Tummy tuck and breast augmentation not the same as C-section
I do recommend doing these procedures together, as you will have one recovery time and spend less money.
With a C-section, your abdominal wall is opened up and there is internal surgery which is a whole different type of discomfort as opposed to the outside work involved in a tummy tuck and breast augmentation.
However, everyone’s experience is different and there are a number of things that can make a difference such as the On-Q pain pump, the size of the implants, and so forth. (Richard Baxter, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)
Consider staging these procedures
Although I offer this combination to my patients I encourage everyone to divide this operation into 2 separate procedures. The abdominoplasty will limit your initial core mobility whether pain pumps or local blocks are used.
You can compensate for your core with your extremities during the first weeks of recovery if the tummy tuck is done alone. The tummy tuck itself is less painful than the c-section. Adding breast augmentation performed below the muscle will reduce or eliminate your ability to get up from a chair or bed using your upper body. This makes the first weeks of recovery more difficult and forces you to rely more on caregivers.
With small children at home that need to be held and attended to I have found it easier to tolerate and recover from 2 lesser procedures spread over a greater period of time. This is an individual decision which you should discuss with your board certified plastic surgeon to make the best decision for you. (Robert W. Kessler, MD, FACS, Corona Del Mar Plastic Surgeon)
The tummy tuck is about the same pain scale as the C-section but with the use of the on-Q pain pump, post-operative pain can be reduced quite a bit. The breast augmentation may be uncomfortable for the first day because the implants are usually placed below the muscle. A muscle relaxant such as Robaxin works well to reduce discomfort. (Marisa Lawrence, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)
Pain is very subjective but in my experience there is more pain in the combination of these operation. But again everyone is an individual
Pain with Mommy Makeover
It is difficult to quantify pain. but I would expect the pain with a mommy makeover (AUGMENTATION AND TUMMY TUCK) to be comparable to or less than your C-section(s). The main difference is that muscle is cut with a C-section. In a tummy tuck the muscle is plicated rather than cut, but this usually still is accompanied by moderate pain for a few days. (John Whitt, MD, Louisville Plastic Surgeon)
Breast augmentation and tummy tuck are commonly done together.
Most women who have had a C section feel that a tummy tuck is not nearly as bad. And breast augmentation does not hurt much. (George J. Beraka, MD (retired), Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)
Tummy tuck versus c-section pain
I think the pain form a tummy tuck alone versus a c-section is less as there is no intra-abdominal procedure being done. But I will also say that when your abdomen is in pain, whether from a c-section or a tummy tuck, you will rely on your arms to help you move around. If you are having a concomitant breast augmentation, now you will have discomfort in an area that you are going to be relying on to a greater extent. I would not say that the pain is higher on a scale of 1-10, but you will be more dependent on people helping you if you have the breast and tummy tuck done together. (Julio Garcia, MD, Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon)