Deciding to undergo plastic surgery to improve your appearance and emotional well-being is an exciting step towards reclaiming your self-esteem. However, it’s essential to be as prepared as possible to ensure your recovery process goes smoothly. This blog discusses helpful tips to help plan for the days and weeks following a Mommy Makeover.
Schedule Your Procedure at an Optimal Time
Because a Mommy Makeover requires at least three weeks of actual downtime (meaning lots of rest and very few activities), you’ll want to plan your surgery when you have the least pressing commitments. For some women, the best time for a Mommy Makeover is at the beginning of the year. There’s typically a lull in work and social activities right after the holidays, and kids are out of school, so you have fewer demands to drive them to and from school or extracurriculars. Additionally, once you are ready to venture out, the bulky clothes of winter are both comfortable and can make it easier to camouflage swelling.
Ultimately, the best time for your Mommy Makeover is at a time that works for you and your family, so schedule accordingly.
Plan for Extra Help
No matter what time of year you schedule your procedure, you will need help after Mommy Makeover surgery. Immediately after your surgery, you’ll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours or so. They’ll help get you settled in and make sure you have everything you need close at hand.
You won’t be able to do much for the first few days except rest. Take this time to fully allow your body to recover, as you’ve just undergone major surgery. You won’t be able to drive anywhere for at least two weeks, so you’ll need to plan for rides for kids to and from activities. You may want to prepare meals before your surgery so they defrost and reheat quickly; meal delivery services and grocery delivery are also excellent options.
Prepare Your Recovery Space
After your Mommy Makeover, you’ll need a comfortable and supportive place to recuperate. Remember that you’ll have movement limitations for the first few weeks, so consider that as you decide where you want your home base to be. Keeping your head elevated and occasionally elevating your legs may make you more comfortable, so a recliner or a couch with multiple pillows may be the most comfortable.
You’ll also want to ensure that items vital to your recovery and comfort are at your fingertips, including:
- Phone and phone charger
- Water
- Pain medication
- Television remotes
- Tissues
- Books
- Cold packs
Filling any prescriptions for post-surgical medications ahead of time is highly recommended so you don’t have to stop to get them on the way home from your procedure. Having medications and other recovery items ready as soon as you get home from surgery saves you from having to find them in a haze of anesthesia recovery and makes it easier to get settled in.
Continue Eating Healthy and Exercising
If you’re undergoing a Mommy Makeover, you’re in good overall health and at a stable weight. But once the procedure is scheduled, that doesn’t mean it’s time to let your healthy habits fall by the wayside. Continuing your regular exercise program and eating a balanced diet will help you recover more quickly after surgery.
If you’re a smoker or vaper, you should stop several weeks before your surgery (and ideally kick the habit for good), and do not use nicotine during recovery. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, preventing an adequate flow of oxygenated blood and nutrients from reaching your surgical sites. This can slow the healing process and also result in poor wound healing and other complications.
After surgery, eating a diet high in fiber and drinking plenty of water during your recovery helps keep your bowels regular, which is essential since many pain medications can cause constipation. You won’t be able to return to your regular exercise routine until at least six weeks after your surgery, but that doesn’t mean you should just lay around. Take the occasional slow walk around the house to keep your circulation moving, which helps prevent post-surgical blood clots and encourages healing.
Learn More About Mommy Makeovers in Philadelphia
If you’ve been thinking about increasing your confidence with a Mommy Makeover, what are you waiting for? Dr. Adrian Lo is an expert in plastic surgery procedures that will boost your confidence and give you back the stunning curves you desire. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Lo, call (215) 829-6900 or fill out the online contact form.