Most patients we meet with to discuss the value of a Mommy Makeover have more questions about recovery and outcome than they do about returning to normal activities. The purpose of a Mommy Makeover is often to resolve the issues that can’t be managed with diet and exercise alone. Still, some patients do feel somewhat antsy about getting back to their workout schedule. This is understandable, especially for very active women or those who had created a strict workout routine in order to achieve their desired results. It isn’t as if one can rest on their laurels after having plastic surgery. However, the matter of exercise after a Mommy Makeover is also a matter of timing. Here, we discuss what you should know as you contemplate your Mommy Makeover recovery.
What is Mommy Makeover Surgery?
Every woman’s body ages in a unique way. Mommy Makeover procedures are known to focus on the areas that are primarily changed by pregnancy and nursing. However, it should be noted that all women who want to combine body contouring procedures can be good candidates for a Mommy Makeover. Cosmetic issues like sagging, deflated breasts, and loose abdominal tissue are not unique to mothers. These concerns can weigh heavily on a woman’s sense of confidence and satisfaction with her body. The Mommy Makeover is a customized series of procedures that correct what troubles a patient the most.
Healing after a Mommy Makeover
It can take the body a total of up to nine months to completely heal after Mommy Makeover procedures. That doesn’t mean you have to wait that long to get back to your normal daily life. You do, however, need to give your body time to adjust. We encourage patients not to expect to pick up right where they left off. The best way to return to a normal exercise routine after a Mommy Makeover is to go slow. Begin at low intensity and work up gradually from there. Very gradually. Doing too much too soon is a recipe for potential post-surgical complications and a longer recovery. Now, how soon this can happen may also vary from one patient to another. Generally, patients should anticipate:
- Two weeks of relative rest. The only activity that may resemble exercise during the first two weeks after surgery is walking.
- Beginning in week three, more extensive walking and light cardio may be done. This should always be done slowly and with a keen eye for any discomfort.
- Beginning in week four, patients may intensify their cardio and may add light strength training.
- At week six of the postoperative period, most patients can resume the vast majority of their normal working. Even this far into recovery, though, it is necessary to avoid abdominal exercises.
- Core exercises may resume beginning eight or more weeks after surgery.
Mommy Makeovers are customized procedures that can change your shape, and your life, for the better. To schedule a consultation, contact our Austin plastic surgery office at (512) 450-1077.
