Are you undergoing a combined breast reduction and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and are not sure what to expect from each stage of your post-operative recovery? This guide is for you!
We are very grateful for our patient who has allowed us to share her week-by-week recovery photos from her small breast reduction and lift, combined with a tummy tuck to give a realistic perspective on the process, but obviously every patient is different so don’t worry if your experience is somewhat different!
Breast and body surgery recovery is an important commitment. It's crucial to follow Dr Moncrieff’s post-operative instructions carefully to ensure together we can reach an optimal surgical outcome. In the first few weeks following surgery, you'll gradually start to notice improvements, but it is important to be patient with yourself as your body heals.
Before surgery
What to Expect:
- All of the emotions! It is completely normal to feel a mixture of nerves/excitement before surgery – remember, surgery is an emotional rollercoaster, but we are here for you every step of the way. If you need reassurance, go back and revisit your Plastic Surgery Planner!
- Optimising your health: It is important to keep up a healthy diet prior to surgery, filled with lots of protein and vegetables to aid in your recovery. In the weeks leading up to surgery, be diligent with your hygiene practices to avoid any colds, flus or bugs prior to the big day!
- Pre-operative appointments: You will have two appointments with Dr Moncrieff prior to surgery. Your first appointment will be an in-depth consultation to discuss your concerns, goals, risks, recovery and the surgical plan. Your second pre-operative appointment will be scheduled 2-4 weeks out from surgery to confirm the surgical plan, discuss any last-minute questions and take your clinical ‘before’ photos!
Week 1: The Initial Healing Phase
What to Expect:
- Pain and Discomfort: You will likely experience significant discomfort, swelling, and bruising. Pain is typically managed with prescribed medications, alongside regular Panadol.
- Incision Care: All of your incisions will be covered with surgical dressings. It is important to keep these in place. We recommend removing your garments once per day to monitor your dressings for any changes.
- Activity Level: Rest is paramount. You should avoid most activities and keep physical exertion to an absolute minimum. For patients with young children, more information about managing your post-operative recovery with a young family can be found here.
- Post-operative appointments: Depending on the length of your hospital stay, you may be required to visit our office to have your surgical drains removed (typically between day 3 and 7 post-op)
Week 2: Beginning to Regain Mobility
What to Expect:
- Pain and Discomfort: Swelling, discomfort and bruising will continue. Continue wearing your post-operative garments to help minimise swelling and keep pressure on your incisions.
- Incision Healing: The initial healing of your incisions is underway. You might notice some itching underneath your dressings as your skin heals, but avoid scratching!
- Activity Level: Light walking around the house is encouraged to promote circulation. Other physical activity should remain at an absolute minimum.
- Post-operative appointments: Between day 10 – 14 post-op, you will visit us to have your navel dressing and packing removed (AKA: You will get to see your new belly button for the first time!)
Week 3-4: Increased Mobility and Healing
What to Expect:
- Improved Comfort: Many patients find that between 3-4 weeks post-op, pain has subsided and they can resume a few more of their daily activities. Continue wearing your compression garments to help manage swelling and support your new contours. Many patients will return to work on light duties from 3-4 weeks post-op (depending on your field of work – each patient is different, and Dr Moncrieff will provide a personalised timeline for you).
- Incision Progress: Incisions should be healing well. Internal sutures will begin to dissolve.
- Activity Level: You can start to resume light activities, such as a slow walk. Any heavy lifting or exercise should still be avoided.
- Post-operative appointments: At 3 weeks post-op you will visit us for a dressing change. Our nursing team will gently remove your surgical dressings, and replace them with a more flexible dressing and instructions on how you can shower.
Week 6: Feeling better!
What to Expect:
- Healing Progress: Some of the swelling should be subsiding, and you’ll start to see the results of your surgery more clearly.
- Activity Level: You may be cleared to gradually return to more strenuous activities, including light exercise. Follow Dr Moncrieff’s guidance on when and how to do this safely. Always listen to your body and stop if you experience pain.
- Post-operative appointments: At 6 weeks post-op you will visit us for a dressing removal. Our nursing team will gently remove your surgical dressings, and we will begin your scar management regime!
Week 12: Return to routine
What to Expect:
- Continued Healing: While you may feel back to normal, it’s important to remember that internal healing continues and will take a few more months.
- Ongoing Changes: Your body will continue to adjust and refine over the coming months. It’s normal for final results to become more defined as residual swelling subsides.
- Activity Level: From 12 weeks post-op, most patients are awarded full clearance to return to unrestricted exercise. Gradually increase the intensity of your physical activities, pay attention to your body’s signals and avoid any activities that cause discomfort or strain. Keep up with a healthy diet and hydration to aid in your ongoing recovery.
- Post-operative appointments: We will schedule you a follow-up appointment with Dr Moncrieff between 6-9 months post-op to review your final surgical result. In the meantime, if you experience any “spitting sutures” or areas of concern, you are most welcome to schedule an additional post-operative appointment.
Is this combination of surgery called a mummy makeover?
Sometimes people colloquially call a combination of breast and body surgery a ‘mummy makeover’, but this term can trivialise the seriousness of surgery so the government requires surgeons not to use this term in marketing.
How long does it take to see Dr Moncrieff for a consultation?
It does generally take about 8-12 weeks to see Dr Moncrieff for a consultation. It then takes another 8-12 weeks to secure a date for surgery, and a little longer in the second half of the year when everyone seems to want surgery and to recover in time for Christmas!
Read more about Dr Moncrieff's consultation periods.
Have another question about plastic surgery recovery?
Looking for more information about post-pregnancy surgery recovery? To contact our team or to make an appointment for a consultation, please call 4920 7700 or send us a message via the form below.
Other blogs you may be interested in:
- Common patient questions after breast and body surgery
- The emotional rollercoaster: Managing pre and post-operative anxiety
- Will Medicare help fund my post-pregnancy surgery?
- How soon after a baby can I have plastic surgery?
- Pregnancy and plastic surgery – should I finish my family before undergoing surgery?
- Recovering from a tummy tuck
- What does a tummy tuck scar look like? (With progression photos!)
Blog Author:
Alecia Baker, Practice Nurse, Hunter Plastic Surgery
About Alecia
Alecia joined us as our Practice Nurses in 2018. She is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in nursing and patient management in some of the busiest hospital settings in the Hunter! She really cares about helping our patients become healthy and happy. Her kind and calm manner help them feel comfortable during their journey with us.
