What’s Mommy Makeover Recovery Like?
We always talk about what to expect when you’re expecting, but what about a mommy makeover? What exactly is a mommy makeover? What does a mommy makeover involve, especially recovering from one Should you wear a medical-grade compression garment after a mommy makeover? What’s the recovery process look like? With so many questions and confusion, we wanted to help you sort through the noise and find the truth about Mommy Makeovers.
What exactly is a mommy makeover?
A mommy makeover refers to restoring and reviving one’s post-pregnancy body to what it once was to help mommy feel like herself again. The name seems all-encompassing, and that’s because it is. A mommy makeover can refer to several procedures tailored and recommended to you, specifically by your doctor or surgeon.
Because everybody is different and every pregnancy is unique, recommendations for mommy makeovers will vary from person to person, depending on the situation. And while it is popular to believe that celebrities undergo mommy makeovers mere weeks after giving birth to restore their pre-pregnancy bodies, it’s simply not true. Surgeries that quickly after childbirth would be unsafe for the mother.
We recommend that everyone discuss recovery plans and post-pregnancy cosmetic procedures directly with their doctors. But some mothers indeed seem to regain their previous physical appearance faster than others post-pregnancy. Generally, the faster recovery time is because they are working with nutritionists and physical trainers and might have the option of having some cosmetic work done.
What does a mommy makeover involve?
A mommy makeover could involve several cosmetic treatments, including:
- Breast lift or Augmentation
- Liposuction
- Tummy tuck
- Labiaplasty.
Women would require a breast lift/augmentation for those in their 30s-40s after giving birth because the breasts expand and contract dramatically during milk production. Once milk production concludes and your baby weened off the breast milk, breasts tend to drop back to their original size (sometimes several cups smaller), leaving behind stretched skin and, saggier breasts.
An easy way to tell if you would be eligible for a breast augmentation or lift is if your nipples are pointing straight down rather than out. Another potential mommy makeover solution would be liposuction. This is a cosmetic procedure that removes fat deposits suctioned out via a tubal insert of your body.
Liposuction:
Liposuction could be from several areas on the body, but most likely the tummy/midsection and butt and thighs. Lipo might be necessary before a tummy tuck, but not always. This procedure could be an option if you have stubborn belly fat after pregnancy (or any time, really).
Tummy Tuck:
A tummy tuck may be another option you’d like to consider as part of your mommy makeover. This procedure allows you to tighten your stomach, skin, and muscles that may be weak from pregnancy. Moms can also use it to help with incontinence or unwanted urine flow after pregnancy.
Labiaplasty:
Finally, part of a mommy makeover surgery could include a labiaplasty. A labiaplasty is the best course of action if there is an uncomfortable or undesirable stretching of the labia minora after childbirth.
What should you wear after a mommy makeover?
As you can tell, a mommy makeover can be an intense process and will vary from mother to mother. Because of this, recommending recovery garments is not a “one size fits all” approach.
Here’s what we’d recommend wearing after each procedure:
Breast lift/augmentation
Post-breast augmentation, various recovery stages require a range of compression garments to help you heal quickly and comfortably. These include compression bras with sleeves, bandeau bras, and surgical bras or cover bras.
You can learn more about the various stages of recovery from breast augmentation here.
Liposuction
Recovering from liposuction can be a long recovery process, however, utilizing lipo foam, medical-grade compression garments, and proper scar creams will deliver outstanding results. Of course, discuss this directly with your surgeon before your procedure. Still, to give you an idea, typical garments tend to include: girdles of various heights (depending on the procedure), high-waisted bodysuit garments, and body shapers.
You can learn more about the various stages of recovery from liposuction here.
Tummy tuck
Abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck) surgery is another potentially long recovery process without suitable garments. We recommend you wear a variety of highly compressive girdles, body briefs, abdominal binders/boards, and contouring bodysuits as part of the recovery process.
You can learn more about the various stages of recovery from tummy tuck surgery here.
Labiaplasty
Doctors and Surgeons will recommend you wear some compressive panties to remain comfortable, improving the healing process.
What does a mommy makeover recovery process look like?
Keep in mind that some mommy makeover procedures complete two surgeries at once. While you can schedule them separately to accommodate your schedule best, it may be advisable to do both at once or within a close time frame to avoid extending the recovery time. You will be in recovery for at least 8-10 weeks, so schedule your surgeries with potential future events in mind. For example, if you love running in the summer, maybe don’t schedule your surgery at the start of the season.
And keep in mind that you’re going to be uncomfortable for at least a month. Many patients start to feel “normal” again after 3-4 weeks, but everyone is different and every recovery period is different, so this might not be the same for you. To give you a better idea of the recovery process, we have included a rough week by week schedule below:
Let’s lay it out by week:
Week 1
The most intense part of recovery, and to be honest, you will probably block it out from your memory as you will be on some harsh painkillers during this time. You won’t be doing much other than sleeping, eating, and walking to the bathroom to get your circulation flowing. Compression garments will be your best friends as they provide a steady and uniform, comfortable compression on the sore areas. You won’t be driving, cooking, or doing your “normal” tasks.
Week 2
Compared to Week 1, the second week will be a 100% improvement. If your surgeon advises, you won’t be on the narcotics (pain killers), aside from Tylenol and ibuprofen. Valium might be recommended at night for muscle relaxation and sleep. You will be permitted to drive this week (because there are no more narcotics), but it is not advisable to go for long periods. You might need to take naps or rests throughout the day because you are still recovering from an intense surgery. Taking short walks outside is encouraged for circulation. Keep resting!
Week 3
The third week is sometimes unpredictable. Patients may experience significant improvements in energy and swelling, or they may still be healing slowly. If you’re experiencing the latter, you might be frustrated with your situation, but you still need to take it easy. It’s also common to feel completely exhausted by the end of the workday, so you should still ask for help with your daily tasks.
Week 4
During the fourth week, you’ll be shedding a lot of your super compressive gear and trading it in for shapewear or simply wearing it intermittently, as your muscles will have appropriately healed in their places by now. Depending on what your doctor says, you may be able to engage in light cardio activity, but stop if there is any pain. There may still be some swelling and bruising, but far less than the first few weeks. You’ll be able to start wearing your “regular” pre-surgery clothing again and can go to the office for work.
Weeks 5 & 6
During weeks five and six, start enjoying your mommy makeover results! While you might need to wait a few weeks to hit the gym again, you will feel mostly back to normal by these weeks. Swelling is mainly gone, and you will look and feel good (maybe even start buying some new clothes).
And there you have it; your mommy makeover recovery timeline is around six weeks to “normalcy.” Still, it’s important to remember everybody heals at a different rate, and you should speak with your doctor. It’s a small price to pay to look and feel like your pre-pregnancy self. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to send us a message!
