How painful is it after a mommy makeover?

You are asking a very good question but one that is difficult to answer as pain tolerance is experienced differently for each patient.  Tummy Tuck procedure involves tightening the muscles of the abdomen which can be uncomfortable.  Liposuction of the tissues causes bruising which can make a patient very tender.  Patients experience pain differently and some can tolerate or manage it better than others. Taking the prescribed medications, the use of pain pumps, and staying active by walking can be beneficial for recovery.  As for the ideal weight question, I encourage patients that are actively exercising to continue until they plateau and are at a stable weight for six months.  We all want to achieve the best results for our patients which is why we encourage patients to work towards ideal weight.

Good questions!  Recovery, including pain, is different for every patient.  Most patients find the first few days to be the worst, but then gradually improve.  Narcotic pain medication is given to help control these symptoms, and advice on positioning and other non medicinal tools can help the patient through the worst of it.  As far as weight goes, there is a safe BMI (body mass index) that is used to help determine if a person is a candidate for elective surgery.  While it is always best to be at ideal weight, it is understood that not everyone can get there.  As long as your weight is stable, your have a healthy BMI, and a clear medical history you can be considered as a candidate for surgery.  I welcome a meeting with you to discuss your surgical goals.

Pain varies per person and medication to control #discomfort will be provided. Healing will continue for 2-3 months for the early period. This includes some swelling, bruising, malposition, color differences. Sensation in the breasts may also be abnormal and scars will be evolve. Tingling, burning or shooting pains in the breasts will disappear with time and should not alarm you. It is simply a result of the regeneration of your sensory nerves. If these sensations cause pain, repeated, local self-massage per your surgeon's permission may help.

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.

Hi! The most painful part is the recovery from the tummy tuck. I recommend Exparel to all my patients.  This is a non-narcotic that is injected in to the muscle, operatively, and slow releases over 72 hours. From what my patients tell me it makes a world of difference in their recovery process. Also follow all of your surgeon's protocols for best results! As for your weight, I recommend my patients are within 10 lbs of their goal weight. This way I can give them better contouring. Good luck to you!

Exparel has been amazing in our experience in decreasing postop pain during abdominoplasty.  It adds a small cost, but it is worth it!As far as being at your ideal body weight, it would be great if we could all live like that.  However, life is not perfect.  I believe that abdominoplasty helps people.  And it can help people who start at different places.  If someone is too big then we ask them to lose weight, but for most people we feel like they still will benefit even if they have a few extra pounds.Good Luck!