The recovery process after a tummy tuck can be lengthy, but you should be able to walk up stairs within two weeks. The first thing you should know about healing from a tummy tuck is that it’s going to take a while. For example, your incision will take at least six weeks to close completely, and that doesn’t mean you won’t have any pain during that time—you will. The good news is that after six weeks, the pain should start to subside.
Now, when can you walk up stairs? It depends on how your body heals and how often you do physical activity during this time period. If you’re not doing anything strenuous or heavy lifting during this time, then two weeks may be enough time for your body to heal enough so that walking up stairs isn’t too difficult or painful. If you do have any questions about when it’s safe for you to start walking up stairs again, we recommend speaking with your doctor beforehand so they can give their professional opinion based on their knowledge of your specific case.
Read on to learn more about How Long After Tummy Tuck Can I Walk Up Stairs, How Long After Tummy Tuck Can I Drive
How Long After Tummy Tuck Can I Walk Up Stairs.
Many of my patients worry about doing too much following a tummy tuck and “hurting” the operation. This is harder to do than you think. Of course, life is a balance. I don’t want you over doing and washing your floors the day after surgery. It is important, however, to be up and walking. This will actually help with the discomfort and you will bounce back much quicker. It also helps prevent your muscles from getting stiff and tight. You need to be up walking and then resting. Wondering what you can and can’t do? Here are some Tummy Tuck recovery tips.
Eat all of your meals at the table and not in bed. Eating meals in bed psychologically makes you think you are sick and discourages movement.
After a few days, as soon as you are starting to feel better, get someone to take you out for a drive or go for a walk outside of the house. This will help you bounce back. Remember, you are not sick, you are just recovering from surgery.
Allow yourself to take naps and to rest up. You will recover quicker this way.
ANSWERS TO SOME COMMON TUMMY TUCK RECOVERY QUESTIONS:
What do I have to clean?
There is no point in cleaning the steri strips. The only the sutures without steris covering them are around your belly button and in the rare case where I place a drain. Don’t be concerned if the steris fall off prematurely. Clean around and inside your belly button with dilute hydrogen peroxide and a thin coat of antibiotic ointment, twice per day.
What if there is a bit of bleeding or drainage from part of the incision after surgery?
It is normal to have some drainage after surgery, especially the first day and night. This is especially common if you had liposuction at the same time. It is also common to have some light oozing or bleeding from the incision or from the umbilicus, especially the first day or first night. Just put some extra gauze and hold pressure for ten minutes. If you are concerned, send me a text. It will stop and is rarely anything to be concerned about.
When can I have sex after a tummy tuck?
When you feel up to it. Again, use common sense and be cautious.
How long after a tummy tuck can I shower?
I let all of my patients take a shower after surgery. You don’t need to cover the incisions with anything. Use whatever soap you want (no taking baths until I tell you that you can). Of course, remove any gauze on your incision but leave the steri-strips.
How soon can you walk after a tummy tuck?
You absolutely can walk up and downstairs immediately after surgery. Once again use common sense. If you need someone to help you on the stairs then do so. In my experience, almost everyone can do the stairs, as soon as the anesthesia effect has worn off.
When you walk, walk with the spine straight. It is totally erroneous that you will come apart if you walk straight. I know some people have been told that by other surgeons, but this is nonsense. You will just get a sore back!
How Long After Tummy Tuck Can I Drive
Atlanta plastic surgeon Marcus Crawford offers a breakdown of what our patients can expect during the tummy tuck recovery period.
WEEK 1 AFTER SURGERY
Diet: Patients should maintain a diet that is low in sodium for the first week after surgery to reduce swelling.
Side Effects: Patients experience some pain, bruising, swelling, and tightness the first week after surgery.
Drains: Most patients will require the use of a drain for the first few days after surgery; the drain directs excess fluid away from the incision and out of the body. In most cases, the drain can be removed in three to seven days.
Bandages: Tummy tuck bandages may be replaced, and the area around the incision gently cleaned, every other day after surgery.
Compression Garment: Patients should wear a compression garment at all times in the week after surgery. The compression garment will aid in healing and help patients achieve their desired contour.
Showering: In many cases, patients can take a shower a day or two after surgery. However, if you are feeling lightheaded, it is a good idea to wait. Patients with drains may find it easier to sponge bathe for a few days after surgery.
Off Limits: A number of activities are off limits the first week after tummy tuck surgery. These include: driving, exercise, work, chores, smoking, and drinking alcohol.
Week One Recovery Tips:
- Take pain medication as directed
- Wear a compression garment
- Use an ice compress to minimize pain and swelling
- Limit movement
- Stay slightly bent at the waist
- Have 24-hour care and assistance for the first three days after surgery
- Stay hydrated
- Stay in bed and rest
WEEK 2 AFTER SURGERY
Diet: Patients will be ready to go back to their regular diet the second week after surgery, but it is a good idea to continue to limit sodium this week.
Side Effects: At this point, there is still swelling in the treatment area. However, the pain, bruising, and feeling of tightness are beginning to fade.
Massage: The second week after surgery, patients can begin to lightly massage to treatment area to promote healing.
Scar treatments: Patients can usually begin treatment to minimize scarring the second week after surgery. Scar minimizing techniques may include the application of vitamin E or silicone sheets to the incision.
Compression Garment: To achieve the best possible results, patients should continue to wear a compression garment two weeks after surgery.
Work: Patients may feel ready to return to work and other obligations 10 to 14 days after surgery. Patients that undergo tummy tuck in combination with another treatment, such as liposuction, butt lift, breast augmentation, arm lift, or thigh lift, may need an extra few days to recover.
Off Limits: A number of activities remain off limits the second week after tummy tuck surgery. These include: exercise, smoking, and drinking alcohol.
Week Two Recovery Tips:
- Drink plenty of water
- Wear a compression garment
- Start taking brief walks a few times throughout the day to get your blood flowing
WEEKS 3 AND 4 AFTER SURGERY
Diet: Many patients return to their normal diet by the third and fourth week after surgery. However, it is important to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet to stay at your ideal weight range.
Exercise: Patients can usually engage in light exercise four weeks after surgery. However, more strenuous moves such as sit-ups and weight lifting should be avoided until six weeks after surgery.