5'6, 155lbs, does 16 weeks seems like an excessive wait time for heavy lifting after a mommy makeover?

The incisions on your breast should be healed at 3 to 4 weeks. The next area, your abdomen, has two different areas, each with its optimal recovery time. The first is healing of the abdominal skin flap that has been elevated and trimmed. This flap has a potential space under it and the flap needs to heal back down in place so that potential space is closed and can’t collect any fluid. This should be healed in 4-6 weeks. The last area is your diastasis repair. This is accomplished by suturing your rectus fascia together in 2 layers. This repair will be strong enough for you to return to regular activity at 6-8 weeks. While waiting 12-16 weeks is completely OK, it may be a bit too cautious. Best wishes.

While that is longer than would be considered typical for lifting, it is important to note that every surgeon has a bit different protocol based on their own experiences. If you have found a surgeon whose goals align with yours, I would recommend trying to stick to her protocol as best as you can. While these can be difficult, your surgeon has your best interest and safety in mind.

The appropriate wait time before resuming heavy lifting after a mommy makeover can vary depending on the specific procedures performed, individual healing rates, and the recommendations of your surgeon. However, 16 weeks (approximately 4 months) is not necessarily an excessive wait time for heavy lifting following a mommy makeover.

In general, mommy makeover procedures often involve surgeries such as breast augmentation, breast lift, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), and liposuction. These procedures can impact the abdominal muscles, breast tissue, and surrounding areas. Proper healing and tissue recovery are crucial for optimal results and to reduce the risk of complications.

Your surgeon will likely provide specific guidelines for activity and lifting restrictions based on your individual case. These guidelines are designed to protect the surgical sites, minimize the risk of complications such as bleeding, wound separation, or damage to the surgical results, and promote optimal healing.

Heavy lifting and strenuous activities can put strain on the surgical areas, potentially disrupting the healing process or causing complications. Waiting approximately 16 weeks before resuming heavy lifting allows for sufficient time for tissues to heal, regain strength, and reduce the risk of complications.

It's important to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions carefully and adhere to the recommended timeline for activity restrictions. If you have any concerns or questions about your recovery or activity limitations, it's best to discuss them directly with your surgeon for personalized guidance. They can provide recommendations based on your specific procedures and individual healing progress.

Dear KaytFreeze84,
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hi KayTfreeze84,

Thank you for your question regarding whether waiting 16 weeks seems like an excessive wait time for heavy lifting after a mommy makeover. During an extended tummy tuck with rectus abdominis muscle diastasis repair, a significant amount of dissection is done from the lower abdomen to the rib cage and sternum. Additionally, extensive work and repair are done to fix the weakened rectus muscle. 16 weeks or four months does not seem like an excessively long wait time to resume heavy lifting after a mommy makeover. Indeed, most plastic surgeons suggest that their mommy makeover patients wait 16 to 24 weeks before engaging in any heavy lifting. It's crucial to remember that the strength of the rectus muscle repair is primarily dependent on the sutures, as not much scar tissue forms between the muscles. Thus, there's a risk of tearing the muscle repair if you lift heavy objects prematurely. Therefore, waiting 16 weeks or four months after a mommy makeover does not seem like an excessively long time to avoid heavy lifting.

Good luck.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Hi & thanks for your question.
You need time for your body to heal. Every surgeon has a different protocol regarding post operative restrictions and care. Reach out to your surgeon to discuss this issue in detail. Best wishes!

"Thank you for your question. Your surgeon's recommendation to wait 12-16 weeks before heavy lifting after such procedures is made with your best interest in mind. Given the nature of the surgeries, it's crucial to allow the body ample time to heal. It's vital to trust and follow your surgeon's advice, as they understand your unique situation and have tailored their guidance accordingly. If your surgeon has advised this timeline, I would recommend to discuss with them your concerns.
"

For my patients, I ask for them to avoid heavy lifting up to 8 weeks, especially if 32 pounds will be the heaviest you lift. You might go back and discuss this with her.

Each surgeon will have her/his own protocol for post op care. Typically lifting restrictions are in place for approximatley six weeks after surgery. Heavy lifting or dedicated core work is sometimes extended beyond that. I encourage you to speak to your surgeon about your concerns to better understand her rationale.

When having extensive surgery like a mommy makeover, it does require some downtime following the procedure for recovery. That being said, I tend to try to get my patients back to normal daily activities within a few weeks and full recovery, including moderate, lifting to going to the gym by 4 to 6 weeks. It’s my belief that patients who are proactive in the recovery. Tend to heal better and enjoy the results more. Good luck with your surgery!