Caring for Your Kids After a Mommy Makeover

Becoming a mother was the most rewarding, life-changing decision you ever made. You would never trade your kids for anything in the world, but it’s not selfish to want your body back. With a Mommy Makeover in Houston, you can restore your self-confidence and enjoy your journey through motherhood with poise and grace.

A traditional Mommy Makeover includes a tummy tuck, breast lift and/or breast implants, and liposuction. You have the option to customize your makeover to suit your exact needs. As you recover from surgery, you must let your body heal before you resume normal motherly tasks. Here are some tips to help you care for your kids after a Mommy Makeover.

Arrange 24-hour help for the first week.

The early days of recovery are the most challenging with young children around, so plan ahead to make this process more doable. First, arrange to have someone watch your kids during the procedure. You’ll also need another person to drive you home.

Then, make preparations to have someone stay with you. Perhaps your partner can take time off work, your best friend can stay over or your mother can visit. Having another adult around is vital, both to meet your needs and to take care of the kids.

Avoid lifting your children for three to six weeks.

While you can resume most of your duties as a mom within the first week or two, you should avoid lifting anything heavy – including a 25-pound toddler – for at least three weeks following breast surgery or up to six weeks after a tummy tuck. It might be tough to imagine not holding your kids for weeks at a time, but to ensure proper healing, you must follow this instruction from your plastic surgeon.

There are plenty of ways to stay close to your children without picking them up. Have your kids climb onto the couch next to you, or snuggle up together while you enjoy breakfast in bed. When you’re ready to start lifting again, squat down to your child’s level and lift with your legs rather than your abs and back.

Avoid strenuous activities for two to six weeks.

Because light activity increases blood circulation to help your tissues heal, walking and light household chores are encouraged in the weeks following a Mommy Makeover. However, vigorous games of tag and capture the flag are off-limits for a while to ensure your blood pressure remains at a normal level.

Don’t go swimming for four to eight weeks.

Trips to the beach and neighborhood pool are probably the highlights of your kids’ summer, but you’ll have to sit it out for a month or two. Allowing your incisions ample time to heal reduces the chance of infection.

For answers to other questions regarding plastic surgery recovery time, or to schedule a consultation, please contact Texas Center for Breast and Body today. Our plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Schusterman, will go over your options for a Mommy Makeover in Houston.