The overwhelming majority of people who get mommy makeovers are thrilled with their results. However, depression directly after plastic surgery — and surgery in general — is common. While this is unpleasant, it is also temporary. And, there are a few ways you can fight back against depression after plastic surgery.
1. Plan a Low-Stress Recovery Period
Many mothers feel a lot of guilt after getting a mommy makeover because they have to let things go that they would otherwise be on top of. Feeling helpless or like you are failing your family while you take the time needed to recover can make the post-surgery period a downer. Fight back against this during your mommy makeover prep. Arrange for the help you need, assign your chores to others and make peace with the things you are going to delegate while taking time for yourself.
2. Get Moving
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if anxiety or depression after plastic surgery becomes overwhelming.While strenuous physical activity should be limited during the first stage of recovery, getting out of bed and moving around is key to combatting depression after plastic surgery. While a day in bed binge-watching TV might sound like a vacation, after a day or two, it can make you feel bored and blue. Short, slow walks can do wonders for your mood and healing process.
3. Avoid Mirrors
Yes, this is hard to do. Natural curiosity is going to tempt you to spend hours in front of the mirror scrutinizing the stitches, bruising, swelling and more. Don’t do this. Ask your plastic surgeon to share some photos taken right after surgery in the OR if you really want to see what all is going on.
Remember that swelling, bruising and other side effects may look worse before they start to look better. So don’t stress over your appearance until you can get a good idea of the final results.
If you experience post-surgery depression, don’t suffer in silence. Reach out to your plastic surgeon, therapist and loved ones for support. Also, if you have clinical depression or other mental health concerns, make certain you disclose this prior to surgery so your doctor can tailor your recovery instructions to your needs.
To learn more about mommy makeovers and the recovery period, call us at 303-345-7476 or use our contact page to schedule a consultation.
Author: Dr. Francesco Campanile
Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Francesco Campanile is a cosmetic surgeon in Denver who is focused on body contouring and breast enhancement. Time and time again, the women and men who choose Dr. Campanile say that they’ve found “the whole package” – a doctor who cares deeply about the quality of their results and has the skill to achieve excellence.
