Pregnancy is a unique, life-changing journey. But many women experience unwanted changes to their bodies, such as sagging breasts, stretch marks, stretched abdominal muscles, or loose skin. Other changes include the presence of unwanted fat pockets and changes to the labia.
These changes become especially noticeable when women return to pre-baby weight through exercise and diet.
A mommy makeover is typically ideal for patients who want to rejuvenate their figures after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Treatments may include body contouring procedures, such as:
- breast enhancements
- liposuction
- tummy tucks
These surgeries are performed in one trip to the operating room. While having these surgeries simultaneously may sound convenient, what does a mommy makeover recovery look like?
With the board-certified experts at Mentor Plastic Surgery & MedSpa, we’ve gathered information to answer your questions about mommy makeovers and resolve your concerns about recovery. We want to help you feel refreshed and confident following your mommy makeover recovery. Here is some information about mommy makeover recovery and a few of our favorite tips.
How Is a Mommy Makeover Surgery Performed?
A mommy makeover consists of several surgical procedures to restore the body after having children. Pregnancy affects multiple body areas—breasts, abdomen, and labia. The body can be restored during one trip to the operating room for appropriate patients. Still, it may involve two separate procedures for safety and recovery if necessary.
The procedures in your mommy makeover are determined based on your individual goals and the individual changes your body has experienced during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. A mommy makeover may include some of the following procedures.
1. Breast Augmentation
Many times, breast volume is lost during pregnancy. Breast augmentation uses breast implants to enhance breast shape and increase size. With many sizes available, breast augmentation can be customized to help you meet your goals.
2. Breast Lift
Sagging breasts are the most common post-pregnancy complaint. A breast lift rejuvenates the breasts by reshaping and repositioning the mound and nipples. The breasts are raised to a higher position on the chest wall.
3. Tummy Tuck
The abdomen is one of the areas most impacted by pregnancy. A tummy tuck and liposuction change the abdomen. They use an incision across your lower belly. This tightens the abdominal muscles and removes extra fat and skin.
4. Liposuction
Liposuction is a procedure to remove stubborn, exercise-resistant fat from the waist, hips, thighs, or abdomen. Small incisions remove unwanted fat to recontour each area.
5. Labiaplasty
Stretched-out labia are common after pregnancy. A labiaplasty, which resizes the labia minora or majora, helps restore comfort and improve the aesthetic appearance of the labia.
What is Recovery Like After a Mommy Makeover?
Recovery after a mommy makeover dramatically depends on the number of procedures you have. The more procedures you have, the longer your recovery will take. However, as multiple surgeries are performed during one procedure, you will have a significantly shorter recovery than each procedure separately.
In the first few days following your mommy makeover, you will experience pain and discomfort. However, after a week or so, your pain should be manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. You may experience bruising and swelling that takes up to two to three weeks to resolve. Residual swelling may take six months to resolve completely.
Most patients usually take about two weeks off work for the initial recovery. If you have a physically demanding job, you may need more time. During this time, you will need more rest than usual.
Dr. Vanek will advise you to avoid intense exercise and heavy lifting for four to six weeks. During this time, you will also be unable to lift small children. Dr. Vanek will advise you when you can resume lifting and carrying your children.
During the First Few Days of Mommy Makeover Recovery
The first few days of your mommy makeover recovery time will depend on the procedures included in your procedure and your body’s recovery rate.
Immediately following surgery, you may be groggy or nauseous as the anesthesia wears off, which typically takes a few hours.
Pain and discomfort are most pronounced for the first few days. You can avoid this by taking your prescribed pain medication as directed. During these first days, expect to get much rest to prevent causing additional discomfort. When you are awake, you may experience soreness and tenderness.
You may notice some bruising or swelling around the treated areas. Compression garments should be worn as directed to help minimize swelling and encourage the healing process. Cold compresses may help manage discomfort.
When Can You Return to Work and Normal Activities After a Mommy Makeover?
Your return to work and normal activities following a mommy makeover greatly depend on which procedures are included in your procedure.
We recommend that patients take one to two weeks off work to allow time to rest and heal. Patients with more strenuous jobs will require more time off or should request modified duties for a few weeks.
However, you must continue avoiding strenuous activities, such as demanding workouts, running, or swimming, for at least six weeks.
Most Common Side-Effects of a Mommy Makeover Recovery
Following a mommy makeover procedure, you may experience a few side effects as you would with any other surgical experience.
- Immediately following your surgery, you may experience grogginess, nausea, or dizziness due to the anesthesia.
- Pain and discomfort following a mommy makeover are most prominent in the first few days. You should receive a prescription for medication to help manage pain. After the severe discomfort eases, over-the-counter pain medication may be taken.
- You may experience bruising around the incision sites that last two to three weeks. To mitigate bruising, you’re encouraged to walk around daily to promote circulation. Walking also helps prevent blood clots from forming in the legs.
- Swelling often accompanies bruising. You may experience significant swelling for about two weeks, with residual swelling lasting two to three weeks. A cold compress may help manage swelling. Compression garments help minimize swelling and encourage the healing of your new contours.
- Numbness and tingling near the incisions are common.
- Following breast enhancement surgery, nipple sensitivity, and breast sensitivity may be impacted for several weeks.
- Scarring is unavoidable following surgery and may be quite noticeable in the first few weeks after surgery. Our experts will guide you through caring for your incisions and subsequent scars to help them heal and fade. Many of the scars from a mommy makeover can be concealed under clothing.
Minimizing Discomfort and Promotion of Healing After a Mommy Makeover
Depending on the number of surgeries included, a mommy makeover can be a significant procedure, so preparing for your recovery is essential. You can do several things to help yourself recover successfully before your surgery.
Here are a few of our favorite tips:
- Don’t tough it out. Take your pain medication as directed to avoid being in pain.
- Use cold compresses on the affected areas to alleviate discomfort and minimize swelling.
- Allow yourself time to rest. You’ve just experienced significant surgery, so take at least a week or two off from work. Don’t rush back into your normal routine.
- Rest and sleep in comfortable, neutral positions, and use pillows to elevate your head and shoulders. If you can, sleep in a recliner.
- Schedule help around the house to help with chores or care for children, pets, or others under your care. For six weeks, you, including small children, cannot lift anything over ten pounds.
- Consider cooking and freezing healthy meals for easy preparation after your makeover.
- Arrange a comfortable and clean space in which to heal and rest.
- Wear your support garments as directed by your surgeon to minimize swelling and support your new contours.
- Avoid smoking, being around smoke, or using any nicotine products until your healing is complete. Nicotine can delay healing and create complications.
What Are the Risks and Complications Associated with Mommy Makeover Recovery?
Mommy makeovers are no riskier than most other invasive surgeries. The main difference is that mommy makeovers consist of multiple procedures performed simultaneously. Dr. Paul Vanek at Mentor Plastic Surgery & MedSpa knows the number of procedures they can safely perform together. He will be honest about what is anatomically accomplishable in the timeframe allowed.
Our highly skilled, board-certified surgeons and their expert team perform surgeries in accredited surgical centers to ensure patient safety and comfort.
Risks associated with surgical procedures may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor incision healing
- Hematoma
- Seroma
- Loss of nipple sensation
- Inability to breastfeed
- Scarring
- Fat necrosis
- Deep venous thrombosis
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Anesthesia risks
Is a Mommy Makeover Right for You? Factors to Consider Before Surgery
One of the most important factors to consider before a mommy makeover procedure is future pregnancies. Bear in mind that becoming pregnant again may negate some of the results of your mommy makeover, requiring a secondary surgery to restore your results. Due to this fact, many women postpone their mommy makeover procedures until they are sure they do not want to become pregnant again.
Other factors you may consider are:
- Recovery can be lengthy and difficult. Numbness and swelling may persist for up to a year following surgery.
- Ensure you have time to recover, not just time off for your surgery. You will need assistance caring for your children, pets, or others and caring for your household.
- Compression garments are beneficial. While they may be challenging to put on or uncomfortable, compression garments help limit swelling and promote healing.
- Eat a healthy diet before and after your procedure. Your body needs healthy, nutritious foods to fuel your recovery, so begin your recovery before your surgery. Make sure you eat lean protein, high-fiber, and low-salt foods. Avoid sugary, processed, or fried foods, which can hinder healing.
- The best candidates are not planning future pregnancies, are finished breastfeeding, and are near their goal weight.
We recommend candidates for mommy makeover should:
- Be in good medical health
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a BMI under 30
- Be non-smokers or willing to quit four weeks before and after surgery
- Have no medical conditions that impair healing
- Understand the surgical risks
- Have a positive outlook and realistic expectations
- Be willing to follow instructions thoroughly
- Partnering with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions of your mommy makeover journey. Board certification is the first factor you should consider when choosing a plastic surgeon. When you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, you select a doctor who values and maintains exceptionally high education standards, knowledge, and skills.
Along with board certification, it’s essential to look at your plastic surgeon’s performance record and reputation. Suppose they have an extensive successful performance record and an impeccable reputation. In that case, you can rest assured that your plastic surgeon will provide the appropriate care throughout your cosmetic surgery journey.
Another essential factor to consider when choosing your mommy makeover surgeon is that your plastic surgeon should present themselves as a professional, honest, and compassionate person with whom you feel comfortable. You should feel confident trusting your surgeon and openly communicating with them.
Choosing Mentor Plastic & MedSpa Surgery as Your Mommy Makeover Experts
No matter which procedures you want to complete in your mommy makeover, our expert surgeon, Dr. Paul Vanek, at Mentor Plastic Surgery & MedSpa aims to help you rejuvenate your figure and renew your self-image. Dr. Vanek will work with you to develop a customized treatment plan to ensure you achieve beautiful, natural-looking results.
Schedule Your Mommy Makeover Consultation Today!
Partner with the mommy makeover specialists at Mentor Plastic Surgery & MedSpa to restore your pre-pregnancy appearance and reclaim your confidence!
Contact Mentor Plastic Surgery & MedSpa at (440) 205-5750 or complete our online form to schedule your mommy makeover consultation today.
