Your Ultimate Guide to a Smooth Mommy Makeover Recovery: A Detailed Timeline

June 29, 2023

You’ve probably heard about it, you may have researched it, and now, you might be wondering what happens after it. The “it” that’s garnered so much intrigue is a Mommy Makeover, a series of customized procedures to help you regain the youthful vitality and appearance of your pre-pregnancy days. While the potential results can be exciting, it’s also crucial to understand the road to recovery after these life-transforming procedures.

This Mommy Makeover recovery guide aims to equip you with an in-depth understanding of what to anticipate during your post-operative journey so you can prepare for a smooth, safe and effective recovery.

Mommy Makeover: A Customized Approach to Restore Your Physique

A Mommy Makeover is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is an ensemble of procedures that can be individually tailored to address your specific concerns and help you regain the figure you had before pregnancy (or perhaps an even further enhanced version!). Each patient is unique, and your board-certified plastic surgeon at the Gillian Institute will personalize your Mommy Makeover plan based on your needs and goals.

The most common procedures combined in a Mommy Makeover are:

Combined or Staged Surgeries

The areas treated and the number of procedures you choose to have in your Mommy Makeover will determine the course of your surgery or surgeries. If you’re undergoing more than two or three procedures, you may need to stage your surgeries. This means that instead of one long surgery, you would undergo two or more surgeries spaced apart to allow for a safer operation and more efficient recovery.

After Mommy Makeover Surgery: What to Expect

The recovery process after your Mommy Makeover is a significant part of your transformation and path to optimal results. Although these guidelines provide a general overview, your recovery plan will be personalized by your plastic surgeon at the Gillian Institute based on your specific procedures and individual health considerations.

The First Week: Rest, Hydrate and Gentle Movement

Ask for Assistance From a Friend or Family Member

Your recovery begins as soon as you leave the operating room. Our nursing staff will monitor you for a couple of hours before you are released. In the first 24 hours, you may feel groggy and slightly disoriented due to the anesthesia. You will need a trusted adult to drive you home and assist you with basic tasks.

Compression Garment

After your surgery, our staff will place you in compression garments that cover the treated areas. These garments should be worn throughout your entire recovery to provide compression and support to help with swelling and bruising.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

During this initial period, your body is working hard to heal. Your focus at this time should be on rest and hydration. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol, which can increase swelling and slow down your healing.

Pain Management

You might experience moderate discomfort, swelling and bruising, which is normal. Over-the-counter medication or prescriptions provided by your surgeon will help manage this discomfort.

Gentle Movement

While rest is paramount, so is gentle movement. Short, slow walks around your home as early as the evening after your surgery are encouraged to boost circulation, minimize the risk of blood clots and stimulate healing. However, avoid strenuous activities and lifting heavy objects (including your little ones), as this can interfere with your healing process.

Wound Care and Follow-Up Appointments

Your Mommy Makeover surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions about wound care, bathing and changing dressings if necessary. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled within the first week to check your progress and address any concerns you might have.

Two to Four Weeks: Gradual Return to Normal Activities

Decreased Swelling and Discomfort

By the second week, your body has made significant progress in the healing process. You will likely notice a decrease in swelling and discomfort. However, don’t be alarmed if your body still feels tender and you don’t see the full results of your procedures yet. Your body is still working on healing and adjusting to the changes.

Potential Return to Work and Daily Activities

After two weeks, you can gradually reintroduce your regular daily activities. Depending on your comfort level and the nature of your job, you may also be able to return to work after 10 to 14 days. It’s recommended to refrain from strenuous exercise and heavy lifting until your surgeon gives the green light, so jobs that require these physical activities may require additional time off.

Second Follow-Up Appointment

Keep following your surgeon’s instructions regarding wound care and medication. A second follow-up appointment is usually scheduled around this time to assess your healing and make adjustments to your Mommy Makeover recovery plan if necessary.

Five to Eight Weeks: Steady Improvement and Building Strength

The period from five to eight weeks post-surgery is characterized by a steady improvement in your physical well-being. The swelling should have subsided significantly, allowing you to start seeing the changes in your body’s shape more clearly.

Gradually Resuming Exercise

Most Mommy Makeover patients can resume their full range of regular activities after six weeks, including exercise. However, it’s important to reintroduce these activities gradually, listen to your body and don’t push yourself too hard. Your body is still healing, and pushing your limits could set back your recovery.

Incisions Become Less Noticeable

Around this time, you may also notice your incision lines beginning to fade. However, every individual’s skin heals differently, so don’t be disheartened if your incisions are still noticeable.

Week Nine and Beyond: Enjoying the New You

From nine weeks onward, you’re nearing the end of your recovery. This is when you start seeing your procedure’s real and complete results. Your body should be mostly healed by now, and you can truly begin to enjoy the results of your Mommy Makeover. Any residual swelling should be minimal and continue to decrease over time.

Pay Attention to Your Emotional Recovery

While the physical recovery is mostly complete by this stage, remember that the emotional recovery is equally important. Embracing your new body shape can take time, but it’s also an exhilarating period of discovery and celebration. The joy and excitement that come from seeing your desired changes materialize can be incredibly rewarding and uplifting during this process.

Maintaining the New You

Your journey doesn’t end here, though. Maintaining the results of your Mommy Makeover involves adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Get Your Personalized Mommy Makeover and Recovery Plan at the Gillian Institute of Indianapolis

Your transformation with a Mommy Makeover is a testament to your resilience and commitment to reclaiming your body. While this guide provides insight into what to expect after the procedures, our experts at the Gillian Institute will offer you a detailed, personalized recovery plan. Your journey will be unique, just like you, and we’re here to support you at every step.

Ready to learn more about how a Mommy Makeover at our Indianapolis plastic surgery practice can help you reclaim your pre-pregnancy figure and vitality? Reach out to us today to schedule your virtual consultation or in-person visit.