In general, your tummy tuck recovery time will be longer if you have an extensive amount of excess skin removed during the procedure. If only a small amount of skin is removed, then your tummy tuck recovery time may be closer to 2-3 weeks.
Tummy tuck recovery time is usually between 6 and 8 weeks, but it can be longer. The length of your tummy tuck recovery depends on the type of surgery you had. If you had a mini or circumferential abdominoplasty, recovery could take up to 6 months or longer. This is because there are more muscles and skin that need to be stitched together in order to remove excess skin.
Read on to learn more on How Long Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Time , How Painful Is A Tummy Tuck Recovery
How Long Is Tummy Tuck Recovery Time
Tummy tuck recovery time is about 2 months but can vary from patient to patient and depends on the type of the surgery: full, extensive, or mini tummy tuck. Today we’ve prepared for you a comprehensive guide through the process of recovery after tummy tuck surgery exploring it week by week.
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty was one of the top five cosmetic surgeries for both men and women performed in 2018 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). It is normally performed on patients who have done all they can, with diet and exercise, to address their issue and now need professional help.
Tummy tucks fall into three categories:
- full tummy tuck – for those with fat above and below the belly button,
- extended tummy tuck – for those with more severe loose skin or fat all around the midsection, or
- mini tummy tuck – less extensive and is for those with fat or excess skin only below the belly button.
Whether you are considering a full or mini tummy tuck, it is important to have a good understanding of what the surgery will entail and, even more important, the aftercare requirements. Knowing what the recovery timeline looks like for a tummy tuck will help you be prepared and offer you a smoother, less stressful experience. It is important to follow all the instructions given to you by your surgeon so you will get the results that you are expecting from your tummy tuck.
It is also important to choose a board-certified surgeon because he or she has met rigorous training and safety requirements. You will rely on this surgeon throughout the entire process and having one you are comfortable with can make a big difference. Dr. Angelina Postoev is a triple board-certified surgeon by the American Board of Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and has performed over 1,000 tummy tucks on male and female patients.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Overview
Your recovery time will be unique to you as no two people are the same. Specific factors such as your overall health, age, body weight, and the type of procedure you are having can all play a role in the exact timeframe for recovery from your tummy tuck.
It is human nature to want to be back to your normal routine as fast as possible, however, it is important to give yourself the time to heal properly. The results of your surgery will depend on you, to a large degree, and how closely and diligently you follow the post-operative instructions given to you by your surgeon.
Planning For Your Recovery At Home
For you to get the rest, your body will need to recover when you return home, you should plan as much in advance as possible.
You will need to have someone drive you home from the surgery as well as stay there with you for the first several days. You will need their help in caring for even your basic needs during this time.
If you have small children you will need to make a plan for them. You will not be able to lift, carry or run around after little ones for a while. The same can hold true for certain pets, if you have a big dog that needs to go out on a leash, you will not be in a position to handle that task for at least a few weeks.
Prepping meals and freezing them in advance might also be helpful as well as ensuring your groceries and personal care supplies are all stocked up and on hand. You won’t be able to drive for at least a few weeks so you will not be able to run out to the store.
Tummy Tuck Types Affect the Timeline
There are three different types of tummy tuck procedures and each will result in a different recovery time and/or process .
Standard tummy tuck (full) involves hip to hip incision and usually a belly button incision. It’s performed on patients who have excessive amounts of loose, hanging skin from pregnancy or a significant weight loss. Patients may also have significant separation of the abdominal muscles.
An extended tummy tuck involves an incision that extends beyond the hips, may include a vertical incision. It’s done for patients who have a great amount of loose sagging skin that hangs from their abdominal region to the hips and buttocks and can include the flanks, lower back, and lower chest.
Mini tummy tuck – smaller midway from hip to hip incision. It is limited to the lower abdominal region and is a good option for a patient who has limited muscle separation and less sagging skin.
The more extensive your surgery the longer recovery time you can expect. Someone who has a mini tummy tuck will have a shorter recovery time than a patient who has an extended tummy tuck.
Tummy Tuck Post-Op
Directly after surgery, you will spend a few hours in the recovery room. You will most likely feel tired, groggy, weak, and possibly nauseous from the anesthesia.
Your abdomen will be covered in surgical dressings and you will have some small tubes around any incisions for drainage purposes. These will stay in for the first few days. Most patients can return home the same day as their surgery.
You will be sent home with detailed instructions on how to care for yourself as you recover.
Recovering After Abdominoplasty Week by Week
Week 1
When you first get home, you will be uncomfortable and may experience swelling and moderate pain. Your surgeon will have prescribed you some pain medication that you will probably need to take for the first week or so.
- You will also have some antibiotics that you are to take for a certain amount of time and sometimes are also given a blood thinner. Antibiotic cream is often also prescribed to use around the incision areas.
- You will have a support garment for your abdomen that you will need to wear for a prescribed number of hours per day that will help with swelling and discomfort. It is very important that you wear this garment properly and for the prescribed amount of time as this will affect your recovery time and results.
- You will be advised to take short walks whenever you can even just around the room to avoid blood clots that can occur after any surgery.
- You will have difficulty with bending, lifting, or standing for prolonged periods and will not be able to do many household tasks.
- You will need to get a lot of rest the first few weeks and will need to rest at an angle for at least the first few days. Many find that sleeping in a recliner is the most comfortable for them and it is fairly easy to get out of.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and also avoid any form of nicotine for at least 3 months as it can impede the healing process and can even cause complications.
Week 2
You will need to follow your surgeon’s instructions for taking care of your incisions and drains each day until they are removed anywhere from day 3 to 7.
By the second week, you should be feeling much better and may no longer require prescription pain medication. Over-the-counter medications can be taken if needed as long as they do not contain aspirin. If you have a desk job or a work-from-home job requiring no physical labor or prolonged standing you may feel up to returning to your job duties after two weeks.
Pace yourself and do not rush your recovery as doing too much too soon may cause complications and prolong the recovery process.
Week 3
By the third week, most people are feeling much better and do not require medications for discomfort. You may still need to wear your compression garments for residual swelling which is completely normal.
Week 4
By Week 4 you will more than likely be cleared by your doctor to begin doing light activities or exercise.
You need to wait 6-8 weeks and get the doctor’s clearance before doing any strenuous activities. Your doctor can advise you what activities you can perform and when you can return to work.
How Long Recovery After Tummy Tuck
- How much effort is required for recovery after a tummy tuck surgery?
- What precautions are needed during recovery after abdominoplasty?
- When can you get back to work and exercise after the tummy tuck?
A tummy tuck procedure is very popular body surgery as it has become safer and more effective than ever before. Losing a significant amount of weight or going through multiple pregnancies can leave you with saggy skin that ruins the look of your abdomen. This saggy skin can be removed during the abdominoplasty procedure and the abdominal muscles can be strengthened. The procedure will leave you with a more toned abdomen and a fine scar that can be easily hidden in your underwear or your bikini bottoms.
The results of the abdominoplasty procedure depend on the skill of your surgeon, your health, and how well you take care of yourself during the recovery period.
If you don’t follow the surgeon’s recommendations during the recovery period the results of your surergy can be affected. Your recovery period can make or break the results of your procedure.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Michael Kernohan is a highly experienced plastic surgeon and performs Abdominoplasty in Sydney Southwest Suburbs and the Southern Highlands.
About the Recovery after Abdominoplasty
The recovery period after an abdominoplasty procedure is the same as the recovery period for most elective cosmetic surgery procedures. Your full recovery period can take between six to eight weeks, by the end of which you should be able to resume your daily life activities.
The recovery period is marked by swelling and discomfort which will subside on its own by the end of the first two weeks. There may be slight swelling after that, however, it is not as noticeable. Moreover, you can take pain management medications and antibiotics during the first couple of weeks to help you with the side effects of the abdominoplasty procedure.
Take Your Medications
Regularly taking the antibiotics prescribed by Dr Kernohan is important as they help prevent infections that can cause several further complications such as exaggerated scarring, wound separation, and prolonged healing of the wounds.
Wear Your Garments
You should wear a compression garment throughout your recovery period to prevent fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. The compression belts are also helpful. It is best to wear it every day, only taking it off to shower, especially during the first couple of weeks of the recovery period.
Avoid Smoking, Vaping and Drinking Alcohol
Another important thing to focus on during the recovery period is avoiding drinking and smoking, completely. You should especially refrain from drinking when you are taking the prescribed antibiotics as they may interact with each other and increase the severity of side effects of the antibiotics or reduce their efficiency overall. Abstain from smoking completely as the risk of wound infection increases significantly with smoking.
Going Back to the Gym
You should be able to go back to the gym for light exercise by around six weeks to eight weeks. However, it is worth mentioning that the final results of the procedure may not be apparent right away. In fact, they may take up to six months to be completely visible. Some of the side effects of the procedure may also persist during this period, however, they are almost all temporary meaning that they will subside eventually.
Tummy Tuck Recovery Timeline
The recovery timeline for the tummy tuck procedure is as follows:
· First 24 Hours
You should be resting. It is not recommended to shower or move about too much. You will also have difficulty going to the toilet or standing up straight. Your appetite might also be reduced.
· At 48 Hours
Resting is still important. You may be able to shower after 36 hours. Constipation may occur. To prevent this, you should hydrate well and eat foods rich in fibre. You may still be hunched over, and your appetite most probably hasn’t returned. Move gently to avoid the chances of a clot or DVT forming.
· First Week
By the end of this period, you should be able to walk properly, although it is not recommended to go overboard with exercise. Just walk gently around. Your constipation should have resolved and your appetite is bound to have returned. You can go back to work during this stage if you are working an office desk job. You should also sleep on your back during this period, so as to not put any pressure on the incisions. It might also be helpful to avoid sleeping with others as a way to avoid injuring yourself during the night.
· Week 2 to Week 4
During this period, you are allowed to do light exercises like taking a brisk walk, moving about in your personal space, and doing simple feet exercises. It is not recommended to do any strenuous exercises that put pressure on your incisions as your body is still healing.
· Week 6 to Week 8
This is the last stage of your recovery period and is often marked by starting to resume your daily life activities. You can begin your workouts after this period, including intensive physical workouts as your body has mostly healed. Start gently and watch for any pain. Swelling, discomfort, and bruising should have subsided by now, although you may not be able to see complete results of the tummy tuck.
How Painful Is A Tummy Tuck Recovery
The tummy tuck recovery is a long and challenging process. Most people who have had a tummy tuck say that they wish they had done it sooner.
The surgery takes approximately two hours and the recovery takes several weeks. You can expect to spend at least one week in the hospital and several weeks at home recovering.
The most common side effects include:
Pain, numbness or other discomfort in the area of the surgery
Swelling and bruising around the incision line
Loss of appetite for several days after surgery
Constipation for about a week after surgery
The procedure itself is relatively simple but requires great precision to ensure that your results are natural-looking and optimal. Dr. Jones will use liposuction to remove excess fat from your abdomen or waistline while also tightening your abdominal muscles through sutures placed beneath the skin during surgery. The liposuction can be done by making an incision in your pubic hairline or above it if you prefer a more discreet scar line, depending on your personal preference.
The recovery time for a tummy tuck is fairly long. In most cases it takes about three to four weeks before you can start exercising again. It will take even longer for the swelling and bruising to subside, so your final results may not be visible for a few months.
A tummy tuck is an invasive procedure that removes skin and fat from the abdomen as well as tightens the muscles in the abdominal wall. The surgery usually involves removing excess skin from the abdomen and tightening its muscles with one or more stitches.
During the procedure, surgeons remove fat and skin from around your midsection to give you a flatter, tighter look. They also tighten your muscles by removing fat pads under them and stitching them together to give them more support.
The tummy tuck procedure can cause discomfort during recovery but doesn’t usually cause too much pain. Most people who have had this surgery experience mild pain, but it’s important to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions carefully so that you don’t aggravate any post-operative complications that could arise due to pain management issues