What to Expect During Your Mommy Makeover Recovery

Posted August 27, 2024 in Mommy Makeover

Mommy Makeover recovery can be daunting for many patients, but knowing what to expect and preparing ahead of time can often ease pre-surgery nerves. This blog discusses an average Mommy Makeover recovery timeline to help patients know what to expect for their procedures. 

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Preparing for Your Mommy Makeover Recovery

Welcoming children into your life can be an exciting and challenging time filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. There’s no denying that becoming a mother changes your life forever.  Dealing with the physical body changes after pregnancy can be emotionally taxing. Many women choose Mommy Makeover surgery to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies and enhance their appearance. 

When planning to get a Mommy Makeover, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the recovery process so you can prepare ahead of time. It’s typically best to prepare your home environment and pick up post-surgery medications and compression garments before your surgery so everything is ready for you when you come home from your procedure. 

Mommy Makeover Recovery Timeline 

Every woman’s body is different, and it is important to recognize that everyone will heal according to their own timeline. Additionally, a Mommy Makeover is one of the most customizable plastic surgery procedures, which means that each woman’s recovery period will vary depending on the techniques used (breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, liposuction, etc.) during her procedure. 

One of the benefits of a Mommy Makeover is that there is only one recovery period, as opposed to multiple recovery periods if you have each surgery performed separately. Below, we’ve laid out a general timeline that matches what many patients experience during their recovery. This can be used as a guideline of what to expect, but be sure to listen to your surgeon’s specific aftercare instructions to help your body heal throughout the recovery process. 

First 24 Hours After Surgery 

While patients won’t feel pain during the procedure due to anesthesia, once they wake up from surgery and the anesthesia wears off, they can expect to feel some pain and discomfort. Your surgeon may wrap compression garments over the treatment areas before you leave, and it is important to wear these garments for as long as instructed by your surgeon. Swelling of the treatment areas can be expected during this time. Patients will be instructed to sleep on their backs at an elevated angle to avoid putting additional pressure on the treatment areas. 

Patients will need to arrange for someone to drive them home after their surgery and have someone stay with them for the first 24 hours to ensure that they are healing safely. Due to the pain after surgery, it is also helpful for Mommy Makeover patients to have someone assist them around the house to ensure they have everything they need.  

Week 1

The first week is when patients typically feel the most discomfort. It will take some time for your body to adjust to its newly sculpted contours and implants if breast augmentation is performed during your procedure. While resting is crucial during recovery, it is equally important for patients to get up and walk around the house every now and then to help promote blood circulation and prevent blood clots from forming. 

At some point during the first week, you’ll typically have your first follow-up appointment with your surgeon to check on how your body is healing. This appointment is typically when surgical drains and sutures may be removed. 

Week 2

Patients will continue to experience swelling and discomfort as their bodies adjust and ease back into daily routines. Many patients with desk jobs—or similar work that does not involve intense physical labor—can return to work after the second week of recovery. Some patients can resume driving after two weeks if they are done with their pain medications. 

Week 6 

Restrictions on strenuous physical activities can usually be lifted six weeks after Mommy Makeover surgery. However, this will depend on the extent of your surgery and your body’s healing process. Some swelling and loss of sensation may persist for a few months. 

Six Months After Surgery 

Around six months after a Mommy Makeover, many patients see that their swelling has fully subsided. Mommy Makeover scars are typically less visible by this time, though it may take a couple of years for them to fade. 

Want to Know More About Mommy Makeover Surgery in Scottsdale, AZ? 

Dr. Pablo Prichard is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is passionate about helping women enhance their bodies to feel comfortable and confident in their skin. To learn more details about Mommy Makeover surgery and your options in Scottsdale, AZ, you can call Dr. Prichard’s office at (480) 752-7874 or fill out our online contact form today.