Preparing for a Mommy Makeover starts several weeks before your surgery date. I want my patients to arrive for surgery healthy, well prepared, and ready to devote their energy to healing. That means optimizing your health, following your preoperative instructions, arranging help at home, and creating a comfortable recovery space in advance.
At my Marina del Rey practice, I customize every Mommy Makeover to the patient. Your procedure might include a tummy tuck, breast augmentation or lift, liposuction, or another combination of procedures, so your specific pre-op instructions will vary. However, there are several steps virtually every patient can take to make surgery and recovery easier.
How to Prepare for a Mommy Makeover
The best place to start is with your overall health. I recommend being as close as reasonably possible to your ideal, stable weight and maintaining healthy habits before surgery. A Mommy Makeover is a body contouring procedure rather than a weight loss procedure, so reaching a weight you can realistically maintain also helps support your long-term results.
Nutrition is particularly important. Your body needs adequate protein, vitamins, minerals, and calories to repair tissue after surgery. I don’t recommend crash dieting immediately before your Mommy Makeover. Instead, concentrate on eating a nutritious, balanced diet and staying well hydrated.
I also want to identify health issues that could affect your surgery or recovery. If you’re prone to anemia, for example, we’ll want to make sure that’s addressed appropriately before surgery. Depending on your age and medical history, I may also request medical clearance or tests such as an EKG or mammogram.
The specifics are individualized. Follow the instructions my team gives you rather than making changes to medications, supplements, or your diet on your own.
Mommy Makeover Pre-Op Checklist
Preparing reduces the number of things you’ll need to worry about once you’re home. I recommend completing your practical preparations well before your surgery date.
Use this Mommy Makeover pre-op checklist as a starting point:
- Arrange childcare and household help. You’ll need someone else to handle lifting young children, driving, errands, pet care, and strenuous household tasks during the early stages of recovery.
- Prepare meals. Stock your kitchen with easy-to-prepare, protein-rich foods, healthy snacks, plenty of fluids, and meals that you can easily reheat.
- Have compression garments ready. Most Mommy Makeover patients wear surgical or compression garments similar to Spanx®, and you should have them at home before surgery.
- Review your medication protocol. Follow my instructions regarding prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Don’t stop or start medications unless instructed to do so.
- Fill postoperative prescriptions. Pick up medications ahead of time so you don’t have to stop at a pharmacy on your way home from surgery.
- Arrange transportation. You’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you during the initial recovery period.
- Complete required medical testing. Make sure any requested lab work, medical clearance, mammogram, EKG, or other testing is completed on schedule.
- Plan your time away from work. Give yourself adequate recovery time rather than rushing to return to your full routine as quickly as possible.
My team will provide a personalized set of instructions based on your procedure, health history, and individual needs.
Preparing in the Weeks Before Your Mommy Makeover
You don’t need to make dramatic lifestyle changes in the weeks before your surgery.
Continue exercising if you’re already active and I’ve cleared you to do so. Going into surgery physically healthy can make the recovery process easier, but this isn’t the time to begin an extreme fitness program or aggressively lose weight.
It’s also an ideal time to start organizing your responsibilities. If you have young children, determine who will handle school drop-offs, meals, baths, bedtime, and—most importantly—lifting them. Feeling better after the first several days doesn’t mean your internal tissues are ready for strenuous activity.
At your preoperative appointments, we’ll review medications, supplements, medical history, and any necessary testing. Follow these instructions carefully. You may need to adjust certain medications and supplements because they can affect bleeding, anesthesia, or healing.
Patients traveling to Marina del Rey from elsewhere in Los Angeles—or flying in for surgery—should also finalize transportation, accommodations, and postoperative assistance well in advance.
How to Prepare Your Home for Mommy Makeover Recovery
Setting up your recovery space beforehand is one of the easiest ways to make your first few days at home more comfortable.
Choose an area where you can rest without repeatedly climbing stairs or navigating around clutter. Keep water, medications, your phone charger, tissues, and other essentials within easy reach.
Place frequently used kitchen and bathroom items at waist or counter height so you don’t need to stretch or reach overhead. Prepare meals ahead of time and take care of laundry, cleaning, and shopping before surgery.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that opens in the front so you don’t have to pull tops over your head.
Most importantly, arrange enough help. Patients sometimes underestimate how difficult it is to avoid picking up a child, carrying groceries, walking an energetic dog, or tackling household chores when they’re accustomed to doing these things every day.
See What a Mommy Makeover Can Accomplish
Focusing on your Mommy Makeover results is good motivation for preparing. Because every procedure I perform is customized, before-and-after photos can be especially useful for understanding the range of possibilities.
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Mommy Makeover Preparation FAQs
How long before a Mommy Makeover should I prepare?
I recommend beginning your practical preparations several weeks before your Mommy Makeover. This gives you time to complete medical testing, arrange childcare and transportation, prepare your home, fill prescriptions, and organize time away from work without feeling rushed.
What do I need at home after a Mommy Makeover?
The essentials include prescribed medications, comfortable clothing, nutritious food, plenty of fluids, any recommended compression garments, and a comfortable place to rest. You’ll also need reliable help with children, pets, transportation, meals, and household responsibilities.
The First Step Is a Consultation
If you’re considering a Mommy Makeover, I would be happy to discuss your options. You can request a consultation at our Marina del Rey practice using the online form or by calling us at (310) 300-1779.
This post was originally published in 2022 and updated in August 2026.
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