Many patients who get a stomach tuck treatment do not have realistic expectations about the recovery period. It’s easy to lose hope and get frustrated in your rehabilitation if you don’t know what to expect. However, having a recovery plan in place might help you heal more quickly, improve your self-esteem, and resume the activities you enjoyed before your procedure.
Take it easy and rest while you recover from your belly tuck procedure. Exercise and heavy lifting are on the list of things you should avoid. The act of sitting up straight, by itself, might be painful at first. Once the swelling goes down, you can start doing more.
Read on to learn more on How Long Does Tummy Tuck Pain Last, How Long Before I Can Stand Straight After Tummy Tuck and Warning Signs After Tummy Tuck
How Long Does Tummy Tuck Pain Last
Tummy tuck surgery, medically known as abdominoplasty, is an effective way to reduce excess skin and fat around the abdomen and improve your tummy’s overall appearance, helping it look flatter and more toned.
Before undergoing tummy tuck surgery, it is important you know what to expect after you have had the procedure. So, we have created a guide to explain what happens after surgery, how long recovery will last and how quickly you can return to your regular day-to-day activities.
What to expect after abdominoplasty surgery
After you have undergone tummy tuck surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for one to four nights so that your healthcare team can monitor you and check you are recovering well.
You will feel quite sore and tight across your tummy, so you will be prescribed pain medication to help you feel more comfortable.
Your tummy will be swollen initially, but the swelling will reduce over the following weeks.
A compression garment will be fitted around your tummy, which you will need to wear for at least six weeks to help reduce swelling and bruising and help your stomach tissue heal and keep its correct shape.
You will need someone to drive you home from the hospital, and you may benefit from having someone to help you around the house with day-to-day activities for the first couple of weeks while your movement is restricted.
You must take plenty of time to rest following your abdominoplasty surgery to allow your body to heal and recover.
What can you not do after a tummy tuck?
As a tummy tuck involves making an incision from one hip to the other, you must avoid certain movements and activities to reduce the risk of damaging your stitches.For the first few days following surgery, you will not be able to stand fully straight as this will pull on your stitches, so you will need to keep a slight bend at the hips.
Lying flat with your legs extended out in front is to be avoided in the first few weeks to prevent tearing your stitches, so it is recommended to either sleep in a recliner chair or to place pillows under your knees to keep them bent.
You will need to take time off work for the first two to four weeks following surgery so you can rest and recover; you will also not be able to undertake any strenuous exercise, raise your arms, or lift weights for at least six to twelve weeks.
While taking pain medication, it is also recommended you avoid alcohol.
How long does the pain last after a tummy tuck?
You will feel sore for the first few days following surgery, so you will be prescribed pain medication to help you feel more comfortable. However, the discomfort should begin to subside within the first couple of weeks.
How long does it take to fully recover from a tummy tuck?
The type of tummy tuck you have had and how quickly your body heals will impact how long tummy tuck recovery lasts. However, most people will be fully recovered within four to eight weeks.
How long after a tummy tuck can I drive?
Simple movements such as twisting to check your blind spot, turning the steering wheel, or opening and closing a car door can all compromise your wound healing and cause discomfort, which is why it is recommended you avoid driving for the first few weeks after surgery.
Your healthcare team will advise you when it is safe for you to resume driving, however, most people are usually able to start driving again within two to four weeks.
How Long Before I Can Stand Straight After Tummy Tuck
I am a little over 4 weeks post op and my surgeon has me standing up straight. I am still having some pain around my incision area. He told me to take it easy and continue my exercises.
I was wondering how long before i can stand straight after tummy tuck?
The tummy tuck usually takes about two hours to complete. You should be able to stand straight after the surgery, but you will need to use a walker for about two weeks. After that, you should be able to get up and walk around without any help. The pain should subside within a few days of your surgery.
You might experience some swelling and bruising after your procedure, so make sure you wear loose-fitting clothing and take it easy during the first few days after your tummy tuck. If you have any questions or concerns, talk with your doctor as soon as possible.
If you have a tummy tuck, you may be surprised by how quickly you can get back to your normal activities. After surgery, you’ll need to lie on your back for several days and then switch to your side. You’ll also need help getting up and walking around for the first few days after your surgery.
After about two weeks, you should be able to get up and walk around unassisted, but it can take up to six weeks before you’re fully healed. Your doctor will give specific instructions about when it’s safe for you to start exercising again.
If you have other surgical procedures at the same time as a tummy tuck, such as liposuction or breast augmentation, these factors could delay healing and recovery time.
It is important to follow your surgeon’s instructions for recovery. Most surgeons advise that you not stand straight for at least 6 weeks after surgery. After 6 weeks, it will still be some time before you can return to normal activities without pain and discomfort.
In general, the recovery process takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months depending on the individual patient, the extent of the surgery, and how well they follow their surgeon’s instructions.
For example: a tummy tuck with liposuction may take longer than a tummy tuck without liposuction because there is more tissue damage during liposuction and more swelling after liposuction than there is after an uncomplicated tummy tuck without liposuction.
The tummy tuck procedure is a major operation and you should be prepared for some pain. You will have a drain placed in your abdomen after surgery to help remove any fluid or blood that may accumulate. The drain may stay in for up to 10 days.
You will also have a compression garment to wear for 3-4 weeks after surgery. It will help reduce swelling and tightness of the skin. Strenuous activity should be avoided for several weeks after surgery, but most patients are able to return to work within 1-2 weeks of surgery.
Warning Signs After Tummy Tuck
The tummy tuck is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries. The procedure involves removing excess skin, fat and muscles from the lower abdomen and tightening the abdominal wall.
The surgery can be performed using different approaches, depending on your anatomy and body type. A traditional tummy tuck involves an incision that runs from just above the pubic area to just below the navel.
The procedure typically takes between 1-2 hours to complete, depending on whether it’s a full or partial tummy tuck, as well as how much excess skin needs to be removed.
Tummy Tuck aftercare instructions include:
Avoid strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks following your surgery. This includes exercise, bending or lifting heavy objects or anything else that could put strain on your incisions during this period. If you feel like you are pushing yourself too hard, take it easy!
Avoid sitting in any position that puts pressure on your incision area while it heals; sitting upright is best
Wear loose clothing around your waist area so that it doesn’t rub against your incision area when you move around (jeans may feel too tight)
The recovery process after a tummy tuck surgery can be a bit challenging, but it’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions in order to avoid complications and ensure a successful outcome. If you notice any of these warning signs after your surgery, contact your doctor right away:
- Dark or bloody drainage from the surgical site
- Fever and chills
- Redness, swelling or tenderness at the surgical site
- Pain that is getting worse or does not go away
- A change in bowel or bladder habits