A mommy makeover is term used to refer to a group of cosmetic surgery procedures that aim to address areas of the body that are particularly affected during pregnancy and childbirth, and which cause women the greatest concern about their appearance in the weeks, months and years after having a baby.

Each mommy makeover can look slightly different since they involve different individual procedures.

Those most commonly included in a mommy makeover are:

• Breast augmentation

• Breast lift

• Liposuction

• Abdominoplasty
   

Each of these procedures equates to a healing and recovery period. Unsurprisingly, having all of these procedures combined means that a patient’s recovery from a mommy makeover is much longer, more uncomfortable and slightly higher risk than if they had been carried out separately. However, mommy makeover patients agree that it is much more convenient for them to undergo one period of intense recovery, than to have multiple different procedures and recoveries to achieve their new body.

Here's what you need to know about what to expect when recovering from a mommy makeover.

Post Procedure Discomfort

Unfortunately, discomfort is an unavoidable part of the recovery from any type of surgery, including a mommy makeover. The local and severity of the pain you experience will depend on the procedures that formed part of your makeover, and your own natural pain threshold. Some people can tolerate even significant discomfort well, while others will find that they need pain relief for a prolonged period of time. Prescription pain relief will be provided, although patients are encouraged to move over to over-the-counter alternatives.

You should always take any medications you are given exactly as directed and contact your surgical team if you have any questions or concerns.

Dressings and Bandages

You’ll need to have any wounds properly dressed to keep the area clean and reduce your risk of developing an infection. These dressings will initially be applied by your surgical team, who will change them for you while you are in hospital. However, it’s normal to still have some dressings in place after you return home, and your surgical team will show you how to clean the wounds and change them yourself until they are healed. 

Post-surgery Garments

You’ll also be given compression garments to wear following your surgery. These help to accelerate the recovery process by controlling swelling and inflammation, keeping sutures in place and protecting the area as it heals. You should always wear any compression garments exactly as directed. If your mommy makeover has included a breast augmentation/life, you will need to wear a special, post-surgery bra for up to 12 weeks following your surgery.

No Smoking

Your surgeon will have also spoken to you about the importance of not smoking in the run up to and immediately after your mommy makeover. This is because tobacco use increases your risk of complications occurring during and after your procedure, and can also slow down the natural healing process. This is because smoking constricts the flow of oxygenated blood around the body. Your surgeon will advise you to quit for at least 6 weeks before and after your surgery and you should do everything that you can to follow this instruction. 

As with any surgery, your exact rate of recovery can vary. However, the more closely you adhere to your surgeon’s advice regarding the post-surgical period, the lower your risk of complications will be and the sooner you should see and feel the results of your mommy makeover. Most patients are able to return to their usual activities within 12 weeks and see the final result of their mommy makeover between 4 and 6 months after the procedure.

Learn more about a mommy makeover, or schedule your confidential consultation, by calling our discreet and knowledgeable team today at 347-434-8600.