Mothers often put the needs of their children and families before their own. This admirable quality is what makes them so strong — like super heroes in the eyes of their children. Of course, this same quality is often what keeps moms from taking the time they need for themselves.
All mothers deserve to love and pamper themselves, and a mommy makeover is a great way to do this.
What Is a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover is a combination of procedures meant to rejuvenate the body after pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Most mommy makeovers include some combination of liposuction, tummy tuck, breast augmentation, and/or breast lift.
If you have been considering a mommy makeover for yourself, you likely have questions about the procedure. One common question that comes up frequently during our mommy makeover consultations concerns recovery. Patients understandably want to know what to expect during the recovery period after their procedure. They also want to know how best to prepare for their recovery so as to reduce downtime and increase the likelihood of optimal procedure results.
Let’s go over a few of these answers below.
What to Expect During Your Mommy Makeover Recovery
No matter what surgery or surgeries are taking place, recovery will be different for everyone. Of course, this is especially the case with mommy makeovers.
That’s because mommy makeovers involve several different procedures. Generally speaking, everything will be done at once in order to save time overall. If you have one larger surgery as opposed to many smaller procedures, you only require one recovery period.
Depending on which specific procedures you decide to opt into during your mommy makeover, you might expect any of the following post-surgery:
The use of drains: These are used after surgery to remove excess fluid from the abdomen. When, in select cases, Dr. Sieber opts to use drains, it’s typically for a tummy tuck procedure. Sometimes, you may even wake from your surgery and notice the drains continuing to reduce excess abdominal fluid. These will be removed prior to your discharge.
Swelling: Patients should expect a certain amount of swelling after their surgery. This is completely normal and is usually a result of the tummy tuck procedure.
Small spasms and tightness: Again, this is 100% normal and common. It is generally the result of the reconstruction of your muscles during the tummy tuck. Spasms and tightness generally occur for only about two weeks post-surgery.
Bruising: This is also normal and is usually the result of the cannula used during liposuction. You’ll notice it in any areas where fat was removed.
How to Prepare for Your Recovery Period
As with any large surgery, it’s best to start prepping for your recovery as soon as possible. You won’t need to make enormous changes, and the changes you do make will only need to be temporary. But what is most critical is that you plan to take some time off after you get home. The good news is you should be able to return to your normal schedule of activities and your daily routine in as few as six weeks.
Here are some other ways you can prepare yourself for recovery:
Schedule time off from work or school. Again, everyone will have a different experience with their mommy makeovers. You may require a shorter- or longer-than-average period of recovery, depending on what procedures you choose, your overall health, and how well your body responds to recovery. In general, you should expect to take at least two to four weeks off from work or school, but you can also speak directly with Dr. Sieber to get a more personalized timeframe.
Ask someone you trust to be there to take you home. While mommy makeovers are outpatient procedures, after your surgery, you won’t be able to drive yourself home. For this reason, it’s critical that you ask a relative, close friend, or someone else you trust to be there to take you home. You’ll also need to have them stop by the pharmacy to obtain your pain relief medicine.
Make recovery easier by preparing your home. Rest will be the activity of choice for several weeks after your surgery. To make your bed, couch, and general rest area more comfortable, consider purchasing extra pillows, blankets, and other soothing and enjoyable items, such as:
- A nice water bottle
- Small snacks you can keep on-hand
- Magazines and books
- Games, activities, and/or hobbies
Expect to wear compression garments. Most mommy makeover patients will need to wear compression garments after their surgeries. The purpose of compression garments is to reduce the shifting of your skin as it heals. They can also control and mitigate discomfort and swelling, and they can even reduce the buildup of fluids.
All of this makes compression garments extremely important, which is why you may want to purchase more than one garment for the different areas of your body that will be in recovery. Dr. Sieber can certainly provide you with some, but having multiple options can make it easier to wash and rotate garments.
Furthermore, you may find that certain compression clothing items feel better than others. Having the right garments can make the recovery experience more comfortable overall as you’ll need to wear them for at least several weeks.
Prepare mentally. Remember that recovery from your mommy makeover is not going to happen overnight. Know that there will be some discomfort and soreness and that your results won’t show at first. But also know that the discomfort, soreness, swelling, and other symptoms will dissipate with time. In as few as six weeks, you’ll be able to start seeing the real results of your procedure and know that your investment was well worth it.
Added Tips for an Optimal Recovery
To feel most comfortable and at ease during your recovery period, the following tips are recommended:
Sit at a slight angle. Most patients tend to feel most comfortable when they are sitting or lying down with a slight bend at the waist. This allows the muscles in your abdomen to relax and rest.
Create a rest area that isn’t your bed. Resting in bed is perfectly fine, but you may want to get up and move to another location during the day. Consider setting up a couch or large chair to be your resting area. Put everything you’ll need within reach, including activities and books, snacks and water, a small trash, your computer and/or TV remote, recovery instructions from your doctor, and other essential items.
Schedule Your Mommy Makeover Consultation Appointment Today!
Ready to get back to your pre-baby body? You deserve to do something marvelous for yourself for a change. Contact Sieber Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation appointment today!
