The recovery period for this procedure can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, with most women requiring about 6 weeks of recovery time. During this time, you will be advised to wear a support garment that helps your body recover properly. You will also have some physical therapy sessions with a physical therapist who specializes in post-operative recovery. You may experience some numbness or bruising around your incision site, but these side effects should subside quickly. You may also experience pain around your incision area, which should subside in 2-3 weeks after surgery.
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, as well as tightens the muscles of the abdominal wall. It is typically performed to improve the appearance of loose skin after pregnancy or weight loss.
Read on to learn more on How Long Does It Take To Heal From A Tummy Tuck, How Long Before I Can Stand Straight After Tummy Tuck and Tummy Tuck Recovery Week By Week
How Long Does It Take To Heal From A Tummy Tuck
The technical name for a tummy tuck is abdominoplasty. An abdominoplasty is a surgical treatment that focuses on the stomach area. The purpose of this treatment is to remove stubborn fat tissues from this region, creating a slimmer look. Tummy tucks also repairs the abdominal walls that may have undergone extreme stress during pregnancy, weight loss, or aging. Due to the nature of this treatment, it is relatively invasive and requires some downtime after.
Tummy Tuck Overview
Tummy tuck surgery will get rid of excess fat and repair the muscles of the abdominal walls. Dr. Brenman recommends this treatment for individuals that are struggling to remove the last layer of fat after an exercise regime. It is also popular as a postnatal treatment for new mothers. Before considering if you’re a good candidate for a tummy tuck, it helps to understand the full procedure from start to finish.
Preparation
Preparing for the treatment is as simple as getting a full medical evaluation – sometimes complete with lab testing. This will ensure that you are physically healthy enough for the surgery. You will also be asked to avoid certain medications before the surgery and to stop smoking.
Procedure
The tummy tuck procedure is a three-step process. Firstly, anesthesia is provided to ensure you’re asleep during the surgery. A horizontal incision is then made in the lower region of your stomach, along the pubic line. From here, the skin is peeled away, and the abdominal walls are prepared. Your surgeon will then stretch the skin back over the stomach, trimming down any excess. It is finally stitched back together, creating a flatter stomach with less excess skin.
Sometimes, liposuction is used during this procedure to remove excess belly fat. This is optional, but you and your surgeon will decide if it is necessary.
Recovery
Like a lot of cosmetic surgeries, you will be wrapped in a compression bandage following your treatment. This will stop swelling and allow your skin to heal correctly. Medication may be provided to help with pain. There may be some fluid drainage following the treatment, but your surgeon and their team will manage this for you. A full recovery can be made approximately 6 weeks after your surgery.
Benefits of a Tummy Tuck
Tummy tuck surgery is beneficial for anyone that has excess belly fat or loose skin. It will allow you to remove the stubborn tissues to provide a flatter and more appealing stomach. This procedure is also advantageous if you have weak abdominal muscles. It can tighten and strengthen them back up, undoing the damage caused by pregnancy, etc.
Am I a Candidate for a Tummy Tuck?
You are a candidate for a tummy tuck if you are a healthy person that’s gone through a natural weight-loss program. You’ve eaten well and exercised regularly, but still have excess stomach fat and loose skin. A tummy tuck is not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle – it is not used as an alternative fat loss treatment.
Likewise, women can be great candidates if your stomach has suffered after multiple pregnancies. However, Dr. Brenman advises against this procedure if you intend to have more children. It will yield better, more long lasting results if no more pregnancies are planned.
How Long Before I Can Stand Straight After Tummy Tuck
I am sorry to hear about your recent surgery and I hope that everything is going well.
The healing process for an abdominoplasty can take anywhere from 2 to 4 months. Most patients return to work within 2 weeks after their procedure, but it may be longer than this depending on the extent of your surgery and how well you follow your post-operative instructions.
Standing straight after a tummy tuck depends on how much skin was removed and how long it takes your body to heal. In general, most patients are able to stand up straight within 1-2 weeks after surgery, but again this will depend on the extent of your procedure and how well you follow your post-operative instructions. If you have any concerns about this or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call us at (888) 979-2261 for more information
I’ve had a tummy tuck and I’m still having pain when I stand up straight. When will this go away?
I have been home from the hospital for 2 weeks now and I am still having pain in my lower back, buttocks, thighs and groin area. Will this pain go away?
I have been in physical therapy for 3 weeks now and my doctor says that he thinks that I am crooked but he can’t tell because of swelling. He says that once the swelling goes down we can see where I was crooked before surgery. How long does it take for swelling to go down after a tummy tuck?
I am 6 weeks post-op from a full abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). My abdominoplasty was done on May 28th. In addition to hernia repair I had some lipo done around my upper abdomen, flanks and back fat removed as well as an extended incision along the pubic area which included removal of loose skin on my hips resulting from weight loss through dieting over time. The lipo was done by an external method using suction only (“no needle” method). I had no complications with this procedure at all except for some bruising around
The tummy tuck recovery time is about 8 – 10 days in the hospital and several months at home. You will be in the hospital for 3-4 days after surgery. The first two days are spent in bed, with a drain in your side to prevent fluid build up. The drain is removed on the third day and you’ll start walking around the hospital more. On the fourth day you’ll be transferred to a different area of the hospital where you will continue your recovery.
After leaving the hospital, your doctor will tell you when he or she thinks it’s safe for you to drive again (usually no sooner than 6 weeks). Most patients are able to return to work within 2-3 months after surgery.
It is important to realize that there are many factors that can affect your healing. Your body type, size and skin type are just a few of the variables that will determine how long it takes to heal.
Your surgeon can give you an estimate based on his or her experience, but this is only an estimate and should not be considered as a guarantee.
It is important to understand that the recovery process can be long and challenging, especially if you do not follow your doctor’s instructions.
A tummy tuck is an extensive procedure that requires significant time to recover from. The first two weeks after surgery are critical because they determine how well your new body contour will match your expectations. You are still swollen at this point and will not see much change in appearance until the swelling goes down several weeks later.
The answer to your question depends on several factors.
- Your health status before surgery. If you have any medical condition that might be affected by surgery, such as heart disease or diabetes, it is important to consult with your doctor before having a tummy tuck. Some conditions may require special precautions during and after surgery, so it is important to have an open communication with your surgeon about this issue prior to the procedure.
- The type of tummy tuck you get. There are different types of tummy tucks that can be performed depending on the severity of your belly fat excess, as well as other factors such as previous surgeries or pregnancies that may have left behind loose skin on your abdomen area. Some people even opt for more than one type of tummy tuck depending on their needs (e.g., liposuction followed by an abdominal plication). If you are planning to undergo a tummy tuck procedure, it is best to discuss with your plastic surgeon what type of procedure is best suited for your needs so that you can make an informed decision about which option is right for you.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Week By Week
Day 1 to 3: You will be sore, swollen, and bruised. You may have some drainage coming from your incisions. The swelling may go down in a few days but it can take up to four weeks for the swelling to go down completely. You may also experience some numbness around the incision sites which is normal. It will subside over time but you may need to see a doctor if it doesn’t go away on its own after two weeks.
Day 4 to 6: Bruising should begin fading away during this time period and you should be able to move around without too much pain or difficulty breathing. You will still need help getting dressed and bathing for a few weeks after the procedure though because of the swelling around your incision sites.
Week 1: Your stitches should start dissolving during this time period so you no longer need bandages on them anymore (although it’s okay to wear light clothing if you’re still feeling sensitive). You should also be able to move around without too much discomfort or pain although you won’t feel completely healed until about three months after surgery (and even then you might still feel tightness).
You’ll be able to walk with assistance as soon as your doctor releases you from the hospital, but only for short periods of time. You’ll be on your back in bed for at least a week after surgery and will need help getting in and out of bed and moving around. You may also have trouble bending forward or reaching overhead during this time.
As you continue to heal, you’ll progress to doing more activities with less assistance, such as walking longer distances, climbing stairs and walking up inclines. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a compression garment for several weeks post-surgery to help minimize swelling and support your healing incisions.
You should expect some swelling after surgery, which will gradually subside over the course of several weeks. The first few days following your procedure may be uncomfortable because of the anesthesia used during surgery; ask your doctor about medications that can help manage pain or discomfort during this time period.