Day By Day

Days one to three: swelling, drains, the fog. Week one: the hunched walk and the first shower. Week two: you look worse before you look better. Week four: the turn. Every procedure page has its own version of this.

Symptom Check

Is This Normal?

Pulling at the incision: normal. Numbness for months: normal. Swelling that moves down your body: normal. Bruises turning yellow: normal. One side suddenly bigger, hot, or red: call. Fever, calf pain, or shortness of breath: call now.

Red Flags

When To Call Your Surgeon

Fever over 101. Pain in one calf. Shortness of breath. Bleeding that soaks a dressing. Sudden one-sided swelling. An incision that opens or smells. A new rash. Do not wait until morning to call. That is what the after-hours line is for.

Pain

Managing Pain

Stay ahead of it: take what you are prescribed on schedule for the first days, not when it hurts. Tummy tucks and lipo ache deep; BBLs burn where the fat went. Pain that worsens after day three is a call, not a wait.

Bruising

Managing Bruising

Bruises run purple, then green, then yellow over two to three weeks. Arnica and vitamin K help. So does compression, elevation, and not overdoing it. Mavi made Bruise Juice because every patient asked the same question, and "use arnica" was not a real answer.

Scars

Scar Care

Nothing on the scar until your surgeon clears it. Then silicone sheets or gel, every day, for months. No sun on it for a year. Scars look their worst around month three and keep fading for two years. Patience is the product.

Garments

Garments And Compression

Your garment is doing work: it manages swelling and helps skin settle. Snug, never numb. Stage one for the first weeks, stage two when swelling drops. Foam and boards only if your surgeon says so. Red marks or burns mean it is wrong.

Movement

Returning To Exercise

Walking starts day one, slow and short. Nothing that raises your heart rate for two weeks. No lifting for six. Core work last of all after a tummy tuck. Protein, water, and sleep do more for healing than any supplement.

Back To Life

Returning To Work

Desk job: one to two weeks for breast or lipo, two to three for a tummy tuck or mommy makeover. On your feet all day: double it. BBL patients need a sitting plan, not just a date. Plan the time off before you book.

Where To Heal

Recovery House Or Home?

Home works if someone can be with you around the clock for three days. A private recovery suite works when they cannot, when you flew in, or when you want nurses, garment help, and meals handled. Mavi's suite in Houston is one of them.arrow_outwardSee The Recovery Haven