- Hospital stay: 1–2 nights inpatient.
- Drains: Removed day 3–5.
- Return to flying: Day 7–10.
- Return to desk work: 2 weeks.
- Return to light exercise: 4 weeks.
- Return to full exercise: 8 weeks.
- Final shape settles: 6–12 months.
Day 0 — Operation day
Hospital admission early morning. Pre-operative final consultation, marking, and signed consent. General anaesthesia induction with anaesthesiology team. DVT prophylaxis (intermittent pneumatic compression) applied. Operative time 4–6 hours depending on combination. Recovery in PACU 1–2 hours, then transfer to inpatient room.
Within 6 hours of arriving in the room: liquid diet, pain medication established, urinary catheter usually still in place, walking with assistance to bathroom (this is critical for DVT prevention).
Days 1–3 — Hospital and early hotel
- Mobility: Walking 4–6 times per day with assistance. Slightly bent posture is normal — do not try to straighten fully for the first week.
- Diet: Liquids day 0 → soft solids day 1 → normal diet by day 2.
- Pain: Managed with multimodal analgesia (paracetamol, NSAIDs unless contraindicated, low-dose opioid as needed). Pain is moderate, not severe in most patients.
- Drains: Daily output measured. Output below 30 ml per drain per 24 hours triggers removal.
- Compression: Abdominal binder and surgical bra worn continuously.
- Discharge: Hospital to partner hotel typically day 1–2. Hotel stay supports recovery without hospital sterility, but with full clinic access.
Days 4–7 — Drain removal and clinic review
- Drain removal: Day 3–5 typically. Quick, minimally uncomfortable procedure at the clinic.
- Final clinical review: Dr. Erdal personally examines all surgical sites, confirms healing, removes any dressings as needed, provides written aftercare instructions.
- Showering: Permitted day 4 onwards (back to the water, not facing the shower). Surgical tape protects incisions.
- Walking: Posture progressively straighter. Walking 3–4 km daily by end of week 1.
- Sleeping: Inclined position (head elevated 30–45°) for the first 3 weeks to reduce abdominal tension.
- Fit-to-fly: Issued day 7–10. International patients fly home with detailed written protocol and 24/7 WhatsApp access to clinic.
Weeks 2–4 — Return to daily life
- Work: Desk-based work week 2. Standing work week 3. Active manual work week 4–5.
- Driving: Once off opioid medication AND able to perform emergency stop without pain — typically week 2–3.
- Lifting: Maximum 5 kg until week 6. This is the single most important restriction.
- Compression: Continued 24/7. Surgical bra worn at all times including sleep.
- Sleeping: Can begin transitioning to flat sleeping position from week 3 if comfortable.
- Sexual activity: Generally permitted from week 3, gentle position, patient comfort guides progression.
Weeks 4–8 — Gradual return to fitness
- Week 4: Walking 5–10 km/day. Stationary bike begins. Light yoga (no abdominal engagement, no overhead arm raises).
- Week 5: Compression garment can come off for short periods (showering, brief social occasions).
- Week 6: Compression garment ends. Pilates resumes (avoiding intense abdominal exercises). Scar care protocol intensifies.
- Week 7: Lifting limit increased to 10 kg. Light upper body resistance training begins.
- Week 8: Full upper body and lower body strength training. Abdominal core work introduced gradually.
Weeks 8–12 — Return to full activity
- Running resumes week 8–10 progressively.
- Heavy lifting, contact sports, intense HIIT — week 12.
- Lifting children freely — week 8.
- Swimming pool — week 6, sea/lake — week 8 (after wound complete healing).
Months 3–12 — Final shape
- Month 3: Most swelling resolved. Body composition normalising. Final implant settling well underway. Compression garment optional during exercise.
- Month 6: 90% of final result visible. Photographic comparison appropriate from this point.
- Month 12: Final shape stable. Scars approaching final maturity (continue scar care for full 12–18 months).
Scar care protocol
- Weeks 0–2: Surgical tape kept dry. No additional treatment.
- Weeks 2–12: Silicone tape (Mepiform, Cica-Care, equivalent) applied 24/7. Replace every 5–7 days. This is the most evidence-based scar treatment available.
- Months 3–6: Transition to silicone gel for ease of use under clothing. Gentle scar massage from month 3.
- All times: 100% sun avoidance on scars for 12 months. SPF50 thereafter — pigmented scars are difficult to lighten.
- Optional adjuncts: Steroid injections if hypertrophy develops; LED light therapy in some cases. Dr. Erdal evaluates at 3 and 6 month follow-ups.
Warning signs — when to contact the clinic
Recovery is generally smooth, but rare complications can occur. Contact Dr. Erdal's clinic immediately via WhatsApp if you experience:
- Sudden increase in swelling, particularly asymmetric (one side becomes obviously larger than the other).
- Spreading redness or warmth around incisions.
- Fever above 38°C / 100.4°F.
- Calf pain, calf swelling, or shortness of breath (DVT/PE warning signs — call emergency services immediately).
- Wound separation or visible suture exposure.
- Unusual breast firmness, particularly with discomfort (capsular contracture warning).
- Yellow or green drainage from any incision.
For routine concerns (pain pattern questions, garment comfort, scar appearance), the clinic offers WhatsApp support 7 days a week. Photo assessment at any time is encouraged rather than waiting.
When can I drive after a mommy makeover?
Most patients can drive at 2–3 weeks post-operatively, once they are off all opioid pain medication and can perform an emergency stop without pain restriction. Earlier driving is unsafe due to abdominal muscle splinting and reduced reaction time.
When can I lift my children after a mommy makeover?
No lifting over 5 kg for 6–8 weeks. This is the single most important post-operative restriction for mothers — premature lifting can disrupt the diastasis repair and cause hernia. Plan childcare support for at least 4 weeks.
How long do I wear the compression garment?
Abdominal compression binder is worn 24/7 for the first 6 weeks (removed only for showering and washing the garment). Surgical bra is worn 24/7 for 4–6 weeks. Both items reduce swelling, support the surgical sites, and improve final contour.
When can I return to the gym?
Light walking from day 2. Stationary bike from week 3. Pilates from week 6. Upper-body resistance training from week 8. High-impact cardio (running) from week 8–10. Heavy lifting and contact sports from week 12.
When does the swelling go away?
Most visible swelling resolves within 6 weeks. Residual swelling — particularly in the lower abdomen and around the umbilicus — can persist for 3–6 months. Final shape settles at 6–12 months. Swelling worsens at the end of the day and improves overnight; this is normal.
What is the scar care protocol?
From week 2 (once incisions are closed and dry): silicone tape applied 24/7 for 12 weeks, replaced every 5–7 days. From month 3: silicone gel as transition. Sun avoidance on all scars for 12 months minimum, sunblock SPF50 thereafter. Massage from week 4 once cleared by surgeon.
