First Day Instructions
- Dr. Yates will reach out via the Symplast app. Send Dr. Yates photos and any questions
- ACTIVITY - Get up and walk but you will be slightly hunched over at the waist. Gentle flexing around 15 - 20 degrees is sufficient
- You will gradually stand more upright over the first TWO weeks
- EXERCISE - No exercise at all for 3 weeks. Low impact exercise such as walking and very light weight lifting is OK at THREE weeks.
- Full Exercise resumes at SIX weeks
- SLEEPING in a recliner is ideal, propped up with pillows under the head and knees is sufficient if a recliner is unavailable
- BLEEDING AND BRUISING - A small amount of incisional bleeding is normal
- Bruising and swelling are normal and will last for days to weeks
- DRAINS - If drains are used make sure you are stripping then and recording output. Drains typically stay in for about a week. They are ready to be removed with the drainage is less than 30 cc in a 24 hour period.
- GARMENT - Take the garment off to shower. BE VERY CAREFUL when removing the garment as we have found this is a common time for patient to faint. Get up slowly, with assistance and near a bed or a chair
- GARMENT - The first garment will be worn for THREE weeks. At that time most patients find it comfortable to wear something like Spanx, Flexees, or other stage 2 garments.
- FOAM - We will often place foam beneath the garment on the lower belly. This is an area that is prone to a greater degree of swelling and we have found foam helpful to limit this. When used, foam should be worn for the first week and can be removed to shower
- SHOWER - You may shower 1-2 days after surgery. Water directly over the incision and drains is fine
- SUTURES - All incisional sutures are internal and do not need to be removed
- Your next visit is at three weeks. In-person or via app.
- Also review the appropriate instructions for each of the procedures you have had
Three-Week Instructions
- Take off the incisional tape if it has been applied
- Start to apply a very thin layer of scar cream daily for 2 months. Biocorneum, Biodermis or Mederma are good options. There is no harm in applying too much scar cream, you will just need to replace it more often
- You may soak in a bath, pool, or hot tub so long as the incisions are closed and doing well
- Send Dr. Yates photos and any questions
- You are able to resume physical work and moderate exercise
- Full exercise at 6 weeks
- Areas of firmness and discomfort are common, massage as necessary
- If you feel you have been treated with exceptional care, leave a review!
- Schedule an online or in-person follow-up visit at 3 months.
- Also review the appropriate instructions for each of the procedures you have had
Three-Month Instructions
- You have no limitations. Check-in with Dr. Yates with photos and any questions
One-Year
- You have no limitations. Check-in with Dr. Yates with photos and any questions
- Return to the office for postoperative photos
- Leave a kind review ????
- Share a clothed or bikini photo with us to publish on our “real patient” photos ????
General Recovery Tips
Mommy Makeover Recovery Tips
Mommy makeover is a general term that can describe lots of different combinations of procedures. Please review the recovery pages for each of the individual procedures that you are recovering from for more information.