BEFORE AND AFTER MOMMY MAKEOVER SURGERY
It’s hard to believe it’s been 18 months since my Mommy Makeover surgery!
From the initial planning and preparations to the arduous recovery process—and everything in between—I’ve shared every part of this journey with you.
Because of my shameless openness, thousands have shared that my Mommy Makeover Series is one of the most in-depth online resources available.
I’m beyond grateful to provide insight for anyone considering this type of transformation. Your trust means the world, and I love hearing how my story has helped you.
MOMMY MAKEOVER PLAYLIST
Today, I’m diving into your comments and questions from the past few months. Let’s get real and answer some of the most common (and maybe surprising!) questions you’ve asked.
I had my mommy makeover surgery on February 14, 2023, a little over 18 months ago.
If this is the first video you catch in this Mommy Makeover series, watch the others for additional insight. You can see in previous videos detailed examples of healing and side-by-side comparisons.
LINK: MOMMY MAKEOVER PLAYLIST
BODY STATS
LINK TO INBODY SCALE
These are my current stats and what I look like in September 2024
I’m 42 years old, I’ve had 4 boys, and I’m 5’2” and 115 lbs.
26 MOMMY MAKEOVER QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Here are 26 of your most asked Mommy Makeover surgery questions, including where did you get that orange bikini?
Surgery Overview
- How long was your surgery? Approximately 4 hours. I arrived at 6 AM, and by 8 AM, I was marked up and receiving sedation. I filmed myself coming out of sedation at 1 PM.
2. Did you have muscle repair included in your mommy makeover? Yes, Dr. Green performed muscle repair, tightening my abdominal muscles to create a narrower waist—like a corset effect.
3. Did you experience any issues with acid reflux pre or post-surgery? I didn’t experience acid reflux after surgery. However, I did have intense vomiting as I came out of anesthesia—which is quite normal. I learned from one of the RNs that sniffing alcohol swabs can help reduce nausea.
4.Did you have lipo suction with your tummy tuck, and how did that affect your pain levels? I had liposuction at my pubic bone to ease the transition. I also had liposuction in my thighs and knees. It was the leg liposuction that I noticed the most, and this pain lasted the longest of any area in my body post-surgery.
Recovery and Post-Surgery Care
1 Year Post Surgery
- How long did the recovery take? This is a nuanced question. After two weeks, I was driving and running errands. By four weeks, I had returned to yoga. At six months, I believed I was fully recovered. However, it wasn’t until a year post-surgery that I stopped being conscious of my incisions and no longer felt awkward in my body.
2. What numbing medication were you given after surgery? I received the Exparel shot—a nerve block that can last up to three days post-surgery, helping to dull the pain. Despite this, my pain was still intense, especially when combined with vomiting. The day after surgery, I asked Dr. Green if they had forgotten to give me the shot, but he confirmed I had received it. While I can’t know for sure, I imagine the pain would have been even worse without it.
3. When did you start using your stomach muscles to get up after surgery? In my recovery videos, I shared that I bought a lifting chair on Amazon and used it with my bed, which also has a lifting mechanism. I would alternate between these two areas of my room to move around. When I was alone, the lifting chair was essential for going to the bathroom or doing anything unassisted. It was about two weeks before I first started engaging my abdomen more for tasks.
4.How did you manage nerve pain post-surgery, and how long did it last? I experienced intense nerve pain on my right side that shot down my inner thigh. It was excruciating, and initially, I avoided moving while lying down for fear of triggering it. I massaged this groin area day and night, attempting to ease the intense burning and stinging sensation. By two weeks post-surgery, the pain began to subside, but I continued to experience intense surges for months after. I worried it might be a permanent issue. Fortunately, by nearly a year post-surgery, the groin pain had finally resolved itself.
5. Did you get any massages for your lipo post-op? I had one lymphatic massage two weeks after my surgery. Since I didn’t experience much swelling, I didn’t find much value in the lymphatic massage post-surgery. This isn’t to say it’s not beneficial—perhaps it was the specific practitioner I visited rather than the treatment itself being ineffective.
6. How long until you were able to sleep on your sides? As an avid side sleeper, I was eager to return to my preferred position. My adjustable bed allowed me to sleep on my back, with pillows propped on one side. During the night, I’d sometimes rotate my legs from left to right as I drifted in and out of sleep. It took about a month before I could comfortably sleep flat and on my side again.
Compression Garments and Products
- Where are your compression garments from, and were they provided? My compression garments are available on Amazon. I received two sets as part of my surgery package. When I woke up from surgery, I was already wearing the black garment with a black loose-fitting bra. Black is the best choice post-surgery because you’ll likely experience fluid leakage from your incisions. Remember this when selecting pajamas: black is always best following surgery.
2. Can you tell me about the long patches you used for scar care? I tried various silicone scar tapes during recovery, starting as soon as my incision was dry. I bought expensive ones like Embrace, a massive waste of money! I don’t recommend Embrace. Instead, I preferred less costly options like the Edousin strips, which aren’t currently available. Another tape I tried that worked similarly to Edousin was the Pumkot Silicone tape roll. These were easier to apply and much more comfortable than the Embrace patches. You can see fro these photos that I prefered the silicone tape in a roll versus the embrace patches which would buckle and give me blisters, plus they are much cheaper. Link to SILICONE ROLL TAPE
3. Do the silicone tapes for scars need to be washed, and are they reusable? I never washed or reused my silicone tape. Some people might do this, but I wasn’t re-taping daily; instead, I would reapply the tape once a week.
4. Did you consider using a walker for lower back pain during recovery? Walking is critical to healing. I never considered a walker but I can see how it could help many get up and go.
Health and Wellness
- How did you prepare before the surgery? First, I researched doctors in my area and studied their portfolios to determine precisely what I wanted. Two months before surgery, I began collecting essential items like my lifting chair. One month out, I started cutting carbs and made plenty of bone broth to aid my recovery. I also took pre-surgery vitamins and set up my room for post-surgery comfort. For a detailed account of my preparation, check out my full video on the topic.
2. Did you use any supplements that you found helpful? I took pre-surgery vitamins, though I’m unsure of their effectiveness. I wanted to cover all bases to speed up my recovery.
- What was your diet like before the surgery? My diet consisted primarily of meat, and I significantly reduced my sugar intake. My carnivore video series provides detailed examples of the foods I consumed during the preparation and recovery phases. LINK TO MY CARNIVORE PLAYLIST
2.Can you talk more about mental health after surgery? This is a great question! I had no idea what I was in for and how depressed I would become. On day 8, I was still feeling miserable and seriously questioning my decision. I started to think I would never recover or feel normal again. These feelings are prevalent, and you’ll likely experience them too. Painkillers can worsen your depression. The sooner you can stop using opioids, the better you’ll feel—but it takes time. One thing that helped me was sharing this journey and connecting daily online with all of you. Recovering from surgery can be isolating, so I recommend setting up visits from friends ahead of time. Having someone to talk to can lift your spirits, getting you through another day.
Recommendations
- Would you recommend your surgeon for a mommy makeover? Absolutely! I have so much respect and admiration for Dr Green. He is located in Sacramento, and here is Dr Green’s Website.
2. How do you feel about the hyperbaric chamber for recovery? I enjoy how soothing the hyperbaric chamber is. I have the best naps of my life inside that pressurized capsule. It’s great to use right before surgery and afterward to increase healing and recovery.
V-beam and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
- How does V-beam work for women of color, especially Black women? As someone with lighter skin, I naturally have less melanin, one reason my scars healed tighter and lighter. To help reduce the redness during the healing process, I opted for the V-Beam laser treatment. What’s great about the V-Beam now is that it’s safe for darker skin tones as well. However, your doctor must know how to adjust the laser settings—like lowering the temperature and speed—to ensure the best results with minimal impact on the skin.
2. Have you considered a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) for the future? I’ve considered it due to excess skin on my backside. However, in my one-year post-op video, Dr. Green explained why I’m not a good candidate for a BBL. It’s related to volume and crossing the center of the back. Essentially, to achieve enough lift, it would compromise the position of my crease, making it too high.
General Questions
- Did you have any fat added to your breasts, or was it just a breast lift? I didn’t have any fat added to my breasts. Instead, I had a breast lift combined with the insertion of 100cc silicone implants.
- Did they shave you during surgery, or did you do that beforehand? I love this question—thank you! The office didn’t instruct me beforehand, but I went in hairless because I knew they would need the area clean.
- Should someone considering a mommy makeover consider Ozempic first? Yes! If I had obtained semaglutide beforehand, I would have used it to get as small as possible. This makes surgery more accessible for your surgeon, resulting in a better outcome. You’ll also recover faster and experience less swelling if your body weight is lower. My sister will be having her mommy makeover surgery this winter. She used semaglutide to reach her ideal weight, and now she’s ready for her best outcome. I have a video all about my semaglutide experience link here: Semiglutide Taper
4. Where is your orange bikini from? This orange bikini is now iconic from this series, and it’s from Becca Swim. I bought this suit in 2022, but brands like Becca Swim continuously recycle styles, and I bet they cut this fabulous bikini again.
ITEMS USED
ORANGE BECCA BIKINI I just ordered this one as a replacement for my 2 year old Becca Swim Orange Bikini.
LINK TO: MOMMY MAKEOVER VIDEOS
LINK TO: MOMMY MAKEOVER VIDEOS
HISTORICAL SCAR CHECK PHOTOS
V BEAM BEFORE AND AFTER
AFTER VBEAM LASER
18 MONTHS POST MOMMY MAKEOVER
I hope this information helps you on your body quest. This was a huge life experience for me and I hope my insight can help you prepare for your mommy makeover surgery. xoxo Kim
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