Many women in the La Jolla area are loving their results after having a mommy makeover and many remark to me that they wished they had done it sooner. This surgery is so popular because it allows women to make dramatic changes to several areas of their bodies at one time, meaning they only have to have surgery and anesthesia once with only one period of recovery. A mommy makeover can include a breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction, and is perfect for moms, as the name implies because it addresses areas of the body that are most affected by pregnancy. Because many of the women in La Jolla lead active lifestyles, one of the biggest concerns they have is how quickly they can resume their workout regimen after their mommy makeover. Keep reading as I discuss this question.
Exercise Restrictions After Your Mommy Makeover
Exercise restrictions are largely dependent upon which specific procedures you had done. For example, an abdominoplasty without muscle repair, or diastasis recti, has a quicker recovery and sooner return to exercise than one with muscle repair. Similarly, if you had a breast lift without implants, you may also return to your workouts sooner than if you had an augmentation with implants. Any operation involving muscle work will lengthen your exercise limitations. Generally speaking, for those women who have not had muscle work performed, a slow and steady return to exercise can begin after 2 weeks. Having muscle work done will increase that time to 4 to 6 weeks.
After having a mommy makeover, it is important that you follow my post-op instructions closely. The last thing you want is to create unnecessary complications by doing too much too soon. Remember, a large part of your body has just undergone major changes and your body needs time to heal before stress can be placed on it through exercise. That includes not lifting anything over 5 to 10 pounds for a couple of weeks. It is also important that you not push or pull anything during your healing period, as this can put too much strain on your body as well. My office can instruct you on how to safely carry your little ones after a short to moderate amount of time, again depending on what specific procedures are performed.
Can I Exercise At All While I’m Healing?
I know that many of my La Jolla patients live active lifestyles but taking things slowly during your healing period is crucial. In order to ease yourself back into exercise after your mommy makeover, I suggest that you focus on walking very short distances to begin with. You should avoid running or lifting weights until I clear you to do so. You can also perform light exercises that are non-impact or low-impact after drains are removed and when I’ve cleared you to do so, usually after a minimum of 2 weeks.
Higher Impact Workouts
For most of my La Jolla mommy makeover patients, I recommend they wait about 6 weeks before they return to higher impact workouts. Before allowing you to do so, I will see you in follow up to be sure you are healing properly and that you have no signs of complications. If you are healing well, you can begin easing back into your previous exercise regimen. However, it is imperative that you follow my specific recommendations for how to do this safely. If you overdo it too soon, you could end up prolonging your recovery or having complications that could have been avoided.
Come See Me At Brucker Plastic Surgery
If you have been considering a mommy makeover, don’t let the thought of a few weeks off from your exercise program keep you from restoring your figure to its pre-baby shape. Your time off from the gym will seem short in comparison to many years of renewed self-confidence.
Call today at (858) 450-1776 to schedule your initial consultation and check out our mommy makeover before and after gallery.