End this Summer with a Mommy Makeover: Tips for a Faster Mommy Makeover Recovery
The end of summer is a great time for a mommy makeover. The cooler temperatures make recovery more comfortable and it’s easier to cover up any post-operative swelling and bruising with thicker fall clothing. But you don’t want to be out of circulation for too long. Here are some tips for a faster recovery so you can get back to your normal routine and show off your new contours.
Arrange for Help
You’ll need help around the house for the first day or two after surgery, and it will speed up your recovery if you arrange to have some help for a few weeks more. While a mommy makeover can be customized to include almost any combination of procedures, it typically includes a tummy tuck, breast surgery, and liposuction. All of these procedures require downtime for recovery.
For the first day or two after your surgery, you may need help with basic things, like getting out of bed and getting dressed. After that, you’ll be more self-sufficient, but will still need to avoid lifting anything heavy, including groceries or young children, for a few more weeks. You may also need someone else to do the driving. Having a friend, family member, or service assist you with household chores for the first two or three weeks can help you get the rest your body needs for a quick recovery.
Prepare Your Home Ahead of Time
Before your procedure, prepare your home for a comfortable recovery. Set your bed up with extra pillows and blankets. If you have a prescription for pain medication, fill it ahead of time. Have an open table surface next to your bed for easy access to water, medication, and a remote or reading material for entertainment. Depending on your combination of procedures, you may want to invest in a toilet seat booster to reduce discomfort from squatting.
Walk (Gently)
Gentle walking, starting the day after your mommy makeover, speeds the recovery process by stimulating your circulation and keeping your muscles from weakening or stiffening. Gentle walking also reduces swelling and stops the formation of blood clots. But keep it gentle— not too fast or too far, just enough to get your body moving without elevating your heart rate. After a couple of weeks, following your doctor’s instructions, you can gradually begin other physical activities to slowly build up to your previous exercise levels.
Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
The most common reason for complications after surgery is patients not following their doctors’ post-operative instructions. Such complications are the biggest setbacks to a speedy recovery. Your surgeon will provide detailed instructions on care after your surgery — when and how to bathe, when to resume different types of physical activity, and how to care for incision sites. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for the most beautiful results and the fastest recovery.
Don’t Overdo It
If you’re like most mothers, you’re probably used to managing a lot and may be less used to putting your own care first. After your mommy makeover, healing your body needs to be your first priority. Make time to rest. Accept that you won’t be able to handle all of your normal responsibilities. Get help with critical tasks and let less important things slide. The better you take care of yourself in the short term, the faster you’ll be back to your normal routine— and the sooner you’ll be able to show off your new body.
Learn More in an Expert Consultation
Dr. Stephen Bresnick in Encino, CA, is one of the most sought-after and extensively trained plastic surgeons in the Los Angeles area. Call us at (818) 981-3333 or contact us today to schedule a consultation.