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Planning for my Mommy Makeover, How Much Time Should I Prepare to Not Lift my Twins?

Question for Denver Plastic Surgeon Dr. John Squires about Mommy Makeover:

I’m planning on having breast augment & tummy tuck in one procedure (like a ‘mommy makeover’). My twins are 10months (my boy is quite a big guy, weighs 25 lbs or more, I weigh 106, plus, I have an older child). I was thinking of hiring help for the first 2 weeks after the surgery (lifting kids etc). Do you think 2 weeks will be sufficient? Will I be able to lift my kids & take care of them after 2 wks again? Not worried about the pain, but will it affect how the scars develop?? Thanks!

Answer from Dr. John Squires:

Traditional plastic surgeons were taught to not have patients lift more than 10-15 lbs. for 6 weeks after abdominoplasty. This was to prevent the muscle sutures from pulling out and spoiling the result.  I repair the muscle in two layers, which makes a very strong repair. I caution people to tighten their abdominal muscles before lifting, use mostly their legs and go by what their body is telling them. For the past 10 years I have allowed patients to lift their kids at 1 week and have not had any repairs fail. This makes sense to me considering that coughing or sneezing puts way more stress on the repair than reasonable lifting.


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