The pain and swelling may continue for up to 3 months after surgery, and it will gradually get better each week as your tissues heal. You’ll need support garments while you’re healing from your tummy tuck procedure, which can be worn for up to a year after surgery. Be sure that they fit properly so they don’t interfere with your healing process.
The tummy tuck recovery period generally takes about 6 to 8 weeks. You might be able to go back to work after about 4 weeks. You’ll need to avoid strenuous activity for about 6 weeks, but you can return to light activity after 2 weeks. You’ll have a lot of pain and swelling in the first few days after surgery. The swelling will get worse before it gets better as your body starts releasing fluids from the incisions and surrounding tissues.
Read on to learn more How Llong Does A Tummy Tuck Recovery Take, How Long Does A Tummy Tuck Last AND Tummy Tuck Complications Years Later
How Llong Does A Tummy Tuck Recovery Take
While recovery from abdominoplasty is different for every individual, there is a general tummy tuck recovery timeline that is applicable in most cases. While it may be six to eight weeks before you can resume all normal activities following tummy tuck surgery, you should be able to:
- Resume working a non-strenuous job within five to seven days
- Resume most household and work duties within four weeks
- Adopt an exercise routine within four to six weeks
It is recommended that you wear a compression garment for at least six weeks post abdominoplasty. However, it should not interfere with general comfort or abilities.
The First Few Weeks
It is important that you get plenty of rest in the days following tummy tuck surgery. Having a family member or friend help with household duties during this time is ideal. It can also be helpful to set up a rest area prior to your procedure to make sure you have a comfortable place to just relax. Think about books, magazines, and other things you may want to pass the time and allow yourself the opportunity to relax and recover during this period. This can have a profound impact on your long-term results.
Some swelling and mild discomfort may be present for the first few weeks. Our doctors will provide you with medications to deal with discomfort. Swelling can be reduced by wearing your compression garment and taking several walks throughout the day. These walks can be started the day after your procedure and you are free to take as many as you like – so long as you don’t exhaust yourself.
Week Six and Beyond
By weeks six, you may be able to resume a majority of your normal activities, though it could be one or two more weeks before you are completely healed. During your recovery, you will return to our office for follow-up visits to make sure you are progressing appropriately. These visits also give us an opportunity to answer any questions you might have and address any concerns.
You can help reduce risks and improve your experience by keeping these appointments and following all of our pre and postoperative directions. These will include not smoking, getting plenty of rest, and only resuming activities after we give you the okay. Simply following these instructions can have a big impact on your comfort and results. We will cover these things in greater detail during your tummy tuck consultation and review as needed while you are in our care.
Final Results
Full recovery can be expected with eight weeks, but results may take a bit longer to be realized. Swelling and bruising typically subside within this time frame, but full slimming of the midline can take a few additional months.
Be patient during this time and take care of your body to help ensure your results are both pleasing and long-lasting. This includes eating properly, exercising regularly, and taking steps to improve your health and enhance your results. We will discuss all of this in greater detail during your initial consultation to make sure you understand what will be required for the most rewarding experience.
Tummy Tuck Complications Years Later
The most common complication of a tummy tuck is wound separation. This occurs when the wound opens up at some point after surgery. This can be treated with simple suturing to close the wound.
Other possible complications include infection, bleeding and seroma (an accumulation of fluid under the skin).
Seromas will usually resolve on their own without treatment, but they may require aspiration to remove the excess fluid. The removal of seromas is usually performed several months after surgery.
Bleeding can occur during or after surgery and needs to be controlled quickly by your surgeon using pressure or other techniques. If bleeding cannot be stopped, you may need blood transfusions or a return visit to the operating room for additional surgery.
The most common complaint I hear from my patients is that they wish they would have done their tummy tuck sooner.
Unfortunately, this is a very common complication of a tummy tuck, especially in women who are over 40 years old.
The good news is that there are ways to minimize the risk of this happening to you.
First, it’s important to choose your surgeon carefully. A board-certified plastic surgeon who performs hundreds of tummy tucks each year is your best bet for long-lasting results with minimal scarring and complications.
You should also be sure to discuss all of your options with your doctor before undergoing any cosmetic procedure. For example, if you’re considering having liposuction performed at the same time as your tummy tuck, be sure that you know what kind of anesthesia will be used (general or local), and how much time will pass between the two procedures so that you can decide whether or not it’s safe for you to undergo both at once or if it might be better for you to book them on separate days instead.
In addition, don’t let anyone pressure you into undergoing surgery when you’re not ready for it — if something doesn’t feel right about a certain doctor or clinic, trust your gut
I had a tummy tuck with lipo done 3 years ago. I’m still healing and I have some questions about what could be causing my pain.
I’ve been in constant pain since the surgery, but the pain has gotten worse over time. The incision is still red and swollen, but it’s healed well otherwise. I’ve had multiple infections, but they’ve all responded to antibiotics. However, there are several lumps around my belly button that are painful when touched. They’re not hard lumps, just soft tissue with a little bit of fluid inside them. They seem to have appeared after my most recent infection (which was treated with antibiotics).
The doctor said she’s never seen anything like this before and doesn’t know what it is or how to treat it! She thinks it might be scar tissue, but she also said that scar tissue should be smooth over time as opposed to lumpy like this…
I’d really appreciate any advice you can give me on what might be causing these lumps and how to get rid of them without surgery…
How Long Does A Tummy Tuck Last
A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen and waistline. The procedure can help with body contouring, provide a more toned appearance, and make exercise more effective.
Tummy tucks are often combined with liposuction to remove fat from other areas of the body where it may be unwelcome. In some cases, a tummy tuck is combined with other procedures such as breast lifts or buttock augmentation to create a complete body transformation.
The recovery time for most tummy tucks is about three months, but it varies depending on the complexity of your procedure. During this time you’ll need to focus on rest while your body heals properly without excessive activity.
The results of a tummy tuck last for many years. The great thing about a tummy tuck is the procedure itself is permanent and the results are long lasting. You can expect your results to last for at least 10-15 years, if not longer.
There are some things that can affect the longevity of your tummy tuck results such as:
Your weight gain or loss: If you have gained or lost weight, this can affect the appearance of your scar and possibly cause sagging skin again.
If you lose more than 15 pounds, there is a chance that you will see some sagging skin around your lower abdomen and flanks again. This is because the muscle underneath is not strong enough to support the extra skin that has been stretched out over it.
If you gain more than 20 pounds, there is also a chance that you will see some sagging skin around your lower abdomen and flanks again. This is because the muscle underneath is not strong enough to support the extra skin that has been stretched out over it.
The length of time it takes for you to heal after a tummy tuck will depend on the extent of your surgery.
For example, if you have a mini tummy tuck, which removes only a small amount of skin and fat, you may be able to return to work within one week. If you have a full tummy tuck with liposuction, which removes more skin and fat, your recovery may take several weeks or months.
The length of time it takes for you to heal after a tummy tuck will depend on the extent of your surgery.
For example, if you have a mini tummy tuck, which removes only a small amount of skin and fat, you may be able to return to work within one week. If you have a full tummy tuck with liposuction, which removes more skin and fat, your recovery may take several weeks or months.
In a few weeks, you will notice that your belly button is smaller and tighter.
After 2-3 weeks, your belly will be less puffy and the swelling will go down.
After 6-8 weeks, your scar should be almost invisible.
It can take up to 3 months for the swelling to subside completely.