Recovery guide · day-by-day
Mummy makeover recovery: week by week
Mummy makeover (combined breast + abdominoplasty) recovery is the most demanding plastic surgery recovery - it combines the demands of abdominoplasty with breast surgery. Plan for substantial home support for the first 2-4 weeks.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Mummy makeover (combined breast + abdominoplasty) recovery is the most demanding plastic surgery recovery - it combines the demands of abdominoplasty with breast surgery.
- ✓Return to desk work: Week 2-3. Return to office: Week 3-4.
- ✓Most exercise restrictions lift by week 6-12 depending on activity.
- ✓Always follow your specific surgeon’s discharge protocol over general guidance. Recovery times vary by patient.
Day-by-day
Full mummy makeover recovery timeline
Day 0-3
What happens
- 5-7 hour combined surgery
- Overnight 1-2 nights hospital
- Drains on abdomen 3-7 days
- Compression garment full body + surgical bra
- Severe pain initially
Do
- Bent-forward sleeping (recliner ideal)
- Pain relief on schedule
- Compression boots / stockings (DVT)
- Walk to bathroom every 2-3 hours with help
Do not
- Stand upright (closure tension on abdomen)
- Lift arms overhead
- Cough/sneeze without bracing abdomen
Call surgeon if
- Calf pain, shortness of breath (DVT/PE)
- Sudden severe pain
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Day 4-7
What happens
- Drains removed at day 3-7
- Pain still moderate to severe
- Bent-forward posture continues
- Cannot lift children
Do
- Continue walking bent over every 2-3 hours
- Stool softeners (constipation common)
- Eat protein-rich foods
Do not
- Drive
- Lift toddlers
- Stand fully upright
Call surgeon if
- Drain output suddenly increases
- Fever, redness, discharge
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Week 2
What happens
- Return to desk work from home
- Still bent-forward 30-45 degrees
- Compression garment 24/7
- Surgical bra 24/7
Do
- Gentle walking longer distances
- Sleep in recliner or semi-fowler position
Do not
- Stand fully upright
- Lift over 2kg
Call surgeon if
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Week 3-4
What happens
- Standing upright achievable by end of week 3
- Return to office work
- Surgical bra still 24/7
Do
- Stand upright progressively
- Sleep flat
Do not
- Heavy lifting
- Upper body exercise
Call surgeon if
- Sudden severe pain unrelieved by prescribed pain medication
- Calf pain, swelling or shortness of breath (possible DVT or pulmonary embolism)
- Spreading redness, hot skin, fever over 38°C (possible infection)
- Heavy bleeding through dressings
- Sudden change in colour of skin or tissue (white, blue, or grey)
- Persistent vomiting that prevents you taking medications
Week 4-6
What happens
- Most daily activity comfortable
- Compression on abdomen continues
- Light cardio resumes at week 6
Do
- Light cardio at week 6
- Begin scar care
- Transition surgical bra to sports bra
Do not
- Abs, chest exercises
Call surgeon if
- Seroma symptoms (fluid collection)
Week 6-12
What happens
- Strength training resumes (no abs, no chest) at week 8
- Compression worn during day to week 8
- Final shape settling
Do
- Full gym except abs/chest by week 8
- Continue scar care
Do not
- Crunches, push-ups until 12 weeks
Call surgeon if
- Asymmetry, lumps, persistent pain
Month 3-12
What happens
- Final shape settled at 6 months
- Scars fading from red to pink to silvery white over 12-18 months
- Sensation slowly returning in lower abdomen
Do
- Annual review
- Maintain stable weight
- Continue scar sunscreen
Do not
- Get pregnant within 12 months
- Skip scar care
Call surgeon if
- New lumps, asymmetry
Common questions
Mummy makeover recovery - common questions
How much time off work do I need?
Most desk workers take 3-4 weeks off; manual workers 6-8 weeks. Plan for 2-4 weeks of home support for childcare and household tasks. The bent-forward posture for the first 2 weeks is the main limiting factor, plus the surgical bra and compression garment limiting upper body movement.
Should I have all procedures at once or stage them?
Combined surgery has appeal (one recovery, one cost) but elevated risk. Staged surgery (6 months apart) has lower per-session risk and easier recovery. For lower-risk patients (BMI under 28, non-smoker, no comorbidities), combined is generally safe. For higher-risk patients, staging is safer. Discuss with your surgeon based on your individual risk profile.
Will Medicare cover any of this?
The abdominoplasty component may be partially Medicare-rebated under MBS 30171 / 30177 if rectus diastasis is documented and meets criteria. The breast component is rarely rebated unless breast reduction meets MBS criteria. Pure cosmetic mastopexy and augmentation are never rebated.
When can I lift my child again?
No lifting over 2-5kg for 6 weeks, depending on your surgeon. Most surgeons restrict lifting of toddlers (over 10kg) for 8-12 weeks. Plan for substantial childcare support in the first 6-8 weeks - this is the biggest preparation gap families underestimate.
When can I get pregnant again?
Most surgeons recommend waiting at least 12 months, ideally 18-24 months. Pregnancy after mummy makeover reverses much of the improvement - the diastasis repair stretches, breast tissue changes with breastfeeding. If pregnancy occurs in the first 6 months, the repair can disrupt prematurely. Many patients have a second mummy makeover after completing their family.
General guidance only. Recovery times vary by patient. Your specific surgeon’s discharge protocol always supersedes general guidance. Sources: ASPS patient guidance, AHPRA Cosmetic Surgery Standard 2023, standard plastic surgery textbook protocols. Last updated 17 May 2026.