Mommy Makeover Recovery Guide

What to Expect After a Mommy Makeover

A Mommy Makeover combines multiple cosmetic procedures into one surgery, making recovery more complex than recovering from a single procedure. Because healing involves several areas of the body at the same time, swelling, mobility limitations, and activity restrictions are often more significant during the first several weeks.

What Is a Mommy Makeover?

A Mommy Makeover is a customized combination of procedures designed to restore body contours after pregnancy and weight changes.

Common procedures include:

  • Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

  • Liposuction

  • Breast Augmentation

  • Breast Lift

  • Breast Reduction

  • Fat Transfer (in some cases)

Every surgical plan is unique, so your rehabilitation program should be individualized based on the procedures performed and your surgeon's instructions.

What Is Normal After Surgery?

It is common to experience:

  • Moderate to significant swelling

  • Bruising

  • Tightness across the abdomen

  • Breast soreness and tightness

  • Difficulty standing fully upright

  • Fatigue

  • Temporary numbness

  • Limited mobility during the first several weeks

Recovery typically occurs in stages, and swelling may continue to improve over several months.

General Recovery Timeline

Phase I: Protection & Early Mobility (Weeks 0–2)

Goals

  • Protect healing tissues

  • Control swelling

  • Promote circulation

  • Maintain safe mobility

  • Prevent stiffness

Typical Activities

  • Short walks throughout the day

  • Deep breathing exercises

  • Gentle lower extremity exercises

  • Compression garments as directed

  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage when appropriate

Common Exercises

  • Walking

  • Ankle pumps

  • Heel raises

  • Slow and easy sit-to-stands (without using your arms)

  • Gentle isometric glute sets (if appropriate)

  • Diaphragmatic breathing

  • Shoulder range of motion within your surgeon's precautions

Precautions

  • Avoid core activation

  • No lifting, pushing, pulling >5 lbs or as directed by your surgeon

Phase II: Controlled Recovery (Weeks 2–6)

Goals

  • Continue swelling reduction

  • Improve mobility

  • Restore functional movement

  • Restore upright posture

  • Begin scar management when appropriate

Typical progression may include:

  • Increased walking distance

  • Gentle cervical/thoracic mobility

  • Mini squats

  • Standing hip strengthening

  • Progressive shoulder mobility to restore full range of motion

  • Gentle scar mobilization once incisions are fully healed

The exact progression depends on which procedures were performed and your surgeon's recommendations.

Phase III: Progressive Strengthening (After 6 Weeks)

Once cleared by your surgeon, rehabilitation typically progresses toward:

  • Full range of motion

  • Progressive strengthening

  • Progressive Core rehabilitation

  • Progressive cardiovascular exercise

  • Return to recreational activities

Recovery timelines and individual and vary depending on the combination of procedures performed, prior activity level, and healing.

Mommy Make Over
Tummy Tuck
Liposuction
Breast Augmentation