Mummy makeover recovery: What to expect in the first six weeks

Every mummy makeover recovery looks different, but there are patterns I’ve come to recognise after helping many women through their first few post-op weeks, the swelling, the emotions, and the slow but beautiful return to strength.

The reality of mummy makeover recovery

A mummy makeover is one of the biggest physical and emotional journeys you can take for yourself. It usually combines a tummy tuck, breast lift or augmentation, and often liposuction and for many women, muscle repair (called rectus plication) is also added once the surgeon checks for diastasis recti, the separation of abdominal muscles after pregnancy.

That muscle repair is often one of the hardest parts of recovery. It tightens your core from the inside, so even small movements can feel intense in the first weeks. When liposuction is added too, it compounds swelling and discomfort - which is why careful, qualified aftercare makes such a difference.

Some of my clients fly home from abroad only days after surgery, others recover after procedures in UK hospitals hours away from home, and some stay local. Wherever surgery happens, the body still goes through the same phases of healing, and the emotional waves that come with it.

Week 1: Swelling, tightness and emotional lows

That first week can feel overwhelming. Swelling peaks, movement is limited, and if you’ve had muscle repair, even getting in and out of bed feels like a mission! Your core has essentially been re-stitched, and it needs rest and support to heal properly.

What helps most:

• Move gently and only as advised; every step helps circulation and your lymphatic system.

• Rest slightly propped up with pillows to reduce pressure on your abdomen.

• Accept help. This isn’t the time to do everything yourself.

MLD focus: If your surgeon approves, gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) can help the body clear fluid and ease the sense of heaviness many feel after surgery. Clients often say they “feel lighter” after treatment, as pressure under the skin softens without disturbing the repair beneath. → See: The truth about post-op MLD courses (and how to choose a safe therapist)

Week 2–3: Garments, fluid shifts and new movement

Around the second week, you may feel a little more mobile, but this is when the deep, pulling sensation from rectus plication often becomes more noticeable. As internal swelling settles, garments can start to feel tighter in some areas and looser in others.

What I see most often:

• Slightly uneven swelling, especially where liposuction was added.

• Tenderness across the abdominal wall from the muscle repair.

• Emotional fatigue. The excitement fades and reality sets in.

MLD focus: These weeks are where consistent MLD really helps your comfort and progress. It gently guides fluid away from surgical zones and supports tissue recovery around the repaired muscles.

Week 4–6: The turning point

By week four, the initial swelling has reduced, and most clients start to see their shape returning. If you’ve had muscle repair, your core will still feel tight (like an internal corset) but that’s a positive sign of strengthening tissue.

Liposuction sites can remain tender or firm, which is completely normal. I often use this stage to focus on fibrosis prevention and gentle scar therapy, keeping tissues soft and mobile as healing continues beneath the surface.

What helps now:

• Stay hydrated and eat protein-rich foods for tissue repair.

• Continue wearing your compression garment as advised.

• Keep up MLD to prevent stiffness and help your scars settle smoothly.
  

The emotional layer of healing

Muscle repair doesn’t just change how your abdomen looks, it changes how it feels. Many women say it takes time to reconnect with their core, both physically and emotionally. There’s often a moment in the fourth or fifth week when they suddenly feel lighter, more stable, and more themselves again.

For others, the emotional side takes longer to catch up. I always remind my clients: your body has done something extraordinary. Be gentle with it.

MLD sessions often become a calm space to rest and be cared for, to release tension, not just fluid. Healing isn’t only physical; it’s a gradual reconnection with yourself.

Different recovery setups

Whether you’ve had your mummy makeover abroad, in a UK hospital, or close to home, the principles are the same:

• Abroad: Arrange aftercare before you travel. Secure a UK-based MLD therapist through the MLDUK register and plan garment checks.

• UK (non-local): Ask about virtual follow-ups and book local MLD to continue your aftercare plan.

• Local: Take advantage of in-person reviews and consistent, hands-on support from your MLD therapist.

At Lymphara Clinic, I often help clients interpret their surgeon’s notes, check garment fit, and identify when it’s safe to progress into scar or fibrosis therapy.

When to check in with your surgeon

Contact your surgical team immediately if you notice:

• Sudden swelling or pain on one side

• Warmth, redness, or discharge around incisions

• Calf pain or shortness of breath

Even if your surgeon is abroad, reputable clinics will expect updates and provide guidance remotely.

Final thoughts

The first six weeks of mummy makeover recovery (especially with muscle repair and liposuction) require patience, care, and expert support.

With gentle MLD, balanced nutrition, and compassion for yourself, you’ll move through the swelling, the soreness, and the self-doubt to a place of strength and confidence again. Healing isn’t a straight line, but every small step forward counts.