Mommy makeovers are widely considered safe, but as with any surgery, there are always risks involved.
Fortunately, the most common complications encountered after surgery are considered minor and are mostly related to wound healing, seromas (fluid collections), minor infections, and minor bleeding.
Major complications such as deep vein thrombosis and cardiopulmonary complications can also occur, but they are much less common.
Specific risks depend on which body and breast procedures are performed as part of the mommy makeover.
For example, one patient may include breast augmentation with implants as part of her mommy makeover, and a different patient may undergo a breast lift without implants.
The patient that chose a breast augmentation with implants will inherently increase the risks of implant-related complications such as implant rupture, while the patient that chose the breast lift without implants will not take on those risks.
The plastic surgery consultation is an opportune time to ask your surgeon about the risks associated with your customized mommy makeover procedures.
Results of a mommy makeover surgery that included a tummy tuck and breast augmentation
Many potential risks after having mommy makeover surgery can be minimized by following surgical instructions before and after surgery.
So, let’s cover some of these ways to prepare for mommy makeover surgery:
Preparing for Mommy Makeover Surgery
Medication use
Avoid taking aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the chance of bleeding.
You may be asked to take certain medications or adjust your current medications prior to surgery.
Get a blood test or x-rays
Depending on your current health, you may be asked to get a blood test, x-rays, or an ekg prior to surgery.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs
Smoking can negatively impact your body’s ability to heal wounds. Most surgeons require patients to stop smoking (or consuming anything with nicotine) for at least two to four weeks prior to a mommy makeover surgery.
You should not drink alcohol for at least a week prior to surgery.
It is also generally advised to stop taking recreational drugs for a period of time prior to surgery. Some recreational drugs like cocaine also have detrimental effects that could affect your surgery.
Ask your surgeon for specific requirements surrounding smoking, alcohol, and drugs.
Make arrangements for recovery
Preparing for recovery is an important part of the surgical process. Here are some common preparations that are essential to recovery:
- Make sure you take off two to four weeks off of work
- Set up a comfortable place at home for you to rest. Have all necessities here, such as water, medication, etc.
- Plan on someone driving you to and from surgery
- Prep food and meals for the next week or so
- Patients with young children often arrange childcare for the first week or two after surgery
- Ask for help from a family member or friend for the first few days after surgery
Recovering After Mommy Makeover Surgery
Typically, following a mommy makeover, patients can get back to unrestricted activity after about six weeks.
From the day of surgery until roughly six weeks post-op, patients go through a gradual increase in the kinds of activities they can do.
Specific activity and posture restrictions will depend on what procedures were done as part of the mommy makeover.
During the consultation process, your plastic surgeon will provide customized mommy makeover recovery guidelines based on which procedures you are planning to undergo.
What Is a Mommy Makeover?
The term ‘mommy makeover’ refers to a combination of procedures that can be done during the same surgery, with the goal of restoring the shape and appearance of a woman’s body after pregnancy.
The most common areas that are addressed during this procedure are the abdomen, breasts, waist, and buttocks.
The specific areas and techniques used will depend on the individual patient and it’s something that would be discussed with your plastic surgeon at the time of consultation.
Some of the most common procedures included in a mommy makeover are:
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Lift
- Buttock Enhancement
- Labiaplasty
- Liposuction
- Tummy Tuck
Schedule a Mommy Makeover Consultation
To get information and to schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alain Polynice, contact us today.