover. You will be a better care giver in the long run, and more importantly...you deserve it.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Your plastic surgeon will be your best resource when it comes to returning to specific activities. Remember, that your plastic surgeon knows exactly what was done, how you are progressing ( with or without complications),  knows more precisely what you are planning on doing when it comes to activities, and is ultimately responsible for your care.
	 Receiving advice online in this regard may be confusing or worse.

	Best wishes with your upcoming procedures.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Having help for the first 2 weeks after surgery should work well. Discuss this with your Plastic Surgeon prior to surgery.  He will be the one to make this call.

When Can I Lift my 18 Month Old? 25 Pounds+. Getting a BA BL TT and Lipo of Upper Arm Outer Thigh?

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