How soon after my Mommy Makeover can I go overnight back packing hiking on the West Coast Trail in Canada?

Congratulations on choosing a Mommy Makeover.  There are numerous physical benefits to having a Mommy Makeover.  Breast lifts with implants often take the strain off one's upper back muscles and eliminate the necessity to wear orthopedic bras which lead to deep permanent grooves in the shoulder area.A well done tummy tuck has been medically proven to decrease or eliminate lower back pain which is secondary to a rectus diastasic (abdominal muscle separation), and in many patients, a well done tummy tuck always brings the vulva up which moves the urethra back into its normal position, many times eliminating stress incontinence, i.e. you laugh, you pee, you cough, you pee.The emotional and psychological benefits or regaining your body after one or multiple pregnancies are over the top.  Many women waste enormous amounts of psychological energy suppressing feelings of sadness over their inability to regain their pre-pregnancy bodies.  A Mommy Makeover done by a well trained Board Certified plastic surgeon can make you feel physically comfortable on your overnight backpacking, and also make you feel emotionally proud of your attractive new body.  Each plastic surgeon has his or her own paradigm for when you can go back to different levels of exercising.  If you were my patient and you had breast and abdominal surgery with your Mommy Makeover, I would recommend you start slowly on the treadmill at about two weeks which is also when most women return to sedentary work.  You are back in the gym lifting gently with baby weights at three weeks.  Between four to six weeks, your exercise program includes a minimal amount of sit-ups, and by six weeks you can start short amounts to flat land backpack trekking.  Between six weeks and three months, letting pain be your guide, increase your backpacking to include some minor elevation differences.  In a healthy person, surgical wounds are 75% healed at six weeks, 90% healed at three months, and 100% healed at six months, therefore if your surgery is in January and if you were my patient, I would have no problem with you overnight backpacking the West Coast trail in Canada in August.  

Healing after a  #MommyMakeover 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.

Yes, at 7 months post op, you should be fine to take this kind of trip. Assuming, of course, that you have no complications following surgery. Best, Dr. Nazarian

I think its reasonable to wait at least 6 months after a Mommy Makeover procedure to recover and regain your fitness. I've noticed patients that retain abdominal post-op swelling that can last for months after tummy tuck, and physical activity tends to exacerbate this issue.

Your planned excursion is seven months after your surgery. Barring any unforeseen mishaps this should be plenty of time for you to have healed completely.  

If you have a very smooth recovery, I'd say that you'd be released for gradual return to unrestricted activities about 8 weeks later.  At that time, you will be a bit deconditioned and not really ready for "prime time" hiking as you have described.  I'd estimate 3-4 months is probably more realistic timing.  Discuss with your surgeon up front.

Hello, usually by about 6 months postop, the vast majority of patients have fully recovered and are doing even very vigorous activities like hiking the West Coast Trail.  Some people do have lingering abdominal tightness or other problems so no surgeon can guarantee you will feel perfect, but this is uncommon.  Your surgeon will be able to follow your healing progress and guide you accordingly.

It's a great question. It's best directed towards your surgeon, but most patients who have an uncomplicated recovery can return to all activities six weeks after surgery. Many patients will experience some residual soreness for an additional six weeks.Since your trip is eight months after your surgery, you should be ready to go. Again, discuss this with your surgeon for their recommendations.

Beginning 6 weeks after surgery, if all goes as expected you should be able to ramp up your physical activity level without restrictions. That should be plenty of time to get in shape for your backpacking trip.

Assuming a normal postoperative course with no complications or need for revision surgery, you should be more than fine to go hiking by August with a surgery in January.  Always listen to your body and be careful and make sure your get your plastic surgeon's blessing.  Best of luck with your surgery and congratulations!