A mummy makeover can include quite a few surgical procedures, all performed with the purpose of getting your body back to its pre-pregnancy and pre-breastfeeding condition or better! The surgical procedures involved in a mummy makeover can include Breast Surgery, Tummy Surgery, Liposuction and Vaginal Rejuvenation. Dr Scott Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and Mummy Makeover expert in Sydney and Newcastle NSW. Here are his best tips for recovery after a mummy makeover.
How to prepare for better recovery after a Mummy Makeover
If you want to have an easier recovery period, you should prepare for it beforehand. Some of the ways you can do that include:
1. Be in good health – typically at least 6 to 12 months post pregnancy
It is important to only go through this mummy makeover if you are healthy because if you don’t, you are predisposing yourself to potentially fatal complications and side effects. Also, you should wait at least six months after birth. (Note – If you wish to use the medicare item number and claim private health insurance for breast lift surgery – you will need your child to be between 1 and 7 years of age)
2. Have a comfortable recovery area in your house ready
Preparing this before you go in for the procedure makes the whole recovery period easier. Once you get back, you can sit in your comfy recovery area, relax and heal.
3. Prepare a self-care bag with all the essentials to help you get through the recovery period
You should have a bag of all your essentials such as stool softeners, antibiotics, soap, sanitisers, and some ready-to-eat healthy snacks so that you don’t have to take multiple trips to the kitchen and the toilet.
4. Organise Your Support team and adequate time off work
Find the person who will help and support you during your recovery. Especially the first few days at home.
Best Tips for Better Recovery after Mummy Makeover
After you have undergone your mummy makeover procedure, you should keep the following tips in mind to ensure optimal results.
1. Follow up with your plastic surgeon and attend the regular check-ups (don’t skip any)
This is one of the most important tips as keeping in touch with your surgeon and the nurses allows any complications to be caught early on, and treated promptly.
2. Drink at least eight cups of water a day
Hydration is key for proper wound healing, and dehydration can result in mottled skin appearance and contraction of the incision ends.
3. Be well-rested and relaxed
Sleep is when your body heals, which is why it is absolutely necessary for you to get at least eight full hours of sleep every night. Relax and Rest.
4. Take the prescribed medications on time
Your surgeon will most likely prescribe you painkillers, antibiotics, and stool softeners. You should take these medications as prescribed to manage your pain and reduce the risk of complications.
5. Do not exercise too early
Exercising early should be avoided during the recovery period as it can result in quite a few complications which will result in suboptimal results of the procedure.
6. Do not shower or take a bath too early
You should not make your incisions wet as they may get infected. During the first week, you can use a wet sponge to clean yourself and around the incision. Once the wound heals, you can shower, and take a bath.
7. Do not smoke, vape or drink alcohol
Smoking and drinking alcohol puts you at a higher risk of complications especially if you are drinking while you are taking specific medications. In fact, you should not undergo any cosmetic or plastic surgery procedures if you are a smoker, vaper or in passive smoke surroundings. You will need to quit a minimum of six weeks before the surgery and for as long as possible afterwards
8. Be careful with blood thinners or similar medications
Blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding both, during and after the procedure. Bleeding can be fatal at both times which is why you should avoid these medications as instructed. If you need to take these medications, speak to your primary care physician, surgeon and anaesthetist beforehand to adjust the doses.
What to eat during Recovery after Mummy Makeover
A well-balanced diet is key to proper healing as it provides your body with all the necessary nutrients. In order to avoid any health problems which eventually have a negative impact on your recovery, you should eat a diet rich in High fibre whole grains, Fresh vegetables, Fresh fruit, Lean protein or Smoothies.
Consuming fibre is especially important after a cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure as they prevent constipation and exaggerate the effect of stool softeners that you might be on. While it is important to eat those foods, you should absolutely avoid the following foods as they lack nutrition and can result in bloating and inflammation: Processed foods and Dairy Products
Exercising after Mummy Makeover Surgery
Recovery after a Mummy Makeover can put a lot of pressure on your body. It is not recommended to increase this pressure on your body by exercising too soon. Any activity that requires energy and puts pressure on your surgical incisions should be strictly avoided during the recovery period. For the first week, you should be resting in bed rest and not performing any exercises whatsoever.
From the second week onwards, till the fourth week, you can perform light exercises. This means that you can go for a stroll and walks, but you should be careful to avoid any heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling of weights, as they all put pressure on your wound and muscles. Doing so, before your body has healed, puts you at risk of wound separation, skin separating from muscles, and getting a sub-optimal result.
After your body has healed, by the fourth to sixth week and your surgeon has given you an all-clear, you can start performing normal exercises and participate in any training program of your choice.
Read our Guide to Exercise after a Mummy Makeover.
Timeline for Recovery after Mummy Makeover
Day 1 post-op
You will likely experience swelling and mild bruising. You will still be experiencing discomfort, so you should take your medications on time and rest completely.
Day 3 post-op
Depending on the procedures, you may begin to feel much better by now. You should still be focusing on resting and avoiding any exercise.
Week 1 post-op
Your wound may be healed if you went for minimally invasive surgical procedures. This is also when you will stop taking your antibiotics.
Week 2/3 post-op
This is when you can start exercising a little and can even go back to work. You should still try to not overdo it and listen to your body when you feel tired and take a break.
Week 4-6 post-op
You are now able to resume your daily life activities
When to seek medical help
One of the best ways to ensure that you are healing properly is to know the symptoms that may occur with severe, potentially life-threatening complications. If you or your loved one suffers from any of these after a mummy makeover, call your surgeon and doctor immediately.
- High sudden fever
- Vomiting that begins suddenly
- Bleeding
- Pus or fluid at the incision site or a Red, swollen incision (signs of infection)
- Difficulty breathing or Lung problems (could be a blood clot)
- Sudden, one-sided pain in the legs (could be a blood clot)
The last two problems could be due to the presence of blood clots, and to prevent a clot from forming, you should be moving your feet in a pedalling fashion so as to not completely immobilize and compromise blood flow.
Mummy Makeover Recovery FAQs
How long does it take to heal from Mummy Makeover?
- The total healing time from a mummy makeover depends strongly on which surgeries you had. However, the general healing period from most of the cosmetic procedures involved is two weeks to four weeks.
How can I speed up healing after a tummy tuck?
- One of the best ways to facilitate your healing process is to follow the tips mentioned above and follow your surgeon’s instructions. In summary, eat healthy, drink enough water, and rest for a minimum of a week to allow your body to focus on healing alone. Avoid smoking and exercising too early.
How painful is recovery from Mummy Makeover?
- The use of anesthesia limits your sense of pain during the procedure, and after the procedure, you may feel slight discomfort, pain, swelling, and bruising. However, it is important to understand that this pain is slight, and can be easily managed either with painkillers or specific pain management medications prescribed by your surgeon. Overall, if you experience sudden sharp pain, you should seek help immediately but in general, the recovery period is not that painful.
How many hours does a mummy makeover surgery take?
- The exact time a mummy makeover takes depends on the number and type of surgeries you may be undergoing at the same time. Usually, for the sake of your safety and to reduce the risk of complications, the overall surgical time of any elective procedure should be limited to about four hours to six hours.
What are the restrictions after a mummy makeover?
- The general don’ts after a mummy makeover are early exercise, processed food consumption, dairy consumption, and smoking and/or drinking. You shouldn’t put too much pressure on any part of your body that has been operated on, during the recovery period as it could damage the skin and the muscles. You should eat healthy, fresh foods and refrain from eating foods that are devoid of any nutrients and can cause inflammation and constipation. Moreover, you should stay as far away as possible from cigarette smoke, whether it is from your own cigarettes or other people’s. Similarly, stay away from alcohol, especially when consuming antibiotics or painkillers, as it can result in severe complications.
Can I sleep on my side after a mummy makeover?
- Sleeping on your side is not recommended for you, after the mummy makeover. But it all depends on exactly what procedures you have had. You should sleep on your back till your incisions have healed and are not at risk of separation. Sleeping on your side and on your stomach puts excess pressure on the incisions, potentially resulting in a complicated wound-healing process.
When can I return to work after a mummy makeover?
- A mummy makeover is an extensive set of procedures aimed at taking your body back to its pre-pregnancy self. It is absolutely important, for your overall health and for the end results of the procedure, that you spend this time, resting. Refrain from any activities that need you to move about, including work. You should generally take a minimum of two weeks off of work, to be on the safe side. Although you may feel energized after the first week and may be able to return to light work in the second week, it is highly recommended to take two full weeks off.
Do I need to lose weight before a mummy makeover?
- It is recommended that you be either in your ideal weight range or quite close to it, for at least six months before the procedure. This helps enhance the overall results of the procedure and helps you get a better result
How long does post-surgery fatigue last?
- Fatigue and emotional fluctuations are common side effects of almost all surgeries, as your body is focusing its energy on healing from the procedure. Usually, this emotional and physical fatigue lasts only for the first week after the procedure and is not a reason for concern. Especially since you will be resting during this period.
Next Steps
Always Do Your Research
- Enquire to find out more about your surgery
- Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure
Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?
- A GP Referral is required to Consult with Dr Turner (under new AHPRA Regulations)
- Please obtain a referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
- Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral
Making The Most Of Your Consultation
- Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation
- You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options
- Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical exam so wear simple clothes
- Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided
Want more information before scheduling your consultation?
- Find out more about pricing and payment plans
- Request more information about the procedure – call or contact us
How to Book Your Consultation
- You can book your initial consultation by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment
BOOK A PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFO
- To find out more information about surgery you can book a FREE 15-minute phone conversation with our Friendly Patient Care team via Calendly- Book Consultant 1 or Book Consultant 2
Contact us or call on 1300 437 758 to arrange your surgeon consultation in Sydney.
Email us for more information: enquiries@drturner.com.au
